lisbon May 2012

Early spring brought both film and photo productions for Artists Group, with a range of talented photographers and directors as well as some hairy moments for the company's first ad, racing with director Gerald Pires at 200kmh.

Artists Group had the pleasure of working with Park and Bazelevs once again, and welcomed Alexander Farber on his first visit. 

• Honda UK photo. Photographer: Joe Windsor Williams. Agent: Beth Wightman Represents.
• VW Polo photo. Agency: DDB Moscow/Bazelevs. Photographers: He & Me, Heckle and Mennemann.
• Rosno/Allianz TVC. Agency: Ogilvy/Bazelevs. Director: Gerard Pirès.
• Sberbank TVC. Agency: Park Productions. Director: Keith English.
• Bank of Moscow TVC. Agency: 3sba/Park Productions. Director: Kostas Maroudis.

In addition to its activity in TV commercials, CheckTheGate, through its subsidiary company CheckTheGate Norte, has been developing projects for feature-length film and international co-productions. As a result, CheckTheGate was recently in charge of executive production in Portugal for the RAI film 'Anita', featuring Valeria Solarino and Giorgio Pasotti in the role of Garibaldi. 

Visit the website for more information.

Travelling Films recently shot the latest Chevrolet commercial 'Chase' for the Russian market through agency Grey and Dago Film production company. The commercial was directed by Nico Beyer with DOP Serge Roman.

Visit the website for more information.

Latest news from Production Services Portugal:

• Luxury, shine and lightness best express the latest campaign from Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd. Shot in six magnificent and varied La Scala locations, including palaces and beaches over just two days, the results speak for themselves. Agency: METTA Communications. Director: James Leung. Executive production in China: Mutual Workshop. Executive production in France: Production Services France. Production services company in Portugal: PSP - Production Services Portugal.
• Toyota's new European campaign for its 'eco-friendly' Hybrid family was shot in Portugal with the slogan “Prius & Hybrid Family Positive Driving.” The four-day shoot in Downtown and the Lisbon Design District featured the four Hybrid models - Auris, Prius, Prius+ and Yaris - along with technical requirements including a Russian Arm, Scorpio Arm and car mount. Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi. Directors: Thibault Debayeve and Georgia Tribuiani. Executive production in the UK: Smuggler. Production services company in Portugal: PSP - Production Services Portugal.

Latest results from Camino Media's one-stop-shop production services:

• Digital security made easy in a Gemalto brand film shot on location at Lisbon's Portela Airport, historic downtown and beach. 
• The Rotary International Convention 2013 invites participants with a promotional film shot in Lisbon.
• Google personnel share 'Tips and Advice' for parental supervision of children’s online usage.
• Channel 4 (UK) explored 'Secrets of Buildings' at Porto's Casa da Musica while Slovenian footballer Zlatko Zahovic's years in Portugal and Spain are featured in a documentary debuting on the festival circuit in June. 
• Quiksilver Live Pro Portugal hits the Atlantic coast at Ericeira; Web MD stages, shoots and streams EASD expert medical commentary.
• Backstage filming in Lisbon at the beginning of Katy Perry's European tour as well as Sir Cliff Richard at Tinman Sound Studios in Silves, Algarve.

Productions are no longer seasonal for Gaby Corrêa Productions, keeping the production crew busy all year long.

Latest productions in Portugal include:

• Le Monde d' Hermès shot by Luis Sanchis.
• High Fashion shot by Yoichiro Sato.
• Asics shot by Dougal Paterson.
• Yamaha shoot at Portimão racetrack during the GP, shot by Mandy Pieper.
• Kurv Magazine shot by Coco Neuville.
• Brigitte Magazine shot by Frank Grimm.
• Gerry Weber campaign shot by Richard Phibbs.

São Paulo, Brazil was chosen as the location to shoot Lexus by photographer Daniel Hartz. Gabrielle Corrêa is currently the executive producer for a photo campaign that will be shot by Olivier Desarte (represented by Lila Management). Travelling Films is the production company in charge of the TVC shooting.

Spring is around the corner and Old Dogs offers excellent locations in southern Portugal.

With thanks to recent clients Ulla Popken and Galleria Kaufhof.

Visit the website for more information.

