Produced By - #21 - Andrea Secci: Reaching Clear Vision Through Exploration Of Art

Starting point is 00:00:02 Andrea Sachin is a photographer, filmmaker and teacher based inside Albans UK. Italian native from Sardinia, Andrea relocated to London in 2014 to improve his English. After a career in hospitality management, Andrea went to earn a BA film with a foundation near-in media. He currently works as a branded photographer, he is a co-founder of his own businesses, an occasional background artist in film, height and television and TVC productions, and film and television teacher at the Pauline Quirk Academy. We discuss his academic career from the perspective of a dedicated and responsible student, how he managed the pandemic and his ultimate triumphs with his short film.

Starting point is 00:00:41 As a web-bit reader and passionate screenwriter, he offers helpful book recommendations for aspiring filmmakers, along with some advice on how to make the most of your time at university. We go into greater detail about Andrea's experience working as an extra in notable productions. Listen to this episode to discover more about his experiences working on sets with well-known actors and directors, gain insight into his optimistic outlook for your own personal growth and be motivated by his desire to one day return back to Sardinia. Enjoy. Hello Andrea, thank you for joining us today and welcome to the show. Hello Thomas, thank you very much.

Starting point is 00:01:23 Can you please introduce yourself? Yes, my name is Andrea. I am based in UK, specifically San Diego, specifically San Diego. in Albans, although I used to live in London. I study Middlesex University in London. I have a degree in film, BA Film, with an extra year in foundation in media. And yeah, work in photography, filmmaking, education. A lot of interest as we'll find out. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:01:53 Just to start with your education, I wonder, can you tell us your experience of studying foundation year because I haven't studied it but I spoke with someone and that Preston said that it was very helpful. Can you say how did you find it? Yes. First I decided to go through the foundation here because obviously I come from another country so the university system is quite different but also what I studied in high school in Italy was totally different. I studied sailing maritime transport management so I didn't have anything to do with filmmaking. There is interesting.

Starting point is 00:02:32 Yeah. Even though I had some knowledge of radio film, television, I decided to the extra year foundation, so to be introduced to the university system in this country, but also the topic. And it was very useful because we went through film, television, media. And it was quite good. It was a good introduction. We did a lot of projects.

Starting point is 00:02:59 some short film and actually the major project. In the end was a short film, which I made by myself, with my housemates, with equipment taken from Middlesex. And then when I started a BA film, I had already a good base. It was very useful. One list for me, yes. No, I can imagine you.

Starting point is 00:03:21 And just off topic shortly, but it's interesting that you studied sailing. Why did you have such career change? completely different direction. Yes. So I am from Italy, specifically I'm from Sardinia, which is an island. And when I was 13 years old, I had to decide which direction to take. And the only, I mean, I was obviously when I were 13, I'm quite young. You're a preteen. So we don't really know what we want to do in life. But I knew I liked the sea. I used to sail me my father already. And there were many options such as filmmaking or photography,

Starting point is 00:04:04 which, you know, I've always liked. So I decided to go into sailing. And yeah, I did the five years. I took my diploma. I did even some further experience. But then I came to UK for learning English. And actually in terms of career change, before going to university, I worked in restaurants here. and I went into management so that was my big career change from management to photography and film like yeah and what was the reason in the first place you moved to UK or to London

Starting point is 00:04:37 I wanted to learn English I wanted to master the language I could speak it a bit but I could be very little and also actually fun fact when I came to UK for the first time I realized my English was even worse than I thought because I was watching some American film and the English was very different. And when I came here, I couldn't understand the word.

Starting point is 00:05:03 Yeah, so that was the first reason. I'm also seeking a life experience. And yeah, that was the reason. So you worked in restaurant, in management, as you said? And yes. Why did you decide to switch for film? I was working in management. It was a good job with a salary.

