SOLANES is a creative production company of independent visual artists, with a solid career producing commercials, music videos, fashion films and photography around the world. Their main uniqueness is that they define themselves as a production company mainly of directors, who put their soul as producers in each work.
Founded by JM Solanes and with a trajectory of more than 50 years of adventures, SOLANES has a great experience creating visual pieces, for a digital environment with a 360º strategy, and always working with commitment and passion in each of their projects. The production company is always looking for new creative languages from an aesthetic approach.
Awarded in different festivals such as Cannes (Gold and Silver Lions…), Clio, Fiap, El Sol and others, SOLANES besides working in multiple locations, has worked in his projects with celebrities such as Diane Kruger, Meg Ryan, Bar Refaeli, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova and Karolina Kurkova, among others.
In this interview we talk to Leo Solanes, film director and creative executive producer at SOLANES Films.
We have followed your path closely, seeing your evolution and progress. What is the approach you take to incorporate creativity and innovation in your projects and stand out in the industry?
Approach? work, work, work and work, always open to new challenges, setting goals and following unconsciously, from experience and with curiosity the sector at all times and in all aspects… and also overcoming obstacles. We do it in a natural way, we do what we like and we like what we do.
What projects would you like to highlight? Can you tell me some details?
Difficult to choose, all, or almost all projects could highlight some or many details, each one has its challenges, lately the success is to optimize resources and that a small production gives the feeling of having a big budget, that obstacle, we also like to overcome it. Besides, we like to surprise, in a positive way;)
UNOde50 “#KEEPDANCING” directed by JM Ferrater
What is your experience of working with independent artists like?
We follow the origin of SOLANES, the DNA of its founder, José María Solanes, adventurous director, independent artist, and currently a painter.
Although the industry is led by marketing, we like to bring creativity and innovation to each project, it is part of the independent soul.
What about producing for other directors, being a director?
It’s fantastic to immerse yourself in the perspective of another director, it allows you to understand everything, or almost everything.
As a freelance director, sometimes you experience that feeling of loneliness on the road, in those moments, both myself and the team try to add more, by being there.
The experience as a freelance director and as a producer, working in different countries like Italy, Germany, France, South Africa, LA, New York… has been an exceptional learning journey.
And here we are, applying that knowledge day by day, seeking to promote and enhance the unique talent of each director or photographer with whom we collaborate.
What do you think is your strong point as a production company? And what differentiates you from other production companies?
Being faithful to our philosophy, proposing ad-hoc teams to make each project a success.
Always producing from the look and needs of each filmmaker, photographer, what we propose, designing the production based on it.
We coordinate each talent and artistic team enhancing creativity and concept.
We enhance the best talent to add value to the brand message.
Always looking for a careful aesthetic vision, understanding the concerns, objectives and vision of each project.
We like a job well done!
PERALADA · “Nights you’ll never forget” directed by Leo Solanes
Can you share any curious experience in which SOLANES has overcome a major challenge in production when working with celebrities?
Every celebrity has their “fantasies”, just like every person, it is important to create empathy and of course, we like to capture the soul of our protagonists, that is also part of the DNA of SOLANES. Anecdotes, many, but let’s leave it as “confidentiality”.
We have noticed that you talk about your commitment to sustainability. How do you do your work in a sustainable way as a production company?
Yes, we feel very committed to reduce our footprint, and we do it by our own conviction, transferring our sustainable habits of everyday life to the day to day in the studio and in the productions.
You have won many awards throughout your career, how do you feel about being recognized for your work?
Yes, we have Golden Lions, Silver Lions… and many other awards, we are still working on it, always looking to be behind a good idea, it is one of our goals.
We have never thought that the awards were ours, they belong to the creative team, to the clients who endorse good ideas, to the team, and without a doubt, we like to contribute to any project, always promoting creativity and concept in images.
How do you see yourselves in the future?
We have been pioneers in fashion, beauty, storytelling and a job well done, and we are still there, always in search of excellence that never goes out of fashion, it is another challenge, and you know, we like challenges!
L’ORÉAL · Extraordinary Oil directed by Leo Solanes
Interview by Carla Lara
