Founded in May 2019 by Gerard Spatafora, Philippe Maurange and Arnaud Serre, E-Studioz is an independent film production company. E-Studioz was born from the desire to offer clients of OZCO Group (a specialist in communication, advertising and press relations for wines, spirits and champagnes) films, videos and digital expertise to support brand development both nationally and internationally, by setting brand-awareness and sales goals.
Gerard Spatafora Producer, Author, Managing Director of E-Studioz
With more than 25 years’ experience of the Internet and e-commerce, Gerard Spatafora is first and foremost an entrepreneur and creator of 2 start-ups in Canada (wine and travel sector).
On his return from Canada, he went into fine wine distribution and for 7 years held the position of e-commerce manager for the wine merchant Millésima (European leader in online sales of fine wines in 15 countries – US, EU, Asia).
At the end of 2015, he became Director of a Carrefour group start-up and a member of the management committee of Maison Johanes Boubee (€900m turnover).
He was also Program Director and teacher of management and strategy for the Wine MBA at INSEEC business school in Bordeaux (40 students per year, from international backgrounds).
Gerard is also a very active speaker on wine e-commerce, having appeared at Vinexpo, Wine2Wine, London Wine Fair, Prowein, and the Hong Kong Wine Fair.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluewine/
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Notes from the creators of the original idea, Gerard Spatafora and Frederic Lot
« We have a real passion for wine and its cultural dimension. How could we better highlight the dream and the fascination it arouses than through the audiovisual, this communication medium providing a living, immersive and sensory expression? We knew this would be the preferred angle.
A documentary was the most appropriate format. While Bordeaux and its wines have already featured on screen (in the cinema, TV fiction, documentaries, reports), Eastbound-Westbound does not set out to judge, stigmatize or argue over Bordeaux and its wines, or to denounce or caricature the big names under the sometimes reductive lens of the wine business, money, ‘bling-bling’ or focusing only on ‘well-born’ people.
Wine is international, its reach is global. We are all citizens of the world of wine Starting the Eastbound Westbound series with the viticultural relationship between the «old continent» and the «new world», through the lens of Bordeaux and California, was our first challenge, if not our priority. We needed an ambassador, a significant historical figure – whose mark is still evident today – embodying this mutual respect between Bordeaux and the United States on the issue of wine: Thomas Jefferson, the historical personality so esteemed in the United States and to whom Bordeaux is still indebted today. »
Frederic LOT
« Our respective backgrounds in the wine and spirits sector have led us, over more than 25 years, to visit vineyards in France and elsewhere, meeting wine players along the way. Sometimes as influencers (journalists) then as communication, marketing and promotion professionals for properties and fine wines, this experience has long nurtured our urge to film these women and men, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit, the desire to found wine dynasties, to pass on the fruit of their efforts from generation to generation.
Unique human stories marked out by successes, sometimes combined with difficulties of all kinds, where ultimately the determination for self-questioning remains paramount, to avoid breaking the dynamic of what these families build or perpetuate. It is this contagious optimism that we wanted to highlight. Focusing on these families – custodians of age-old know-how without turning their backs on innovative and therefore modern approaches – made perfect sense, as they have generously shared their craft, their history and welcomed us with trust for so many years.
The world of wine – from France and elsewhere – and Bordeaux in particular, is not that. It is something more: history, civilization, passion, life paths, ambitious choices, successes and mistakes in the service of a noble product that reconciles people, creates friendships, stimulates exchanges and dialogue, while promising happiness in the glass. »
Gérard SPATAFORA
E-Studioz has also launched Bluewine.com, the first video blog entirely dedicated to the world of wines and spirits. Through BlueWine.com, wine lovers will be able to discover video trailers of the latest productions from directors and producers who have focused on the world of wines and spirits. Wine lovers will be able to discover images of terroirs, grape varieties and the fascinating stories of the winegrowers and families who produce wine and spirits around the world.
The BlueWine.com website currently features over hundred wine-related documentaries, films, programs, reports and videos.
E-Studioz teams will transform the BlueWine.com website into a streaming platform entirely dedicated to worldwide wine and spirits content. Wine lovers will then be able to view the programs through a pay-per-view offer (TVOD), a subscription offer (SVOD) or with advertising (AVOD).
