4 sessions
CLAUDIA TOMAZ
Claudia Tomaz CV
Professional info
Claudia is an award winning filmmaker. Originally from Portugal, she lived in Lisbon, Bordeaux, Philadelphia, and London, before moving by the sea, in Sussex. Her work encompasses many different styles and genres. She often works in an experimental and poetic approach to images and sounds using film and art as healing. Claudia is also dedicated to use video as a tool for social change; her most recent projects are 'The soul journey', a film-meditation following her own life journey (in post-production), and prior to that, she created an activist feature documentary about the housing crisis in London called 'Give us space'.
Working in film since 1995, past work includes experimental films, music videos, AV live sets, documentaries and 2 full-length feature films [‘Nights’ won ‘The Critic’s week Award’ in 2000 at the Venice Film Festival]. After working within the film industry in Portugal for about 10 years in a number of functions, e.g. director's assistant, scriptwriter and editor (with directors: Paulo Rocha, José Alvaro de Morais and Pedro Costa), Claudia kept on making her own films searching for more independent and sustainable paths.
From 2003, Claudia took a new path, becoming a Shiatsu therapist. Her practice of Japanese healing arts develloped along the years and she studied other forms of energy medicine, continuing to work on film, although on a very different scale than her first films.
She founded Holon film Lab in 2006 where she devellops her films that she makes on her own and distributes online, also focusing on collaborations and creative education. In London she also worked as an editor and facilitated film & editing workshops at the V&A Museum and Space Studios.
Claudia works as a freelancer and collaborates with others, often making videos for campaigns, documenting gigs and events, live visuals & projections for shows (theater/dance/djs). Claudia works independently, in an ethical way, usually without a crew, filming and editing with her own professional HD equipment.
Skills
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
CAMERA
TUTOR
ARTIST
LIVE VISUALS
SHIATSU
+
FINAL CUT 7 (video editing)
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOSHOP
RESOLUME (VJ/live visuals)
SOUND RECORDING
SOUND DESIGN
WEB DESIGN (wix)
Languages
English - fluent
Portuguese - original language
French - good understanding
Spanish - basic
2010 - present
2010 - present
Filmography
Claudia's films as Director, Camera, Editor, Scriptwriter
Recent work
2016-2019 - THE SOUL JOURNEY feature documentary, meditation-film | info & trailer
2013-2014 - GIVE US SPACE feature documentary | website
2009-2011 - LONDON GROUND web series / experimental documentaries
Feature lengh films
2003 - NÓS | US 100 min, 35mm. produced by Paulo Branco | Madragoa Filmes
2000 - NOITES | NIGHTS 73 min, 35mm. produced by Paulo Branco | Madragoa Filmes
Music videos
2012 - SCREAMING OUT LOUD, music video. Botchit&Scarper (record label), music: Backdraft
2010 – ALLERGIC, music video. Studio Rockers (record label), music: Jazzsteppa
2009 – FEEL ME, music video. Botchit&Scarper (record label), music: Flore & Shunda K
Middle/ Short lengh films and Experimental Documentary – since 1995
VIDEO MEDITATION 3:23, 2015. independent production
TIMELESS LAND 35 min, 2009. independent production
ONE LOVE 37 min, 2009. independent production
THE LIGHT SURGEONS 50 min, 2008. independent production
TRAVELOGUE 12 min, 2008. independent production
BALLAD OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEPENDENCY 33min, 2007. independent production
SUBLIMINAL – meditative video pieces 45min, 2006. independent production
SINGING SONGS 50 min 2006. independent production
SEARCHING FOR CHARACTER 25 min, 2001. Supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
DETOUR 50 min, 1997. Funded by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation / Suma Filmes
ZÉNITH 6 min 1996. independent production
CLEAR EYES 25 min 1995 Funded by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation / Suma Filmes
MEMORY 20 min 1995 final film school
Awards
2019 - Funding for the editing of the film The soul Journey, Film Institute in Portugal
2010 – ‘Feel me’ wins ‘war of films’ online contest at FilmAnnex, March edition
2003 – ‘Us’ wins BOCCALINO AWARD, Locarno Film Festival
2000 – ‘Nights’ wins CRITIC'S WEEK BEST FILM, Venice International Film Festival
2000 – ‘Nights’ is NOMINATED FOR BEST FILM, Gijon Film Festival
1999 – ‘Detour’ wins BIG AWARD OF THE JURY, VideoLisboa Film Festival
1998 – ‘Detour’ wins YOUNG CREATORS AWARD, Clube de Artes e Ideias
International Residencies and Grants
2011 - Business Incubation programme at Ravensbourne College, London. European Regional Development Fund. The award consisted in free access to facilities, resources and cutting edge kit (computers, updated software, professional cameras), plus courses, conferences and networking events, for freelancer artists and new media creative business.
