We were lucky to catch up with Erik Sopracasa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erik, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

During the height of the pandemic, when the entertainment industry ground to a halt, I found myself at a crossroads. Having just graduated as the first Belgian actor from the prestigious Stella Adler Studio in NYC, I was eager to dive into my career. But like many, I quickly realized that the world was changing, and traditional pathways in the industry were no longer viable. The uncertainty of the moment pushed me to think beyond the actor’s role and envision a broader, more proactive way to create. I reached out to a close friend, and together, we launched a production company and creative agency called MOVART. This endeavor wasn’t just about survival; it was about recognizing a shift in how content would be produced and consumed in the future. I knew that by embracing the power to create our own projects, we could shape the direction of our careers and make a lasting impact in the industry. This shift got me excited about the endless possibilities for innovation and storytelling in a post-pandemic world.

Erik, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born near Venice, Italy, and moved to Belgium with my family when I was 10. My mother sparked my interest in the arts early on—I started playing piano at six, later picked up the guitar, and eventually began DJ-ing during my university years. My passion for creativity has always been there, whether through music, writing, or even organizing small theater shows with friends as a child. But it took me some time to realize that I wanted to turn that passion into a career.

After university, I worked in marketing for Samsung Electronics and banking for BNP Paribas, but that didn’t feel fulfilling. That’s when I decided to pursue something I truly loved—acting. I auditioned for Stella Adler, got accepted, and moved to the U.S., where I became the first Belgian actor to graduate from their NYC conservatory. It wasn’t an easy journey, especially starting from scratch in a highly competitive industry, but I knew it was the right path the moment I began.

Today, through my production company and creative agency, we provide a wide range of services, including film and content production, brand strategy, and social media for clients. Our goal is to create meaningful, engaging content that connects with audiences in a unique way. What sets us apart is the personal touch—we bring together a passion for the arts, a strong work ethic, and an innovative mindset to deliver creative solutions. I’m proud of the journey so far, especially in building a business that allows me to contribute to the creative industry while staying true to my roots.

For anyone following my work, I want them to know that I’m deeply committed to quality and authenticity. Whether it’s acting, producing, or crafting content for clients, I always strive to tell stories that resonate, that move people, and that leave a lasting impact.

With 18 years of experience in both B2B and B2C marketing, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s largest companies, including Samsung Electronics, BMW, Boston Scientific, BNP Paribas and many more. This background gave me a solid foundation in understanding how brands connect with their audiences and how to craft strategies that drive both engagement and results.

At MOVART, the production company and creative agency I founded, we provide a wide range of services including brand strategy, video production, design, virtual production, and social media management. We aim to help brands build strong, engaged communities by creating content that resonates deeply with their audiences.

This year, we’re particularly excited about a few key projects. We’ve been working on our first feature documentary, which we filmed over five months in the Philippines. It’s about Miss Universe Philippines, one of the country’s biggest annual events—comparable to the Super Bowl in the U.S. or major soccer events in Europe. This year 7 million people watched the live streaming, 12,000 attended the live event and 3.5 million people watched the replay a few days after the final. From the biggest brands in the world to the local governments, everyone in The Philippines wants to be part of this yearly event, and for the first time in history we are making a documentary about it. It’s been an incredible journey capturing the essence of such a culturally significant event and traveling around the whole country.
We’ve also recently completed a major rebranding for a U.S. beer brand based in Austin, Texas. I’m looking forward to seeing our designs on store shelves soon. These projects reflect the diversity of our work and our commitment to helping brands stand out and truly connect with their audiences.
I’m really proud of what we have accomplished in such as small amount of time with our company.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of my journey was the process of creating our first feature documentary. From the very beginning, I faced resistance—some people, (people that I had brought into project in specific roles), out of envy or jealousy, tried to discourage me from pursuing the project. I even experienced outright insults. It wasn’t just subtle negativity; there were moments when it felt like certain individuals were actively trying to derail my vision. This continued right up until the day before we were set to leave for the Philippines.

What kept me going, despite all of that, was a deep belief in the story I wanted to tell. I knew the cultural significance of this project and how impactful this documentary could be, not just for the audience, but for me as a storyteller. I’ve always believed that when you’re passionate about something, it’s your responsibility to fight for it. I had to keep my head up, stay focused, and remain confident in the vision I had for this project.

The lesson I want to share with young entrepreneurs is that you will inevitably face people who doubt you, try to stop you, or even try to bring you down. But resilience is about standing firm in your conviction, no matter how hard things get. If you truly believe in your vision, don’t let anyone’s negativity shake you. Surround yourself with people who support you, and most importantly, never stop believing in yourself. If I had given in to the pressure or allowed those voices to control the narrative, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

That persistence paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Because of my determination, I was able to connect with studios like Lionsgate and Netflix, a testament to what can happen when you refuse to give up. In the Philippines I was invited to meet the Belgian Ambassador, as we are the only Belgian media startup in the USA and the only two Belgians filming in the Philippines for such a major event. To any young entrepreneur out there, I want to say: when people try to bring you down or tell you it can’t be done, use it as fuel. Your success will be your revenge. Believe in yourself and your vision, and don’t let anyone steer you off course. Resilience is your greatest asset—it opens doors to opportunities you never thought possible.

Overcoming these challenges also taught me that resilience is more than just weathering the storm—it’s about using those moments to fuel your passion even more. By staying strong, believing in myself, and pushing through, I was able to bring this documentary to life, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. We are currently in post production and are aiming to have the premiere in January 2025. Keep fighting for what you believe in, and success will follow.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot many times in my life, and each time, it’s pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. The first major pivot came when I was just 10 years old. My family moved from Italy to Belgium, and I didn’t speak the language. I’ll never forget that first day of school—I sat there, completely lost, unable to understand a single word of what anyone was saying. It was overwhelming, but it was also a moment where I realized I had to adapt. I threw myself into learning the language, making friends, and slowly building a new life in a foreign place.

Fast forward to 2016, and I found myself at another crossroads. I decided to move to the USA, not only switching countries and continents again but also making a bold career shift by pursuing acting. This was an entirely new field for me—one that I had never formally studied. It was intimidating, but I knew deep down that this was my calling. I dove into acting school, determined to follow my passion, despite how radically different it was from my previous path. I also don’t have any family here so I had to do it by myself. I sold everything I had to move to the US, so there is no way back.

Then, just as I was getting started in acting, the pandemic hit. Like so many others in the entertainment industry, I had to pivot once more. Acting jobs disappeared, and I found myself going back to my marketing roots, opening the first U.S. branch of one of the largest B2B marketing agencies in Europe. But even then, I knew this wasn’t the final stop on my journey.

That’s when I made my next pivot—starting my own production company, MOVART. Each of these moments of change required me to step into the unknown, to embrace uncertainty and trust that the new path would eventually lead to something meaningful. Every pivot, whether in language, location, career, or business, has taught me that growth only comes when you’re willing to adapt and keep pushing forward.

For anyone facing a big change, I want to say this: don’t be afraid to pivot. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that you find your greatest strength. Embrace the challenges, and you might just discover that the new direction leads to something even greater than you imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eriksopracasa.com and www.movart.tv
• Instagram: @eriksopracasa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriksopracasa

Image Credits

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