Production Paradise

Welcome to the summer issue of Showcase Lisbon, where it is always a good time for productions. And now, in high season, all the companies we feature here are reporting a busy time.

Beautiful locations, excellent light and good weather are factors that make Lisbon and the whole of Portugal an ideal place for productions. For a full directory of the best visual media companies, visit www.productionparadise.com.

Musically, Lisbon attracts big names - the Rolling Stones will be playing on 25 June at the Estadio de Alvalade and the Super Bock Festival (28 June to 5 July) will be hosting bands and musicians such as Stone Sour, Maximo Park, Scissor Sisters, Underworld, Arcade Fire and many others.

Once again, Sergio Matos is our choice for cover photo - from an editorial for Happy Magazine.

Lsb photography/photographers: SIMON FREDERIK

The last three months have been a busy time for photographer Simon Frederick. He was commissioned to shoot a fashion editorial for Essential Lisboa with cars from Maserati, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes and featuring clothes from Dolce & Gabanna, Prada, Givenchy and others.

The advertising community has also taken to this photographer, filling his schedule with shoots for mobile phone company TMN, Nestlé Waters, Grao Vasco Wines, Mapfre and Fidelidade Mundial Insurance.

Simon also found time to shoot the CD covers for two new Portuguese bands Killagees and Gloss.

Simon's new website is due for launch in a few weeks...

Lsb photography/photographers: SERGIO MATOS

Lisbon, Paris and Hamburg are the cities where Sérgio Matos is constantly working.

In Portugal, his work can be seen in some of the best-known fashion magazines such as ELLE and HAPPY.

Lsb photography/photographers: MáRIO PRíNCIPE PHOTOGRAPHER

This talented fashion photographer is emerging very fast.

He now works from his own studio in the heart of Lisbon and projects this year include a powerful beauty campaign, among others.

Lsb photography/photographers: PEDRO PACHECO

The photos here are taken from a series depicting 'Adriana - waiting for the unknown, but knowing that her place is there...'. 

Shot by photographer Pedro Pacheco, the series appeared in a fashion editorial for DIF magazine in April.

The shoot was produced by Conforto Moderno, and involved the collaboration of Filipa Penteado (styling), Sandra Pinheiro (make-up), Miguel Teixeira (hair & make-up), Ricardo Paulino (postproduction) and the model herself Adriana (Loft Models).

To help create this romantic story, a beautiful location was chosen. The whole shoot was enhanced by what the photographer describes as 'a magic natural light'...

You can contact Pedro directly via email.

Lsb photography/photographers: ALEXANDER KOCH

Alexander Koch photographic studio is located in the heart of Lisbon, surrounded by a wide assortment of nearby locations.

The studio provides in-house production, postproduction and location scouting.

It has a large network of dedicated professionals ready, in their words, 'to take on any kind of challenge'.

Lsb photography/photographers: ANTÓNIO GAMITO

Fashion photographer António Gamito is based in Lisbon. He spends a lot of time travelling the world, expanding his talents on travel and lifestyle photography.

His diary is fully booked with projects, which take him to locations all over the globe.

When asked about his approach, he says, 'my adventurous spirit means that I always go the extra mile for the perfect shoot'.

His portfolio includes fashion magazines/clients, advertising  and Portuguese celebrities.

Lsb production/commercial production: ARTISTS GROUP

IKEA Russia
Shot in 2 days with a flock of 30 'not very enthusiastic' sheep! Apparently, it was quite exhausting, as the sheep did not respect any orders from the 1st AD... Produced by Silvia Reis for Artists Group, assisted by Claudia Santos.

NIKON UK
Produced by Silvia Reis for Artists Group, assisted by Claudia Santos.

Car Production
Editorial, brochure and promo film. Three productions back to back. Produced by James Dubec and Silvia Reis for Artists Group, locations by Vitor Serra, permits with Claudia Santos.

Alpen Gold Russia
This was the second shoot for the Russian chocolate, but this time had actors skimming up and down drain pipes whilst suspended by riggers for safety. Featured one of Lisbon's most beautiful buildings. Director Pat Holden, DOP Andre Szankowski, produced by Marilyn Alexander for Artists Group.

KATER Ukraine
Produced by Pedro Louro for Artists Group, assisted by Carla Dias.

SOKOS Russia
Produced by James Dubec for Artists Group.

Lsb production/commercial production: REPúBLICA DAS BANANAS

Production company Republica Das Bananas says it can offer some of the most competitive prices in western Europe.

Being in Lisbon also means some of the best weather in Europe along with breathtaking locations (traditional, landscape and cosmopolitan), high-end equipment, studios and qualified professional crews.

Its in-house team is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Republica has developed several service productions, such as 'Sun Jeans' for Radioaktive and 'maison du cafe' for Partizan and also shoots national productions, meaning it can offer the best equipment/crew deals.

