We were lucky to catch up with Pierre Tsigaridis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Pierre thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

When I was a kid, my parents would tell me a lot of stories. We travelled a lot and during these trips my mom would invent stories to keep us busy on planes and in airports. Obviously in the early ‘90s there were no iPad, smartphones etc. so as I kid, I would spend time playing with my toys and imagining stories for them.

My dad is Greek so he would tell me all about wonderful Greek myths and ancient Greek history. I would re-enact some stories with my toys. My mom is an avid reader, so she has a natural gift for making anything interesting.

I want to say storytelling has played a big role in my upbringing. I naturally became obsessed by movies very early on. Being fascinated by dinosaurs as a kid, my first strongest cinematic memory was watching Jurassic Park when it came out in France. I was hooked! I was 4 years old… The film was probably a little too scary and violent for my age but looking back, I’m glad my parents let me watch it at that age. It really sparked my fascination for storytelling through cinema.
“Scream” is the first movie that really made me want to be a director. I watched it when I was too young. It scared me and shocked me a little (especially the opening scene) but I loved every minute of it! I was around 8 years old and I immediately tried to replicate the scenes of the movie with my brother and our parents’ camcorder. This was my first filmmaking experience!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multi-faceted filmmaker based in Los Angeles, working as a director, cinematographer, writer, and producer. I have been residing in LA for the past seven years. Originally from Paris, I grew up there and pursued my studies in filmmaking. My focus was primarily on cinematography, allowing me to gain extensive practical experience in handling cameras and lighting. This technical foundation has greatly contributed to my success as a director and cinematographer.

Throughout my career, I have been captivated by the darker aspects of human nature. As a result, my work as a writer and director predominantly revolves around the horror genre, where I can explore and delve into these intriguing themes.

The first horror feature film that I directed was selected in prestigious festivals such as SITGES – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, being an artist is a truly rewarding endeavor for several reasons. You have the power to leave a mark on the world. Through your creativity and unique perspective, you can create works that resonate with others and make a lasting impact. By pouring your emotions and feelings into your art, you infuse it with a sense of authenticity and personal expression. Art is about being meaningful.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist is when people can relate to and connect with your art and creations. When your work resonates with others, evokes emotions, or sparks conversations, it creates a profound sense of connection and validation. Knowing that your art has touched someone’s life or inspired them in some way is incredibly gratifying and motivating.

Moreover, being an artist provides a sense of accomplishment. Each finished piece represents a journey of exploration, experimentation, and dedication. Looking back at my films allows me to see how far I’ve come, the progress I’ve made, the growth I’ve experienced as a filmmaker and the gratification of having accomplished something that you can reflect upon and be proud of.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The new film I’m working on at the moment: I’ve been shooting my film in very difficult conditions. Most of the shoot was at night while the temperature was 32 degrees F and I had to wear multiple hats such as operating a heavy camera rig handheld.

I’m in the editing process but recently realized I needed to reshoot some scenes. The editing process, in particular, can be demanding, riddled with moments of self-doubt and insecurities. However, it is during these challenging times that my resilience comes out.

I could just be satisfied with the film as it is but I realized I have to push harder.

I have to figure out budget constraints and push through obstacles to finish my new film the right way. My resilience allows me to stay true to my creative vision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @pierretsiga
• Twitter: @PTsigaridis