WhereNext People – An Interview With David Curto
David’s Bio
Born and raised in Valencia, Spain, David has been passionate about cinema since he was a boy, when he fell in love with David Bowie's musical fantasy film Labyrinth. He went on to study photography at Barcelona's renowned Escac School, where he had the opportunity to learn from great teachers like Tomás Pladevall, Arnau Valls, and Xavi Gimenez, among others. After moving to Bogotá and spending seven years perfecting his craft, he now splits his time between Colombia and Spain. His videography work has seen him collaborate with productions for Netflix, Zeta Cinema, Dynamo, Demente, 36 Degrees, Solar Cinema, Macarena, National Geographic, Present, Turbo, and others. From 2012 to 2014, he was a photography ambassador for Canon, conducting workshops and conferences for other photographers and filmmakers. Some of the artists for whom he has shot music videos are David Bisbal, Juan Magan, J Balvin, Aitana, Ana Guerra, Sebastian Yatra, Lalo Ebratt, Greeicy, and Myke Towers. He has also worked on films for creators like Nacho Vigalondo, Craig Macnaill, Spiros Stathoulopoulos, and Samir Oliveros. His brand clients include Nestlé, Suzuki, Ford, Honda, Éxito, Motorola, Carrefour, Avianca, Heineken, Domino's, Caracol, Rcn, and Antena 3. His efforts have been recognized at festivals like SXSW, and his work as director of photography has been featured in Variety, IndieWire, and The Hollywood Reporter.
Meet David Curto, the Director of Photography for our Spanish production company. David has worked on WhereNext productions in Spain, Colombia, South Africa, and Ireland. He shares with us childhood memories of Valencia, his essential filming gear, and an unusual experience with a taco in Mexico.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is David Curto. My passion in life is cinema, photography, gastronomy and skiing. All of those combined in one trip?! Hell yeah! I am very meticulous. I love doing things with love and dedication so sometimes when things don’t work out I get nervous and frustrated but then I breathe a little and it passes. I was born in Valencia, Spain, and like any good Valencian I love paella, cheese, and a good glass of wine! I have lived in Bogotá for seven years and that has totally changed my vision of life. I am currently splitting my time between Colombia and Spain: I cannot live without either. I studied photography in the Escac in Barcelona and for more than 9 years I have been dedicated to the world of audiovisual and cinema as a DP. I have shot commercials, video clips and movies. My life would not make sense without filming.
Tell us about your most memorable travel experience.
Two of the most memorable experiences I've had in my life were with WhereNext. The first was discovering incredible wild animals on a safari in South Africa and the second was diving with sharks in Providencia. Those are two intimate moments with nature that I’ll never forget.
Learn more about how you can work with our Spanish production company
David on assignment with WhereNext in South Africa
Dead or alive, who would you like to join you on an adventure?
With anyone cool and passionate about traveling, especially with Gregg, Julian Manrique and Bibi G of WhereNext. With them, both adventure and laughter are guaranteed!
What are your travel equipment essentials?
Good shoes, a good jacket (if it's cold), my mobile phone, my drone, and water. I don't need anything else.
When did you feel happiest?
It is a difficult question. I don't really have such a clear memory, but some of the happiest moments of my life are in my town in the summer season at my parents' house with the whole family eating good paella together by the pool. There is nothing that makes me happier!
David’s love of adventure and the outdoors makes him the perfect fit for our Spanish production company
See more of David’s work for our Spanish production company: ‘Creating the Most Important Campaign in CAT Footwear History’
Who taught you your biggest life lessons, and what was it?
In general I have learned in life that you have to live and enjoy every moment. Many times I get stressed or get in a bad mood due to insignificant things in the background and we really have to enjoy every day as if it were the last. It may sound a bit cliched but I think there is a lot of truth in that: we never know when we are going to leave this world.
You can teleport to any restaurant on earth: where do you go and what do you order?
What a difficult question! There are so many to choose from, but I would have to say Celler de Can Roca. It has been named the best restaurant in the world several times. There is a long waiting list and it is quite difficult to book a table, but surely sooner or later I will get to eat there!
David on assignment for WhereNext client ExOfficio in Durban, South Africa
Tell us about the most adventurous food you ever ate?
The weirdest thing I've tried was in Mexico. While I was there a friend told me, "I'm going to buy you some tacos, but don't ask what they are until after you've eaten them." I ate them, and when I finished he told me they were made of brains and eyes. The truth, they weren't that bad, but if I had asked before I don’t think I would have eaten them.
Drink of choice?
I am a fan of different nut-based milk in the morning, water during the day, and wine by night! My perfect combination.
Where do you feel most at home?
Where I really feel at home it is at my parents' house in Spain, in a town north of Valencia. It’s the house where I spent a large part of my childhood and it’s where I really feel protected and at home.
David’s filming equipment essentials: 1. iPhone XS Max with Anamorphic MoondogLabs Lens // 2. Drone Mavic 2 Pro // 3. Arri Alexa Mini or Sony A7SII with Atomas device // 4. UltraPrime Lenses // 5. Backpack with accessories, extra batteries, memory cards, filters, and sunglasses
WhereNext's production services in Spain have included filming mountain biking adventures, tourism productions, footwear marketing campaigns, and a culinary travel series. Discover our top filming locations in Spain.