In your opinion, what is the most impactful aspect of the movie-making process?
The art of cinema is an incredibly powerful tool for personal and collective growth, inspiration, and rejuvenation. As a filmmaker, I am passionate about the transformative potential of the editing process. Through careful curation and manipulation of the raw footage, I am able to weave individual moments into a captivating narrative that evokes a wide range of emotions and sparks boundless potential in viewers. Collaboration is an essential part of the filmmaking process, and I relish the opportunity to work closely with directors to create a unified emotional journey that grips audiences from start to finish. As the conductor of the post-production symphony, I bring together a team of talented professionals, each with their own unique skills and perspectives. By comprehending their individual needs and working closely with them, I am able to ensure that the final product is seamless, cohesive, and of the highest possible quality.
What sparked your interest in storytelling, and how has it developed over time?
My love for storytelling blossomed during my formative years, inspired by my Italian teacher, who encouraged me to unleash my imagination and bring my stories to life. As I grew older, I discovered the power of cinema and how it could transform my stories into vivid, pulsating narratives through cameras and editing. Fueled by my passion, I teamed up with my childhood friend, Giovanni Perolo, to create a short film which led to the opportunity to film and edit a TV series for an Italian network. This experience landed me an internship at a multimedia company, where I honed my skills in editing and filming multimedia coverage. Intrigued by the allure of Hollywood’s silver screen, I earned a scholarship that took me to LA; I collaborated with an American basketball company and worked on award-winning short films, commercials, TV series, and feature films.
My editing prowess, showcased in my short films, garnered multiple job offers. My latest project was a three-month journey that tested my skills to the limit but helped me grow as an editor. As I stand at the threshold of my next project, I am filled with a sense of purpose and an unwavering determination to pursue my dreams, regardless of the obstacles that may arise.
Which editing projects have had the most significant impact on the way you approach and refine your editing process?
The making of a film or music video involves not only capturing scenes but also selecting and arranging shots to create a seamless and impactful viewing experience. This was demonstrated in the short film “Kandy,” where the challenge was to maintain the story’s authenticity despite filming in a low-budget constructed set. The editing process involved carefully selecting and arranging shots to avoid betraying the set’s limitations, resulting in a 17-minute film that preserved the story while avoiding narrative disruptions. In the music video “Loser Love Story,” the focus was on creating a dynamic interplay between high-performance sequences and serene narrative moments. The key to success was to select impactful performance shots and arrange them to highlight movement, rhythm, and beat, resulting in a rollercoaster-like experience that built up to powerful beats and allowed for more relaxed moments. The editing style for the slow-paced short film “Spin” was refined to enhance the project’s overall aesthetic by focusing on the essentials and allowing the viewer to be fully absorbed and mesmerized in the moment. Precision in determining when to cut and hold a shot was critical to augment the film’s visual essence. Finally, the short documentary “Moechella” blended interviews, music, and documentary footage into a captivating portrayal of the gogo music genre and its community. The use of multiple cameras and transitions between monochromatic and colorful shots created a visually dynamic experience that captured the genre’s energetic essence. The challenge of assembling diverse footage was a creative opportunity that resulted in a unique fusion of styles, techniques, rhythm, and music.
How did your experience in Los Angeles transform your perception of your homeland, Italy?
What started out as a journey of self-discovery and creative exploration in the world’s film capital unexpectedly became a journey of rediscovery of my homeland, Italy. After living and working in Hollywood for four years, I finally saw Italy through new eyes. It was like landing on the moon and, upon exploring its surface in detail, looking up and being mesmerized by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the earth. Italy is a gem for filmmakers, with its rich history, awe-inspiring landscapes, and endless possibilities for metaphors, introspections, and reflections. From the smallest stone to the ruins of abandoned forts, Italy is a breath of fresh air. While many American productions are filmed in Italy, only someone who was born and
raised in the country and who knows its secrets can enrich a story and experience with infinite details, creating a unique and personal experience. I cannot claim that my journey to Los Angeles was about rediscovering Italy from the outset. Rather, it was an evolving realization, gained gradually through each experience, year after year, film after film. The more I learned about the tools and processes required to create a work of cinema, the more I came to appreciate Italy’s unique offerings and its potential for the international film industry. I am confident that I will contribute to the advancement of Italian cinema with the invaluable experiences I’ve had and continue to have here in the United States.
What are your ambitions and upcoming goals related to the film industry?
I have many ambitions that I hope to achieve soon. One of my upcoming goals and dreams is to establish a post-production company here in Los Angeles, consisting of a team of experts dedicated to producing and enhancing cinematic works of art. Furthermore, I aspire to write, direct, and edit my first feature film, which will express my unique storytelling style and allow me to continue my journey as an author, creating other feature films that offer viewers novel experiences. For me, cinema is a means of growth, motivation, and rebirth, an art form with extraordinary properties that can make anything happen and show us realities that inspire us to reach our full potential. I understand that realizing this objective will involve making mistakes and facing setbacks, as well as moments of discouragement. However, for each setback, there will be a film that will inspire me to continue this precious journey.
Email: pietrobarbafilms@gmail.com
Instagram: @pietro_barba
Website: pietrobarba.com
