APostLab Trainer & Mentor
You’ve been part of almost every edition of APostLab. What keeps you coming back year after year?
I’ve been training across Europe for many years, but APostLab is a tremendous initiative. In terms of impact and hands-on value, it’s one of the most beneficial workshops for participants. It dives deep into post-production, it’s practical, and it truly makes people work — not just sit and listen.
It’s a workshop that saves people a lot of time and money later on. But more importantly, it offers a whole new way of thinking about post-production, which I really value.
And on a personal level, what do you get from it?
Sharing my knowledge is something I love. After more than 52 years in the business, if I can help someone avoid a mistake I made, that’s already worth it.
But I also learn a lot. I’ve learned about modern post-production processes and the shift from analog to digital. I was trained on real film, and the industry has changed so much. APostLab helps me stay up to date. It’s refreshing to see participants leave with something tangible and useful.
Thinking back, is there a mindset or experience from APostLab that’s stayed with you?
What stays with me is the care and dedication from Niko, Neeltje, and everyone behind the workshop. Their passion and commitment to elevating the craft of post-production is something I rarely see elsewhere. It’s incredibly heartwarming.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the audiovisual industry to become a producer?
If you want to be a producer, you need two things: a cool head and a warm heart.
But more than that — this is not just a job. It becomes a way of life. If you choose to be a filmmaker or producer, you’re choosing something that will consume you, body and soul. It has ups and downs, but if it’s your passion, it will drive you.
What’s the most rewarding part of working with APostLab participants?
That I make them stop and think.
We spend all year running around, chasing deadlines, caught in the daily life. No one takes a moment to stop and reflect: Why am I doing this? What kind of producer do I want to be?
I try to hold up a mirror for them — to make them consider not just their projects, but their values, working relationships, and their role in a team. Once they pause and reflect, I feel like I’ve done something meaningful.
What’s something new you’ve learned recently about cinema or production?
I’ve learned that post-production is not just a technical phase, but a creative opportunity.
In the early days, it was much more limited. But today, if you understand what post can offer, you can elevate your film creatively, not just finish it. Thinking about post-production from development helps you plan your project more effectively. That’s been a big mindset shift for me.
Anything you’d like to add about APostLab?
I hope this workshop continues for many years and keeps its unique spirit. It’s unlike any other. I hope the people who lead it continue to do so with the same passion and integrity, that’s what truly sets it apart.
Interview conducted by Monse Higareda Patrón (July, 2025).
