But, for example, "Alentejo-the corner of the earth", the footage was shot with cameras that you place on the site?
DP: also, but I'm always there, the cameras are never alone recording.
How do you prepare?
DP: It depends. First there is a study on animals and sites usually I do a recognition in these areas and spend there long time. In each of these projects I stay one year through the various seasons of the year, try to get as many animals, to record their behavior during these steps, their evolution and it enriches the history. But it is a job, a little lonely; I have to spend many hours observing animals and the natural phenomena to be able to get those images.
You camp in these sites often?
DP: That too, but as a rule I have the logistics around, for example, to make the night footage I have to be in these places.
In technical terms do you need special cameras to do the images?
DP: No, at this time the video and cameras make any movie except "slow motion" that requires a specific machine. Technology has advanced a lot and cameras for amateur can do a good job.
So where you will find the biggest challenges in these films?
DP: There are plenty of challenges. To shoot the natural world we are always dependent on the nature, my “actors” sort of speak not always appear. (Laughs) I have to study all very well to film them. There is a huge failure rate, by the way, when we prepared the script we summarize the species we want to shoot and then we see on the ground what it is possible. But a reasonable rate of success shooting the wild is achieved, but with hard work on the ground. For the most elusive animals, this is the main obstacle; I always have the help of biologists and people experts for each of the species.
Why did you choose this area of nature?
DP: I have a background in audiovisual, radio and was at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, but always enjoyed nature. I saw that it is the right time to invest in this area of nature, I thought I could join the two things I like to do more, could be filming and recording sound and apply all this in the natural world, in more conventional films. I do what I like; I joined the business with pleasure.
And notice that there is a market at the national level, or have to be just for the international this type of nature documentaries?
DP: The international market for decades that exists in many countries with large audiences in any general channel and by cable in more specific channels. In Portugal is being created a market, there are several people working in this area in recent years, is an industry that did not exist before in our country generically. I think the public is beginning to realize that there are productions made in Portugal, because it creates demand, while we value our natural heritage that is generally unknown to the public.
And tell me about the feedback you have received this film.
I saw images of animals I was unaware it existed in the natural territory in Portugal.
DP: Yes, it is just that. I work with people from the area of biology and nature that has this deep knowledge, like the same to see such images, but do not admire so much. It is fascinating to see the public reaction in general, because they tell me that had no idea of having all these animals and these landscapes, is one of the gains of this work. No need to go to remote areas to find interesting species. True, there are more countries identified with nature, we are a tiny country, but very different. It is a matter of exploring. However, I did not want to get the message that in our territory there no problems, no, this "Wild Portugal" exists in very few sites, most are not very natural, also wanted to spread the idea that we need to conserve these areas and if possible support them in terms of nature tourism. It's just people wanting to explore, each one in your area, but I think it is a project with a future.
And at this point what's the new project you are working on?
DP: I'm shooting a promotional film, with a more professional nature, a natural and conventional story about bird watching, because we have a great potential in this area. We have unique birds from Europe, we have many species residing in our country, we are quite high in terms of species, us and Spain, who by the way is doing much in this regard, Portugal is a bit behind. We have almost the same potential as our neighbors, just needed to communicate it the correct way. There is a very large audience, in Britain and the Nordic countries, but we also have American and Canadian tourists who visit us.
