I specialise in crafting cinematic and timeless videos that capture the very essence of you, your unique special event, with a stylish and elegant Italian touch…”
Claudio Sichel, Whitesfilm Videography
Claudio Sichel is a videographer and director of the company ‘Whitesfilm’, a team of five videographers and editors, which is based in Padua, Veneto, just thirty kilometres from Venice, Italy. His work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and he recently filmed both the wedding of the Spanish national footballer Alvaro Morata and the fashion model Alice Campello plus the recent engagement of the English national footballer Ollie Watkins. Here we discuss Claudio’s favourite locations around Italy plus his ambitions for 2025…”
C&B: “Claudio, you live and work in one of the most beautiful areas of the world – how long have you been in the event videography business, and what first prompted you to go into this area?”
CS: “I’ve been working in video production for 18 years now and in the destination wedding business for ten years. I started by chance, making a wedding video for a friend. I immediately realised that it was a kind of job that I liked and was very passionate about, so I decided to turn it into a real business; then it became more than a job – it became a real lifestyle…”
We specialise in locations within Italy and we also occasionally work in France, Spain and Greece – my dream is to start a business in Maya Riviera, Mexico…”
Claudio Sichel, Whitesfilm Videography
C&B: “Did you have to study or work with someone to gain experience?”
CS: “I graduated in video production at DAMS at the University of Bologna and I hold a master’s degree from the Cinema Academy. I’ve gained experience by producing wedding videos alongside internationally renowned event experts, including planners and photographers such as Vincenzo Dascanio, Billy Folchetti, David Bastianoni, Bottega53, and Cinzia Bruschini. Every collaboration within the industry provides me with a professional experience that enriches me and offers an incentive to grow in my work…”
I’d like to work in destinations that I don’t yet have in my portfolio, such as Marrakesh. I’d also like to liaise a few of the internationally renowned wedding planners that I highly respect – for example, Marcy Blum, Sarah Haywood, and other amazing planners…”
Claudio Sichel, Whitesfilm Videography
CLAUDIO’S PREFERRED LOCATIONS – ITALY:
Como: Villa Erba, Villa Balbiano, Villa Balbianello, Villa Pizzo, Villa d’Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo ✨ Venice: Belmond Cipriani, Aman ✨ Tuscany: La Foce, Castello di Celsa, San Galgano ✨ Lake Garda: Isola del Garda ✨ Costiera: Amalfi, Ravello, Capri, Positano ✨ Apulia: Borgo Eganzia, Masseria ✨ Sicily: Villa Jaques Garcia
C&B: “What would you say is the biggest challenge when working on a project? Italy can often present very sudden and dramatic extremes of weather, for example…”
CS: “Good weather conditions definitely help and are a crucial factor in any wedding. Couples planning to get married in Italy do expect sunshine, but even with less favourable weather, I always manage to produce unforgettable wedding videos…”
C&B: “Is it stressful having to ensure you capture every important moment during a wedding or other special occasion?”
CS: “Filming a wedding can be tiring, but it is not particularly stressful. I thoroughly enjoy traveling, meeting couples in love, and visiting beautiful families from around the world; I have fun with them throughout the day. The more challenging aspect of my work is the editing process, as couples are eager to see their films immediately. However, editing is time-consuming and demands significant effort; it requires a lot of time in front of the computer to achieve the quality that sets us apart. Consequently, I often find it necessary to take short vacations to recuperate from the editing work, which typically extends throughout the winter months…”
Separately, I quite often collaborate with hotels, wellness centres, and spas, as well as real estate agencies on property-related projects, having acquired contacts in these sectors over time…”
Claudio Sichel, Whitesfilm
C&B: “Taking into consideration your vast experience and all the amazing events you’ve captured on film over the years, what would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date?”
CS: “My greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing the growth of my business over time. Seeing couples delighted with the memories I have created for them reassures me that I am on the right path. Being featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other magazines and wedding blogs has invigorated my drive to grow further. Additionally, filming several high-profile weddings, including those of Spanish national footballer Álvaro Morata and fashion model Alice Campello, as well as the recent engagement of English national footballer Ollie Watkins, have undoubtedly been significant milestones in my career…”
CONTACT: http://www.whitesfilm.com
