- Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking is your way of telling stories?
From a very early age, I felt the urge to capture moments ; through realistic
drawing or photography, as if I could capture time. Filmmaking came into my life about 2 years ago. I felt deeply for the interaction of it. For me,
documentary is really about give and take. You have to give much of yourself so that the person in front of you opens up. You have to be sincere, keen and mindful. I immediately felt the potential for personal growth. And then, I started dreaming. I thought that maybe I could give a voice to those who cannot be heard ; maybe I could help people share a little bit of themselves, that I could help them open up and inspire others. That’s when I knew I wanted to devote myself to filmmaking.
- Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
No, I don’t think so, although I believe that owning the basics of aesthetics and filmmaking is a must. Today, it is very easy to get access to many online
classes, books and other references in order to learn the basics. I believe that the people that surround you are what’s more important. Your contacts are your clients, your collaborators, your muses and they are what’s mostly
valuable. I also believe that what is much more important than going to a film institute is to take action. Getting out there and shooting as much as you can, that’s what will make a successful filmmaker.
- Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either?
For me, it’s harder to get started. I have been a graphic designer for over 5
years and there is a switch I am trying to make. I can’t cut off all the projects with my clients at once, neither with my income. I am making space for filmmaking as a career as swiftly as possible, more than as quickly as possible. There are sacrifices I make in order to have time to create and develop myself as a filmmaker. Saying no to projects that won’t take me where I want to be is one. Because I am juggling with so many projects at the time, sometimes I feeI like I am not present as much as I would like for my friends and family. But I know I am on the right path… I feel it deeply, and this is what that keeps me going.
- What were the production realities from casting through editing that you had to accommodate? How did you navigate those compromises or surprises and s,ll end up with a cohesive film?
Sound was bad… like, really bad. I had a poor microphone for the shooting. I bought a new microphone right away when I started the edit of the movie. I struggled through tutorials and found a way to make it not so bad. I added a sounds of wind and noise and amplified the fact that it was unperfect.
- What role have film festivals played in your life so far? Why are they necessary? How do you get the most out of them?
It is my first submiting a film in film festivals (and I got an award, wow!). So
far, the experience is very gratifying! I wanted to find out how my peers would receive my art and my work. I can really say that the experience has me wanting to tell all the stories there are to tell through filmmaking.
