Written by Murray Ashton on Sep 12, 2013. Posted in Interviews

Filming on the Italian island of Capri with Location Manager Michela Giovinetti

Born in Naples, Michela studied film at Italy’s national film school the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. She entered the industry as a production manager, before moving into location management. She has been based on Capri in the Gulf of Naples since 2003.

What do you like most about being a Location Manager?

To do this job gives me the opportunity to visit extraordinary places, including some that would normally be inaccessible, and to meet very interesting people from all parts of the world.

What types of productions do you prefer working on and why?

Cinema is my first love and most of my experience has been in the film industry. However, since I’ve started to work full time on Capri, I have gotten to know the fashion business as well. It’s such a crazy and fascinating world and since photography is a personal passion of mine, I love that I have had the opportunity to observe some amazing photographers at work.

What productions have you most enjoyed working with?

I can honestly say that I have kept great relationships with all the producers I’ve worked with and I’ve worked with some on multiple projects. I have to mention the French director Benoit Jacquot. After working together on Capri, he called me some years later to work on his feature film Villa Amalia with Isabelle Huppert, which was shot on Ischia, another island in the Gulf of Naples. Apart from being a great experience, this has been for me a very nice way to recognise that I am doing a good job.

What has been your most challenging location assignment to date?

Undoubtedly to find and manage the locations for the commercial of the new fragrance by Ermenegildo Zegna, shot last June on Capri. The main location was Casa Malaparte, an incredible historical villa built on the rocks and accessible only by sea. This meant carrying all the equipment and crew by boat to the location. Also, the director Jonas Akerlund decided to use a Russian arm camera for some shots and I can assure you that it was a big challenge to find a way to have a jeep Mercedes with a Russian arm crane driving on the narrow roads of Capri!

Which locations do you feel you’re most knowledgeable about?

I’m based in Capri so this is my main area of expertise. However I have also worked in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, in Ischia and the city of Naples, so I have a good knowledge of these places as well.

What can you tell us about the diversity of locations available in these places?

Capri continues to have the magical atmosphere that has made it famous. The classical beauty of its nature blends with the luxurious elegance of its villas, hotels and beach clubs. At the same time in Anacapri, the upper part of the island, you can find a very different, typical and simpler Mediterranean-style village.

The Amalfi Coast, with Positano and the Sorrento peninsula, is well known for its extraordinary landscapes with beautiful beaches, cliff roads and picturesque fishing villages.

What local tips about filming in these locations would you share with our readers?

Regarding Capri, there are pretty strict rules on transport so it’s not possible to drive around the island with big trucks and campervans.

Capri continues to have the magical atmosphere that has made it famous. The classical beauty of its nature blends with the luxurious elegance of its villas, hotels and beach clubs.

The Campania region has a very good climate almost all year long and it’s possible to shoot summer scenes until the end of November. Permits and papers take a couple of weeks. I also have to mention that local people are extremely friendly and open with the film industry and this of course helps to fulfill any request by the director!

Does Capri offer good production value?

Shooting in the Campania region and in general in southern Italy is made pretty easy by local authorities that have a strong interest in promoting the area. Also there’s a high level of professionalism. You can find very good crew members, as well as video and audio services, lights rental and so on, for competitive prices.

What do you do to relax after a full-on location shoot?

I just go to the sea and lie under the sun until sunset.

Where did you last go on vacation?

My recent trips have been to Myanmar and Malaysia. I like to discover cultures and places totally different from ours.

If you hadn’t become a Location Manager what would you have done instead?

I really don’t know, but my life would have been for sure much less exciting!

Thank you

To contact Michela click here and to find out more about Capri Location Service click here.