Production Paradise

Welcome to the very first edition of SHOWCASE LISBON to coincide with Production Paradise's new Lisbon directory at www.productionparadise.com.

As you've come to expect, we bring you the latest news and views from the visual media industry in Portugal's beautiful capital city.

The Lisbon Village Festival, "the first European digital cinema festival" is currently on, promoting new technologies, talent and creativity. And on 9 July, electronic music festival Hype@Tejo will have a line up that features Massive Attack, Atmosphere and Kudu, among others.

Our cover shot was by Portuguese photographer Sergio Matos, who also works in France and Germany. Make-up by Sónia Pessoa and styling by Filipe Carriço.

Lsb photography/photographers: ANTóNIO GAMITO

António Gamito has 14 years' experience as a professional photographer.

In 1990, he studied at C.R.E.A., Amsterdam, where he assisted several Dutch photographers, including Paul Blanka. He then worked in Amsterdam for some years in fashion, people, portrait and lifestyle.

The great light, nice weather and beautiful locations influenced António's return to his own country. He is now based in Lisbon, shooting advertising, fashion, landscape, stills and travel-lifestyle.

Lsb photography/photographers: ALEXANDER KOCH

Alexander Koch has been working as a professional photographer since 1983. His work ranges from advertising, architecture, fashion and industrial photography to photo-reports and artwork.

Lsb photography/photographers: SEVEN VISUAL & SIMON FREDERICK

Simon Frederick is an English photographer based in Lisbon, working in the areas of advertising, fashion, music, landscapes as well as personal commissions.

In 2005, he set up Seven Visual, a photography production company specialising in creative real photography, art direction, pre-production and post-production together in a new, modern 2,000 square metre studio in Lisbon's Graça district.

Simon says that he is particularly interested in working with clients "who have the vision to commission original imagery that creates an affinity with and touches the people that it is ultimately aimed at."

Recent work includes projects for EMI Portugal, creating the cover images for five CDs called “Five Stars”, a compilation of the favourite music selected by five members of the Portuguese World Cup squad. The campaign includes press ads and website. A film crew followed the shooting sessions in Lisbon, London and Milan. The images are currently airing on Portuguese TV and the CDs are available throughout Portugal.

Lsb production/commercial production: ARTISTS GROUP

Artists Group has been servicing international film and photo productions, specialising in international production in film, print and music videos, since 1994. They offer complete budgeting, production co-ordination, casting, location management, travel and accommodation for clients worldwide. They have an extensive location database covering Portugal and Spain.

Recent projects include:
- Vogue UK. Shot by Horst Diekgerdes
- Frustyle Russia. Directed by Louis Van Zwol for Amber Studio, Moscow
- Danone Russia. Directed by Kostya for Workshop, Moscow.
- Samsung. Directed by Peter Darrel for Metra Films, Moscow
- Alpen Gold. Directed by Pat Holden for Metra Films, Moscow
- Vozdushny Chocolate. Directed by Steve Walker for Metra Films, Moscow
- Chevrolet. Shot by Markus Meuthen & Simone Rosenberg for Rockenfeller & Gobels.
- Otto Group. Shot by Thomas Hoffgen
- Mazda. Shot by Colin Curwood for Allen Burrows UK
- Ford SAV. Shot by Colin Curwood for Allen Burrows,UK
- Honda. For Piuma Motion, California.
- Debenhams. Shot by Nicki Emmerson
- Head & Shoulders UK. Directed by Greg Masuak
- Head & Shoulders Moscow. Directed by Ivo Wejgaard

Lsb production/commercial production: CHECK THE GATE

In spite of its youth, CheckTheGate is a full production company that has secured the loyalty of several highly reputed international clients wishing to take advantage of beautiful locations low costs, smooth production running and good hospitality.

