Filming a Short Film in Rio de Janeiro

Sometimes I have a creative craving to make a movie. It’s the filmmaker in me. And this was no exception when I had a 30+ hour work layover in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this post I’m going to share how I went from just wanting to practice my storytelling skills, to getting this self made film to screen at film festivals. This is all about my filming a short film in Rio de Janeiro.

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The Reason I Chose Rio de Janeiro as My Filming Location

The great thing about my day job as a flight attendant is that it allows me to travel to places all over the world for a day or two and it includes a free (usually pretty nice) hotel! Which is exactly why it was to become my film set.

I had been to Rio before, it’s one of my favorite work trips. I love walking up and down the beaches and taking in all the excitement Rio has to offer. Plus our hotel is right on the water. I had already done Cristo Redentor and Sugarloaf Mountain (both great places by the way)! And I had done one of my favorite hikes on my first day after arriving (Morro Does Irmaos – which on a side note is quite an adventure! I had the name of the hike written in Portuguese on a piece of paper from the hotel and then I jumped on the back of a motorcycle to take me to the trail head up through the favela. I’ve since done the hike multiple times alone and never had any problems. It really is one of the most beautiful hikes you’ll ever do!) But now back to this story ;)…

On my second day in this vivacious city I wanted to do something a little more creative (plus it was raining outside). So I thought I’d practice my filmmaking skills and shoot a short film. By myself I might add.

Filming By Yourself

First of all, this is not my first choice of filmmaking. I love having a team of people who can do things better than I can on board to make the best film possible. But I am here to say, that if you’re looking to make something yourself, you can do it on your own. Just need some creativity and patience. Plus the more films you do the better you’ll become, so there’s no reason why you too can’t do it :).

Write Your Story

I first needed to come up with a story. I ordered room service for breakfast and sat on my balcony as it rained. I started brainstorming. In about an hour I came up with a pretty loose idea and was ready to just try out some shots. I only had until that night before I needed to get back on a plane and work business class from GIG to JFK (the airport codes for both Rio and New York in case you want some trivia).

Grab Your Equipment For Filming in Rio de Janeiro

I always like to travel with my stabilizer for my iPhone and my mini shotgun microphone. I also love my Zoom H1 Handy Recorder for better sound. And I try to keep a tripod now when I can, but at the time of this film (my first of many by myself on layovers all over the world), I only had my stabilizer. And since I only had my iPhone to shoot with (which does a fairly decent job! Especially if just wanting to practice.), that’s precisely what I used.

I used my suitcase to better hold my stabilizer for the shots, got dressed in one of the dresses I had brought, used my work heels, and began to shoot my film. I decided to do mostly voiceovers so I could focus on shots more this time. I ended up stacking cups and other things for other shots and for some of the close ups I simply held my stabilizer out to the side and hit record. It was quite a process, but having an actual iPhone tripod definitely helps for your own films. (I never travel without it now).

Outcome

I was pretty happy with what I’d made. And I finished just before needing to get ready for work, so win win! Didn’t get much of a nap in before my redeye home, but I hopefully will get first break. (Flight attendants get a sleep break on long international flights. But we take turns so there’s always someone working, hence the first or second breaks).

Editing My Film

On my next days off while I was back in New York I uploaded my footage and began editing with Adobe Premiere Pro (my preferred editing software. However there’s no right or wrong here. Go with what you personally like). I recorded some voice overs I could use and when I was fairly happy with my film I then finished the color correcting and used Pond5 (I love this site!) to find some music.

I was quite happy with how my film turned out. However, like with most films we make, there are of course things I wish I could have done better. And there’s possibly a story plot hole, but hey, not bad for coming up with the story in an hour and shooting all in one day.

Film Festivals

I entered my film just for fun into a few festivals, and it actually did way better than I thought it would! So here’s proof, my lovely readers, that if you want to make a movie and get it shown at a festival, you too can. And mostly by using what you have around the house. So get out there and give the world your stories. We desperately need your beautiful work :).

My Equipment Used:

Sound:

I use this for the best sound: Zoom H1n Portable Recorder, Onboard Stereo Microphones, Camera Mountable, Records to SD Card, Compact, USB Microphone, Overdubbing, Dictation, For Recording Music, Audio for Video, and Interviews

I use this for an extra mic on my iPhone (plus I went to a fabric store and asked for a sample of fake fur and made my own ‘dead cat’ with a hair tie to help with the sound): Ampridge MightyMic G GoPro/iPhone Professional Shotgun Condenser Microphone with Headphone Monitor

Stabilizer:

Been using this for a stabilizer and it’s worked so well! RetiCAM Smartphone Tripod Mount with Hand Grip – All Metal Heavy-Duty Hand Held Stabilizer and Tripod Mount for Smart Phones and Cameras – HG30, Aluminum, Red

Lighting:

Use this selfie ring as a light which helps a lot! Selfie Ring Light,Hongdayi Clip On Selfie Light for Phone Camera 3-Level Brightness Mini Selfie LED Camera Light for iPhone,iPad,Sumsung Galaxy,Sony, Motorola,Smart Phones,Photography,Video (White)

Tripod:

Tripod for your iPhone: UBeesize 60” Phone Tripod with Carry Bag & Cell Phone Mount Holder for Live Streaming, Extendable Travel Lightweight Tripod Stand with Smartphone Bluetooth Remote, Compatible with iOS/Android

Editing:

And I edit with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Also if you want some low budget film inspiration, I highly recommend ready Robert Rodriguez’s Rebel Without A Crew. It inspired me to make my first film, Baker. It wasn’t the best film ever made, but I learned a lot. And I worked with some really amazing talent. Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player

The biggest things you’ll need to invest in is going to be sound. I’ve learned a lot from my past mistakes, picture can be forgiven, but sound cannot. If you would like to read more tips, check out my 7 tips for making your own film.

Happy filming loves!

Also, in case you’re interested, here is the film I made on that one fabulously gloomy day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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