FEST - what else?

On the first week of July, in Espinho, Portugal, film lovers had the chance to spend an entire full-on week of film activities. From workshops, masterclasses, lectures to screenings and viewings, this festival stands as one of the most prominent young film festivals in Europe.

Luckily, I had the chance to work with them. Starting from September, I was contacted by them to work on the advertisement for FEST, which consisted on the making of 3 photographs, with 3 different concepts, being each one applied to a separate section of the festival, which were Workshop, Film Screening and Social Environment. Of those the result was the following:

Even though I made 3 photographs for the festival, the organisation ended up not using the last image, maybe for it might have been a bit to strong tor the ambience of the social life of the Festival, even though the art director was very pleased with the final outcome. Anyway, not putting any client's taste, I was very pleased to work for these images and I need to thank Areias, for the paciente to be photographed and all the time spent making this!

But enough about the advertising. The Festival, whose 2012th edition lasted 5 days, was a whole bunch of happy surprises! From the warm audience, made of very enthusiastic and incredibly talented people, not only from film (both student and professionals) but also from other fields outside it, such as biology, for instance; the blend in and tranquility of the festival that, even though it is an international gathering and it brings very big names such as Scandar Copti, an oscar nominated director, Matin Walsh or Tom Stern, to name but a few and yet, the almost home environment that we can feel, while there, due to the break of stigmas or to better describe it, a felling of a break of superiority - not respect! - where both the person invited and the audience are and speak at the same level, no prejudices included. And to see this in such a lively space, how can one not enjoy seeing and talking with such grand people, where the ingredients are of such quality?

Workshops during the day, screenings and 'forró', as we sometimes call it, at night. But this is not just an excuse to stay up late and drink. It is also where people might become the most relaxed and cosy. It is where there is more room for fun - outside the working space - and socialisation, or Super Bock should review the concept of their advertisement, because what they show us is not true! (just kidding). Still, what one feels during the day, is mirrored at night, with a lot of dancing, a lot of talk as well, tiredness on people's bodies, after long days with barely no sleep, but like the majority would say 'It's FEST, what else/'

I heard about this festival two years ago, when Eduardo Serra came to this same festival to give one of his first masterclasses on his life. Unfortunately, I didn't attend it. 3 months later I was working for the same festival. What can I say about it? It's FEST, what else? :)

Honesty - behind the claquete

On the past days from 13 to the 15th of June, I was invited to work as a gaffer to the most recent work by Karin Capuano, soon to be released (can't wait for it!) titled 'Honesty'. Even though I am not allowed to say much about the content of the motion picture - it will be updated once I get permission to do it -, I can show some of the insight of the 3 nights we spend organising, setting up and shooting for what is about to become a very interesting film!

Even though I am hiding a lot of details about this project, I can tell you that this proposal came almost by 'accident'. You must be asking yourselves 'By accident? What does he mean with that!!'
Well, the fact is that I was at her house with some friends, when Karin got in in a rush, with her producer, just to get some stuff she had forgotten and head out the minute after. However, I said hello to her, the moment before she left the house and asked her what was the matter. In the middle of the conversation, getting excited about the picture, I offered myself to do anything to help them out - I was on holiday already - to which she said 'Of course! I'd love you to make some stills, if that's alright'.

Being happy, but not the happiest, because it would be really neat to have a more important duty on the creation of it - not saying that being a still photographer is bad! - I carried on with my life.
And it went very smooth, with no big events... you know, just a regular, tranquil day. Until... I got something that changed everything on the making of 'Honesty'

Karin, who first had asked me to be the still photographer, was know asking me to play as a gaffer. For those who don't know what a gaffer is, he basically plays the role of head of the electrical department meaning that I was setting up the lights to the likes of the director!

This news made me incredibly happy, knowing that I was gonna be playing one of the most important roles after the director and director of photography! That also revealed how much trust someone had put on my capabilities, to the point when, during the shooting of the motion picture, no one was telling me what to do, as I almost had scripted my idea of lighting to the scenes, of which were just what the Karin was looking for (this also saved her a lot of worries, giving her room to think about other issues).

As for the inspiration, in terms of lighting, from what Karin told me what the film was gonna be like, I found Eduard Grau's cinematography from 'Single Man' to be one to be inspired by to the design of the light, and the result was what you are just about to see!

After 3 days of shooting and preps from 6 pm - 6 am,
a well deserved power nap during the final shots.

Lovely working with all of you and look forth to see the final outcome! :D