Please tell us about the projects you worked on before making ‘The Old Man and the Demon Sword’. How did you start, and how did you learn to make films?
I've had a passion for stories since I was a little kid. My dad always bought me books, and when he brought home a camera, I never let it go! As a teenager, I created a lot of YouTube videos, some of which even went viral. This early experience led me to study Cinema at university. Afterward, I started working as a freelancer in video and motion design, collaborating with many Portuguese publishers for childhood brands like Marvel and DC.
"Dragon Ball Z" was also a huge passion of mine growing up, and as it turns out, I ended up becoming friends with the Portuguese voice actor for Vegeta, who, of course, had to voice the Demon Sword! "The Old Man and the Demon Sword" is my first more ambitious personal project, it represents a culmination of nearly ten years of professional experience and childhood passions coming together in one film.
Tell us about ‘The Old Man and the Demon Sword’. How do you describe it?
Every town has a drunk, but what if that drunk became a demon-slayer hero? It’s sort of like a Power Rangers episode directed by Jodorowsky— It’s a buddy film and a crazy adventure that I hope will not only make you laugh but also give you something to think about.
Please tell us about your favorite filmmakers.
Kevin Smith and Robert Rodriguez were huge influences growing up. Their ability to create compelling films on limited budgets was truly inspiring and resonated with many filmmakers of my generation. They showed us that passion and creativity could overcome financial constraints.
If you were given a good budget, what would be your ideal project?
With a solid budget, I’d love to take a shot at a superhero movie. I’ve actually discussed some ideas with my friends, but to make it work, yeah… it would take a bigger budget than what we had for this one!
Describe how you would ensure that production is on schedule. What steps would you take?
Ensuring a smooth production process starts with meticulous pre-production. I believe in preparing for every possible scenario, which is why I had a backup plan for almost every scene in this film. Additionally, having a reliable team is crucial. My Assistant Director, Cristiano Guerreiro, was instrumental in keeping everything on track. His dedication and efficiency on set were invaluable. He is a beast on set!
What was the hardest part of making ‘The Old Man and the Demon Sword’.
The most challenging and time consuming aspect was post-production, which was made after hours. We filmed in November and December of 2019, completing the shoot in just 20 days. I spent 2020 editing, and by March 2021, I had a rough cut. Sadly, the film's protagonist passed away in 2022, which made it emotionally difficult to continue working on the project for a while… However, with the help of a talented VFX artist, Jules Spaniard, I was able to push through and complete the film.
I could still be working on it right now if it wasn’t for him!
If possible, tell us about your next work. What plans do you have for your future work?
I’m currently working on a graphic novel about my grandfather, a remarkable man with an incredible life story. Despite being blind, he pursued his dreams and became an accomplished accordionist. His journey has always inspired me, and I feel it’s a story that deserves to be shared with the world. Beyond that, there are a few more projects in the pipeline that I’m excited to reveal in the near future!
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