Bruna Bandeirinha: “Audio and image need to work in close dialogue to create something truly meaningful”

How did your interest in the arts begin?

I was always surrounded by music. I remember waking up on weekends as a child and hearing music throughout the house… Or spending time with my grandfather, watching him play the harmonica, and seeing him make toy microphones for me to play with. I also loved creating stories with my dolls when I was little. I believe my interest grew from all of that.

And how did you choose the Sound and Image degree?

For me, it was a choice that made perfect sense, because I had always been very interested in understanding how audiovisual projects were created. At the time I was choosing my degree, I had already developed a passion for video editing - and I felt this programme would allow me to explore and develop my interest in sound and music as well.

“Artistic identity is something mutable and adaptable to different moments and stages of life.”

Which experiences from your undergraduate degree at Católica stand out the most?

It was a very positive experience, through which I learned concepts and developed skills that I now use daily in my work. Every project was important for my growth and creativity. But there was one project that particularly marked me: a feature-length project proposed by Professor Henrique Manuel Pereira about the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Pinheiro Manso. Um Milagre Todos os Dias was my first experience creating and developing stories, and through it I met incredible people with inspiring life experiences.

You continued on to the Master’s in Sound and Image – Sound Design. What inspired your final project, the EP Meta?

The goal with this EP was to create something that felt close to cinema. With that in mind, I decided to compose a soundtrack for a story I had written during my undergraduate degree.

Does this project reflect your artistic identity?

I feel that artistic identity is something constantly changing and adapting to different moments and phases of life, but this project helped guide me toward what I want to pursue in music.

What are the essential ingredients for telling a good audiovisual story?

Patience, attention to detail, understanding, interest in the story you want to tell, and a lot of passion.

“Audio and image need to work in close dialogue to create something truly meaningful.”

You have worked on several projects in different roles, from sound recording and sound direction to production and photography. What value does this versatility bring to your work?

That versatility comes largely from the needs of each project. Understanding different areas (and different “arts”) is important because of the relationship between them. Having experience across these fields makes communication and collaboration with other professionals much easier when working on a project. It also helps me think about audiovisual work in an integrated way, rather than from a single perspective. Audio and image need to work in close dialogue to create something truly meaningful.

Who are your main artistic influences?

One of my biggest inspirations is Billie Eilish, and her brother FINNEAS. I really admire their creativity and the way they incorporate small details that make all the difference in their music.

What professional dreams and ambitions do you have for the future?

One of my greatest professional ambitions is to move from freelance work towards building a creative agency, where I can bring together new areas and collaborate with other professionals. I hope to create a close-knit community where collaboration is truly valued.