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? :)

The Graphic

June 16, 2012

This date marked a very unique event at Kilburn High Road: what was gonna be remembered as the beginning of what can be a path as a concert/event's photographer. Let me further envolve you.

There I was, at home, after the shoot of an incredible film and a proper rest, looking at my room and my stuff and starting to organize everything for my forthcoming trip back to Porto, seing my family again, being in Porto, feeling the warmth and heat everyone around there, see the SEA and smell the saltiness in the air! All of this was going on my mind when I get a message from Laurent, inviting me to go to one of his gig's, happening at the 'The Good Ship' and photograph it' Even though he wouldn't be able to pay me for the job, we would let me in free of charge and pay a few pints.

I was about to leave London for a bunch of months. Had my backpack to be set up and the room cleaned and going out to photograph for a bunch of ours wouldn't stop me from not making what I had to do. Also, that was a part of London I hadn't been to so it was also an opportunity to see a bit more of the millons of corners of London.

And so I said yes.

Got a bit later than arrange because of the traffic in London, but also because I misunderstood the venue for another gig he was gonna throw at Camden Town. However, there was not much of a issue about that as the arranged meeting time was set for about two hours before the actual gig (for a few group shots).

As I finally arrived, and relaxed for a bit, the work started. Even though I had no predetermined idea of what kind of frames I wanted to get, it wasn't very hard to see that bricks would be a constant on the photographs I was gonna make. Quite easy to manage, a few shots were enough to make them happy. And if the client is happy, so am I!

At 9.30p.m. their gig started. Although I never had listened to their music, it wasn't to hard to know what kind of band or what gender of music they were gonna play. What I was surprised though, was the way they captivated the audience, when compared with the other bands playing there. And that, adding the photographer on stage, almost make the band feel superior (not necessarily better) to the other ones, in the sense that they are conscious about their position, as a band and know what their goals are; that there is someone interested in them rather than looking for someone to look after them.

Anyway, the pub was a bit odd, in terms of space, although I might say it is a good spot to throw some gigs and the photographs pleased the band, to the point when I was told that with the quality of the photos I was taking, it would be really easy to earn quite a lot of money out of it, which was a surprise for me, because of the lack of notion about the practiced prices.

A nice energetic venue and good time spent listening to some emerging music which we might have the chance of be listening on the radios, soon!

Wish you the best of luck!!



UPDATE: If any of you got interested on the band, please visit them on their facebook page The Graphic

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