It all started back in 1996 when I began my journey of writing and directing nearly 30 short films, which, let’s be honest, weren’t exactly masterpieces. But, you know what? I learned a ton: how to write, storyboard, share my vision with a team, and most importantly, how to treat everyone on set with respect.
Over the years, I dabbled in all sorts of formats: 2D animation, stop-motion, puppets, motion design, 3D, and even live-action. Speaking of live-action, the last one I shot was Shifumi, a bromance between two middle-aged pals lost in the mountains. That shoot was just fantastic, thanks to two amazing actors from the TV series Kaamelott and my all-time favorite DOP, Sylvain Rodriguez.
Before this, I had cut my teeth as an assistant director during my time at ESEC in Paris and my five-year stint in the city, where I worked on everything from commercials to TV series (even E.R. in Paris). I tackled various projects like luxury brand commercial campaigns and international music videos.
I admit, I’ve written some cringe-worthy feature film scripts and TV series bibles (one was even a procedural crime series with ghosts, can you believe that?). Despite these missteps, I still adore the short format and have used my experience to supervise CG sequences and animation videos when I launched Fauns.
Today, I’m working on a collection of short films about nature and mythology, a sci-fi short, a short comedy TV series, and even an ambitious IMAX short film with CGs (I know, IMAX! But I believe in it). However, I lost all my data and HDDs twice in 15 years, in 2006 and 2009, leaving only Shifumi intact, available only on demand because, well, it’s not exactly great (though I still have a soft spot for it).
What I cherish most from my student years and my numerous shoots are the lessons learned: respect, dedication, and even more respect. Since then, I’ve developed an obsession with preparation, as I’ve realized it’s the key to getting the best project and the best from everyone involved.
With my delightful producer Emiliana supporting me, I can’t wait to shoot a new short film in 2023. It’s going to be a blast, and I’m eager to see how all those lessons and experiences will come together in this new project.
In retrospect, I can see how those early years of experimenting with different styles and formats shaped me as a filmmaker. Each project, whether it was a hit or a miss, taught me something new and pushed me to explore my creativity. Sure, some of those short films may not have been my best work, but they played an essential role in my growth as an artist.
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the people I’ve met along the way, as well as the unique opportunities I’ve had to collaborate with talented individuals from different fields. It’s these connections and relationships that make the filmmaking process so enriching and rewarding. I’m grateful for every single one of them and look forward to creating even more unforgettable memories on set as I embark on my upcoming projects.