Agence G37 is happy to have concluded 2011 with international productions including:

• Dutch bank ABN AMRO with photographer Hans Verleur.
• French fashion brand Chevignon with photographer Romain Staropoli.
• French fashion brand Sournoiz with photographer Gregoire Bernardi.
• French brand Beryl with photographer Romain Staropoli.

The company began 2012 shooting editorials and campaigns for German brand AEZ with photographer Florian Innerkofler, as well as a video clip for German rock band The Donots with director Magnus Hardner. 

New additions to the Agence G37 roster include photographers Romain Staropoli, Pedro Gabriel and Luis Eça.

Visit the company's new website for more information.

Joel Bessa is a young, multi-talented international photographer who demonstrates extreme professionalism and commitment to his work. Based in Oporto, the city elected as 2012's 'Best European Destination', he holds a degree in Cinema. Joel debuted in the world of photography learning from experienced specialists in advertising and fashion.

It didn't take him too long to start working with advertising agencies, fashion brands and designers, shooting national and international campaigns as well as catalogues and fashion editorials. Joel and his team are comfortable managing all aspects of a photo shoot anywhere in the world, from pre- to post production, in studio or on location.

Joel will soon travel to Copenhagen and Zurich with his team to develop some exciting projects.

Visit his website to gain a deeper knowledge of his work and philosophy.

Recently awarded 'Best Fashion Photographer' in the 2011 Fashion Awards, Mario Princípe has collaborated with a range of high fashion magazines including Elle, Max, Vogue, Men's Health, Woman Lux and N'style, producing parallel campaigns for brands such as Optical Institute Zap (Angola), and many others.

Heavily influenced by Greg Kadel, Sebastian Kim and Camilla Akrans among others,  Mario transforms their visual culture into his own eclectic fashion style.

In parallel with his fashion productions, Mario established Project Workshop which aims to provide training in fashion photography.

Nuno Correia has worked in photography since 1990 but over the last 10 years has become a recognised expert in advertising imagery. 

With the production of his book in New York and across the US in 2009 by Martha Stewart publisher Clarkson Potter (Random House), his work has become known overseas. In 2012, another book by the same editor will be published in the United States. 

In Portugal Nuno is currently working for large agencies including BBDO, TBWA, Ogilvy, Euro RSCG, McCann, Y&R, Lowe, Duda, BAR, and others.

His campaigns include Coca-Cola, McDonald's (photos with international copyrights in: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta and Morocco), Vista Alegre, Nestlé, Knorr  (international packaging), Alsa (international packaging), Sonae, Pingo Doce, Super Bock Beer, Sagres Beer, Cuca Beer (Angola), Gallo Olive Oil, Bordallo, Pinheiro, Franck Muller Watches (international catalogue), Chiquita Banana (European campaign), and more.

Nuno is also the exclusive photographer of major Portuguese chefs including Joachim Koerper, José Avillez, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Luis Baena and Pedro e o Lobo.

Kenton Thatcher is an award-winning advertising and portrait photographer. Born in London, he quickly fell into photography thanks to his father's obsession with the camera and darkroom.

At 17 he started assisting some of the world's finest photographers. Kenton is now based in Lisbon and over the past 18 years has built himself an amazing reputation.  Many of his iconic images have been used in worldwide advertising campaigns. He has a unique ability to inspire and energise his subjects, a factor that is ever-present in his work.

Clients include L'Oréal, Siemens, Samsung, TAG/Heuer, Vodafone, Megafone, Wella, Nike, Sky+, Playboy, Sony, Elle, EMI and Universal Music.

Kenton is currently seeking representation in Europe and the US. Visit his website to see more of his work.

C.B. Aragão was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1949. He completed his photographic studies in Milan and in 1973 moved to São Paulo where he began working as a professional photographer. He moved to New York in 1989 and then on to Lisbon, where he now lives and works.

His work has been featured in publications including Avenue Magazine (USA), Big Magazine (Spain), Blind Spot, Egoísta (Portugal), El Paseante (Spain), Elle (USA, Brazil, Portugal), Icon (Portugal), In Fashion (USA), L’Uomo Vogue (Italy), Marie Claire (Brazil, Portugal), Men’s Health (Germany), Playboy (Brazil), Stern (Germany), Vanity Fair (USA), Vogue (Brazil), and Zoom Magazine (France).

