Documentary behind the scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4RxVAMurP4

Watch the full documentary on YouTube

I always wanted to make documentaries, as they sparked my passion for cinema. I had the opportunity to work as a producer for a documentary series for four years.

I learned a lot. Not just about technique, but about the world. I met and talked to people that, if it weren't for the documentary, I would never have had the chance to.

When I received the invitation to go to the Amazon as a translator, I had no doubt—I would take my camera with me. It was a unique opportunity, and I wanted to document the journey, even though I wasn't a good cinematographer.

I didn't have many plans. I didn't know what I wanted to film or tell. I was recording on autopilot. Without realizing it, what I initially recorded looked similar to what I used to do for the TV show.

It wasn't bad, but it also didn't represent my perspective or my story. The following year, I returned to the Amazon, this time without the camera. I had given up on the documentary idea.

The following year, 2024, I returned, and this time I was determined to finish what I had started in 2022. I watched the interviews and footage I had already shot, and then chose the theme, "obedience."

This time I recorded other interviews that I wanted to serve as a guide for the narrative. I started editing and built a structure for the narrative. I wanted to provide more context, but I didn't have enough footage.

I recorded a video conversation to complement it and made a compilation of news for context. Since the project had started without much planning, I had to deal with the setbacks in editing.

I tried to find my style while editing. I watched several tutorials to improve the images. I couldn't stabilize the footage, and it came out shakier than I would have liked. But I held back. Editing helps, but it doesn't work miracles.

I'm still not 100% satisfied, but I congratulate myself for not giving up. As soon as I finished editing, I realized that I need to create more to find my voice and my perspective.

The act of doing is also a way of learning.