Author: eddiecontento
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You’re On The List Sizzle Pitch (sample)
The Challenge: Reigniting the Magic of Live Music
After the pandemic, live music lost not just its audiences but also the communal energy that made it so powerful. My friend, an emerging podcast creator, envisioned a series that would take listeners behind the scenes of live music venues, capturing the passion and struggles of those who make these experiences possible. To secure funding for the first season, she needed a pitch that wouldn’t just inform—it had to evoke the deep emotional connection people have with live music. The challenge was clear: create an introduction that would instantly transport potential investors into the heart of live music’s magic and inspire them to support the project.
The Approach: A Poetic, Immersive Narrative
I set out to craft an introduction that distilled live music down to its essence: waves—pure, essential, and deeply human. At its core, music is a vibration that moves through space, a ripple in the fabric of air that touches us physically and emotionally. I framed live music as more than entertainment; it is a shared ritual, where sound transforms into an experience that binds us together. Every note, every performance, every space has its own unique signature, much like the people who create and sustain these venues.The script highlighted how music travels through us, resonating in our very being, ad how live music venues serve as sacred spaces where this energy can be fully realized.
To reinforce the concept of music as waves and the stripping back of sound to its purest form, I stitched together excerpts of solo performances of Brahms’ Second Symphony from across the internet. I retimed them to fit the pace of a full orchestration, then progressively isolated individual performances, peeling back layers until all that remained was a simple sine wave. This auditory deconstruction symbolized the core essence of sound and its profound connection to the human experience.
I was so in love with the result I decided to take it a step further, adding abstract visuals that mirror the sensational and emotional experience of live music.
The Outcome: Securing Investor Support and Building Momentum
The pitch landed exactly as intended. Potential investors didn’t just hear about the podcast—they felt its purpose. The necessary support was secured for the first season!
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Group Session – Short Film for OFFF Barcelona 2024 Opening
The Background: A Long-Awaited Collaboration
Back in 2018, when I first moved to Rotterdam, a friend introduced me to the crew at Studio Mals. I was immediately drawn to their iconic and playful style. At the time, I was writing my first feature-length screenplay and naturally asked if they had ever considered working on fiction. They were busy and content with their commercial projects, so they politely passed on the idea. Over the years, we’d see each other at festivals and around the neighborhood, and I kept up with their work.
Fast forward to 2024, and the opportunity to collaborate finally came full circle—Studio Mals reached out, looking for a native English speaker to voice the main character in their new puppet film, a collaboration with Setreset Films for OFFF Barcelona 2024. Not only was I thrilled to be involved, but I also saw an opportunity to help strengthen the storytelling to match the incredible handcrafted aesthetic they had created.
The Challenge: A Stunning Visual Without a Cohesive Story
When I joined the project, the handcrafted sets, vibrant characters, and meticulous detail were already in place, but the script lacked the personality and wit that would allow the story to shine at the same level. The humor needed sharpening, the characters’ voices lacked distinctness, and the dialogue wasn’t grounded in the imaginative world they’d envisioned. The challenge was clear: ensure that the narrative was as polished and compelling as the visuals.
The Approach: Strengthening Character and Narrative Cohesion
The first table read made it clear—the visuals were stunning, but the story lagged behind. With the deadline looming, we transformed the studio into a makeshift writers’ room, scribbling notes on every surface. Late into the night, we broke apart dialogue, refined characters, and sharpened jokes, balancing urgency with creativity. The room buzzed with playful riffing, laughter, and character-driven decisions, all in a race to make the story match the film’s striking aesthetic.
I collaborated closely with the team to refine the script in several key ways:
- Character Development: We gave each character a distinct voice, ensuring that their personalities matched their visual design. This made their interactions feel more organic and comedic.
- Punching Up the Humor: The original jokes were adjusted to feel more natural within the world of the film, focusing on humor that was grounded in the characters and their relationships.
- Song Rewriting: The film featured a musical number that needed lyrics to better reflect the updated character personalities and the themes of the film.
- Streamlining the Story: While some structural elements had to remain due to production constraints, we adjusted dialogue and scene pacing to improve clarity and engagement.
