Dani Sanchez-Lopez Explained

Dani Sanchez-Lopez
Alma Mater:Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Years Active:2014–present
Notable Works:Mahanati (2018)

Dani Salo Aec Sanchez-Lopez, better known as Dani SaLo, is a Spanish cinematographer, director and actor based in Los Angeles.

Early life

Dani graduated from Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with an MFA in Film Production in 2009.[1]

After completing his studies, Dani went to work in Asia due to limited work opportunities in Los Angeles. He collaborate with fellow alumni, Ammar Rasool and Mian Adnan Ahmad.

Dani directed the music video Aik Tha Badshah for the Pakistani rock group Noori. The video was well-received and was a nominated for Best Music Video at the Hum Awards in 2015.[2]

Career

Dani has worked San ‘75, Tamanchey, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! and Dil Dhadakne Do.[3]

In April 2017, Dani was invited by director Nag Ashwin to join the team of Mahanati, a biopic of the iconic South Indian actress Savitri. His approach to capture the golden era of Telugu and Tamil cinema was influenced from cinematographer Marcus Bartley's work on Mayabazar and others.

One of the aspects of his work on Mahanati was the decision to shoot parts of the film on super 16mm film stock to capture the essence of the 1980s. Dani's work on Mahanati was highly praised,[4] [5] [6] including commendation from filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.

After Mahanati, Dani returned to Los Angeles to work on The MisEducation of Bindu.

Following his collaboration with Nag Ashwin on Mahanati, Dani was initially brought on board for Ashwin's next project, Kalki 2898 AD.[7] [8] However, Dani was eventually replaced by Djordje Stojiljkovic.[9]

Dani's work on Virata Parvam (2022) is influenced by filmmakers and photographers, drawing inspiration from Andrei Tarkovsky’s The Mirror, Stalker and the works of Janusz Kaminski and Emmanuel Lubezki. He has a particular disdain for shooting in studio environments, preferring the challenges of real locations, where he adapts to natural lighting conditions and the physical constraints of the environment.

Filmography

YearFilm LanguageNotes
2014TamancheyHindi[10]
2017San' 75 PachattarHindiUnreleased film
2018IshqeriaHindi[11]
2018MahanatiTelugu[12]
2019The MisEducation of BinduEnglish[13]
2022Virata ParvamTelugu[14]
2022@Buddhistandqueer: Del sari a la túnicaSpanishDocumentary, Best short film at the 2022 LGCM Awards[15]
2024Operación Barrio InglésSpanish[16]