Starting point is 00:05:22 but in the end, I wanted something else. And my dream was always to go to university and study film. So I decided just to go ahead with my dream, and I just went to university, and it was obviously kept my job. I was studying full-time and working part-time, you know, to pay the bills. And it was quite a lot of work, but it was rewarding in the end. And throughout my, let's say, my last year, year at university, I did the shift of career. So the first three years, I was working and studying,

Starting point is 00:06:00 working and studying, and then COVID came. Oh, perfect timing. Yeah, perfect timing. And then during my last year at university, I left my job at the restaurant and I started to do freelancing in photography, videography, and then doing some essay work as well to get on big sets and connect a network. while completing my last year at university. So that was... Was it your plan or did you decide to do it this way because of the COVID? Because I remember when there was a COVID, restaurants shut down, pretty much everything shut down.

Starting point is 00:06:37 So I wonder if it was intentional or was it because of the circumstances? No. I mean, it was intentional, but like I hadn't planted. So I didn't lose my job. I was in federal during the local. So I was still getting 80% of my contracted hours. But honestly, being in lockdown gave me the possibility first to, you know, even master even more my skills. And then when the lockdown was over, I was like, I really don't want to go back to my restaurant job.

Starting point is 00:07:12 I want to keep on doing what I'm doing. So this is why I left my job. I mean, actually, I went in an impaled leave, took all my holiday, and went in Ampley, I was like, let's live a bit of security there. But then I just left. Can you sum up your experience at university? How did you find it since it was your dream? Yes, it was my dream.

Starting point is 00:07:37 As I said, it was very hard to get into that system and work and study. But it was great. I mean, I made friends. Well, to be honest, I was a mature student. So my university experience was slightly different from who goes to university at 1920. I did my first year than I was 26. So I was a mature student. I was older than the other.

Starting point is 00:08:05 So I didn't really leave my university experience going to parties, a bit and I'm over from the day before. So I was pretty much really focused on my assignment and, you know, watching. loved the library. I would go to the library every time that I was a Middlesex University. I would take books, films, lots of films in series. And then I would try not miss any class. So I was very perfectionist on what I want I was doing. So I lived it very well. And plus, again, pandemic came. It was my first year of BA film. So it was almost halfway through that COVID came. My second year was pretty much on Zos. Like I had all my equipment already, my lights, my camera and cyboots, whatever, and I could make my films at home.

Starting point is 00:08:59 With my girlfriend, we made some short films, all my assignments from that year. Overall, it was very roller coaster, but it was good. I really liked it. And the last year was very full of pressure. Well, pretty much also from myself, I put a lot of pressure. I was like, this is the last year. This is. I went into producing and directing

Starting point is 00:09:23 and I decided to, my colleague Michele, we wrote the script together, he directed it, I produced it. So that was a lot of work for our final film plus all the other assignment

Starting point is 00:09:34 plus the work. So it was very, very busy, but it was in the end. Rewarden was a great experience, yes. So in the third year, was it still over the Zoom? Or could you already actually go to university?

Starting point is 00:09:49 in person? Luckily, it was not over Zoom. Luckily, we went back to university. We started to go back to university in the year before. Towards February, March already we were kind of doing some lesson here and there. And the project was, we made it person, like a short film that I co-wrote and directed. So that was good already, but the last year was fully in person. Exactly. And what was the role that you focused on? Was it producing or directing? The second year directing, the third year producing.

Starting point is 00:10:30 But I would say the main role that I focused all throughout was screenwriting. I was waiting for a cinematography, but it never came. Yeah, writing is my love goes to writing, screenwriting. I just, I love writing. I write a lot. Actually, I'm focusing on my writing. Obviously, there are ups and downs because of all the other things I'm doing. But, yeah, like, writing is my main thing within a film.

Starting point is 00:11:00 I think every project that I've been to within university and the short films that I made out of university throughout, I was either the writer or co-writer. When I watch a film or a series, the very first thing I look at is the writing. and actually still aspire to become a screenwriter. Why did you then in the third year focus on screenwriting as the main one? Because I've been doing a lot of writing out of university. I had focused on screenwriting in every year, basically. It was one of my main thing in the second year.

