22
•
LMGI COMPASS
|
Summer 2018
IN MY CITY: RIO DE JANEIRO
DF: Brazil is the most bureaucratic country in the
world. Yet, after 20 years of "cutting red tape," to me
it is simple.
Stevie: WHAT ARE A LOCATION MANAGER'S FAVORITE
"LOOKS" OR LOCATIONS IN & AROUND RIO? WHAT ARE YOUR
PERSONAL FAVORITES & WHY?
DF: I like the contrast. I like to shoot the favela, as well
as the beautiful beach. I like very much the opportu-
nity of working at the same time in both of these very
different worlds. My 2016 LMGI Award came from a
commercial where we shot at Arpoador Beach and,
300 yards away is the favela Cantagalo community.
This is my town.
Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST MEMORABLE
FILMING EXPERIENCES?
DF: My favorite job was the feature Casa de Areia
(The House of Sand, 2005), directed by Andrucha
Waddington. The movie was shot at the Lençóis
Maranhenses National Park in northern Brazil. I had
the chance to live for six months in the middle of
nothing, among sand dunes and lagoons, sleeping
under the stars, eating out of my bare hands, with no
link to civilization and 10 hours away to the closest
village.
Stevie: DOES BRAZIL OFFER ANY INCENTIVES TO HOLLYWOOD
FILMMAKERS?
DF: There are a few incentives available for co-
productions with Brazilian producers such as Lei
Rouanet (Rouanet Law). To me, an important aspect is
the fact that Brazil has developed a reliable structure
to get the permits and authorizations we need to
get our job done. Much like Los Angeles, for simple
shoots, I can get permits in two business days and for
larger or more complicated productions, it may take
about seven business days.
Stevie: WHAT ARE YOUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE?
DF: I use a Canon 5D Mark III camera and a Mavic Pro
drone.
Stevie: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE JOB?
DF: I love the opportunity of being at different
places every day, dealing with different people. I
am privileged that my job is also one of the greatest
pleasures of my life. I can at times, empower people
who have very low expectations and would never
dream that the fantasy they watch on TV can be part
of their lives.
