Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcel Andre.
Hi Marcel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey is quite unique, to say the least. I was raised in the small European country of Luxembourg. I grew up in a two-cultured household, with the hardworking mentality of a German father and the Latin flare of a Mexican mother. At six years old, I began to attend the International School of Luxembourg (ISL) where I remained until I graduated at 18, spending 12 years of my life at the very same school. At ISL, I was immersed in an array of cultures and backgrounds, for example, my graduating class had over 60 nationalities. Growing up in Luxembourg really shaped me into the artist that I am today, as I was influenced by a multitude of artistic mediums that expanded far beyond film. Traveling through Europe as a young boy and eventually as a teenager, my love for fashion and interior design truly blossomed. On my 18th birthday, I was accepted into the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Film and Television program. Finally, I had the opportunity to take these valuable experiences and translate my vision into my art, eventually creating layered and detail-oriented worlds in both my production design and styling work.
Shortly after graduating, I went on to work on a series of projects ranging from feature films, tv series, music videos, and more. I have worked with brands like Nike, Hulu, and William Sonoma, as well as the likes of popular artists like Nicki Minaj. I’ve gone on to production design the award-winning indie tv series Middlehood as well as Namaste Bitches. In addition, I have served as Art Director for the upcoming feature film The Mattachine Family starring Nico Tortorella and Emily Hampshire.
In 2022, I completed my NYU thesis film, Bread and Circuses, winning over 21 awards in categories such as Best Director, Best Production Design, and Best Short Film.
Today, I continue to production design and fashion style, but this time I am challenging myself in ways I never chose to in the past. I aspire to make my work bigger, bolder, and fiercer than ever before.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was as smooth as the rainbow road in Mario Kart. If you know, you know. Jokes aside, this path that I have embarked on took a long time to find and therefore, was not the smoothest. The truth is, I knew I wanted to be an artist, but we all know the tropes that come with that. While my friends sought to work at banks and be CEOs and surgeons, I wanted to act, paint, dance, and design. However, being a closeted boy at the time forced me to suppress the inner artist that lived within me.
As a result, I found myself at 17 years old uncertain of what I wanted to be and what legacy I wanted to leave behind. Do I follow everyone else, or do I say screw it and move to the biggest city in the world where I know no one and take a chance? I was scared but I knew what had to be done. A couple of months later, I found myself in one of the most fabulous cities in the world, NYC, and yet I was still lost. At first, no one took me seriously at NYU, no one thought I had it in me to be a filmmaker. Sure, I didn’t do the fancy film programs over the summer or work on my friend’s films, but I knew how to story tell and that was and is my greatest gift.
Eventually, fellow classmates took notice and asked me to help them with their films, and before you know it, I was THE production designer of my graduating class. But, I was still closeted and knew that If I ever wanted to truly be myself, I had to come out. Boom, I did just that, and the star within me shone so brightly, the rest is history. Now, not only am I authentically myself, but baby, now I’m in 1st place on the rainbow road.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a production designer and stylist who eventually aspires to be the creative director of their own fashion brand. I specialize in creative and art direction, set design, and fashion styling. The piece I am most proud of is my personal film titled ‘Bread and Circuses’ which I wrote, directed, and produced at 20 years old. As someone who is largely interested in world affairs and politics, it was vital for me to tell a story about the divisive political climate the United States was dealing with, particularly with the election of Donald Trump. Thus, while Bread and Circuses may follow the biblical story of Davinci’s painting The Last Supper, this story isn’t just a whimsical take on the most famous dinner in history. In fact, it’s a portrayal of the desperation of America’s elite class to cling to everlasting power and the extent to which they will go in order to achieve their goal, even as they are prepared to sacrifice those closest to them. The film went on to win awards I never thought imaginable, for instance, Best International Director at the Cannes International Independent Film Festival. In fact, the CIIFF committee unanimously voted to have the film be their first Best Student Film in the history of the festival.
I believe what sets me apart is my background. Not only did I have the opportunity to travel and see the world at a young age, but I am also fluent in English, Spanish, French, and German, which has gifted me the ability to work with so many incredible artists and people. Nevertheless, it’s also my hardworking mindset. None of this has been easy but I am committed to seeing my dreams become reality and will not rest until that’s the case.
What matters most to you? Why?
Seeing the dreams of my loved ones come to fruition at the end of all this is what matters most to me. After that, it’s me and by extension my art. It’s ensuring that what I create, whether it be a film set or creating an outfit, is an authentic representation of my capabilities as an artist. I strive for perfection, and I know what I want, so I will do everything I can to make sure that my storytelling is being portrayed in the way I see fit. I also love myself, as cheesy as it sounds, I do because I am proud of what I’ve achieved so far at 24 years old and I have to remind myself that even on the worst days I am here to create, innovate and tell stories.
It’s vital that my art depicts real-world issues and real people while also ingraining little nuggets of my own culture. I’ve been gifted with so much in this life, and my parents have worked so hard to help me achieve my dreams, so I absolutely do not plan on wasting these opportunities.
Like my dad always says, “Make It Happen”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lemarcelandre.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemarcelandre/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-andre-727713183/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lemarcelandre?lang=en
Image Credits
Image 002 (Man in orange sneakers) was photographed by Justin Ayers Image 004 (Nike Women’s Basketball Shoot) was photographed by Kanya Iwana