His clients include Coca-Cola, PepsiCola, American Express, Unibanco, Banco Espirito Santo, B.E.S. Brahma, Sagres, Super Bock, Jornal de Noticias, Vodafone, T.S.F., Ministério da Cultura, Publico, TVI, Lisboa Gás, EDP, Galp, Triumph, Águas do Luso, Atlantis, Bayer, Optimus, Carrefour, Sport Zone, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Portugal Telecom, Erato Disques, Sony Music, Polygram, Philips, Colombo, Fiat, Finibanco, Nissan, Philip Morris, Boticário, Nestlé, Pingo Doce, H.P., Warner Brothers, BMG,   Valentim de Carvalho, Tweeds Catalogue, Blanc bleu, Philco, Brinquedos Estrela, Sabesp, Telesp, Copersucar, C&A, Souza Cruz, Sanex, Portucel, Valmet, I.P.J., TMN, Páginas Amarelas and Diário de Noticias.

Visit his website to see more of his work and exhibitions.

Laura Viana-Watson is a leading make-up artist with 18 years of beauty expertise. She has worked internationally on beauty and fashion editorials and advertising campaigns. 

Laura's unique style has gained her recognition as a teacher in make-up application and a regular beauty editorial contributor. In addition, her TV commercials for Spa Water, Suzuki and Nintendo have been a regular part of Laura's schedule.

Her make-up has also extended to travelling to Brazil for teaching and exclusive editorials for MAC and Dermalogica.

Recent advertising shoots have included Swatch, Ikea and McDonald's.

Laura is based in London and Lisbon.

With years of knowledge in the photo and video rental industry, pg photographicas has become the first choice for highly demanding photographers and production teams alike.

Based in Lisbon, pg covers the whole of Portugal and abroad, with its equipment available wherever and whenever, 24/7. 

pg recognises how important it is to get the best results for a job and only works with the best equipment brands, including Profoto, Briese, KinoFlo, Manfrotto and Canon. 

From lighting and production equipment to digital cameras, lenses and accessories, clients can find it all with pg at highly competitive rates. The team is always available to take calls and is happy to help select the best equipment for the job.

"At pg, our prime aim is to satisfy our clients, ensuring hassle-free solutions for technically challenging environments and availability to meet your needs and requirements."

The Draft Mag is a quarterly publication, independent and contemporary, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of individual expression in fashion, photography, art and culture.

In The Draft Mag, the trendy and edgy combine, creating a space that serves as both an inspiration and a meeting point, where artists from Portugal and around the world have the opportunity to showcase their work.

The Draft Mag is an online Portuguese publication that, through English, has found a universal language to reach the widest possible audience.

Palacio Belmonte stands for light, art, privacy, views, an attitude, and a lifestyle.

A tranquil heaven at the top of a historic hill, Palacio Belmonte is the most acclaimed hotel in Lisbon. A house in which luxury is synonymous with encountering one's emotions.

Each of its 11 exquisite suites is an original masterpiece with distinctive character, blending historic architectural features with the utmost comfort in contemporary design.

Stunning terraces afford breath-taking views. A very discreet, attentive and imaginative team is on-hand to show guests the very best.

Find the magic behind the red doors. Take one suite or take it all in exclusivity.

Designed as an ‘urban oasis’, Inspira Santa Marta Hotel stands out from the crowd on account of its innovative green concept and exceptional location just a stone's throw away from Avenida da Liberdade.

Inspira Santa Marta Hotel offers 83 rooms and six suites, all decorated according to the principles of Feng Shui and including Internet, mini-bar and tea/coffee station. Healthy local food is served at the Open Mediterranean Brasserie, while six treatment rooms at the Retreat SPA, a fitness centre equipped with sauna, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath, two conference rooms and a 46-seat-auditorium contribute to an outstanding experience in a sustainable hotel.

Located on Lisbon's Cais das Oficinas, Rocha Conde de Óbidos, Speakeasy restaurant and bar offers an intense and varied evening of original music combined with fine hospitality. 

With a relaxed atmosphere and offering traditional Portuguese and international cooking, Speakeasy proposes a varied menu on which the names of Universal Music groups are associated with its gastronomic delights. 

The entertainment includes all the musical genres from Fado to Rock, and around midnight the restaurant turns into a lively bar in which to dance the night away.