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.

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

Filmes de Tejo also produces its own documentaries, short films, feature films and TV programming.

Lsb production/commercial production: PRODUCTION PORTUGAL

PSP specialises in helping producers, directors and photographers achieve their production needs in Portugal, Azores and Madeira.

PSP customers say the company offers a highly professional, experienced bilingual environment.

Its focus is on high-end film and photography - locations, casting, production, development, telecine, with expertise in TV commercials and photography production.

The company just finished the film and photo production for new spring/summer campaign for fashion brand Reserved to be launch in 9 European countries - client LPP, director Tomek Nalewajek and photographer Artur Wesolowski found 'amazing locations, professionalism and yet a relaxed environment'.

Lsb production/commercial production: CHECK THE GATE

Check the Gate is a production company based in Lisbon, and working throughout Portugal.

Recent projects include ALDO through Blondie NYC, BMW through Steiner-Films, and Ford Mondeo through Olaf Veltman.

The company - whose whole approach is based around client satisfaction - is currently expanding into Italy. Check the Gate Executive Producer in Rome is Nuno Martins.

Lsb production/photo production: GABY CORRêA PRODUCER

Many foreign teams come to Portugal, looking forward to working at beautiful locations with excellent lighting conditions and good weather. And Gaby Corrêa Producer is there to help on productions throughout Portugal.

Recent productions were for:

• Philipp Rathmer, who was back in Lisbon again - the shoot was a good combination of talented photographer, smooth production and very good locations
• Thomas Hoeffgen, recently in Lisbon
• Johannes Rodach, shooting in Madeira

The company provides a full range of production services for photo and commercial productions throughout Portugal and Brazil.

Lsb photography/equipment rent: SPOT LIGHTING SERVICE

Spot Lighting Service has been operating in Lisbon for a year now, following their mission of 'providing a high quality service and supplying the best lighting equipment in town'.

Local companies and professionals as well as teams from abroad have one more reason to shoot in Lisbon: they can rely on Spot Lighting Service to supply all the lighting equipment they need for their production...

Lsb event/fashion events: MODA LISBOA

ModaLisboa presents 'The Fashion & Must Haves Showroom' - the business space where industry professionals can meet the creators of fashion collections and lifestyle products. This event is the meeting point for the most prominent commercial national and international names.

The creative and cultural mix is the event's essential reality, as evidenced by the dynamic cultural happenings realised in tandem with the occasion.

One of these is the annual cycle of conferences, held in partnership with University's School of Architecture, which reflect on fashion. Another example is the ever-increasing attention paid to the young designers who are part of the LAB project.

Lsb food/restaurants: ALCâNTARA CAFé

Jules Verne's Nautilus inspired the design of the Alcantara Café.

This restaurant-bar offers a nice mix between the industrial and a classy atmosphere... something very special.

Alcantara Café is one of the pioneering restaurants in Lisbon that completely changed Portuguese habits twenty years ago - and has gone on improving that same high quality service and cuisine ever since.

Lsb hotel/hotels: DOM PEDRO PALACE HOTEL

A member of 'The Great Hotels of The World', Dom Pedro Palace is a five-star hotel located in the heart of Lisbon with an exclusive and wonderful view over the city and the Tagus River.

Dom Pedro Palace Hotel is known as the 'Celebrity's Hotel' - it was recently the official hotel for ModaLisboa and is scheduled to be the official hotel of Rock In Rio stars in 2008.

There is fashionable gourmet Italian cuisine at Ristorante Il Gattopardo, an obligatory stop for gourmets who appreciate a true Italian gastronomic experience.

Make your reservation at lisboa.reservations@dompedro.com, or see the website.

Lsb hotel/hotels: FAROL DESIGN HOTEL

Farol Design Hotel has been described as 'a daring architectural product creating the perfect interface between the 19th and the 21st centuries, with contemporary design and comfort'.

Located on the oceanfront right next to the marina and Boca-do-Inferno this is a unique experience on the Lisbon Coast (20 minutes from the beautiful capital). The remodelled 19th-century mansion has been uniquely combined with a new infrastructure built in a contemporary design, resulting in a harmonious 'bridge in time'.

Features include: fine Mediterranean-fusion cuisine with the best ocean view in the Estoril Coast, chill-out bar, outdoor Menta Bar, two esplanades, saltwater swimming pool just by the ocean and internet access in all areas. All rooms have hydro-massage bathtub, air conditioning and great views of the ocean.

In the surrounding area, there are miles of fine sandy beaches (ideal for both surf and windsurf), more than six top golf courses, tennis courts, hippodrome, Europe's largest casino; Sintra mountain range and village, water activities available at a first class marina (next door); Estoril car racing track and for a night club within walking distance.