2005-2006 – Artist-in-residence at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. Grant from Calouste Gulbenkian / Flad for: experimental Lab filmmaker's project, scriptwriting / research for feature film "Mobile' with professor Jeff Rush and Media Art Studies.
2005 - Script & Pitch Workshops - European advanced script-writing course. Grant from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Ica - Instituto de Cinema e audiovisual
1993-94 - studies in Film and Audio-visual at Michel Montaigne University, Bordeaux, France. Erasmus Fellowship.
Freelancer: editor | camera | scriptwriter | dir assistant
2015 - PETE THE TEMP and Jane Wild - Filmed and edited 5 music-videos-documentaries with activist poet and musician Pete the Temp, in Dalston Studios during the recording of new EP (release in August)
2007-15 - SUPERHOMES – short videos for SuperHomes website. Over 30 videos about green architecture, eco refurbishments and ways to reduce housing carbon footprint in at least 60%. Position: Director, camera and editor (London, UK)
2014 - THE NEW VENUS: The New Woman - art event
2013-14 - THE DREAMS OF STOCKWELL - Community art project documentation
2011 - BOMBS OR DYING FOR A WEEK - videos for 3 theater performances by Susana Vidal and B Negativo Teatro - read more
2010 - DANCE FORMS, dance tutorial for dance software Dance Forms and a dance piece by choreographer Janet Randell, Walles.
Position: Shooting as part of a 3 cameras team (Camera, Sony Z-1)
2009 - FRAU, interdisciplinary performance integrating movement, live cameras and 3 video screens on stage. by Caroline Mueller / boXd production. filming and coordination between stage movement and multi-screens + pre-filmed / pre-edited video material and live cameras and video mentoring for dancers. Dance Residence at Dance4, Nottingham, UK
Position: Camera and Video Consultant
2009 - A SENSE OF PLACE, by Teresa Paiva.
Position: Workshop assistant & Editor (London)
2008 - EDGE, video dance, Pedro Pires.
Position: Camera and Editor. (London)
2007 - CHANGING THE WORLD ON VACATION, by Daniela Kon. feature documentary.
Position: Editor (London, UK)
2007 - PROMO VIDEO for FairTunes, a charity project providing music studios for people in impoverished communities - Colombia.
Position: Editor (London, UK)
2006 - DAVID CRONEMBERG PRESENTS WIRELESS INTERNET, by John Gross. Feature.
Position: Advisor in the editing (Philadelphia, USA)
Portugal
1999 / 2001 - DAR O CORPO AO MANIFESTO, Project coordinator and curator of workshops and film / video productions, supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. I inviting 6 young film directors to take part of the project which proposed to defend, question and look for a place for independent film in a culture of mass media. Curation and coordination and filmmaker.
1999 - PEIXE-LUA by José Álvaro Morais. Feature/fiction. 1st director assistant during the preparation of the film. 6 months.
1998-99 - VANDA'S ROOM by Pedro Costa. Feature documentary.
Position: Director‘s assistant & Camera /sound for 8 months.
1997 - GOLDEN RIVER by Paulo Rocha. Feature/fiction.
