Susana Melo Casting in Budapest (March 9, 2014): How the Portuguese Newcomer Faced Pierre Woodman’s Camera
Written by PornGPT
On March 9, 2014, Portuguese newcomer Susana Melo arrived in Budapest to meet legendary French director Pierre Woodman for one of the most anticipated castings of that period. Curious, determined and surprisingly composed, she stepped into the studio hoping to prove she had the confidence and charisma required for an international career. This behind-the-scenes story revisits that memorable day through conversations, observations and the atmosphere that surrounded one of Woodman’s most recognizable casting sessions.
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Susana Melo’s Budapest Casting Begins: A Portuguese Newcomer Meets Pierre Woodman
By early 2014, Budapest had become one of Europe’s busiest destinations for international productions. Every week, aspiring performers from across the continent travelled to the Hungarian capital, hoping to impress one of the industry’s most recognizable directors: Pierre Woodman.
On March 9, it was Portuguese actress Susana Melo’s turn.
She arrived early in the morning after flying from Portugal, carrying only a suitcase, a handbag and plenty of anticipation. Although she appeared calm while walking into the studio, there was no hiding the mixture of excitement and uncertainty that accompanies a first major casting.
The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.
The production crew welcomed her with coffee before introducing her to Pierre Woodman, who greeted every newcomer with his characteristic mixture of curiosity and professionalism.
“Good morning, Susana.”
“Good morning.”
“How was your trip?”
“Long enough to make me nervous.”
Woodman laughed.
“That’s completely normal.”
“I’ve never been to Budapest before.”
“Then today you’ll remember it forever.”
She smiled.
“I hope for the right reasons.”
The cameras were already recording.
As with many of his castings, Woodman preferred beginning with conversation rather than immediately asking technical questions. His philosophy was simple: before evaluating someone’s confidence in front of the camera, he wanted to discover who they were as a person.
“So tell everyone who you are.”
“My name is Susana Melo.”
“And you’re from Portugal?”
“Yes.”
“What city?”
“A town near Lisbon.”
“Was it difficult deciding to come here?”
She paused.
“It took months.”
“What changed?”
“I decided I didn’t want to spend my life wondering ‘what if?'”
Woodman nodded.
“I hear that answer surprisingly often.”
“I imagine you do.”
The conversation continued naturally, allowing Susana to relax with every passing minute.
One quality immediately stood out.
Unlike some newcomers who answered with only a few words, she enjoyed explaining her thoughts and wasn’t afraid of silence.
That gave the interview a conversational rhythm rather than the feeling of an interrogation.
At one point, Woodman smiled again.
“You’ve forgotten about the cameras already.”
“I think I have.”
“That’s a very good sign.”
Behind the Scenes of Susana Melo’s Pierre Woodman Interview
After the introductions, the discussion became more personal—not intrusive, but focused on understanding Susana’s motivations and expectations.
“So,” Woodman asked, “why this profession?”
“I’ve always been curious.”
“Curious?”
“About filmmaking.”
“Not fame?”
She laughed.
“That would be nice.”
“Honest answer.”
“But I’m more interested in seeing how everything works.”
“You’ll certainly learn today.”
The director explained the importance of professionalism, punctuality and communication.
Many newcomers expected glamour.
Instead, they discovered a workplace built around preparation, patience and teamwork.
“The camera doesn’t reward pretending,” Woodman said.
“It notices everything.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“It notices fear.”
She nodded.
“It notices confidence.”
“I suppose that’s harder to fake.”
“Exactly.”
One member of the crew adjusted a light while another prepared the interview area.
There was no sense of hurry.
Everyone seemed accustomed to allowing newcomers enough time to settle.
Susana watched everything with interest.
“I expected a much bigger studio.”
Woodman smiled.
“People imagine Hollywood.”
“I did.”
“But what matters isn’t the size.”
“It’s the people?”
“Exactly.”
As the conversation continued, they discussed Portugal.
“I miss the ocean already.”
“You’ve only just arrived.”
“I know.”
The crew laughed.
“You’ll survive.”
“I hope so.”
Woodman asked whether her family knew where she was.
“They know.”
“And?”
“They’re worried.”
“Parents usually are.”
“My mother asked if I was absolutely certain.”
“Were you?”
She thought carefully before answering.
“I wasn’t certain.”
“No?”
“I was determined.”
The distinction impressed the director.
“That’s actually a better answer.”
Later, they discussed previous modelling experiences.
“I’ve done a few shoots.”
“Did you enjoy them?”
“Very much.”
“What did you learn?”
“That photographers never stop moving.”
The cameraman laughed.
“She’s already observant.”
Woodman added,
“Good performers notice details.”
“I try.”
“You’ll need that.”
The interview gradually became lighter.
They joked about travelling.
About airport security.
About language differences.
Woodman attempted a few Portuguese words.
Susana burst into laughter.
“I don’t think your pronunciation will impress anyone in Lisbon.”
“I’ve heard worse.”
“I’m sure you have.”
Even the crew joined the conversation.
The relaxed atmosphere transformed what could have been a stressful audition into an engaging discussion between professionals meeting for the first time.
Pierre Woodman and Susana Melo: A Memorable Budapest Casting Experience
As the afternoon progressed, the conversation shifted toward future ambitions.
“What do you want people to remember about you?” Woodman asked.
She reflected before answering.
“I’d like them to say I was authentic.”
“Not glamorous?”
“Authenticity lasts longer.”
Woodman nodded approvingly.
“That’s a very mature answer.”
He explained that every successful performer eventually develops a recognizable personality.
Some become known for confidence.
Others for humour.
Others for elegance.
“The audience remembers sincerity.”
“I believe that.”
“So do I.”
Susana admitted that she still felt nervous despite appearing relaxed.
“I’m good at hiding it.”
“You are.”
“My hands are freezing.”
Woodman laughed.
“They don’t look frozen.”
“That’s because I’m sitting on them.”
Everyone in the room laughed.
Moments like that often became the most memorable part of these castings.
Rather than rehearsed speeches, it was the spontaneous humour that revealed genuine personality.
Woodman later asked one final series of questions.
“If someone watches this interview ten years from now, what would you tell that younger version of yourself?”
She smiled thoughtfully.
“I’d tell her to enjoy today.”
“Only that?”
“And to stop worrying so much.”
“Were you worried?”
“About everything.”
“What if you failed?”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“I’ve realised simply being here already means I tried.”
The director smiled.
“Exactly.”
That philosophy summarized countless castings filmed over the years.
Not every newcomer continued into a long career.
Some appeared only once.
Others built impressive international reputations.
But every casting represented a unique moment in someone’s personal journey.
As filming wrapped up, Woodman stood and thanked Susana for her openness throughout the interview.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“I think people will enjoy meeting you.”
“I hope so.”
“Safe travels when you return home.”
“I’ll remember Budapest.”
“I expected nothing less.”
Before leaving, she shook hands with every member of the crew.
The cameras stopped recording.
The lights gradually dimmed.
Another casting had come to an end.
Looking back more than a decade later, Susana Melo’s Budapest appearance remains an interesting snapshot of an ambitious newcomer stepping into an unfamiliar environment with honesty, humour and determination. The conversations captured that day reveal far more than the beginning of a professional opportunity—they preserve the emotions, uncertainty and excitement that accompany anyone willing to leave home in pursuit of a dream. Like many memorable Pierre Woodman castings, it was not only about evaluating a performer, but about documenting the personality behind the camera, creating a lasting record of one remarkable day in Budapest on March 9, 2014.
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