Short Bio for the Filmmaker - My name is Manel Pessanha, a Porto based videographer specializing in capturing moments that combine creativity, technical precision, and emotion. I have over 10 years of experience in audiovisual production, having worked on projects ranging from music videos and documentaries to advertising campaigns and social media content. My approach is centered on exploring innovative perspectives, translating the essence of each story through an engaging fusion of image and sound.
1. About You & Your Creative Style
I’m a videographer based in Porto, Portugal. I have been working in the video industry since 2017, always with a deep passion for travel content and a strong desire to capture and transmit the emotion and culture of the countries I visit through film. I create videos that make people feel as though they are truly part of the experience, inspiring them to discover and explore the places I’ve traveled to.
2. The Origin Story: Why Kyrgyzstan?
I’ve always had a passion for traveling to beautiful places, but Kyrgyzstan was especially appealing to me because it’s still a relatively unexplored country. I feel that people often tend to travel more to developed destinations, and I enjoy showing my audience that sometimes these lesser visited countries are actually the most beautiful because they remain “untouched” when it comes to tourism.
The landscapes in Kyrgyzstan are absolutely unreal, mountain after mountain, and in just a single day, you can experience every type of scenery: forests, canyons, snow, and so much more. But what impressed me the most were the people and the country’s culture. The people are incredibly kind and hardworking, and they left a lasting mark on my heart. We learned so much through living alongside them. At first, I thought it might be difficult to live in the middle of the mountains with only minimal conditions, but I came to realize that sometimes, when life is simpler, we actually feel our best.
3. Why Vespid? Choosing Lightweight Cine Lenses for a Remote Shoot
For this project, I wanted to use high quality lenses to achieve the best image possible.
I chose to bring the DZO Vespid lenses because they deliver incredible image quality with a beautifully distinctive character, while also offering a robust yet lightweight build that can handle all kinds of weather conditions. I used them in rain, snow, and intense sunlight, and they never let me down. They are also very fast lenses, which made a huge difference for night shots where available light was limited.
4. Filming "The Craziest Experience of My Life"
I can confidently say that it was truly the craziest experience of my life, as I spent seven days in a remote location, deep in the mountains, where my main mode of transportation was horseback.
I had very little experience riding horses before this journey, but I embraced the challenge and have no regrets. Horses are incredible animals, capable of traveling dozens of kilometers through narrow and steep mountain paths with remarkable strength and resilience.
5. Creating the "Cinematic Travel" Look
Throughout the journey, I was always careful to frame my shots thoughtfully in order to create a strong cinematic coherence between each scene. When I wanted to convey a sense of calm and tranquility, I used static tripod shots, allowing the moments to breathe.
When there was more action, or when I wanted the viewer to feel immersed in my experience, I switched to handheld shots. I love combining these two techniques in all of my videos. The Vespid lenses did a huge part of the work, delivering beautifully balanced imagery right from the start, with excellent contrast and consistently accurate skin tones. For this trip, since I had to be mindful of space in my backpack, I chose to bring only a 25mm and a 50mm. For me, it was the perfect combination.
6. Advice for Aspiring Travel Filmmakers
My advice for anyone looking to achieve a cinematic look in their videos is: don’t rush your shots. Take your time, carefully study your composition, and always think about the emotion or feeling you want to transmit with each scene you capture.
I decided not to bring still or zoom lenses because, although they offer autofocus, I felt they wouldn’t deliver the same distinctive image quality as the Vespid lenses. Cinema lenses push you to think more intentionally and ultimately help you become a better filmmaker with every shot.
7. What's Next?
My goal is to continue exploring destinations that are still relatively undiscovered, in order to show my audience what it truly feels like to be there.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but I can say that I would love for my next destination to be Namibia, and I will without a doubt be bringing my Vespid lenses with me on that adventure.
