Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victor Pigasse. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Victor, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful and challenging project I’ve undertaken is undoubtedly my first feature film, Bottled Up (originally titled Game of Love). I produced and directed it. It’s a comedy of errors set entirely in one house over the course of a single night, following a group of people who have placed their love in all the wrong places. The film explores love in its most misguided forms—heartbreak, miscommunication, and the irrational hope that often follows. As a French filmmaker, I wanted to blend the craziness of French vaudeville with the energy and rhythm of American screwball comedies that I admire.

As an independent feature, the process was difficult from start to finish, but I was fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible team. Producer Manya Glassman, cinematographer Sam Motamedi and editor Andrew Migliori were essential collaborators. I was also lucky to receive guidance and support from Spike Lee, my former professor at NYU, who read the script, gave me valuable notes, and wrote a recommendation letter to help with financing.

Preparation was everything. Sam and I scanned the entire house and recreated it in 3D, which allowed us to shot-list the film with precision. We also held rehearsals a few days before the shoot, which led us to rework some blocking based on the actors’ instincts—those adjustments made the scenes feel much more alive.

We shot the film in Providence, Rhode Island, both for artistic and logistical reasons. The entire crew was made up of fellow creatives, friends, and local collaborators. Their dedication and hard work were beyond anything I could have hoped for, and the results have been outstanding with our team winning the post-production Clive Davis Award for Excellence in Music in Film.. Directing and acting at the same time was a real challenge, but I felt completely supported and in the safest creative environment possible. The Providence community welcomed us warmly and made a huge difference.

Having made many shorts before, this feature felt like running a marathon. There were countless discoveries and hardships along the way, but thanks to thorough preparation and a passionate team, the process went surprisingly smoothly. I learned a great deal from the mistakes I made, and Bottled Up remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life—and the project I’m most proud of to this day.

Victor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Victor Pigasse. I’m a film director, producer, writer from Paris, France, and I’ve been living in New York for the past six years.

I’ve always loved movies, but it took me some time to realize that filmmaking was not just a passion—it was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. Once I made that decision, I fully committed to exploring every aspect of it.

I studied Liberal Arts at Sciences Po Paris, where I had the opportunity to explore acting, directing, and screenwriting. During that time, I created a web series and enrolled in the drama school Les Cours Florent, while also joining an improv group. I gained valuable industry experience working as a producer at companies like Iconoclast in Los Angeles and Les Films du Worso in Paris. I also earned a master’s degree in finance from Sciences Po, which continues to be a key asset in my work as a producer.

These diverse experiences eventually led me to apply to the MFA program in Film Direction at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where I was fortunate to be accepted.

I believe that not studying filmmaking immediately after high school allowed me to develop a broader set of skills and a more flexible mindset. My background in finance helps me approach production with a practical perspective. My acting experience is important when working with actors, and at NYU, I took on every crew role I could—giving me a deep appreciation and understanding of the entire filmmaking process.

Over the years, I’ve built a wide range of experience by wearing many hats and adapting to the needs of each project. My work on impactful film projects such as “How I Learned to Die”, “La Sape”, “Ménage À Trois”, “A Clean Break”, “On The Run”, “Sticky”, “Together or Separate”, “Remember to Remember”, “Deep Tissue”, “Acquiescence”, and more have all received wide acclaim within the international entertainment market and winning awards at Oscar-qualifying film festivals such as the Tribeca Film Festival, the Rhode Island International Film Festival… I enjoy being versatile and collaborative, and I take pride in bringing together all the skills I’ve developed to tell meaningful stories on screen.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a student at Sciences Po Paris, I majored in political science with a concentration in economics, later earning a master’s degree in finance. From high school onward, I was deeply drawn to macroeconomic issues, and I initially envisioned a career in public policy or international finance—perhaps at a think tank like the OFCE (Observatoire Français des Conjonctures Économiques), or institutions such as the IMF or the European Central Bank. I shaped my academic path with those ambitions in mind.

While at university, however, I had the opportunity to explore a completely different field: filmmaking. I had always loved cinema, but diving into screenwriting, producing, and directing introduced me to a new language of expression. I then decided to take a gap year to gain practical experience, working with legendary production companies around the world. It was a great way to merge my analytical background with creative storytelling.

It confirmed my desire to take filmmaking seriously. Being accepted into the MFA program in Film Directing at NYU Tisch was a defining moment. Since then, I’ve been working as a director and producer, finding that my training in finance remains a vital asset—particularly in managing the business and production sides of the industry.

I am definitely interested in creating or producing, at some point in my career, films or television series that explore economic and political themes.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching an audience react to a film you’ve directed or produced. It’s a challenging process, but one of the most rewarding aspects of being a filmmaker. It has been an amazing achievement to see my work being adored by international audiences and being featured at legendary film
festivals such as Tribeca Film Festival, the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the New York Shorts International Film Festival, Independent Short Awards, Indie Short Fest, Prague International Indie Film, and more. I’ve seen people cry, laugh, and connect deeply with projects I’ve worked on, and those moments are incredibly gratifying. I make films to take people on emotional journeys, to stir feelings and spark reactions. Not everyone will respond the same way, and some may not connect with the film at all—but my goal is always to move as many people as possible. Being a filmmaker also allows me to share personal subject matters with the world and hopefully connect with some people.

Another rewarding aspect for me is collaboration. Filmmaking is an intensely collaborative art form—dozens, sometimes hundreds of people come together to serve a single vision: the director’s. It’s truly a team effort, and none of it would be possible without the commitment and creativity of every department working in harmony. As a director, I try to communicate my vision clearly while staying open to suggestions and fresh ideas. As a producer, I do everything I can to help realize the director’s vision, while also contributing my perspective and encouraging open dialogue. It’s this collaborative energy that makes the process so fulfilling—and ultimately brings the best out of everyone involved.

Contact Info:

• Other: Vimeo link : https://vimeo.com/user46696847IMDB : https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11622386/

Image Credits

From left to right :

1) Sam Motamedi and Victor Pigasse ( on the set of the feature Bottled Up 2025, previously titled Game of Love )

2) Victor Pigasse ( on the set of the feature Bottled Up 2025, previously titled Game of Love )

3) Victor Pigasse ( screenshot from the feature Bottled Up 2025, previously titled Game of Love )

4) Victor Pigasse ( on the set of a commercial in Abidjan, Ivory Coast )

5) Victor Pigasse and Arnaud Pourredon ( on the set of a commercial in Abidjan; Ivory Coast )

6) Screenshot of the short Sticky ( 2019 ) directed and produced by Victor Pigasse

7) Screenshot of the short On The Run ( 2021 ) directed and produced by Victor Pigasse

8) Screenshot of the short A Clean Break ( 2022 ) directed and produced by Victor Pigasse