Starting point is 00:11:41 And I wanted some more responsibility. I wanted to, for job purposes, know how to either fully direct, like, the last film at university or produced to give me that experience. And to be honest, throughout the project, I was sometimes because of the stress, I was like, why did I not go into screenwriting? I could have saved myself a lot of stress. But in the end, I was like, actually, no, I'm glad I did. Because it gave me the experience of producing a short film with a budget of £4,000 and a lot of crew members and all the locations, all the permits, dealing with drafty contracts. It taught me so much about the film industry and what it takes to actually get a film done. Yeah, and if it was to go into screenwriting even in the last year, I would have not learned.

Starting point is 00:12:40 things. I wanted to challenge myself even further that because it was the last year. And how was the final film in the end? In my opinion, we made a very good film, actually still running for festivals, some nomination. We got an award, honorable mentions as well. And it's still ongoing. We have festivals until, I don't know, maybe for another four or five months. So let's it. And it was very good. Obviously, the production was very challenging because, you know, there were so many things, five locations and all the transport. But we made a very good film. And I'm actually very proud of it. And it taught me a lot again. The experience and the people I worked with. Overall, it was very rewarding. So as someone who had this weekend, a successful

Starting point is 00:13:36 university final short film. Can you share some tips and advice for either students or people who want to study at university? How to take advantage of it from your own experience? Yes, I would say use your experience as much as you can. I mentioned before the library, an example. And the library, you can just go and you have so many films and steameris. They can simply take and watch your library. your own time. You have so many books you can read the topic you're interested too. You have

Starting point is 00:14:11 equipment, plenty of people like-minded people that you can make stuff with. And I would suggest to use that at your own advantage. Just go and make something and don't overthink it. I mean, seek for perfection, yeah, within the learning, but don't be too much perfection that you have to, you know, make the award-winning film at first because you are there to learn. And you have plenty of things and people they can live with. So just go and take it in a positive way. Really enjoyed the journey because when it comes to an end, you're like, oh, wow, it's actually finished. Now it's over.

Starting point is 00:14:59 And now it's time you have to work and you had all those things. My example, we made that film. We had the Sony AFX 9 from Middlesex University, which was such a great camera. Next time that I'm going to be able to shoot a film of mine with that camera, I don't know, because it's very expensive. So, you know, you have that opportunity, which when you're there, like, whatever, but then take advantage of the resources. Yeah. I agree as you can. Be positive.

Starting point is 00:15:34 enjoy it, work your skills. Don't worry about perfectionist because, you know, you're there to learn. So just go and do it. And as you said before, you spent some time in a library. Are there some favorite books or helpful books that you advise people to read if they want to improve either their writing or even other areas? Yeah, there are quite a lot. Well, there are two, the remains.

Starting point is 00:16:04 My favorite. One is called The Working Director, How to Arrived, Tribe and Survive in the Director's chair. That's very good book. Why is it? Because it's written by somebody that really worked his way to become a director. And it's not just about directing. It's given what aspires to become a producer who would benefit by reading this book. and he's a guy that shot documentaries with a crew of free people or feature films. I would say it doesn't teach only about directing is a lot about the film industry, which is not just directing because what happens is many go to study film because they want to be directors, but the reality is when you finish university or not a director, right? Set the reality.

Starting point is 00:16:58 I mean, you can, yes, direct the project, but there is this misunderstanding of what the degree is, actually. It's not a pass for film sets and, okay, you direct this 200 million pounds film. It's not like a ticket to film industry. Yeah, you really like, there is so much work to do and so much competition. And I think this book really puts you with a fit in the game. ground or is the beginning of really putting the feet in the ground and understanding. And another one is for writers, but I would say also for any other as part directors, producers, which is instinctive screenplay, which is also a book that would be used in, yeah,

Starting point is 00:17:48 I think it's the final year at university in film. So that's about screenwriting. There are many books about screenwriting there. There is also the writer's journey, which is a very good. book. So that's my third book. And also, when it comes to films, can you name a few that you liked because of the script? Because you said you really liked screenwriting, that's something you focus on when you watch something. What are some great films with amazing scripts? I would say one very good is Little Miss Sunshine. And the reason behind? I would say it's really genuine. It deals with

Starting point is 00:18:28 problems that can arise in a family, but also in the society. And it deals within such a candid way, even though certain parts are more so candid. Yeah, it's just very well written. Obviously, it's a very good film. And it's not just the writing, it's also the acting and the directing. But the writing is just so the way it deals with all the problems that can arise in a family and growing up, which is something that sometimes, even now that I understand, because, I mean, I'm understanding that by working with children, that, you know, we say, oh, they are children.

