Meet Eddie Brian Semaan, a camera operator based in Córdoba, Argentina and a member of the StudentFilmmakers Filmmakers Network. See Eddie’s Network profile to connect.
Filmmakers Networking
On the Cover of this month’s edition is a behind-the-scenes production still taken during the filming of independent filmmaker Christian Leiva’s El Serial, a trailer written, shot, and edited for a fake trailers festival and competition. The crewmember on the Cover and behind the camera is Eddie Brian Semaan, who serves as the primary camera operator for El Serial.
The Story: “El Serial’s story is based on the true story of Marcelo Sajen, a serial rapist who terrorized Cordoba, Argentina, for over a decade before he was eventually stopped. Christian Leiva originally intended El Serial to be a short film for his film school thesis. However, due to the importance and complexity of the story, which is based on actual events, Christian decided to turn it into an independent full feature.” Unique Challenge/Solution: “There was a day when we needed to film a scene involving soccer players on a soccer field, and we had the field but no players. We went from house to house rounding up as many people as we could. Within an hour, we had a whole soccer team of background actors who patiently stayed with us for the duration of the day.”
Biggest Challenge/Solution: “We used actual on-duty police officers to play the role of the police. It added to the sense of authenticity. Although due to the fact they were still on duty, there were times while in the middle of filming they would have to respond to a call. All havoc would break loose as the crew would run around and move lights, cables, dolly track and cameras out of the way, so the police could leave without running over our equipment. We’d simply postpone shooting until the police returned. They were pretty good about it and returned rather quickly.”
Filmmaking in Argentina: “Argentina has some very capable and well-skilled technicians. There are also some very beautiful filming locations. The only real drawbacks are that Argentines don’t seem to be as safety conscious as their US or European counterparts when it involves film equipment. I’ve seen crew members do things with equipment in Argentina that would amount to professional suicide if it were done in the US. There’s a bit of theft as well and security is a major issue.”
Favorite Tools: “I’m the proud owner of RED ONE Cameras #1589 and #1600. The RED is my overall favorite filmmaking tool. Though as far as HDV cameras are concerned, my personal preference would have to be the JVC GY-HD 251. Interchangeable lenses are a must for me and the JVC gives me a great deal latitude in this respect. The teaser for El Serial was filmed using the JVC, and we’ll be using the RED’s for the full feature.”
Eddie Brian Semaan
Camera Operator/DOP Location: CĂłrdoba, Argentina http://networking.studentfilmmakers.com/Telecinesys 1. From left: Christian Leiva (Director), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), actresses Silvina Balangione and Ana Victoria Rosso, Antonella Bolatti (Production Sound Mixer), and Parvati Torres (1st AD) on the set of El Serial teaser. 2. From left: Parvati Torres (1st AD), Christian Leiva (Director), and Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator) check composition of actors Manuel Wayar and Patricia Rojo during the filming of the El Serial teaser.
3. From left: Rodrigo Zaya (Electrician), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), and Christian Leiva (Director) during the filming of El Serial in Argentina.
4. From Left: Antonella Bolatti (Production Sound Mixer), Parvati Torres (1st AD), and Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator) with background action during the filming of El Serial. 5. From Left: Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), Christian Leiva (Director), Jonatan Magario (DOP), and Magali Merida (Co-Director) during the filming of El Serial.
6. From left: Christian Leiva (Director), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), Antonella Bolatti and Melissa Stasiak (Sound Department), Parvati Torres (1st AD), Ania Boccetti (Art Director), and actress Ana Victoria Rosso (center) on the set of El Serial teaser.
7. From left: Christian Leiva (Director), Rubén Magario (actor), and Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator) during the filming of El Serial in Córdoba, Argentina.
8. From left: Jonatan Magario (DOP), Christian Leiva (Director), Martin Araujo (Production), Melissa Stasiak (Sound Technician), Magali Merida (Co-Director), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator)
and Production Sound Mixer Antonella Bolatti (in van) during filming of El Serial teaser. CĂłrdoba, Argentina. 9. From left: Melissa Stasiak (Sound Technician), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), Christian Leiva (Director), Magali Merida (Co-director), and Parvati Torres (1st AD) on the set of El Serial teaser.
10. From right: Antonella Bolatti (Production Sound Mixer), Melissa Stasiak (Sound Technician), Manuel Wayar (Actor), Parvati Torres (1st AD), Rodrigo Zaya (Electrician), Jonatan Magario (DOP), Christian Leiva (Director), Eddie Semaan (Camera Operator), and Pablo Soto (Camera Assistant) during the filming of El Serial teaser. Argentina.
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