Every month we will be posting interviews with our Directors and other industry folk. This month we spoke to Short Films' Director Pedro Suarez about what inspires him at work.
WHAT WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PIECE OF WORK ON YOUR CAREER?
Truffaut’s ‘The 400 Blows’. It’s naturalistic performances and remarkable level of authenticity have always inspired me.
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU PICKED UP A CAMERA.
I started making movies when I was 9. I would borrow my Father’s camcorder and direct my Brother and cousins in action.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND IMAGE ON YOUR MOBILE?
A colourful geometric pattern.
WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED YOUR CAREER?
Clients seem to be more and more interested in featuring ‘real people’ instead of actors in their adverts. I think this is because in the age of social media, a recommendation from someone like you is much more valuable than one coming from someone who was clearly paid to say what the brand wanted them to say.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Directors get pigeonholed into doing the same kind of project over and over again because agencies and clients want to see that you’ve already done something exactly like what they’re trying to do. I wish they could see beyond the reel and realise that a good director can direct any kind of project.
WHAT SHOULD STAY THE SAME?
I like that the industry has become a global one, and I’m directing projects in Asia, in Europe, in America. I hope that stays the same.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN REGARDS TO YOUR CREATIVE GROWTH?
Me. I think creativity comes from within.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON?
‘Change One Thing’ for Dove’s Self-Esteem Project. I came up with the idea and was involved in developing it as well as executing it, so it was very rewarding to see it come to life and be so well-received.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO AT THE MOMENT?
Fleet Foxes, Alt-J, The War on Drugs, Lord Huron, The Cave Singers, The National.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF?
Don’t worry about what other people think.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF ART YOU BOUGHT?
‘The Little Mermaid’ on VHS.
WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?
A couple of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.
WHAT TV ARE YOU WATCHING AT THE MOMENT?
The Handmaid’s Tale, Westworld, Transparent, Stranger Things, Love, High Maintenance, my DVD set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IMAGE STORED IN YOUR MIND?
The faces of my loved ones.
WHAT IS BEAUTY?
Authenticity.
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