Starting point is 00:19:11 Yes, they are children, preteen is teenagers, and it's a very difficult age. And little Miss Sanchez deals also with the pressure from the father to the daughter, being the best she can and being very actually not understanding not the daughter neither the son and yeah it's just a very difficult age and on the other hand it's also being an adult

Starting point is 00:19:39 so I feel like a little Miss San Diego with all the age ranges and it kind of put them all together in a road trip yeah I always suggest to watch the film Yeah, sounds good. I may rewatch it. Honestly, I don't remember that. But it's a good transition to your work. What do you try working with children? Well, my role is called film and television teacher. Obviously, I usually say I'm a workshop leader because, yes, I'm the teacher, but we do workshops, we're making workshops, which is kind of that's where it is.

Starting point is 00:20:18 And sorry, what is the age range of those kids? have three groups. One is six to nine years old, then it's 10 to 12, and then 13 to 18. And we do mainly practice, but of course a lot of theory as well, because usually they are children, so they want to put the hands on the camera. Don't you like make them sit for a one hour watching a presentation? It's very rare that I do that. And if I do, it's very funny, there are very nice examples of shouts and sometimes we don't have much time so we create nice shots or now actually we are working on the short films the final films of the year and with each group we're going to be filming from this week each saturday with one group and we've been working on the

Starting point is 00:21:11 script as if it was a university production like we did a test shoot we worked on the script we've been in rehearsaling, obviously it's less harsh. You know, there is the script, the keyboard, the shop list. And that's what it is. We got the actors. We did all the casting. So that's what we've been doing. We've been doing a lot of lighting as well because we bought the lights.

Starting point is 00:21:34 So we've been going through all the lighting techniques. We do Saturdays and they've been doing quite a lot throughout the year. It sounds like fun and great preparation if you decide to do. study film later on. Yes, I would have loved to do something like that. Yeah, exactly, because then you need to have that. Start study and you don't feel like complete stranger. It doesn't know what is doing there. Yeah, totally, totally. They're ready speaking filmmaking, let's say. Especially if you get your hands on the equipment in such a gauge. Also great later on. Just it's way easier and everything. Yeah, and you can see that some of them are really prone to it. Some of them really

Starting point is 00:22:18 learn very fast and all the technicality and they do everything by themselves. And is it like voluntary or is it part of the curriculum? No, no, it's paid job. It's paid job. And why did you actually start teaching that? Is it something that also wanted to do, be a teacher? One of my dreams will be one day going back to Sardinia and having my own academy. I had an photo. First thing I wanted to do was to get on set, program in my last year, the university and after graduate. So I hadn't thought about that,

Starting point is 00:22:52 but then I saw that they were looking for Finland television teacher, the Pudding Kirk Academy in MLMSTAT, which is 20 minutes drive from where they live. And, you know, I was working with life. I was like Saturdays. I was like, hmm, extra income. Why not?

Starting point is 00:23:09 I'm going to apply, but I was like, hmm, don't think I have exactly the experience that they're looking for. But then I got the interview and then I got the job. So I went like not knowing what to expect, but I loved it since the beginning, to be honest. And also it gave me the opportunity to work in schools as a supply teacher or teaching assistant depending.

Starting point is 00:23:35 I work also with kids with special needs now. And it's good because I learned how to work with adults. I had never worked with children, totally different. Especially such young children, as you said, if they are like six to nine. Yeah. Yeah, like I have a niece. That was my only experience with children,

Starting point is 00:23:57 who is almost six years old. So it is teaching me a lot. And yeah, let's see where it takes me. And do you actually have to prepare for those classes, or is it just passing the information that you already know from studying and your experience in film? Well, I would say I always prepare something.

Starting point is 00:24:18 Again, I tend to be perfectionist, so I don't like to arrive. I'm prepared. Yeah, I'm prepared. So I usually prepare something depending on what they're having. Sometimes they have, like, musical theater shows that they're preparing for. So I'm like, okay, maybe these two weeks will be easier. So I prepare, you know, a presentation. Last time I showed them a compilation of best shots of West Ham.

