We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emanuele Pica a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emanuele, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I have been passionate about pursuing a creative and artistic path for as long as I can remember. The spark ignited around the age of 8 years old when my dad bought me my first computer. While many kids were engrossed in video games, I found myself dedicating countless hours to writing stories. It was during those early years that I realized storytelling was something I felt deeply connected to.
My creative aspirations carried through into college, where my initial goal was to become a journalist. Writing remained a central part of my identity, and I pursued it with enthusiasm. However, I had a secret, one that I held close to my heart: I harbored a deep desire to become a screenwriter. The world of film had always held a crucial place in my life, and the dream of crafting stories for the screen simmered within me. It wasn’t until I reached the age of 27 and embarked on a journey at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, where I was pursuing a Master’s degree in Film, that I truly understood my calling. The program offered a minor in film production, and it was during this time that I was tasked with creating a short film. It was a turning point in my life. Collaborating with a friend, we developed the concept of a mockumentary about a mysterious monster living in the Brisbane River. The moment I stepped behind the camera to direct the cast and crew, I had an epiphany – I had found my true ambition. The rush of creativity, the thrill of bringing a story to life, and the orchestration of the entire filmmaking process resonated with me on a profound level. It was in that moment that I realized my heart’s desire was to be a film director. Since then, I’ve pursued this dream with unwavering dedication and a sense of purpose that continues to drive my creative journey. It is my ultimate aspiration to give back to this medium that has given me so much by creating films that captivate and influence audiences in a profound way.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a filmmaker with a deep-rooted passion for the art of cinema. I hail from the enchanting city of Rome, Italy, where my love for film was kindled at a young age. Growing up, I encountered the typical challenges of school, friends, and family, and it was through the captivating world of movies that I found my escape. As my fascination with films continued to flourish, I made a pivotal decision at the age of 20 to dedicate my career to this mesmerizing medium. To equip myself with the necessary knowledge and skills, I embarked on a journey to the University of Roma Tre, where I pursued a B.A. in film studies. It was a formative period that set the stage for my cinematic endeavors.
My professional journey commenced as a script editor for Fandango, a renowned production company in Italy. In this role, I meticulously reviewed and edited scripts, and I had the privilege of contributing to several of the company’s noteworthy productions. In 2007, I recognized an exciting opportunity on the horizon and made the move to Queensland, Australia, where I enrolled at Griffith University, a distinguished institution in the realm of film education. Here, I earned my M.F.A. and continued to refine my craft. My portfolio as a filmmaker expanded rapidly, and by 2017, I found myself in the heart of the entertainment industry, in Los Angeles, California. It was here that I had the privilege of collaborating with some of Hollywood’s most prominent artists, including the likes of American singer, actress, and television personality Kelly Rowland, and R&B artist Eric Bellinger.
One of the defining moments in my career and life occurred in 2021 when I wrote and directed an experimental feature film, “The Golf Ball.” Inspired by a deeply personal experience, this project allowed me to explore the profound impact of cinema on our lives. In 2022, my directorial work continued with the release of “Stranger,” a feature-length film now available on Amazon Prime Video and V Channels. In October 2023, I completed my third feature-length film, “The Box.” This spine-chilling horror/thriller was produced by David Dubinsky, Niccolò Messina and Gene Stone. The film stars Bryan Scamman with the main song from Grammy winning singer/songwriter, Paulina Aguirre, and original score from Dario Forzato. The film is slated for an international release in 4th quarter 2023.
I recently embarked on my dream project, a feature-length film about what happens when “Jack Clayborne”, one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, disappears. His professional team then try to replace him with a struggling actor who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jack, creating a tumultuous chain of events that showcase the glitzy world of fame, power, and greed as they collide in a gripping noir portrayal of modern Hollywood’s underbelly, where lives unravel in pursuit of success.
“Jack Clayborne” was written by Gene Stone, William Halfon and Jonathan Doyle. The film is currently being pitched to American and International investors and production companies, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working on this story, which has the potential for a large budget movie.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I had to make a significant pivot in my life, and it was a transformative experience. In January 2020, my family and I were facing a challenging period. I found myself in a situation where my confidence was wavering. Relocating from Italy to the USA, especially with the responsibility of supporting a family of five, while being physically distant from friends and relatives, was undeniably daunting. The weight of the American challenge loomed large, and it was a moment of overwhelming uncertainty. Then, life took an unexpected and painful turn with the sudden loss of my 34 year old brother-in-law to suicide, came as a profound shock. This event had a profound impact on me, and it triggered a shift in my mindset.
When the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an unexpected storm that disrupted lives globally. Strangely, amidst these challenging circumstances, I found new strength and conviction within myself. It was as if a switch had been flipped within me. Rather than succumbing to the grief and uncertainty, I chose to channel my sorrow into creative energy. It was during this tumultuous period that I made my directorial debut with “The Golf Ball.” This project became more than just a creative endeavor; it was a testament to resilience and a determination to pursue my passion despite the odds.
The process of turning adversity into an opportunity for artistic expression was a defining moment in my life. It taught me the power of creativity as a coping mechanism and a source of strength during trying times. I discovered that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, we have the capacity to adapt, evolve, and use our creativity to find new pathways to personal and professional growth. This pivotal moment in my life reinforced my belief in the transformative power of art and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a chapter of my journey that I carry with me as a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, we can find the light within ourselves to pivot and create something beautiful.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I had to unlearn was a common one in the filmmaking world, and it revolved around the idea of measuring success by certain external markers. At the beginning of my filmmaking career, I held the belief that success was synonymous with having an agent representing me, securing the backing of an Academy Award-winning producer, and gaining exposure at prestigious film festivals. It seemed like the path to success in the industry. At around the age of 30, I experienced a phase where it felt like I had achieved all of these milestones. I had an agent, one of the most influential Italian producers had signed on to produce one of my films, and I was regularly attending festivals. It was an exhilarating period in my career, and I thought I had made it.
However, as time progressed, I began to see the cracks in this perception of success. The agent I had wasn’t effectively promoting my career, the film with the renowned producer wasn’t materializing as expected, and the enchanting festival atmosphere started to lose its luster. It was a stark wake-up call. It was then that I realized I needed to unlearn the notion that success in the filmmaking world was solely based on these external factors. I needed to become less naive and more proactive. While it’s true that success often requires collaboration and the support of a network, I came to understand that I had to be the driving force behind my own success.
I had to embrace the idea that it takes a village to succeed in life, but I had to be the first one willing to put in the hard work. The external markers I had relied on for validation were important, but they were just part of the equation. Success, I realized, wasn’t about waiting for opportunities to come to me; it was about creating opportunities through my dedication, determination, and hard work. This shift in perspective led me to focus more on the process of filmmaking, honing my craft, and building meaningful relationships within the industry. I learned that true success wasn’t about accolades and external validation but about personal growth, resilience, and the ability to adapt and evolve in a dynamic field like filmmaking. Unlearning the narrow definition of success was a crucial step in my journey, and it has ultimately made me a more driven and self-reliant filmmaker.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emanuelepica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_emanuelepica/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emanuele.pica
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuelepica/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MagpieRepublic
Image Credits
Photo 1: Emanuele Pica and actor Bryan Scamman Photo 3: Emanuele Pica and actress Taylor Jabara