yuccsgeneration

#Yuccs Generation: David Velduque

The cinema is not just showing a story, it is the result of the harmony between the visual and your passion.

#Yuccs Generation: David Velduque

David Velduque, Madrid-born director who captures with his camera real stories taken to visual detail, where the harmony of color and sound is a visual travel for the spectator. It is a pleasure to be with you David today and to be an example and figure of #YuccsGeneration. 

 

Have you always wanted to be a film director?

I've always wanted to develop my artistic and creative side, it is something that has been present in my life since I was a kid. I locked myself in my room and read all the issues of the Fotogramas magazine, fascinated with the world of cinema, directors, creators and actors. In fact, it's funny because my artistic career began as an actor, a facet that I soon began to combine with my work as a director. The idea of directing came about quite naturally, with the aim of being able to launch my own projects, and little by little it became an incredible obsession that has led me to this day.

“In all my stories there is a direct connection with my own life, with the vital moment in which I find myself, and I think that is what helps me connect with people.”

What inspires you when creating your shorts?

There are many inspirational notes when it comes to creating my projects. In all my stories there is a direct connection with my own life, with the vital moment in which I find myself, and I think that is what helps me connect with people.

I also find inspiration in the work of other artists and creators such as Michael Haneke, Gaspar Noé, David Lynch or Xavier Dolan. The component of darkness, sexual and twisted is what moves me the most.

What is the impact you want to generate in society with your works?

When you connect with a story, it takes you down paths that make you dream, cry or die of fear. And that sometimes supposes a personal catharsis for the spectator that can be translated into making important decisions in his life. In my case, what is important when creating is to focus on the process and not on the result. Find what resonates with me and that connects in a very deep way, and from there develop the story.

It has been exciting to see the social impact that my short films have generated. I actually get many messages through social medias and emails sharing personal stories of improvement that remind me of the magical world of cinema. My job as a creator is to focus on this ritual, which sometimes comes with a lot of fear or insecurity, it is the way that makes me grow and that I see that also connects with people.

“My biggest challenge and satisfaction in these years has been to bet on my personal growth.”

What has been the biggest challenge you have had to face these years?

My biggest challenge and satisfaction in these years has been to focus on my personal growth. It has been fundamental to take me to the point where I am right now, both on a personal, professional and artistic level.

I consider it essential to fight for a space in which to grow, take care of yourself, experience and analyze the reason for many things. A space that helps you to understand you better, to love you and forgive you. It is the best way to have a better relationship with yourself and your traveling companions.

Estigma has been your most intimate short film so far, was it difficult to "make real" your biggest fears?

‘Estigma’ He talks about that internal prison that we build for fear of social rejection and not being loved for what we are, something that we can all feel identified with. A story that I have faced from a very personal perspective, putting myself at the forefront of how I live in my own flesh the fear of disease and not being reciprocated.

The process was difficult from the start, everything seemed to be more complicated than usual from preproduction, production to postproduction. To this day, without a doubt, both the team and I have learned a lot through this project that is now giving us so many joys. We premiered worldwide at the Fantastic Fest in Texas, one of the most important festivals in the world, and we already have more than 30 selections. Soon we disembarked in Spain with wonderful news that I am willing to share.

“I have some traveling companions that make me very happy, and I'm in a moment of fulfillment both with my team and on a personal level.”

Who are the people who are part of your team and for whom everything is possible?

I love this question, because it is also unusual in interviews. I have some traveling companions that make me very happy, and I am in a moment of fulfillment both with my team and on a personal level. I know it sounds very pastel, but that's the way it is.

Above all I work side by side with Marco Laborda, with whom I co-create many of my stories and who is also my Production Designer within my audiovisual projects. And also with Hannah Mitchell, with whom I have also worked as a scriptwriter and who is usually the Production Manager of my projects, managing the entire production. I am very happy to share a path with them and with our large team of collaborators. They are pure inspiration.

What advice would you give to other young and creative entrepreneurs like you?

I think that every entrepreneur and project is a completely different world, I am not very good at giving advice, although it is true that certain aptitudes and human qualities are shared to build a company. From my point of view, the most important thing is to love what you do and be aware of the price you are willing to pay to get your "son" ahead.

In my case I am a perfectionist and self-taught. At first, those were characteristics that have helped me grow and bring my project to a point of balance, but now I am in another phase. I am currently in a moment of reconnection with the enjoyment within the process and I am full. Happy.