The Execution: Bringing the Story to Life
With production already well underway, we had to work quickly. The revised script was implemented where possible, and I lent my voice to multiple characters—Geoff, Notepad, and the Eraser—ensuring that the refined dialogue was delivered with the right energy and timing. We recorded the final voice work in Hilversum under tight deadlines.
The Outcome: Finding the Balance Between Vision and Feasibility
Despite the time constraints, we made significant improvements to the script, strengthening character voices and sharpening the humor. Not every change could be implemented—some adjustments simply weren’t possible with production already underway. But through the process, we built a creative rhythm, learning how to challenge ideas while respecting the constraints.
The film premiered at OFFF Barcelona to an enthusiastic audience, who responded to both the handcrafted visuals and the refined storytelling. While it wasn’t a perfect execution of our ideal version, it was a meaningful collaboration that elevated the project beyond just a visually impressive piece—it became an immersive storytelling experience.
Since its premiere, the film has received fantastic reception, and more importantly, a creative bond has formed between me and the crew. Discussions are already underway about expanding this collaboration into a larger series, proving that when strong visual storytelling meets thoughtful narrative refinement, something truly captivating emerges.
Catch me in the BTS video!
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Básica—Beautifully Crafted Bikes from Mexico City
In 2018, I had the pleasure of shooting the first-ever promo video for Básica Estudio, a bespoke bicycle studio in the heart of Mexico City. Básica is more than just a shop—it’s a movement, championing craftsmanship, urban mobility, and inclusivity. When they approached me to create a video, they had one key goal in mind: to capture not just their studio, but the feeling of freedom that comes with riding a bike.
Bringing the Vision to Life
To translate this vision onto the screen, I knew the film had to be dynamic, immersive, and true to the spirit of cycling in CDMX. I grabbed my camera and hit the streets, following the Básica crew as they wove effortlessly through the city’s bustling avenues. Some shots came from the back of a speeding motorcycle, others from the window of a taxi trapped in traffic, and even from above with a drone—all to capture the sheer energy, fluidity, and rhythm of their movement.
The result was a video that feels alive, pulling the viewer into the ride—whether they were seasoned cyclists or just dreaming of their first urban adventure.
A Deeper Connection
Beyond the shoot itself, working with Básica Estudio introduced me to a community that’s not only passionate about bicycles but also about representation and inclusion in the cycling world. Through Eli’s leadership, the studio has carved out a space for women and transgender artisans in a traditionally male-dominated field, pushing for change one handcrafted frame at a time.
And while capturing their story, I also attended my first-ever Pride celebration with the Básica crew. It was more than just a festival—it was a moment of joy, belonging, and a reminder that movement, whether on a bike or in society, is always about progress.
Why This Project Matters
Looking back, this project wasn’t just about creating a promo video—it was about capturing the spirit of their studio. And for me, it was an opportunity to push my own boundaries as a filmmaker, to chase the feeling of speed, exhilaration the unfiltered joy of the ride, and the limitlessness of an open heart.
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Have You Seen My Keys – Short Film
This was a spontaneous, absurd, fun little film that I roped my housemate Diego into helping me make. Lockdown was a time, hé?
With the exception of Diego’s fantastic performance(s) as my floor and chair, this one was all me. I think most of my energy went into compositing Diego’s face into the carpet. I had no idea how to achieve that, but I had a fun time experimenting.
Enjoy!
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Danger Dialogues: Crafting the Stop Work Promo Video
Workplace safety is a universal concern, but addressing it effectively is often hindered by fear, group dynamics, and the pressure to maintain efficiency. Many employees hesitate to speak up about potential hazards due to concerns about job security or slowing down their team.
“60% of employees are unaware of their company’s stop-work policy.”
stop-work.nlDanger Dialogues, developed in collaboration between Quattor P and Raccoon Serious Games, is designed to break down these barriers through serious gaming—engaging employees in open discussions about safety in a way that feels natural and impactful.
When I was approached to create the promotional video for Danger Dialogues, the challenge was clear: produce a compelling, informative, and visually engaging video that explains the game’s mechanics and impact, all within a limited budget. The solution required both strategic planning and creative problem-solving.
Crafting the Story: A Real Gameplay Experience
Rather than relying on actors or staged scenarios, I gathered friends of the client to host a genuine gameplay session. This allowed me to capture authentic interactions—real reactions, organic discussions, and the true-to-life engagement that the game fosters. The energy and immersion of the players became the backbone of the narrative, making it clear how Danger Dialogues encourages employees to rethink workplace safety in a non-intimidating, gamified way.
