About UsABOUT US
Vagabond Films was established in 1999 by Swiss-born Lorenzo Benedick in New York City. Since the beginning we have dedicated ourselves to production services building a reputation as a caring and personable partner.
In 2002 he teams up with Uruguayan born Gabriel Carratu opening offices in Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina to offer a cost efficient alternative in the southern hemisphere to Vagabond Films clients.
Gabriel and I met naturally on a set in Venezuela where he was the Assistant Director and I was the Producer. A professional relationship and an extraordinary friendship came out of this and since then we have produced more than 100 films all over the South American continent, growing as professionals and especially as human beings.
Our curiosity and eagerness to solve any production challenges put in front of us, quickly lead us to find partners in Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and now Costa Rica to better serve our clients. When requested we can also budget in other countries in the continent, such as Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Honduras, Colombia and Guatemala.
Today Vagabond Films has evolved where Lorenzo Benedick runs the administrative office based in Geneva, Switzerland and Gabriel Carratu runs the production office based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Our clients list includes top production companies in Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Poland. We have serviced national commercials and international campaigns for such clients as: Nokia, Samsonite, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mercedes, Fernet, Sprite, Kraft, Sony Ericsson, Nintendo, Inbev, Decathlon, Nestle, Renault, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Continental, with the world’s largest and most creative ad agencies.
Why do these international companies enjoy working with Vagabond?
- You contact only one company and talk to only one producer to research locations and receive a budget for an entire continent.
-We field all boards and budget requests through both Executive Producers, Lorenzo Benedick and Gabriel Carratu. Our South American overview allows us to determine which location best suits the script and budget, often suggesting several countries with location photos from our extensive libraries.
-We have our own producers and crews including: location scouts, production designers, AC’s, gaffers/grips, PA’s, stylists, make-up/hair – the top technicians in each country who have completed several jobs with us. We also have DP’s and Directors to recommend.
-Vagabond works closely with the local casting agencies, with talent of all ethnicities, including European/Caucasian, Asian, African and Latin, with reasonable buy-out rates. Talent can be booked and travel from one of our countries to another.
-Our South American teams speak several languages including: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and can provide translators on set and local chaperones.
-Coordinating pre-production with our Swiss office and local South American offices/production staff we can secure work/travel visas, specialty equipment shipping, customs brokerage, shooting permits, insurance, travel arrangements and accommodations with no hassles.
-We have access to the best state-of-the-art equipment in South America, and ship specialty equipment from the US or Europe, if necessary. We offer negative development and also post-production at the best labs/facilities.
Why South America?
-High production value/low cost: Thanks to Vagabond Films excellent reputation, we benefit from preferred rates with our local production teams and crews allowing us to offer lower cost budgets, putting the money directly into the production for higher production value. -We have access to beautiful locations - from dazzling Caribbean beaches and urban cities, to snow-covered mountains, desert and lush green rainforests. The weather is perfect for shooting snow spots in the European summer and beach shoots in the European winter.
-South America offers any location needed: desert, mountain, beach, jungle/rain forest, lake, Scandinavian/northern Europe woods, urban – resembling modern metropolis or classic architecture/European city, American suburban.
In the following pages you will discover why Vagabond Films is your production gate to Latin America.
