Velho Chico

Although set in Bahia, part of the early scenes were recorded in other locations of the Brazil's Northeast, like Baraúna in Rio Grande do Norte, São José da Tapera and Olho d'Água do Casado in Alagoas. Other locations that represent the fictional town of the plot are the Alagoan other municipality: Piranhas. In the State where the telenovela, Ilha de Cajaíba, in São Francisco do Conde, the municipality of Cachoeira and Raso da Catarina were used as locations.[27] In total, about 562 scenes were recorded in northern locations and about 60 to 70% of the actors cast were from the region.[28][29][30] The set design was made from recycled objects, such as incandescent lamps used in old rebuilt reflectors.[31] The costume design in the first phase was composed of regal robes from residents in location.[32] Passing through tissue discoloration, dyeing and natural aging, the costumes of the bushmen are made in pastel colors, while those from Salvador are inspired by Tropicália.[33]

The director, Luiz Fernando Carvalho, opted for a Spanish actress to portray the character Iolanda. Due to great importance of the character to the storyline, Carol Castro and Christiane Torloni were cast nonetheless.[34][35][36] Before Castro was considered, Ana Paula Arósio was cast but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.[37][38] After Arósio, Maria Fernanda Cândido was then considered but she also turned down the role.[39] Letícia Sabatella was also considered to play Maria Tereza but due to her other commitments in films and theatre, Pitanga was cast.[40][41]

Veteran actor Umberto Magnani, who played Father Romão, suffered a stroke (CVA) while preparing to record the plot in the afternoon of 25 April 2016 at the Projac.[42] He was hospitalized at Hospital Vitória, near the studios' complex in Barra da Tijuca, in a deep coma. Ana Julia, daughter of Magnani, said that the actor underwent a six-hour surgery and had a cardiac arrest. As the character was considered important to the story, several scenes had to be rewritten.[43] At the time, without the possibility to return to the plot, Magnani was replaced by Carlos Vereza, who went on to interpret Father Benicio. Magnani eventually passed away two days later.[44][45]

With only two weeks to go before the final episode, on 15 September, the actor Domingos Montagner, who played the protagonist Santo, died after drowning in the São Francisco River, located in the Canindé, Region of São Francisco, in Sergipe. Montagner was swimming in São Francisco river together with Camila Pitanga, ended up being dragged by a strong current. The actor was found four hours later, lifeless.[46][47][48][49] While Montagner was missing, Globo's management requested that Velho Chico's recordings—set to run until 18 September, would be paralyzed. With the confirmation of the death of the actor, the technical team and the cast that were recording in the Northeast were asked to return to Rio de Janeiro.[50] The network also requested that the production of the plot not comment on the matter with the press.[50]

Benedito Ruy Barbosa lamented on the death of Montagner and said in an interview with UOL about the uncertainty about the outcome of the actor's character in the plot: "It is very difficult to have to change an actor like him for any other, it should not be the solution At the same time, I have to do justice to him and the wonderful work he has been doing."[51] Consulted by the blog of Patricia Kogut , the newspaper O Globo, Barbosa said he did not know what he would do, but that his aim was to honour Montagner.[52]

With the suspension of recordings, there were only five chapters ready to be displayed and on the same day (15 September), there was uncertainty whether the plot would remain in the air or whether the ending would be advanced.[53] However, episode 167 was aired without showing scenes with the character "Santo" - which were already shot before the death of the actor.[50] The next day, it was reported that the production would resume on 18 September, and that the telenovela would close on the scheduled date, 30 September.[54] UOL revealed that the character of Montagner would be carried to the end, without substitute.[55] the solution found was to shoot the scenes from the first-person perspective of Santo, without the character's lines. The cast returned to Sergipe on 17 September.[56] Another part of the cast remained in Alagoas, which maintained the timing of recordings set by Luís Fernando Carvalho.[57][58][59] The accelerated rhythm would be a consequence of the recording delays caused by the artistic director of the plot.[60]

Velho Chico Música Original de Tim Rescala was released on 10 June 2016. It contains instrumental soundtracks produced by Tim Rescala.[107][108]

Velho Chico (Música Original de Tim Rescala)
Soundtrack album by Tim Rescala
Released	10 June 2016
Label	Som Livre