With so many talented photographers, videographers and designers emerging within the creative realms at the moment, it’s more than a little tough to break through the crowd. You need something extra, something unique, something that’s undeniably you.
Filmagination is an emerging video production company that cuts a niche in a major way; Rocio Belinda Mendez is the sole director, writer, editor, and videographer. The all inclusive packages Filmagination are known for aren’t easy work, but she runs a tight one person show. We caught up with this visionary to find out just how she does it.
While some people can’t tap their head and rub their belly at the same time, Rocio Belinda Mendez runs a whole video production company by herself. We chat to the director of Filmagination to find out how.
HAPPY: Hey, Rocio. What are you working on at the moment?
ROCIO: I’m working on several creative videos for a few different clients, as well as allowing some personal projects to come to fruition. I’m filming the second part of a music video in the next fortnight at a rooftop bar in the city, and I’m also working on a personal short film Colour Me, Life – a silent, black and white narrative. A metaphoric fable-like film with a little boy as the protagonist. He has a vivid imagination and see’s the colour in a monochromatic alternate reality. Still in the early pre-production stages, scouting for funding, but the script is all finished.
HAPPY: Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started?
ROCIO: I finished my Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media in early 2014 with a feature film credit under my belt. Me and my four other classmates had to produce a feature-length film and have it ready to premiere in Hoyts within 13 long, intense, practical, hands-on months. In retrospect, it taught me most of the fundamentals needed to branch out on my own, so yay.
I started working within the industry promptly after, and it wasn’t great – it was unstable, unreliable, inappropriate, and a lot of the people I worked for weren’t ideal, so I decided to start my own company, Filmagination.
HAPPY: What’s your studio space like?
ROCIO: My studio place is my place, I have my editing suite, gear and imagination ready to go. It’s somewhat messy yet open, creative, and inspirational. It has crystals and smells of incense and essential oils on most days, usually dark, even when it’s light out. And it’s special to me, and my creations.
HAPPY: Can you run us through the one-person process? From concept to finished product
ROCIO: Sure. I usually meet up with the client in person ASAP. I ask them what they’re after feel/look/vibe-wise, what the purpose is for the video. For music videos I get them to send me their track and listen to it a few hundred thousand times, until an idea starts to form. Then I start phase one; pre-production. I usually do all-inclusive packages, so I write out the concept, along with colour schemes, vision boards, wardrobe, examples, make a short presentation, run it by them. If it’s a green light, I start working. Once I’ve finalised everything in pre-production, I move on to production, or filming. We arrive on location, set it up, and get it filmed on either my DSLR or 4K Mirrorless Camera.
Post production is probably my favourite of all the stages of development, because I really get to create the result, once everything is ready to be manipulated and put into a timeline. I sift through the footage for the best takes, best movement, best of everything, and start making it into a story, using the music as a conductor. The music is extremely important in all of my projects, it is a marriage, and it needs to engage together as seamlessly as possible. I upload a version onto Dropbox, or youtube, or on a USB, and get the OK from my client – ideally it’s perfect, and ready for the public. Otherwise, I make one or two changes, and that’s that.
HAPPY: Why do you choose to do everything yourself?
ROCIO: When I first started Filmagination, I was a strong writer, editor, and director, but I didn’t have extensive experience on camera. I tried and tested a few experienced camera operators, cinematographers, and directors of photography, but to no avail. They couldn’t follow direction well, they wanted too much input, the result felt sloppy, and I found myself having to work double by filming on a second camera making sure everything was shot correctly. My shots were more aligned with how I wanted my final product to look. It’s made things so much easier.
HAPPY: And what are the advantages of keeping the whole process to yourself?
ROCIO: Nothing is lost in translation – I don’t have to explain my vision to anyone, or direct the rest of the crew, because I am it. I know what I want, what I can do, and what I’m going to get, so there’s less up in the air, and more to play with down on set. Also, I think the control is one of the most ideal aspects. It’s all up to me. I’m creative, and I like having creative freedom to do as I choose, and make the best product I can with my skills and talents. I can remove anything I choose, I can do it in my own time, and I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself.
HAPPY: There’s a strong Spanish influence in your work. Where does this style choice come from?
ROCIO: I hadn’t noticed, or thought about that! Well, I’m Spanish and South American. My first client was Latin American by coincidence, and he’s a returning customer. Also, when coming up with an idea for his latest song a flamenco dance came to mind, so I contacted flamenco dancers, and found Marina – a sought after Flamenco teacher in Sydney. She soon became a client as well, I’ve filmed and cut a few of her performances. I love hispanic music and culture, it’s in my blood and every day life, and I’m sure it will be embedded in my work regardless of how obvious it may be. It’s nice to know it’s something you’ve noticed.
HAPPY: What’s your favourite part of the filmmaking process?
ROCIO: Coming up with the idea, and writing it – into a story, screenplay or script… and editing! Basically making it into something you can experience – as a screenplay you can read it, and still see it and feel it. When editing you’re making it a physical reality as well, so double whammy.
HAPPY: Where do you see Filmagination heading next?
ROCIO: I’m currently focused on music videos, promotional clips, branding, gigs, and helping creative entrepreneurs on their path as I progress in mine. Filmagination is a way for me to learn while doing. Staying in the industry, networking, and producing beautiful, creative video’s as I hone my craft, and start making films. Filmagination is definitely heading into short films, and features. I want my screenplays to be on the big screen, watched by those it resonates with. To find a niche audience to impact, benefit, challenge, move, keep company and inspire – not only for the duration of the film, but for that which lingers on into their moments.
