Kitty Bertazzi is a film director, an artist, a mother, and a strong woman. She studied acting at Lee Strasberg Institute in NYC. After several cinema courses at New Your University, she moved back to Brazil and started directing at O2 films the Production House of the well-known director Fernando Meirelles (City of God).
Name: Kitty Bertazzi
Location: São Paulo, Brasil
Rep by Antonella Perillo Agency globally and in Spain by Nouri Films
Awards: two times 'professionals of the year' on Globo television Brazil/ 1 shortlist Cannes Lion/ 1 El Ojo.
Simplifying, I see two types of scripts. One that has beautiful images and another one that tells stories. I like to tell stories, all kinds of stories, so I always try to find in each script I work on, where the message is told, even when it's hidden behind beautiful images.
Usually, I think of contributions I can give to make the spot better. Some consistent proposals. Then I start to visualize the spot In terms of camera movements, art direction, and all visual aspects of the film. I have a person that helps me with image research and a wonderful girl that does my layouts. If the script is for a brand that you're not familiar with/ don’t have a big affinity with or a market you're new to.
Sometimes the agency tells us their needs for the brand at the briefing, but if they don’t, I just try to find out what kind of audience we are trying to reach, but other than that, I just go for the best I can get from that idea/script.
I chose this job because it is a team effort. Everyone in the process of making a film is important, from the creation to the post-production. So I listen to people, let them add to the process. It really makes a difference. I leave my mind always open to ideas and surprises.
As I said before, I love to tell stories. So that’s the kind of work I like the most. I love to work with lifestyle, natural environments, real actions. Kids are my preference because they are very spontaneous. But I started my career working with actors at the Lee Strasberg Institute, so I like working with them as well. Positive messages that I agree with and believe in are my goals.
I think my work style is well defined. My reel is consistent, so I can’t think of a misconception. The only one is one that most women still have to go through: Yes, we can do soccer and beer spots.
I usually work together with my producers, and we negotiate everything before and during production. I have never worked with a cost consultant directly.
When you work with kids, things happen! I usually use it for the benefit of the film. I had once a kid that did not want to film anymore in the middle of the day. And we had shot almost the whole storyboard. I tried to convince him in many ways. In the end, he did something very different from what was planned and gave a new and incredible end to the spot.
I like to propose changes, if necessary, but usually adding to the agency’s idea. If I have a completely different idea, I find the right moment (if there is) to expose it. All I always want everyone to know is that we all want the film to be great.
Yes! We just gain with more diversity. Different people bring different looks, ideas, points of view. And that is a need for our industry. They are more than welcome in my sets. They are needed.
I think lots of things are going to change. We realized that we could gain time and work well without having to be in person every time. Meeting online made me increase my contacts. Many things can be done from far away.
Format, for me, is an issue that needs more attention. I don’t think it is possible to film for all formats at the same time. Yes, you can adjust the formats. But if I’m thinking 16X9, I can’t be genuinely working in a 9X16 format simultaneously. I always ask.
Every format is welcome; it is good to have different perspectives and goals. I just think you have to have a reason to choose the technology you will be working with. It is the same when you chose the right camera, the right lenses. Everything has to have a reason.
Those pieces that I’m sharing with you, represent well my line of work.