Podolski, Pfannen & Police Dramas
Saying no, saying yes, and figuring it out along the way.
What’s good, what’s good?!
Hope you’re doing well while reading this little life update. Somehow, four months flew by like four weeks. I’m really starting to feel the speed of time—and aging—but hey, no complaints. Life’s been good. Let me catch you up on what’s been happening lately.
Housekeeping
After my last newsletter, where I opened up about my freelance situation and where I’m at professionally, a few new opportunities popped up. It was a strong reminder: if you keep pushing, stay true to yourself, and keep showing up—you’ll earn trust, and eventually, things start falling into place.
One of the biggest shifts happened back in February: I landed a part-time gig as a social media manager for greenCHEM. (greenCHEM is a Berlin-based initiative focused on innovation in green chemistry—where sustainability meets science and business.)
From the start, Martin and the whole team welcomed me with open arms. The vibe was on point immediately, and I felt right at home.
My role? Boosting their social media presence—planning, posting, and pushing numbers, mainly across Instagram and LinkedIn. Working in a corporate, science-driven setting is a whole different world compared to artists or influencers. The tone, the content, the strategy—it all follows different rules. Took me a second to adapt, but I can confidently say I’ve found my rhythm.
If you’re curious about what we’re doing, check out the greenCHEM pages:
→ Instagram
→ LinkedIn
Funny enough, this part-time job gave me a real boost—creatively and mentally. At first, I thought it might be a step back. But that was just noise in my head. Once I tuned out the ego and leaned into growth, I realized: this is exactly what I needed. When you shift your mindset, you start seeing how everything plays a part in your path. Even the detours.
So I stayed focused, kept showing up—and pretty soon, the next chances to shine came my way.
Podolski – Part II
Ever since our last production for Sekabet with Lukas Podolski, there had been talk about doing a proper hero image film. Since we delivered on the first project, the client wanted us back on board for this one too.
In late February, Kazim called me up with the news. He shared his vision for the next step and asked me to come on as creative producer. No hesitation—I was in.
We finalized the treatment and started pitching. But the pre-production phase turned out to be longer than expected. The concept was to shoot inside a casino, but there were two major challenges:
We needed to shoot in Poland, as Podolski was still in-season and couldn’t leave.
Neither Kazim nor I had ever produced in Poland before.
Finding the right location was tough—and without a local network, it quickly became clear that we’d need help on the ground. If just scouting was this tricky, what would the rest of the production be like?
That’s when I called my friends at EasyDoesIt. One call later, they connected me with Marcin from Lucky Luciano. And just like that, things started to click. Great team, smooth collaboration, and real professionals. We couldn’t have done it without them.
We’re still deep in post-production, so I can’t share the final film just yet. But I’ll definitely give you more behind-the-scenes in the next update—especially about the chaos we went through during production. Let’s just say there were some real heart-attack moments... but in the end, everything came together. Uff.
STUR – A Change of Plans
Funny how life works sometimes. One moment, you’re deep in doubt, hunting for gigs, rethinking your career… and the next, you get a call from a colleague asking if you're available for a 5-day shoot. Nice, right?
But here’s the twist: the shoot dates landed in the exact same week as our production in Poland for the Podolski project. Haha, life—you really are the best comedian.
I tried everything. I crunched all the numbers, ran every timeline in my head, and mapped out any scenario where I could make both work. No chance. I had to accept it. Turning down that job offer was tough—but there was no way I could leave Kazim hanging after everything we had already built for Podolski.
But… life had different plans. Again.
Just a few days after saying no, and right as my mood started bouncing back, I got another call from my colleague—his name is Alessandro, by the way, and he’s an amazing filmmaker. (Seriously, check out his work HERE).
“Ferhat,” he said, “plans have changed—we can bring you in for 4 of the 5 shoot days.”
Wow. Just wow.
Now let me tell you what this project was all about—and why I said yes immediately.
STUR is a German cookware brand founded in Berlin, known for its award-winning cast-iron skillets. Their products are locally made, sustainably produced, and designed to last a lifetime—crafted from recycled iron and backed by a 50-year guarantee. You might have seen them featured in Öko-Test or spotted them winning a Red Dot or iF Design Award. In short: quality meets purpose.
Alessandro’s concept for the campaign was beautiful in its simplicity: portrait real chefs, in their own homes, cooking their favorite dishes. No over-styling, no artificial gloss. Just honest stories, heartfelt meals, and great visuals. The product took a back seat. The story was the star.
That’s the kind of marketing I believe in—where emotion drives the message. Where the viewer can feel something.
So I packed up my Contax G2, dusted off my analog film stash, and joined the production. We had 4 wonderful days capturing real-life magic—shooting intimate portraits of food and people. And yes, I also got to eat some of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted. Double jackpot.
The content isn’t ready to share yet, but trust me—it’s coming.
Stay tuned and follow me on Instagram for updates → ferhattopal
Fuel
What have I been up to besides working as a freelance photographer and filmmaker, raising two kids, walking a dog, and being in a relationship with the most inspiring woman I know?
Honestly, the better question is: how did I manage to do anything besides that list?
I truly believe everyone needs to blow off steam from time to time. That’s what hobbies are for—they’re not about performance, they’re about release. So I try my best to stay connected to mine and weave them into my weekly rhythm. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't—but I’m grateful for whatever I get to do.
Swimming, Running, Pull-Ups, Repeat
Some of you may already know, but I’ve always been into sports. Recently, I picked up swimming again—and it’s been a game-changer. The learning curve is steep, but it feels like the missing piece next to my usual calisthenics and running routine. I never thought I’d enjoy it this much, but now I actually look forward to getting in the water.
I wouldn’t call myself a great swimmer (yet), but I’m progressing. Funny enough, sometimes I get overtaken by folks twice my age—and I respect it. All part of the game. Stay humble, stay moving.
The Pile of Shame Grows
Video games? Well… let’s just say I aspire to play more than I actually do.
I still collect them, still build up that ever-growing “pile of shame”—but I rarely power them on these days. I don’t know exactly why this shift happened or how to break the pattern, but I try not to fight it.
I came across a great YouTube video recently that nails this feeling. If you're a gamer in your 30s, you’ll get it:
→ [Watch it here] — you’ll thank me later.
Cop Dramas
What I have been doing a lot lately is watching movies. Like, a lot.
Right now, I’m deep in a police drama phase—anything with gritty detectives and morally complex storylines. It all started with a rewatch of L.A. Confidential, which reignited the spark and sent me down the rabbit hole.
Before that, I had a Spike Lee deep cut binge, revisiting some of his lesser-known films. Every one of them inspired me in different ways—his work really sticks with me.
If you're curious to see what I've been watching lately, check out my film diary on Letterboxd:
→ letterboxd.com/feropessoa/films/diary
This is the End, Beautiful Friend
If you made it this far—thank you. Putting these updates together helps me reflect, slow down, and make sense of the chaos a bit. Life moves fast, but writing about it lets me appreciate the moments, the lessons, and the people that shape it all.
If anything in here resonated, inspired, or even just entertained you for a minute—let me know. Hit reply, send a message, share a thought. I always love hearing from you.
Until next time—stay curious, stay moving, and don’t forget to take breaks when you need them.
Much love,
Ferhat