Arthur Valverde: A Few Of My Favourite Things
Henry new signing Arthur Valverde talks us through the notebooks, photos and scents that power his fashion films, commercials and music videos.
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The Notebook
Throughout the process of filmmaking, I always have a notebook with me.
Recently, I directed a YSL commercial in London with Henry Production, which was quite a technical shoot with a lot of camera robot movements.
I used my notebook as my canvas. I drew angles and wrote down ideas for shots.
It became a special book for all my creative ideas, inspirations, and experiences.
It's a space where I can experiment and try new things.
However, what's inside remains a secret.
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The Airpods
Music is a constant source of inspiration for me.
I grew up in a family where everyone, including me, used to play the piano all the time in our house.
It became natural and a real necessity for me.
My AirPods are always by my side.
It's incredible where music can take you. I can switch from classical music to techno twenty times a day.
Music plays a crucial role in shaping my vision for my films.
When working on a project, it is my most powerful aid in beginning the creative process.
During a film shoot, I also use it to establish the mood. The rhythm, pace, and relationship between footage and music are very important to me.
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The Passport(s)
My passport is more than just a document that allows me to travel the world; it's a physical manifestation of my creative journey.
As a film director, I constantly seek out new stories, new perspectives, and new experiences, and my passport is a record of those adventures.
Since this object is really important, I have two! ;)
The Photo
There is this photo in my wallet, captured in Bangkok when I was shooting a commercial.
On my way back to the airport, a young Korean girl named Hyeoh looked at me and wanted to chat; she also really wanted to take a picture of us.
We connected in just 30 minutes.
It was quite emotional when we had to say goodbye.
It's a beautiful snapshot of a moment in time, and it always brings a smile to my face.
It reminds me of what I love about directing – meeting new people, discovering new cultures, and connecting intensely with different individuals.
It's probably what happened when I met Paola and Elmar, a couple I was eager to capture when I was living in Berlin for Schön magazine.
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The Scent
Scents are always very important to me.
I'm highly sensitive to them and can identify many different scents.
They tell me a story, and remind me of people or moods, places, and times.
Scents are an inspiration.
It's really hard to describe them in words, and even more so in images, but I always try to create sensorial images.
Perhaps this aesthetic can evoke memories in others.