I am an extremely passionate filmmaker, I always have a new idea swimming around in that noggin of mine and I am extremely excited to continue foraying into the world of the film industry and beyond.
I have been making films and writing scripts since I was around 8-9, making a short spy film in my primary school at around 10, editing, writing and directing it, then going onto write a WW2 film at around 11, planning to cast my friends in it.
In recent years, my interest in film was piqued once again with a collaboration between me and my friend Ezra, where I ended up co-creating the short film 'July, South', this was a huge undertaking as my first project, it amounted to approximately 30 minutes long and featured music from acclaimed artists, such as Steven Severin, Technohead and Pitchshifter. Despite it's limited release, the film had a sold-out screening, merchandise and a partnership with Edinburgh-based drug charity Crew 2000. I undertook co-directing, producing, and editing in DaVinci Resolve and other misc jobs.
Building upon this experience, I worked on 'Something Beautiful', with a fellow filmmaker, Peggy Deazley, who had written a short script addressing the elderly with dementia, and the importance of treating them with kindness. I co-directed the film while working on sound and post-production. Although in post-production, we plan to contact dementia charities for collaborations and submit the film to festivals.
I have also been involved in other film-related activities, while the roles I partook in are not the roles I want to pursue in film, I still found them fruitful experiences as they helped me to expand my knowledge and learn more about certain applications of filmic techniques. I was commissioned a music video for Mokum Records' artist Technohead, I worked as a location marshall for the INDO UK production 'Son of Sardaar 2'. Additionally, I was an actor and PA for the short film 'One In The Chamber' by Daniel Senior, and additionally acted in Luca Kerr's FilmG award-nominated short 'Geama' I have also done video work for musicians, such as Affectionate Widows.
I also participated in Screen Education Edinburgh's Young Filmmakers Hub, creating the short film 'Goodbye Memories', about coping with the loss of close family members. I then took part in the BFI Short Course, this was a fantastic experience, being helped by industry professionals and experienced tutors. I, alongside multiple others, created the short film 'Juniper', about social isolation and human connection in the contemporary world. On this course, alongside a wide variety of amazing creatives, I met my partner - Han Barber - A filmmaker from Dunfermline, as part of a university application, she directed 'Sweet Adeline', which I assisted in filming both sound and video and post-production.
If you're a central-belt-based creative (or are willing to use the internet or travel), I'd love to collaborate with you on anything! Contact me at orlandocampopiano@gmail.com or find me on Instagram at @orlando_campopiano ! I have my own equipment (exc. sound, but can hire for free), and I am particularly interested in social issues, politics, comedy (doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good depressing film!), drama and surrealism. I particularly enjoy bringing a writers vision to life.
Filmmakers who inspire me are: David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Wong Kar Wai, Ken Loach and Terry Gilliam.
Films that inspire me are: Chungking Express, Trainspotting, Withnail and I, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Blue Velvet and La Haine.
TV Shows that inspire me are: The Sopranos, Twin Peaks, Utopia (2014), Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, The Young Ones, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
Painters that inspire me: Francis Bacon, Zdzisław Beksiński, Andre Breton, Billy Childish, David Lynch, David Denison and David Tibet. (Davids seem to be good at painting...)
Musicians that inspire me: The Cure, Elliott Smith, The Beatles, Xiu Xiu, Current 93, John Cooper Clarke, Momus, Coil, Throbbing Gristle, DI6, Psychic TV, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Orbital. (Among many others!)