Position: Scriptwriter, Editor and Director’s Creative assistant.
1996 - CAMÕES, TANTA GUERRA, TANTO ENGANO, by Paulo Rocha.
Position: Cinematographer, camera operator and editor.
1996 - RUA DO POçO DOS NEGROS by Paulo Rocha.
Position: Scriptwriter
Workshops as a film tutor
for course descriptions and students' comments see here
London, UK
2012 - Creative Editing - 6 weeks program at Space Studios, May/June
2012 - Digital filmmaking - 8 weeks program at V&A Museum
2012 - Creative Editing - 6 weeks program at Space Studios, April
2011 - 'Creative editing' at Space Studios, London, Hackney - September/October
2011 –‘Museum as film, make your own film trailer’. 2-day Workshop on Filmmaking and Editing - with Simon Woolham at V&A Museum (CreateLive, Sackler Centre) for adults, South Kensington,
2011 - Creative editing at Space Studios, London, Hackney - June/July
2011 –‘Museum as film, make your own film trailer’. 1-day Workshop with Simon Woolham at V&A Museum (CreateLive, Sackler Centre) for 13-19 years-old, South Kensington, 2nd February
2010 – ‘Introduction to video and production of a music video’ Module of the course ‘Introduction to music industry’ a hands-on music, business and video course for young people (13-19 years-old). Students produced their music tracks and made their music video, including filming, acting and editing. Employer: Ignite TV. At Leyton Youth Centre, London
2007-08 – ‘Film for children’, a hands-on 10 week workshop where children (7-12 years-old) made complete 4 min films (from idea, script, storyboard, locations, acting, shooting and editing). Employer: Cineclub, young filmmakers network. 2 classes at Jack Hunt Language School, Peterborough, UK
U.S.A and Portugal
2009 – ‘Micro-cinema’ – a one-day creative workshop on low-budget film making methods; I shared examples of my work, they responded with filming/sound&projections exercises.
At Caminhos do Cinema Português Film Festival, Coimbra, Portugal
2004-07 – CINEMA ATELIER - Claudia writes a monthly article/page for PREMIERE Magazine Portuguese edition as a filmmaker / teacher about different aspects of film making. also wrote several articles about film festivals
2006 – “Shoot and Edit on camera – 16mm” - film exercise with Temple University students, USA
2005 - Workshop “The inseparable triangle: director - actor - character“ - C.E.M, Lisbon
2005 - “Directing actors”, part of the annual Course on Film Directing, Restart, Lisbon
2005 - Masterclass “Long-Shots” presenting the film “Russian Ark” by Sokurov, Videoteca de Lisboa
2005 - Workshop “Documentary”, C.E.M, Lisbon
2004 - Workshop “Digital Cinema, transversal cinema - the cinema of the body ”, C.E.M, Lisbon
1997 - Workshop ‘Documentary and Politics’, for young people from Timor, Jornadas de Timor, Psicology University, Lisbon
Live visuals and projections gigs
On the road vj set demo
Run-fly vj set demo
Mutant paintings live at I'klectik art lab gallery
Housing crisis live visuals at Give us Space launch party with 52 commercial road band live
AV Jamm at Hotel Elephant
Exploding cinema (various venues)
Transient forms HD version live at Hackney Wicked Festival
Video Mapping workshop at OV London, Art of the moment Festival
VJ performance at Push and Play benefit party at Egg London
BYOB at Moving image art fair. Bargehouse Gallery, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank
Transient forms live painting and video performance at squatted cinema with live music
Education and Film Training
2014 - Introduction to Projection Mapping and AV Jamm with Resolume Arena - with Matt Black from Coldcut / Ninja Tune, and Pete ElasticEye, Matt Sharp. Hotel Elephant
2013 - Video Mapping workshop at OV London - The art of the moment Festival with Pete ElasticEye and Matt Sharp
2008 - Interdisciplinary and Technological Performance Arts Course at Gulbenkian Creativity and Artistic Creation Programme (10 week intensive course in Lisbon with tutors from Brooklyn College, NY)
2006 - Media Arts studies during the period of artist-in-residence at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA.
