Working Together — Production Information, Policies & FAQ

Practical information about working with Diogo Pessoa de Andrade (Creative Visuals), an independent filmmaker, director of photography, director and production professional based in Lisbon, Portugal. This page explains how productions are normally organised, quoted and delivered, as well as the services and production support available in Portugal.

Every production is different. The information below describes usual working practices rather than fixed contractual terms. The scope of work, fees, expenses, usage rights, delivery schedule and any project-specific conditions are always confirmed in the written proposal, quote or production agreement accepted for each project. Nothing on this page overrides the specific terms agreed for an individual project or any mandatory rights or obligations under applicable law.

Production Services & Working in Portugal

Where are you based and where do you work?

I am based in Lisbon and work throughout Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and other regions, as well as internationally when required. For productions outside the Lisbon area, travel, accommodation and other necessary production expenses are included separately in the project estimate when applicable.

Do you work outside Portugal?

Yes. Although I am based in Lisbon and work regularly throughout Portugal, I am also available for productions abroad. International projects are assessed individually according to the location, production requirements, travel, logistics, permits and any local crew or equipment needs.

Do you work with international production companies and overseas clients?

Yes. A significant part of my work involves international production companies, agencies, broadcasters, brands and organisations filming in Portugal. I can join an existing production in a specific technical or creative role, or provide local production support when a client is producing in Portugal from abroad.

Do you work in English?

Yes. Productions can be managed and carried out in English or Portuguese. I regularly work with international clients and crews, including projects where all pre-production communication, filming and delivery are conducted in English.

What types of productions do you work on?

Projects include documentaries, corporate films, branded content, advertising, interviews, events, music videos, institutional productions and other commercial or editorial audiovisual work. The production approach is adapted to the scale and requirements of each project.

Can you work only as a cinematographer, camera operator or director?

Yes. I can be hired for a specific role such as director of photography, cinematographer, camera operator or director without providing the full production service. I can also take on wider production responsibilities when a client needs a more complete local solution.

Can you provide local production support or fixer services in Portugal?

Yes. Depending on the production, I can provide local production support including location research, logistics, crew coordination, equipment sourcing, scheduling and assistance with filming requirements in Portugal. The exact responsibilities are defined according to the needs of the visiting production.

Can you assemble a local film crew in Portugal?

Yes. Smaller productions can be handled independently, while larger projects can be supported by trusted collaborators including camera assistants, sound professionals, lighting crew, drone operators, photographers and other production personnel. Crew size is adapted to the production rather than based on a fixed package.

Can you arrange camera, lighting, sound and production equipment?

Yes. I work with my own professional camera equipment and can also source additional camera, lighting, sound, grip and production equipment through rental partners when a project requires a larger or more specialised setup.

Can you help with locations and filming permissions in Portugal?

Location research, scouting and support with filming permissions can be included when required. Permit requirements vary according to the location, type of production, equipment, crew size and intended activity, so these are assessed individually during pre-production.

Do you provide drone filming?

Drone filming can be included where operational, legal, location and weather conditions allow it. Where authorisations or coordination with relevant authorities are required, this is assessed during pre-production and included in the production planning.

Can you provide multi-camera filming?

Yes. Multi-camera setups can be provided for interviews, corporate productions, events and other projects where simultaneous coverage is useful. The number of cameras, operators, audio channels and monitoring requirements are determined according to the production.

Can photography and video be provided together?

Yes. Some productions combine photography and video coverage. Depending on the schedule and required level of coverage, this can be handled by one person or by separate photography and video professionals working as part of the same production team.

Quotes, Booking & Production Conditions

How is a project quoted?

Each project is quoted according to the work required, including the creative and technical roles involved, production time, equipment, crew, locations, travel, post-production and delivery requirements. There are no fixed production packages because the resources needed can vary significantly between projects. Quotes and estimates are provided in writing after the scope has been discussed.

What information should I include when requesting a quote?

If available, please include the project type and purpose, expected filming dates and locations, required deliverables, approximate duration, number of filming days, crew or equipment requirements, whether drone or photography is needed, preferred delivery date and any other relevant production information. If some of these details are not yet defined, that is not a problem — they can be discussed during the initial planning stage.

Is a deposit required to book a filming date?

A deposit is normally required to reserve production dates. The amount and payment schedule are stated in the quotation or production agreement.

What are the payment terms?

Payment terms are confirmed in writing before production begins. Payments are normally made by bank transfer, with the timing of the deposit and remaining balance defined according to the scale and duration of the project.