Music videos

Year! scope="col"
Title Film/AlbumLanguageNotes
2015Aik Tha BadshahBegum Gul Bakaoli SarfaroshHindiAs co-director and cinematographer
Calcutta Kiss SongDetective Byomkesh Bakshy!HindiAs director and cinematographer[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alumni Spotlight: Dani Sánchez-López . 2024-08-07 . Dodge College of Film and Media Arts . en-US . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807195425/https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2018/07/02/alumni-spotlight-dani-sanchez-lopez/ . live .
  2. Web site: lavozdelsur.es . 2018-10-10 . Un jerezano puede alzarse con un premio 'MTV' pakistaní . 2024-08-07 . lavozdelsur.es . es-ES . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807195429/https://www.lavozdelsur.es/ediciones/jerez/un-jerezano-puede-alzarse-con-un-premio-mtv-pakistani_25130_102.html . live .
  3. Web site: 2018-05-12 . The making of Mahanati: Cinematographer Dani Sanchez-Lopez talks about recreating the life of Savitri . 2024-08-07 . Firstpost . en-us . 2021-05-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210531153241/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-making-of-mahanati-cinematographer-dani-sanchez-lopez-talks-about-recreating-the-life-of-savitri-4466833.html . live .
  4. Web site: 2018-05-09 . Mahanati movie review: Savitri's life is laid down with authenticity, but lacks drama that it inherently demands . 2024-08-07 . Firstpost . en-us . 2021-05-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526060246/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mahanati-movie-review-savitris-life-is-laid-down-with-authenticity-but-lacks-drama-that-it-inherently-demands-4462883.html . live .
  5. News: Dundoo . Sangeetha Devi . 2018-05-09 . 'Mahanati' review: Nag Ashwin's work of passion doffs its hat to Savitri . 2024-08-07 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 2021-05-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514001520/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mahanati-review-nag-ashwins-work-of-passion-doffs-its-hat-to-savitri/article23823395.ece . live .
  6. Web site: 2018-05-10 . Mahanati Movie Review: Nag Ashwin crafts a soulful ode to Savitri's life . 2024-08-07 . India Today . en . 2018-09-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914132138/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/mahanati-nadigaiyar-thilagam-review-keerthy-suresh-samantha-akkineni-dulquer-salmaan-1231202-2018-05-10 . live .
  7. Web site: ANI . 2021-01-29 . Makers of Nag Ashwin-Prabhas movie rope in 'Mahanati' cinematographer, music composer . 2024-08-07 . The New Indian Express . en . 2022-06-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608175541/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/jan/29/makers-of-nag-ashwin-prabhasmovie-rope-in-mahanati-cinematographer-music-composer-2256633.html . live .
  8. Web site: Service . Express News . 2021-01-30 . Dani Sanchez-Lopez on board for 'Prabhas 21' . 2024-08-07 . The New Indian Express . en . 2021-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210201103112/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2021/jan/30/dani-sanchez-lopez-on-board-for-prabhas-21-2256794.html . live .
  9. Web site: Prasad . B. H. . 2023-01-03 . Another Foreign DOP – What To Expect From Project K? . 2024-08-07 . Gulte . en-US . 2023-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231025091102/https://www.gulte.com/movienews/221765/serbian-cinematographer-djordje-stojiljkovic-for-prabhas-project-k . live .
  10. News: 2014-08-02 . Cops and cuffs at the launch at Tamanchey launch . 2024-08-06 . The Times of India . 0971-8257 . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806131443/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/cops-and-cuffs-at-the-launch-at-tamanchey-launch/articleshow/39480546.cms . live .
  11. Web site: Kini . Nandan . Ishqeria movie review: Richa Chadha and Neil Nitin Mukesh's film is an unmitigated disaster . 2024-08-06 . Mumbai Mirror . en . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806132702/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/ishqeria-movie-review-richa-chadha-and-neil-nitin-mukeshs-film-is-an-unmitigated-disaster/articleshow/65906177.cms . live .
  12. News: Chowdhary . Y. Sunita . 2018-04-16 . Using film is a different way to capture reality, says 'Manahati' cinematographer Dani Sanchez Lopez . 2024-08-06 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 2018-04-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180429173309/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/cinematographer-dani-sanchez-lopez-manahati-savitri/article23557144.ece . live .
  13. Web site: Movie filmed at former Broad Ripple High School . 2024-08-06 . The Indianapolis Star . en-US . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130714/https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/movies/2018/07/18/movie-filmed-at-former-broad-ripple-high-school/36969845/ . live .
  14. Web site: Srikar . Ram Venkat . 2022-07-06 . The earthiness of Virata Parvam; Cinematographer Dani Sanchez Lopez discusses unique visual choices . 2024-08-06 . The New Indian Express . en . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806125618/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2022/Jul/06/the-earthiness-of-virata-parvamcinematographer-dani-sanchez-lopez-discusses-unique-visual-choices-2473277.html . live .
  15. Web site: Palmarés Oficial 2016 - 21ª edición del LesGaiCineMad . 2024-08-06 . LesGaiCineMad 2023 . es . 2024-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226084757/https://www.lesgaicinemad.com/palmares-lgcm-22/ . live .
  16. Web site: Guerrero . Jesús . 2023-10-12 . Presentan en Cádiz la serie de espías que RTVE estrenará en 2024, 'Operación Barrio inglés' . 2024-08-06 . Diario de Cádiz . es . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806124509/https://www.diariodecadiz.es/ocio/Presentan-Cadiz-espias-RTVE-estrenara-2024-operacion-barrio-ingles_0_1838217098.html . live .
  17. Calcutta Kiss Song Detective Byomkesh Bakshy Lauren Gottlieb, Sushant Singh Rajput Imaad, Saba . 2015-03-23 . YRF . 2024-08-07 . YouTube . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416193010/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXi2nYjkD04 . live .