¨Juan Arango¨ - Behind the Scenes
Written by Carlos Colmenares
Interviewing Juan Arango is a rare privilege
The Venezuelan football star, known for his exquisite technique and his career with top-level clubs, is not someone who grants many interviews. In fact, this was only the second time he had participated in a podcast at the time of this blog. So, when discussions for recording a special episode of The Players Podcast began, we decided that the setting had to be one that would make him feel comfortable and relaxed.
A Perfect Environment for the Conversation
From the scheduling phase, I knew I wanted to conduct the interview in a space that reflected the essence of "Arangol." That’s how we ended up at his high-performance training center, a place where he is shaping the next generation of talent. What was interesting about recording there was that Juan agreed without hesitation, knowing that being surrounded by a soccer environment and people close to him would ensure the conversation flowed naturally.
Choosing the Lighting
For this production, we decided to use a Neewer 660 Pro light kit instead of the Astera lights we had used in the previous interview with Alejandro "El Lobito" Guerra. The reason was simple: unlike the open and well-lit space of the chat with Guerra, Arango’s training center had dark walls, which allowed us to better utilize the softboxes, achieving a more cinematic lighting effect.
A Minimalist Yet Effective Format
There’s a common belief that these types of interviews require multiple cameras from different angles. However, we decided that one camera focused on the guest and another on the interviewers would be enough to maintain the intimacy of the conversation without losing dynamism. This approach allowed us to capture every gesture, every smile, and every pause from Arango with a proximity that enriched the experience.
A Relaxed Talk Filled with Stories
One of the factors that most favored the interview was the presence of Nehomar Matías, Arango’s right-hand man and someone with experience in international professional football. His participation added an interesting perspective on Arango’s commitment to developing young talent and allowed us to delve into topics that are usually not covered in traditional interviews.
Arango was at ease, eager to share stories about his best goals, funny moments with elite players, and even the reason behind his controversial retirement from the national team. Every word reflected the personality of a footballer who has left a mark both on and off the field.
If you’re a football fan and want to get to know the more personal and human side of Juan Arango, you can't miss this exclusive interview on The Players Podcast.
Written by Carlos Colmenares