Studied: 'Interactive narratives' | 'Physical Computing' | 'Neighborhood narratives'
2005 - “Script&Pitch Workshops - European advanced script-writing course“, supported by MEDIA Plus Program. A 8 month course for 16 selected European scriptwritters/director with 3 intensive workshops in Italy, Finland and France.
2005 - Software course on “Dreamweaver” , Pavilhão do Conhecimento de Lisboa
2004 - Masterclass of Cinematography with: Ed Lachman, Il Sung Jung, Walter Carvalho and Caroline Champetier, International Film Festival of Jeonju, South Korea
2000 - Image Workshop with Rui Poças and Sound Workshop with Vasco Pimentel, on the experimental project "Give this manifest a body", Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
1998 - AVID editing internership with Pedro Ribeiro, during the editing of the film “Quando Troveja” by M. Mozos.
1996 - 3D Animation Workshop for dance and movement: “Digitalizando o corpo electrónico“. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Encounters Acarte. direction: Yacov Sharir.
1993-94 - film studies with Erasmus Grant, Michel Montaigne University, Bordeaux, France
1992-93 - Professional technical course for camera operators, sound and film editing, supported by EU. Textimédia Produções
1991-95 - Graduated in Sciences of Communication and Film, at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
Other Learning
2018 - Jikiden Reiki, Shoden (level 1). 2 days course with Rika Tanaka, London
2018 - Jikiden Reiki, Okuden (level 2). 2 days course with Tadao Yamaguchi, London
2017 - Seiki, Shamanic Shiatsu, 2 days workshop with Alice Whieldon, Norwich
2015 - Jin Shin Jyutsu, 1 day workshop, book 2, with Cheli Mula, at Health in the city, London
2015 - Permacultyre Design Course (PDC) with Aranya, at Landmatters, Devon
2014 - Zen Shiatsu at Ki Kai School, Morley College, 6 classes of year 2.
2014 - Domestic Energy Assessor course (about energy efficency in houses), at Manor House Pact
2014 - Stencil and spray painting workshop with Morganico
2013 - Screen Printing workshop at Rochester Square Nomad Community
2013 - Introduction to Permaculture at Dial House with Graham Burnett
2003 - Shiatsu Course at Japanese Shiatsu School of Lisbon with Dr. Mitsuharu Tsuchiya
Online Courses:
Living in the Gift - a learning journey with Charles Eiseinstein
Quest 2019 - a journey with Jeffrey Davis / Tracking Wonder
Belonging - Encounters, intimate conversations on belonging - 7 weeks with Toko-Pa and guests
Healing trauma through the body - with Michael Stone and Molly Boeder Harris
Healing chronic illness the Feminine way - Women’s Wellness Circle - interviews and meditations hosted by Sophie Jane Mortimer and Frances Goodall
Feminine Awakening Series - 7 live webinars with Claire Dubois (Tree Sisters) and guests
Masculinity: a new story - 12 weeks online course with Charles Eiseinstein.
The space between stories - 6 week online course with Charles Eiseinstein
Other Workshops:
I participated in Buddhist / meditation retreats and many workshops to learn tools for life, these include: community building, co-operatives, alternative economies, social and environmental justice, trauma, healing, resilience; such as: Gift circle. Healing and wellbeing for activists. The Commons workshop. The Way of council. Transition Totnes tour. Spiritual Ecology and Transition Network events.
Some of the people that has deeply inspired me recently are Charles Eiseinstein, Joanna Macy, Looby Macnamara, Rob Hopkins, Mark Boyle, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Dang Nghiem, Kaypacha, film maker Ian Mackenzie, to name just a few, plus many friends and people who have been crossing my paths in surprising and unexpected ways who inspire me and give me strength to continue believing that a better and more beautiful world is possible!