Starting point is 00:24:43 Anderson films. Wasn't beautiful? Yeah. Or obviously because I'm Italian. Best, Bellini, and then try to recreate some of them and stuff like that. So yes, I do prepare usually. Yeah, that sounds great.

Starting point is 00:25:03 Just a quick one. If you enjoy our podcast, please give us a review on your favorite podcast app, subscribe or share it with your friends. For more information, visit the show notes. Thank you. to the show. So what are your other areas where you are working or what you specialize in? So I do photography. I do branding photography. I started out during the pandemic with

Starting point is 00:25:28 Andrea Sage photography, which I set with my partner. And now we set an agency which is called Lid espresso where we give branding photography, digital marketing services to small businesses entrepreneurs. We covered some event as well. I do photography as a freelancer through another company, which is school photography, again working with children, so-covery events, concert, art exhibitions, depend what the brief is, while the work in schools and been making, I'd mention that already. And then I've been doing essay work, so working in film, television series, TV commercials, as a supporting artist, welcome performer.

Starting point is 00:26:20 I started that during my last year to university, here and there, to get my foot in the door of big sets. And it's been great because I met actually like-minded people. I mean, I've been on sets of many productions. I'm like, oh, well, when I say people that are not in the field, they're like, oh, wow, are you kidding. Like I've been on the set of the crown, Fast 10, and I saw famous people. I think it's a good way to learn about how the work on set is, how actually the industry is.

Starting point is 00:26:59 It's flexible work. So I would suggest that to university students. I was suggested to me by already a teacher at Middlesex University. and then in charity I was like yes it does I wonder how much time do you have left or how do you manage all of these activities and jobs well to be honest I should slow down sometimes it gets very overwhelming

Starting point is 00:27:26 but to be honest I do enjoy going on holiday so it's not like I'm always working I do take good time off I like to travel and then you know it's been about he hasn't been even a year since I graduated So this is why I went through all these experiences, you know, to experiment, yes, to obviously get some finances back from the university path, which was quite challenging also for the finances because you cannot really work full time. But yeah, I would say it's good to experiment and then slowly, you know, narrow your way into what you want to do. And now I know I want to focus on my writing.

Starting point is 00:28:06 That's why before I said it being ups and downs in a way. that I dedicated more time to actually being out there and experimenting all these jobs. But then I left my writing aside when actually being true to myself, writing is what I want to do. I'm starting again to focus on my writing. And this is why I'm going to focus on our agency and my writing and, you know, the filmmaking teaching, which I really enjoy. To be honest, yeah, I would like to work on my writing and one day I would like to go back to Sardinia to Italy. Yeah, great experience from London to Sardinia. Exactly. So I would like to make films there because, to be honest, all the stories I write, my inspiration comes from there.

Starting point is 00:29:01 I mean, it's a mix, but I usually see my stories in there. obviously that's what I would like to do so out of all those activities and jobs you've mentioned can we elaborate on some the big productions as you said like extra right for example crown or past 10 sometimes you get a walk-on performer which is a bit more featured role so you get more money

Starting point is 00:29:26 I wonder can you share how did you find a job in the first place I mean maybe it's not that difficult to find job working as extra but I guess it's not that easy to get it in such projects as you did. I would say yes, there are plenty of agencies that you can subscribe to and if they accept you you have to do your profile. Once they accept you, they send you the availability check and obviously you have to commit to the specific jobs. Then you know, you get the agents know know you. So it becomes more stays profession but they

Starting point is 00:30:05 know you so you get more opportunities, you get plenty of jobs if you put the foot in the right. And again it's flexible and it gives you a good understanding of what the working on set is. Because to be honest I didn't know before

Starting point is 00:30:21 but now I know that I wouldn't be able to go and work full time on set like that in those productions because there is a very long, very happy. Sometimes you have to travel very far, so you might be out of the house for 17, 18 hours a day, very little sleep, and that's not for everyone. And, you know, even if you do long hours, in the end, you are at their home on the workplace, that you might be 100 miles away

Starting point is 00:30:52 from home. Yeah, I understand. And there are so many productions, and sometimes the job you find, It might seem genuine, but it's not. And unfortunately, some people that are trying to get into the industry are being taken advantage of. They might tell you, it's 120 for a day, but you must drive the van. So you drive the van, and then you do the runner work, which is very long, and you have to drive the fan back, and you did all of that for 120 pounds. Very long day. and with very bad money.

