About me

I am an animator and filmmaker based in London. My interest in creating films comes from everyday life - whether that be looking at the strange or unusual found in the mundanity of everyday life or the inner thoughts and feelings that are often not seen by the outside world. The majority of my films are set in reality as I find people - their stories, experiences, and ways of exploring the world in their own way - more interesting than fiction. I was named one of the best mobile cinematographers in london in 2022 - https://academy.wedio.com/mobile-cinematographers-in-london/ I began my career as an animator using experimental techniques, and from that I have begun to explore hybrid documentary and smartphone filmmaking. My most recent projects have developed a unique and creative form of commentary; making films with tough subject matter that feel genuine and relatable. You can find my work here: www.francescasalmasi.com

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Projects

• Matrilineal (in development)‘Matrilineal’ is a self-authored documentary, shot from my point of view as I explore the unfolding story of my grandmothers past. The story will focus on my emotions, experiences and the theme of self-discovery as I tie together the loose threads of my family’s ancestry. Through my own findings and talking to family members, ‘Matrilineal’ follows me, uncovering how the religion in my family shifted from Judaism to Catholicism and why this heritage was lost to time.
• Growing Pains (2021)‘Growing Pains’ is a self authored documentary set over a five-month period. This film looks at isolation, reflecting on the past and letting go. Through audio clippings of phone calls, conversations with my mum and smartphone footage, ‘Growing Pains’ captures the uncertainty of your early 20s and is a snapshot into how sometimes we need to look back on the past to understand our present. This film is more serious than my previous films - touching on topics such as loneliness, the fake connecti
• The Anxiety Tapes (2021)‘The Anxiety Tapes’ is a self authored documentary reflecting on my experiences with anxiety from childhood to today. This was my first experience with smartphone filmmaking, which when combined with animation created a very intimate portrait of the internal and external narrative within this film. This film looks at anxiety through an honest lens. Within the film’s creative form of commentary and gallows humour, the audience can really connect to many of the thoughts and feelings expressed in
• Parcel (2021)Parcel is a 1-minute short film exploring the ways in which mindsets changed within the new normal of the COVID pandemic towards the everyday of online shopping. Through its use of repeated images and commentary, Parcel morphs the way in which we look at the seemingly mundane; instead seeing something far more interesting than meets the eye. This short was inspired by Steve McQueen’s Deadpan and co-created with Richard Lipman. This was my first time being responsible for purely the sound within
• Beyond The Veil (2020)Beyond the Veil is a film all about the beauty that can be found in something often seen as morbid - funeral culture. At its core, Beyond the Veil is a film about death, ways of grieving and funeral rites. What makes this film unique and special is that it shows death in an honest yet positive way. This film transports the viewer through 5 cultures, therefore, showing them a new perspective on the universal subject of death. This film’s purpose is to show that there are other ways to view deat
• Push My Buttons (2019)This is a love story about two very different women, in their twenties, who secretly want to be with one another. It is an exploration of how different people show their love, some on their sleeves and others not until they feel the time has come. This film was a collaborative project created by myself and Hilary Groves. This film was a passion project and was created over a few months before our third year of university. It was a chance for us to learn stop-motion techniques from one anothe

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Work history

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Film & Content ProducerSpotlite
Feb 2022London, United KingdomInternship
I am currently working for Spotlite as a video and media producer. Tasks I have completed in this role include: Creating bespoke content for brand partners and outreach Taking ideas from concept to creation, and was involved in every step of the process (whilst working within a budget) Pre-production: created storyboards/shot-list/animatic, casting, script writing, scheduled shoot days Production: videography, sourced music and stock footage, designed and created text based motion graphics Post-production: video and sound editing Creating landing pages from scratch - including individual bespoke landing pages for brands Creating visual content for social media posts (images and video) SEO research and implementation
Assistant Events Producer and InternSMart; The London International Smartphone Film Festival
Jun 2021 - Jun 2021London, United KingdomInternship
Worked on SMart film festival throughout its run as an Assistant Events Producer and Intern. During this job I: Carried out day to day duties accurately and efficiently Learnt new skills and applied them to daily tasks Delivered clerical support by handling a range of routine and special requirements Sorted and organised data to be used for company website Assisted in Zoom event by moderating call and chat

Skills

• Animation
• Storyboarding
• Filmmaking
• Editing
• Documentary Film
• Dragonframe
• Adobe Create Suite
• Pitching
• Character Design
• Animation Directing

Education

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MA Digital Documentary (distinction)Royal Holloway
Aug 2020 - Sep 2021Egham, United Kingdom
I studied Digital Documentary at Royal Holloway. During my time on this course I learnt a number of valuable skills including videography, smartphone cinematography, VR, working within a budget, ethical filmmaking (including the creation of consent forms), research and how to pitch projects at an industry level. I created many projects including two full documentary shorts. I was also Events Coordinator for the Graduation show for Media Arts department at Ritzy and Café, Brixton and worked on the SMaRT film festival during my time on the course.
BA (Hons) Animation - First Class HonoursUniversity for the Creative Arts
Aug 2017 - May 2020Farnham, United Kingdom
I studied animation at the University of the Creative Arts. From this course I have learnt numerous skills and softwares (including adobe software such as audition and premiere pro as well as the 3D animation software maya). I have pitched films and worked on a advertisement for the cancer charity CATTS I created many films and projects during my time on the course some of which have gone on to have success on the film festival circuit.

Awards

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Most SpiritedCine de los Muertos (film festival)
Beyond the veil (2020) won Most Spirited at Cine de los Muertos in October 2020