Docente
António Afonso Costa

Resume

PhD in Communication Studies by Lusofona University 2022. Master’s degree in film studies since 2014. Tony Costa is both a professional cinematographer and a teacher at Lusofona University where he is the head of the cinematography department. He is an award winner cinematographer. He got the Golden Prize in Tblisi Georgia in 2014 with his work on «Lapis Azul». He has also directed documentaries and a short film «My Grand Father» he was awarded with best script writing in Troia Film Festival (2012). He also got the NOS prize in 2014 for his short «Mutter». Since 2004 he has been teaching in The Lusofona University in Lisbon by maintaining his professional assignments as cinematographer. He is one of the founders of the Portuguese Film Academy and of the Portuguese Society of Cinematographers where he keeps a seat in the board of directories. Tony was also involved as a board member with IMAGO (The European Federation of Cinematographers) for several years. As cinematographer I am an academic, so I am quite open to apply and understand any aesthetics to be placed in the film. Also, technically knowledge of equipment and rental houses locally along with the rest of the crew. I am also very good at framing classic shots according to the rules along with tracking shots. I am very much at ease with long takes but I do not use Steadicam or gimble techniques. I don’t use the geared head. I am very much into classical shooting and not so much into the kinetic use of cameras. I like crane, dolly shots, and handheld also. I do love to use handheld when the scene demands such an approach. I like to respect the rules of composition, but I also love to break them and to find bold framing to give identity to the film. In terms of lighting, I am in the mood for pictorial lighting. I am not a fan of natural documentary style. I like to see the lighting come through windows or have a soft light on the characters coming from a practical. I love to work with foreign crews. They know what they want and where to go. Shoots are well prepared in advance and during shooting it is only a matter to apply what was agreed in pre-production. It doesn’t stop by improvising though when the situation demands. We should be open to it.

Graus

• Mestrado
  Film Studies
• Doutoramento
  Communication Studies

Publicações

Journal article

• 2017, Cinematography in Cinema: Relationship Between Teaching Contexts And Its Application, nternational Journal of Film and Media Arts
• 2015, Cinematography: An art form for narrative cinema, Atas do IV Encontro Anual da AIM
• 2014, Direção de Fotografia: Uma ferramenta artística no cinema de ficção , 5ª AVANCA Cinema - Conferência Internacional de Cinema, Arte tecnologia e Comunicação. Avanca, Portugal.
• 2014, A direção de Fotografia em Cinema: Uma arte escondida., Encontros de Cinema - Conferência Internacional 2014
• 2013, RUI GUERRA, O CINEASTA DA PALAVRA, RUI GUERRA, O CINEASTA DA PALAVRA
• 2004, IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista), IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista)
• 2003, IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista), IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista)
• 2002, IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista), IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista)
• 2001, IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA (Revista), IMAGEM CINEMATOGRÁFICA

Book

• 2005, MÉTODOS & PROCEDIMENTOS DO ASSISTENTE DE IMAGEM, 1, Costa, António Afonso, ESTC

Conference paper

• 2023-07-27, A Imagem no mundo digital: As implicações no ensino, Cine-Clube de Avanca -Avanca Cinema 2023
• 2023-05-26, Cinematography essay – the methodology, Encrucijada del audiovisual en la era de lo virtual: Salamanca
• 2023-04, “Cinematography and Film Studies.” , AMPS conference Applying Education in a Complex World, Sheridan University, Toronto, Canada,

Conference abstract

• 2025-06-18, Cinematic Aesthetics and Narrative Construction: Dissecting the Influence of Cinematography, NECS 2025 Conference, Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa, Portugal

Conference poster

• 2025-07-25, Ainda o ensino em película, Cine-Clube de Avanca -Avanca Cinema 2025

Artistic exhibition

• 2015, A Ilha dos Cães (Feature Film)
• 2013, O Meu Avô
• 2013, Lápis Azul
• 2013, Amélia
• 2012, Lápis Azul a Exame Prévio DOC
• 2011, Um Natal Especial
• 2011, Mutter
• 2009, O Teu Sapato
• 2009, A Aposta
• 2008, A Fábrica
• 2003, Sem Ela
• 2003, As Batalhas DOC
• 2001, Um Homem não é um Gato
• 1994, Lucky Man DOC
• 1993, There we are John

Other output

• 2017, Conference «Teaching Cinematography)
• 2015, Os Desafios do ensino na era digital