Visualizing the Impact
To highlight the larger-than-life effects of the game, I mixed in dynamic macro shots that emphasized key elements—the tactile nature of the game, the proprietary tech, and the moments of realization as players engaged in discussions. These shots, juxtaposed with wide frames of group participation, visually reinforced how the game takes abstract safety concerns and transforms them into something tangible and approachable.
A Script That Connects
A strong script was essential to convey not just what the game is, but why it matters. I focused on the real obstacles employees face when discussing safety—fear of repercussions, social pressures, and the prioritization of efficiency over caution. The script underscored why traditional safety training often fails and how engaging, interactive education like Danger Dialogues provides a solution that empowers employees rather than policing them.
Enhancing the Experience with Voiceover & Archival Media
To bring the message home, I recorded an engaging voiceover, delivering the script with a tone that balanced authority and approachability. The final layer of production involved sourcing public domain archival media to elevate the production value without increasing the budget. This allowed me to add depth and emotional weight to the narrative, visually connecting the real-world consequences of unsafe workplaces with the proactive solutions the game offers.
The Result: A Video That Speaks to the Audience
The final promo video effectively captures the essence of Danger Dialogues—its accessibility, its innovation, and its ability to turn difficult safety conversations into collaborative, meaningful discussions. By blending real interactions, striking visuals, and a clear, compelling message, the video not only explains the game but also demonstrates its necessity.
In the end, this project was more than just about showcasing a product—it was about helping Stop Work communicate their mission: empowering employees to take an active role in creating safer workplaces. And through a mix of resourceful filmmaking and storytelling, we were able to craft a video that resonates, educates, and inspires action.
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Capturing the Artist’s Intuition: A Journey with Kate Moore
Rauwkost Film was tasked with creating presentations for each nominee of the 2022 Gieske-Strijbis Podiumprijs. Amidst her packed schedule, we found a rare moment to step away into the vast dunes in the east of the Netherlands. Accompanying us was Dutch-Aussie composer Kate Moore, whose deep connection with nature is woven into the very fabric of her compositions. Our goal? To capture a glint of the magic that makes her work so singular to help her secure the Podiumprijs.
I conducted the interview, which lasted a little over an hour. Inspired by Kate’s work, I encouraged the conversation to unfold organically, listening intently for those fleeting moments that illuminate an artist’s intuition, informed by our journey through the landscape. Kate spoke in poetic fragments, her words mirroring the rhythms of the natural world around us—an ongoing dialogue between the external and internal, the seen and the felt.
The challenge that followed was to distill this immersive experience into a two-minute edit, one that would not only encapsulate Kate’s artistic vision but also serve as a compelling pitch to the Gieske-Strijbis Podiumprijs jury. With €50,000 at stake and an array of talented competitors, the stakes were high. Every second of the final video had to resonate, capturing Kate’s essence while making a case for her exceptional artistry. Through collaboration and careful refinement, we crafted a video that conveyed both the tangible and intangible aspects of Kate’s work—the meticulous craft and the ineffable spark.
In the end, the magic translated. Kate Moore took home the prize, and our film played a small role in bringing her vision to light.
Observing Kate in her element, helping her articulate the intangible, was a privilege—and a reminder of why I do what I do.
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MarshMello Gear Anti-Bug Apparel
Copywriting
MarshMello Gear approached me for a simple voice-over. But after reviewing their script, I saw a chance to elevate their message. The copy lacked emotional impact, so I offered to refine it. That led to a full-scale rewrite—and eventually, full production oversight.
Crafting a Stronger Narrative
I transformed the script from a generic product pitch into a compelling story. We came up with a tagline. We found the narrative thread. We focused on freedom, adventure, and the frustration of insect bites ruining life’s best moments. Data-driven callouts added credibility, while the tone balanced urgency with inspiration.
Bringing the Brand to Life
Beyond just a voice-over, I helped shape a commercial that connects. The final piece blends cinematic visuals, persuasive copywriting, and strategic storytelling to position MarshMello Gear as a must-have solution.
The Result?
A commercial that doesn’t just inform—it sells. In addition I provided website and kickstarter copy as well as social media copy!
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