Starting point is 00:31:32 And although it's so demanding, such a long days, the work you need to do, it's still very competitive, right? That it's quite hard to get there because there are so many people who want to get that job. Exactly. That's the thing. And it's very hard to get. And then, you know, look out because some productions are not genuine. And then there are those offers that they get in the business. They get work in big productions.

Starting point is 00:32:01 which are also genuine, so you know, you never know what you get. I met people that went on work in nice productions like Disney productions, Netflix productions, and those are genuine. But very tricky as an industry. Very, very tricky. And this is another suggestion. I know what you want to do, experiment, yes. But don't feel like if you don't like something or it's not for you,

Starting point is 00:32:31 Don't think that is the only way to get into it. Find something else within the industry. Because working on set as a runner is not the only thing you can do. Some people might be able to do it, but I wouldn't be able to. Again, to work all those hours every day. Yeah. Listening to orders the whole day, somewhere outside, no matter, what the weather is there.

Starting point is 00:32:57 Academy of it might be very tough conditions. Yeah, very, very tough, very tough. And just to get an idea, how many days you spent on such a production as extra? Well, usually in each production I spent between one and three days, but I did a fair amount of productions. I don't know how many, to be honest. Those are products usually like commercials I did Amazon Prime, E, all January booking.com.

Starting point is 00:33:29 And is it usually around London or is it even outside? We can find them anywhere. Usually there are many London or the studios, which are a bit out of London, but many others are other counties. And this is why I have a car, which is very good for any job you want to do, even for working schools or any work that I currently do. The car is my hero because, you know, we transport, especially from St. Albans, because it's not in London. And this is another thing.

Starting point is 00:34:07 Another suggestion, if you want to this kind of jobs, get a driving license, get a car. Because without a car, it's very difficult. It's even more difficult to get this kind of jobs. Pretty much any job in the film, unless your visual effects, head of thing, sound design. I was going to say advice to listeners, if you want to. stand out and get a car. It's already some plus points. Yeah, it is. And are there any lessons that you learned from working on these productions? Because obviously it's different than working at university. Is there something that you learned? Wow, so many things. When I can give a few,

Starting point is 00:34:47 I learned that it takes a lot of money and people to make a feature film or a TV series. More people and money that I fought before going into any of these cells. And because obviously it takes a lot of people and his long hours, it's about knowing how to work with people as well. It's not just about getting the shot done. Because you see people working there, especially in the AD department, who are doing very long hours, a lot of hard work. And yet they are able to keep it professional. And try to stay positive. Yeah, yeah. Another thing is, you know, if you know that the job is hard and once, if you accept to do a job, commit to it. Because yes, you were asked, but you were enforced to do the job. So if you commit to it, bring it to an end and then move on to something else

Starting point is 00:35:50 if you didn't like it. And yes, they do many takes. They do. They do. lots of dates. There is a lot of preparation many times for just one take, for just one simple shot. There are so many people, so much preparation behind. Again, I suggest to try the experience because you really piss off. Plus the money is good most of the times. And I guess it's also a great experience just being on such a set that doesn't happen to anyone and not many people have such opportunity? Yeah, that's correct. That's correct. It's overall experience. And you made plenty of nice people. They have other jobs, so they have their own businesses. And they do that too. Sometimes it's just to break from the routine. Sometimes it's to get some extra money. Sometimes it's the experience.

Starting point is 00:36:47 Yeah, it's just good. I think obviously for me personally, something that I'm not going to be doing for Not doing it. Goal. Yeah, I've been doing it for this year because first to network that we like many people get the other side of the camera, then also get some extra work, some extra money. So I've been doing it for those reasons. But obviously after a while, it becomes something that, you know, once experienced productions and if it's not really your thing.