Their client list includes:
- Steinerfilm (Germany)
- Olaf Veltman (Germany)
- Central Groucho (Italy)
- Warner Janda (Germany)
- Outsider Films (UK)

Recent product/brand jobs include:
- Fiat
- BMW
- Maserati
- Jacobs Coffee
- Toyota
- Freddy
- VO5

Lsb production/commercial production: FILMES DO TEJO

Established by Maria João Mayer and François d'Artemare, each with solid individual experience in Portugal and France respectively, Filmes do Tejo is one of Portugal's most active production companies.

They offer executive production and production services for advertising, made-for-TV films and feature films, taking advantage of the favourable climate, a wide variety of shooting locations, competitive production costs, and the experience of professional teams with recognised technical knowledge.

Filmes de Tejo also make their own productions: documentaries, short films, feature films and TV programming.

Lsb production/commercial production: PRODUCTION PORTUGAL

Production Services Portugal offers a full photo and film production service in Portugal, Madeira and Azores, including local production facilities, project flexibility and partnership.

One of their recent productions was for Pilgrim (Denmark) which involved shutting down two rail tracks at a station for four days. Photographer was Signe Vilstrup.

Another photo production for Renault-Samsung Korea was shot in four luxury villas around Lisbon. Photographer was Jan Scholten, client was Sejin Park and Jan Ruinard Productie.

PSP say that they offer "a diversity of extraordinary locations, and a professional yet friendly attitude". More details at the website.

Lsb production/photo production: GABY CORRêA PRODUCER

Lisbon-based producer Gaby Corrêa provides full production services in Portugal and Brazil.

Both countries attract a lot foreign teams looking for good locations, weather and light, as well as competitive prices, and Gaby offers a professional production service.

She was recently working on a BMW Z4 Coupé job, with photographer Daniel M. Hartz.

Other references include:
- Nike Pro / Photographer Rankin.
- Wella / Photographer Camilla Akrans
- Lexus RX / Photographer Daniel M. Hartz
- Samoon / Photographer Sarah Wilson
- Sportscheck / Photographer Roger Weber
- Taifun / Photographer Frank Grimm

Lsb talent/model agencies: CENTRAL MODELS

Central Models opened in September 1989 and represents most of the main Portuguese names in fashion and advertising.

Many of their models are represented in various international markets in campaigns such as Gucci, Versus, Ferré, Abercrombie & Fitch, Carlo Pignatelli, Lanvin, Chantelle, Sloggi, Garnier, Braun, Swarzkopff.

They are also on the pages of international magazines such as L'Uomo Vogue, Arena, Another Magazine, GQ, Têtu, Elle, Marie Claire, Madame Figaro, Wallpaper and Tank.

Lsb talent/artists & stylists: SóNIA PESSOA

Sónia Pessoa started her career by taking the A.R. Atelier "Make-Up Artist" course with Antónia Rosa, to whom Sónia became assistant.

Nowadays, Sónia's freelance career includes fashion editorials, fashion shows and advertising jobs.

She works with Portuguese magazines such as Máxima, Essential Lisboa, ELLE,
Dif- magazine, Umbigo, Op. as well as being part of the A.R. Team at ModaLisboa and Portugal Fashion.

Lsb talent/artists & stylists: CORINNE LUCQUIAUD

French stylist, Corinne Lucquiaud says that she has always loved fashion and art.

She started out in the fashion world in New York and continued her work as a stylist when she returned to Paris. She was a milliner for Chanel, Lagerfeld, Alaïa, Mugler, Valentino, Ungaro, Jean-Paul Goude... and then moved to South Africa for a while before returning to be a stylist for personalities, designers and fashion companies.

Now working globally, Corinne is based between Paris and Lisbon, and has recently been in a close collaboration with Giambattista Valli as well as styling for magazines such as Which, Spoon, DS and Soon.

Her recent styling work on Style Monte Carlo was a shoot with actress Emanuelle Seigner, Roman Polanski's wife.

Lsb photography/equipment rent photo: SPOT LIGHTING SERVICE

Spot Professional Lightservice has "closed the gap" and established a bridge to Lisbon, having recently opened a Spot Service Center in the city.

