shots Unsigned: Bruno Persico

This month we hear from Argentine director/animator Bruno Persico, about his creatively and beautifully told film AIRE, that was co-directed with Clara Fernandez.

Made over the course of three months, the animation AIRE revolves around a woman as gathers the courage to tell her partner that she is no longer happy and that she is leaving. She makes up her mind, but just at that moment she listens to some troubling news on television...

Can you tell us a little about your background and your route into directing?

I studied graphic design at university and then ventured into the field of motion graphics. Over time, I have specialised further in animation and began directing my own projects.

Would you say you have a directing style? How did you arrive at it?

I don't believe I have a distinct style just yet. However, elements of my graphic design background tend to pass through. I pay close attention to visual aesthetics.

Did you study filmmaking? How did you learn your craft?

My audiovisual education has been largely self-taught or gained through practical experience in different jobs.

What was the inspiration for AIRE?

Visually, we drew inspiration from various sources, particularly Franco-Belgian comics and the Ligne claire style, which is a style of drawing created and pioneered by Hergé.

What other directors' work do you admire?

That's a tough question. In terms of cinema, I've always been a fan of Kieslowski, Bergman, and Ozu, to name a few. In nowadays animation scene, I admire the work of Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner in Scavengers Reign. They managed to gather up a fantastic animation dream team.

Where do you find the inspiration for your projects?

I'm quite a film buff, so cinema is always a significant source of inspiration. I also seek inspiration outside the medium, exploring other forms of art and different eras.

ABOVE: A film poster for AIRE.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in pulling this project together?

The main challenge was crafting a cohesive story within such a short runtime. Devoting ample time to storyboarding and pre-production stages was crucial.

How long was the shoot and what was the most challenging aspect of the project?

As it's 2D animation, there isn't an exact shooting period, but the total production took around three months, from script to delivery. Given it was an independent project, the most challenging aspect was budget constraints.