Starting point is 00:37:21 But I don't see myself doing it for much longer because I have, other things I'm working on now, but it's being useful for my transition. Very useful. And yeah, now I have other things I'm doing. So let's see. Sometimes I still, if they propose me a good job, I still say yes. But I don't say yes to every job. Before we move to another topic, I just wonder, can you say what is it like once you

Starting point is 00:37:47 arrive on a set? What does your day look like? If you just listen to directions of probably not director or maybe director, or maybe director, I don't know, and do what they say or what is such a day on a set like? Okay, you're right. Most of the times is very early. Like, it can be 6 a.m. cold time.

Starting point is 00:38:07 It's been even like 4.30 a.m. cold time. Sometimes seven. You have breakfast. They feed you very well. It's the most important to fleet your crew. Yeah, pexel. Breakfast, check costumes, hair and makeup. Usually, you know, for, it's not.

Starting point is 00:38:24 not much, but they just need to make sure everything is alright. Sometimes there is to wait for when they are ready to film the scene you're going to be in. Sometimes you go almost straight to set. And it's just, you know, them trying the shot, trying the action, and once you get to set, and usually are the assistant directors giving you the directions. When it's a lot of people working. And yeah, until the scene is done, you're there. Sometimes it can be 10 hours.

Starting point is 00:39:00 Sometimes it's been very few or five. Sometimes it's been a lot like 13, 14 hours. Usually when it's laid up, it's very good money. And it happened a few times that I had some work-com performer role, which is a bit more featured. Or productions where we were at very few. So there you might have the director. giving in the directions,

Starting point is 00:39:27 you actually get to speak to the director. That sounds like your experience. Yeah, that's a very good experience, to be honest. And yeah, because then you talk to the DOP, all the camera department, you have a chit chat, and then the director, and then the main actor. So it all depends, be honest, on the production.

Starting point is 00:39:50 It sounds like great sorts of motivation or inspiration, if you get to see these people working on a set, as you said, even famous and successful director, actor, or whoever, it's like a great boost for you, isn't it? Yeah, to be honest. To be honest, it's nice to see famous people. You are there to work and like, oh, wow. I saw this actor in a film when I was a kid and I'm like, no, I'm here. So it's nice.

Starting point is 00:40:20 It is nice. Because until then, you just saw the movie. in famous films. When you see direct as people as well. Yeah, like real people there. Or even direct, for me, even famous directors. It was very, very rewarding to see them working. You cannot imagine the pressure and what they need to go through

Starting point is 00:40:43 with the whole production being, I mean, not the whole production being on them, but the role that the director plays is so big. Yeah, and the surprise is when you actually hear them speaking or see them working, they're actually very calm. And you're like, okay, they've been doing that for so many times that if I was to think to have those responsibilities right now, would probably be anxious. I would have not slept for the past four nights.

Starting point is 00:41:12 But yeah, it's been great. You never know who you get to see. Like Oscar winning directors, Oscar winning actors. It's a very good experience. So that's why I always suggest. Just go and try. Yeah, I agree. Let's move to your other area of expertise, photography.

Starting point is 00:41:32 Yeah. You mentioned quite a few that you do. So can we start with one of those? You can pick which one we want? We can start with branding. Yeah. So what is it to actually do when it comes to branded photography? So it depends on the brief.

Starting point is 00:41:50 It depends on the person. or slash business. Again, it's something that we started out on our own. So we had some nice project, but not as many because we started out. So it depends. An example, there was this lady with a skincare business. So it included both some lifestyle photos of her base, some product photography of all the creams and stuff, and some photos of her using the creams.

Starting point is 00:42:23 So there were three parts. For another one, hired me for an event. There were more businesses at this event. I was organized by this business. So they hired me to do photos at the event of the speakers, of the people attending. So it all depends. Usually it is the individual.

Starting point is 00:42:46 So it's pretty much portrayed on action. and if they have a product, or even if they don't, if they have an online business, it can be things they relate to the brand, such as maybe the pencils that are the same color of the brand, and maybe I take a photo of that with the blurry background of the past working. It can vary. Obviously, what I like about photography is that is me and the camera and the brief and the client. So I have creative freedom limited because it's still got to deliver what the client is looking for.