Their experience in Spain of renting Profoto, Briese Flashlights and professional photo equipment is now offered in Lisbon, and includes the rental of digital cameras.

Orders, usage and return are all available in one central Lisbon location.

Lsb event/event management: ROCK IN RIO LISBOA

The City of Rock, in Bela Vista Park, recently had the biggest festival ever - for six days, 14 hours a day, it was party time in Lisbon!

When Roberto Medina decided to bring the Rock in Rio festival to Europe, he wanted to combine the world’s biggest music festival with social charities. His dream came true and Portugal welcomed the 4th edition of Rock in Rio with open arms.

During the six days of the festival, about 385,000 people attended. There was a good international impact too: nearly 700 million people from 60 countries followed the event. and more than 700 journalists got an accreditation for the daily covering of the festival. The event created 10,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs.

More than 70 artists from Portugal and abroad performed a total of more than 130 hours of performances on the several stages built for the City of Rock.

Lsb media/magazines: BLUE MAGAZINES

The process of internationalisation of blue Media started in late 2004. Their first licence in a major European market is for Germany, and they have others almost agreed.

The idea of “exporting” their products was hatched almost at the same time of the blue concept, as all of their magazines are designed from an international perspective. Within the development process, they ensure that there is a strong idea of the worldwide magazine market in that specific segment, so that they can produce the best magazine for it.

“blue Spirit” publishers get not only the rights to a nicely designed magazine, but also the opportunity to manage the blue brand, construct the "blue community". Licence holders are asked to have a “blue attitude”...

Lsb hotel/hotels: PESTANA PALACE

Located in Alto Santo Amaro, one of the most tranquil areas in the city of Lisbon, The Pestana Palace Hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Formerly, the building was the Valle-Palace, now restored to its former glory, overlooking the Tagus River. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a unique space in Lisbon, and a classified 'national monument'.

It offers "luxury, comfort and sophistication, and the excellent service that is expected throughout the Pestana Palace Hotels & Resorts Chain". There are also spacious conference facilities and various leisure options.

Lisbon's International Airport is located 10 km away, with easy access to the hotel.

Lsb hotel/hotels: FAROL DESIGH HOTEL

Located on the oceanfront 20 minutes from central Lisbon, and with a design that is described as "both modern and classic", Farol Design Hotel offers accommodation for events, meetings, presentations and product launches.

Recent events include the international car launches for Toyota RAV 4 and the Nissan Micra C+C, as well as the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Lsb food/restaurants: BICA DO SAPATO

Bica do Sapato is a former warehouse located near to the Tagus River, with 70s inspired decor and a touch of modern design. Huge windows on to the riverside offer a great view and light into all rooms.

The restaurant has three areas: a cafeteria, offering traditional Portuguese cuisine; a restaurant, offering a more modern, innovative menu with some Mediterranean influences; and Sushi - both traditional Japanese and Portuguese Fusion. 

The restaurant is owned by Fernando Fernandes and José Miranda (also owners of the Pap’Açorda in Bairro Alto) and Manuel Reis, owner of the LUX Disco Bar. John Malkovich is also an associate.

Executive Chef, Fausto Airoldi, supervise the other chefs: Paulo Pinto in the restaurant, João Leandro in the cafeteria, Sushi Chef Fernando Kussano and Pastry Chef Paulo Fernandes.

Lsb food/restaurants: ELEVEN

ELEVEN Restaurant is located in the centre of Lisbon's business district, overlooking the entire city and surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is both a restaurant and a place of culture and art.

The architecture of the purpose-built building is modern, minimalist and organic, using natural materials like wood and decorative stones, with enormous glass windows that open towards Lisbon and the river Tagus. The restaurant changes during the day as it adapts to the changing effect of the outside light and the views over Lisbon.

The chef and one of the partners, Joachim Koerper's restaurant "Girasol" in Spain holds two Michelin stars. In 2002 the Gourmetour guide rated it the best restaurant in the country. Joachim Koerper is also a member of both Relais Gourmands and Traditions&Qualité, two associations of the world's foremost chefs.