What happens if the scope of the project changes?

If the requested work changes after the original quote has been accepted — for example through additional filming hours, locations, crew, equipment, deliverables or post-production — any resulting change in cost or schedule is discussed and approved before the additional work is carried out whenever possible.

What is the cancellation or rescheduling policy?

Cancellation or rescheduling costs may depend on the notice given, work already carried out, crew or equipment commitments, travel arrangements and other non-refundable production costs. The applicable conditions are confirmed in writing for each project.

Are deposits refundable if a production is cancelled or rescheduled?

The treatment of any deposit depends on the cancellation or rescheduling conditions agreed for the specific project, including work already carried out, reserved production dates, crew or equipment commitments, travel arrangements and other non-refundable production costs. Any refundable balance, where applicable, is handled according to the written terms agreed for that production.

What happens in case of bad weather or circumstances that prevent filming?

When weather or circumstances outside the control of the production make filming impractical or impossible, the available options are assessed with the client. This may include rescheduling according to the availability of the client, crew, locations and equipment. Costs that cannot be recovered or transferred to a new date are handled according to the conditions agreed for the project.

Is a signed contract always required?

Not necessarily. Many smaller productions are confirmed through a written proposal or quote accepted by email. Larger, corporate or international productions may use a formal production agreement, purchase order or the client's own contracting process. In all cases, the essential scope and commercial conditions should be confirmed in writing before production.

Are travel and accommodation included?

Travel, accommodation and related production expenses are not automatically included for work outside the Lisbon area. When they are required, they are identified separately in the estimate or incorporated into the agreed project price.

Filming, Post-Production & Delivery

What kind of communication and production support is included?

Communication and support depend on the role and services contracted. A full production may involve creative development, pre-production planning, coordination during filming and post-production supervision, while a cinematography-only or camera operator assignment may be limited to the preparation and filming responsibilities associated with that role.

Is editing and post-production always included?

No. Filming and post-production can be commissioned together or separately. Some clients require a complete finished video, while others hire me only for production or cinematography and receive the recorded footage for their own editorial team.

Can you deliver raw footage?

Yes. Raw or recorded camera footage can be delivered when this forms part of the agreed service. The required recording format, file structure, transfer method and any additional media or data-handling requirements should ideally be established before filming.

Are project files included with an edited production?

Editing project files, graphics source files and other working materials are not automatically included with delivery of a finished production. If these files are required, this should be agreed as part of the project scope.

How many revision rounds are included?

Where editing or post-production is included, the number and scope of revision rounds are defined in the project proposal. Changes beyond the agreed revision process, or changes that substantially alter the approved brief or edit, may require additional post-production time.

How long does post-production take?

Delivery time depends on the amount of footage, number and duration of deliverables, complexity of the edit, graphics, sound, colour work, client feedback and production schedule. The expected delivery timeline is therefore established for each individual project rather than using a fixed turnaround for all productions.

How are large video files delivered?

Video files are normally delivered digitally using an appropriate professional file-transfer or cloud platform. For particularly large productions, physical drives or another agreed transfer method can also be used.

How long are delivered files kept available for download?

Online delivery links are intended for transfer rather than permanent archival storage. Clients should download and securely archive the delivered material within the availability period communicated for the project. Long-term storage or archival services can be discussed separately when required.

Usage Rights, Confidentiality & Portfolio

What usage rights are included?

Usage rights are defined according to the production and its intended distribution. The agreed proposal may specify platforms, territories, duration or other licensing requirements where relevant. Any rights relating to third-party material such as music, archive footage, stock content or other licensed assets remain subject to their respective licences.

Can a full buy-out or transfer of rights be agreed?

Where appropriate, broader usage rights or a transfer of rights relating to work that I am legally able to license or transfer can be discussed as part of the production agreement. Third-party materials and rights belonging to other contributors remain subject to their own licensing or contractual conditions.

Can footage or finished work be used in your portfolio?

Portfolio, showreel, website or social-media use is subject to the permissions applicable to the production. This can depend on the client, agency, production company, broadcaster or other rights holders involved. Confidentiality obligations, embargoes and restrictions on publication are always respected.

Can a project remain confidential?

Yes. Confidential productions, unreleased campaigns, internal corporate material and projects subject to an embargo can be handled accordingly. Where specific confidentiality requirements or a non-disclosure agreement apply, these should be communicated before production begins.