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Lindsei barros - Interview

Lindsei Barros is an award-winning Creative Director/Art with work spanning three different countries across the globe, from Brazil to Australia and then United States. She’s was responsible for launching global campaigns for companies and brands like Canon & Shiseido. At her last agency she was the head art creative for Johnson & Johnson’s brands. While in Austalia and Brazil, Lindsei worked for Volvo, and was the lead creative for Kymberly Clark on their feminine care brands. She’s got also a profound passion for science, given that her father was a physicist and taught her how to see the world through a scientist’s eyes. On the side, she is an avid scriptwriter and women's rights activist, having produced and directed a movie about mental health quite recently. The movie has been picking up local and international recognition.

Do you prefer Comedy or Drama? 


I prefer both. Comedic drama?


Life imitates Art or Art imitates Life? 


Art is life. I believe the exchange between life imitating art and vice-versa is constant. We observe our surroundings and situations only to interpret them in an artistic manner, whether be more exaggerated or closer to what it really is. 

Which is the Best Moment on set? 


When we're rolling. Seeing the scenes come to life is always surprising and mesmerizing. 


Did anyone ever tell you weren't good enough? 


Maybe everyone, all the time. The secret is to take that as encouragement and not let it hit you so hard. If you overthink everything you do in order to please others, you shouldn't be working in the creative industry.


How can you stay focused on your goal? 


Planning, taking one step at a time, and breathing. 


Have you ever had a breakdown because of your Job?


I work in advertising so breakdowns are almost mandatory. The industry is packed with egocentric people, who often don't serve the purpose of the work but rather their own. One of the great advantages of working in advertising is the ability to develop thick skin. Your ideas die every minute, so you learn to be resilient and move past them. Onwards is the word of command.


Talent is a blessing or a curse? 


A blessing! Curse? What?


What would you like to improve about yourself as a

director? 


Maybe being a little more patient and less impulsive when it comes to building the team and getting the project started. I tend to want everything done yesterday, but craft takes time and we need to allow ourselves to balance the sense of urgency that comes with big productions and deadlines, with the arduous and time-consuming process of creating art from scratch.


What's the worst criticism you have received? 


From my dad when I was a child: you have a wandering mind. Little did he know that this "wandering mind" helps me to create and be diverse in my thinking. If you have lots of ideas and change your mind all the time, take it as a good thing. It's part of the creative process.


If you weren't a director what would you like to be? 


In the film industry, perhaps a DOP or Producer. I already act like both because of the small budget situations we often see ourselves in, but the TRIO of director, producer, and cinematographer makes everything come to life. 

If Cinema was a color what would it be?   


80% black. Dark Grey.  


A day without a movie is...  


 A day reading a book


If someone offered you to direct a movie that you despise but that for sure will make you rich and famous...would you accept the job? 


I think there's no movie you can despise once you put your own spin on it. So if I am accepting a project, I am most likely changing a few things in it to make it my own. But certainly, the purpose is not to be rich or famous.


What's your greatest ambition? 


To be recognized as an authentic storyteller.


What's your biggest fear? 


To be anchored in the sea of sameness.


Does music help you to play/direct, write? 


I am the one who scores my own music at the moment, but usually I write in silence because the voice of the characters are really loud in my head.


You have the chance to make a Silent movie, what's your message to the audience? 


I already made one, it's called "Home" - check it out, please. It's a film about domestic violence and mental health.

 

Share your speech if you should win an Oscar..... 


Am I winning for best film? I feel like I need a bit more of information here...