- What is a Filming Board? When was it created?

In late 2006, after having shot the film The Perfume, we noticed the need to generate synergies that allow speed dynamics permits to film in the city. We wanted to prevent the producers thought that working in Barcelona was complicated. Then, a coordination board for managing municipal services was managed in order to create a set of guidelines and establish basic operation for the shootings.

The function we were asked to do was to bring together the criteria of the police, municipal districts, ICUB,, parks and gardens, B:SM... so that filming in the city could operate with maximum facilities for the producers and with the least possible contradictions.

The Filming Board, therefore, is not a hierarchical reunion, but a central body that brings together the management and analyzes complex shootings, removes barriers wherever possible and establishes guidelines for audiovisual films, large format films, advertising...

- And when are these Filming Board taking place?

At first the meetings were more frequent, because we did not have the adequate tools. In the shootings, there are involved many different factors and our databases were incomplete. We had problems, for example, because we superimposed occupation of spaces. For example, we could book a location for a filming and then, we realized that in the same place there was a scheduled concert.

So the first thing we did was giving us a powerful instrument, that would also begin to operate online. When a space was indicated, the place was automatically booked and everyone (district, sectors, areas...) did have knowledge. The frequency of meetings at that time was a once a month and in case of complicated filming when necessary.

- At these meetings, what actors are involved?

Barcelona Film Commission, local police, district or districts where the shootings are taking place and myself.

- How is the relationship between the Filming Board and the producers?

Normally we ask the producer its work plan, (timetables, space...) and then we analyze everything. After we build them from scratch, according to their needs. We always try to give them the information in an aggregated way, so as to not talking to several partners.

We had a lot of work these years! A very graphic data: in 2009 40% of the total amount of Spanish audiovisual productions were made in Catalonia, and for this 40%, 60% was shot in Barcelona. We managed films shootings like Biutiful, El Gran Vázquez, Los ojos de Julia, 3 Metros sobre el cielo, Barcelona ciutat Neutral, the Rec's, Red Lights...

Each film was awesome. For example, when shooting Biutiful Iñárritu did it in the exact order of how it would look in the film. We had to organize work different times in the same place with the difficulties that entails, especially in the city center.

From 2010 to 2016 we have achieved with the Barcelona Film Commission several challenges, such as emptying the Via Laietana on a Sunday in order to film Los últimos días. Everything had to be completely empty, because there were no postproduction and it had to look like an epidemic had ended humans... But we got it!

There have been less difficulties when shooting for small schools, institutions... we authorize around 1500 a year, in a simplified procedure. We have progressed so far, with levels difficulty filming with actors such as Sean Penn, Scarlet Johansson, Robert de Niro, Javier Bardem, Mario Casas, Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Dani Rovira...

- In these 10 years which has been the most dificult shooting?

I would say that Biutiful, with a well-deserved Oscar for the intensity of the shooting with the city and the number of base logistics devices.

- In your opinion, what will be the future of filming in Barcelona?

Linking the past two years, we have been expanding fields that were not open. Determining new areas where we had never filmed. We have been offering producers new opportunities in the city, which went beyond where he had always filmed. I think this is a good way, Barcelona is much more than Plaça Catalunya, Les Rambles, Eixample and Sant Martí. There are other very beautiful places that can be used as spaces perfect for movies.

Another challenge for the future is to create specific services for large productions, like in other cities such as London, Paris or New York. Sometimes it is very difficult to shoot large format films. We would like to offer large packages based on the needs of production were already long-established, defined and locked before they get equipment here.

Recently, we have operated a shooting with a great number of actors at the Park Guell. The planning of the set is a very complicated work. At the moment, I think we have already achieved enough experience to approach it differently. This is something that we have talked a lot and we would soon get down to work, if possible.

- What has Barcelona as a film set that do not have other cities?

Barcelona has some beautiful areas and maximum contrast between different neighborhoods. We have areas of different aesthetics, such as Sant Martí that looks like America, the Old Town, the modernist city, small parks but very well kept, very magical places... We have a very good weather. It seems silly, but it is very important. Here is very unlikely to skip a shooting due to rain.

In addition, Barcelona citizens are friendly. The collaboration of the people is necessary and in general, they collaborate super well in most cases. We are a very open and welcoming city. The great directors who we have worked with, such as Woody Allen, Iñárritu, Steven Soderberg, Whit Stillman, Jaume Balagueró, Manuel Huerga, Ventura Pons... have told us that they would be happy to shoot again in the city. Let's hope so!