Starting point is 00:43:26 But I have creative freedom. Like I shot with my own eye and the viewfinder just photograph. Or it can be simply like I did branding for actors who just need portraits of them, maybe different outfits, some artistic bows. I did that too. and that is about just framing and getting the light nicely done and getting just nice portraits. Have you got like a studio? I do not. I do have the equipment.

Starting point is 00:44:02 For some projects we did rent out places and I do have one place nearby that I could use as a studio. I could pay by the hour and a half. But no, I do not have a studio. I dream of having one. because I dream also making some more artsy photography. One thing I like is artsy stuff and I like artsy films and I dream of having my own studio making photos in there, more artsy photos as well or fashion photography, who knows.

Starting point is 00:44:36 I like to experiment. Yeah, that talks about. I wonder how did you start with this? Because you had to somehow get the first client. So how did you advertise yourself? How did you spread the word? Yeah, that's very hard. That's the hardest part is to carry the word out there, advertise up.

Starting point is 00:44:53 I just started out during the pandemic. I started to take photos to use my girlfriend as the subject at first. We did plenty of photos. And then some musicians, friends, I started to take portraits of them. And then I just started to have this idea of working as a freelancer, basically giving the service to people for free, and using those photos to then put them out there, market yourself. And then there has been a lot of setting up

Starting point is 00:45:32 and actually studying doing courses for on business, networking with people, going to networking events, and reaching out to people. Well, sending proposals. There is so much to do. You see, yeah, we are still working on this and looking for clients, looking to expand. It's a lot of work to work as a financier or set up your business, but it totally pays off. Yeah, it teaches you quite a lot.

Starting point is 00:46:02 Yeah, I can imagine. But what do you say, if you want to promote yourself, either share your services or any links, feel free to do so. Yeah, I do actually now my partner and I will go under Dijespresso, which again, as I mentioned, we do branding photography and digital marketing, like social media management services and can find your link in. I will share links, social media, website and stuff. I will share it in any show notes and people want to have a look. They can. Sure. And also they can reach out to me like even if he's just.

Starting point is 00:46:42 just for a chat on maybe going deeper on what we talked about here. Because I'm always happy to give suggestions or help from my personal journey. I think everyone's journey is different. Obviously, always have things that you can suggest. So I have my own journey that I can talk about if anybody wants to read out to me. So yeah. Yeah. I mean, primarily we'll need to do part two at some point,

Starting point is 00:47:11 because we didn't cover much, I feel like. As you said, you focus on quite a few things. We could go much deeper. So I've been more than happy to catch up again in the future. Yeah, sure, Thomas, whenever you want. Are there any final notes or something you would like to mention before we finish? I feel like I gave a lot of opinions for this chart. But yeah, to everyone out there trying to get into the film industry,

Starting point is 00:47:40 just listen to your heart, to your body and really do what you want to do because with that, just work towards your goals and experiment and you might change slightly or that direction, but that doesn't mean that you're losing anything. Actually, you are gaining a lot. So just follow your heart, you know, trust your journey. That's all I can say. I think it's great advice. and I can only agree with you.

Starting point is 00:48:11 And thank you, Thomas, actually, for having. Like, this was such a pleasant chat. No, I agree. I really appreciate it. My pleasure as well. And listening to your journey, as you said, the background to come from, the reason you move to London and even the experience you have, for example, from Shult or your own business,

Starting point is 00:48:30 I find it personally inspirational. So, pleasure for me to listen to it and find out more. Thank you. So, good. Thank you, Tom. and see you soon. Yeah, have a nice one, yeah? You too. Bye. Bye, bye.

Starting point is 00:48:47 Thank you for listening to Produced Bye. Subscribe to our podcast in your favorite podcast app, leave a review or send us your feedback. For more information about the host, links from the episode and ways to connect with us, visit the show notes. If you know someone who would be an ideal guest for our podcast, please get in touch. Thank you and see you soon.

Produced By - #21 - Andrea Secci: Reaching Clear Vision Through Exploration Of Art

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