The magic of film captivated French director Eric Pellerin from an early age. But after enjoying success in Paris, he has found his future in Shanghai, writes Jenny Hammond.

Life is filled with stories about people from all walks of life. That's why Eric Pellerin became a film director. He wanted to give people the chance to see things they ordinarily would not see.

"I have always loved the cinema and I am very interested in showing the lives of people," says the French expat, now working locally as a film maker.

Born in Paris, Pellerin started on his path to becoming a director at 15.

"I started with photography," he says. "I found an old film camera in my parent's cupboard and started to take pictures. Within a year I realised I wanted to be a director."

The decision to pursue motion pictures rather than stationary ones was simple. "I wanted to capture not only moments but to create stories."

Taking his first step in the industry at 16, Pellerin undertook various internships on film sets in France.

"Many people do not want to stay on film sets very long as they can become boring but I have always found them fascinating. I could spend a whole day just watching what everyone does," he says.

Drawing on these experiences the young director decided to create his own shoot at 17.

"I had written my first short film, I can't remember the name of it now. I gathered a little money from my family to rent the equipment and then went to shoot in the countryside outside Paris."

The film featured himself and some aspiring thespian friends.

"I didn't really like it but it was a good learning curve. You learn something on every shoot."

Pellerin went on to earn two degrees at La Sorbonne University in Paris, one in cinema and the other in directing.

"During this time I directed two more short films, "Un Regard De Trop" ("A Regrettable Look") filmed for my degree in 16mm film and "L'etape" ("The Step") as my end of studies film."

"L'etape" was quickly picked up by movie distributor Short Film Agency and has since been screened in theatres around Paris.

Pellerin's first professional job on a film set also came during his university years. At 22 he was offered the position as third assistant director on "Les Aristos" ("The Aristocrats"), working alongside renowned French actor Jaques Weber and his Pellerin's cousin Julia Piaton, another of the actors.

"It was a great experience. I had been on sets before but this was everyday for two months. I slept little and shared a lot with my co-workers.

"So much happens on a film set - good, bad, interesting, sad. The whole crew live together in a sort of bubble. They become family.''

Pellerin moved to Shanghai in 2006 after being offered a position with local company Bright Shadow Films.

"As I was finishing my studies I decided I wanted to go to China and then India to see how the film industry was there. I wanted to go out of Europe to see the difference of creation and also to live in a very different way. "I had heard a lot about Shanghai so when I got this opportunity, I took it."

Since arriving, the expat has had the chance to film a pilot food show (to be distributed by the National Film Board of Canada), work on a documentary, make corporate videos and work on a short collection of clips about Shanghai that has been broadcast on French channel Direct 8.

True to his word, Pellerin last year spent two months in India shooting his own documentary "Cinema made in India."

"I was able to spend a whole week on a set of a movie 'Victoria 203' and interviewed all the key members of the the crew like the director, set designer and actors.''

But Pellerin loves filming in Shanghai and as for the future he hopes to learn more Chinese.

"It is a place where you need to get out of the taxi and talk to the people living here. Their lives are so very far from Europe. It's a city of contrasts and you have to take time to discover it.''

Eric Pellerin

Nationality: French

Age: 24

Profession: Movie director

Q&A

Description of yourself: Open-minded, passionate and joyful.

Favorite place in Shanghai:

A helipad on a hotel in the former French Concession. It was the first thing I did when I came to Shanghai and I was able to see the whole city in one go.

Worst experience:

So far so good.

Strangest sight:

Soft shell turtles being sold in supermarkets and the toads that are eaten here.

Life's motto:

More is in you.

Ideal weekend:

A good brunch on Sunday on Taikang Road in Kommune, then a visit to galleries, especially the Deke Erh Art Center. Dinner in Yinby La Garcon Chinois before a drink on the terrace at New Heights.

Things that could improve Shanghai:

To keep and repair the old town area by Yuyuan Garden rather than pulling it down.

Advice to newcomers:

Do not be afraid if you do not understand Chinese.

Take time to learn the city and open your eyes.

(Shanghai Daily January 8, 2008)