Artist Spotlight: João Miguel

BACKGROUND

Who are you and where are you from?

Hey! I'm João, from Curitiba, Brazil.

Do you remember how you started as an artist?

I've always been interested in learning different art forms. I consider myself a generalist because of that. I've been a musician since a very young age. For example, as a hobby, I like playing the guitar. But it was only in college, around 2015, that I started working with video professionally. It took me a long time to feel comfortable with the idea of calling myself an 'artist' though.

What is your favorite part about working on projects?

Being able to learn something different every day, connecting with people and learning their stories. Then using that experience to influence the next one, and so on. You never stop learning.

What motivates you and the work you do?

I'm very passionate about images, stories and the effect they can have on people. I believe the work we do can be a tool for change, as long as we're willing to listen and learn.

WORKING WITH MILE 80

What challenges have you faced so far?

It was never a dull moment since I started working with Mile 80. I started as an editor, but very quickly found myself managing projects and people too. Learning to work collaboratively after having been a solo freelancer for so long was, and still is, the biggest challenge for me.

There are no monotonous moments while working at Mile80.

What do you like best about working at Mile 80?

"Collaboration" is the word here too. I love working with people who are passionate and great at what they do, and I believe that defines the team we built so far.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT

What's your favorite project you worked on at Mile80 and why?

As a manager, I think the Amazon NewFront 2022 project was one of the toughest ones I've done. It's also the one from which I’ve learned the most. We had to be solving problems until the very end, and we did. It was an experience that forced me to learn to trust the team and myself more than ever. It was also special because I got to be there in NYC to watch it go live. That was pretty cool.

As an editor, I loved the work we did for the OnePlus 10T launch. It was a lot of fun, and I think we were able to achieve something really great considering the resources we had.

Trusting oneself and the whole team is one of the most important things while working at Mile80.

FUN FACTS

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?

I love music and anything to do with it. I've been learning drums, that's my biggest thing right now. I'm also very actively trying to learn how to slow down and relax. :)

Is there any special place you would call it ‘your dream vacation’?

I think anywhere where I can see a different culture and try things I never did before. Right now, maybe somewhere in Asia, where I've never been to.

Is food part of your culture? Tell us your favorit.

Yes, very much. I love to cook, even though I tend to overcomplicate my recipes. I've been getting more and more into a healthier lifestyle, and I'm very privileged to live in a place where I have access to so many different types of ingredients, specially fruits and vegetables. My favorit food is definitely my mom's carrot cake.

Last, but not least: what advice would you give yourself when you first started working as an artist and later on as a lead editor?

Take your time, don't rush things. It takes time and practice to get to where you want to go, and you won't be satisfied when you get there. Focus on the present, trust the process and the people you work with, and keep an open mind. Everything you experience and learn will become part of who you are and how you express yourself, and that is much more important than any type of technical skill.

Always focus on the present and trust the process. Good things come to those who wait.