Today, we’d like to introduce you to Emanuele Pica.
Hi Emanuele, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was born and raised in Rome, Italy, where, at a young age, I discovered my passion for filmmaking. Growing up I facedpersonal obstacles, and I would turn my focus to movies as a means of escaping the real world. My interest in films continued to grow, and by 20, I decided to devote my career to it. By 2004, I was accepted into the University of Roma Tre, where Iearned my B.A. in film studies.
My professional career started as a script editor for Fandango, a nationally recognized production company in Italy, where Ireviewed and edited scripts, as well as supported on some of the company’s productions. The pivotal moment of my career was in 2007, when I saw an opportunity to move to Australia to enrol at Griffith University, one of the country’s top film schools, to earn my M.F.A.
That’s when my portfolio began to grow. By 2017, I relocated to Los Angeles, CA, where I had a chance to work with some of Hollywood’s biggest artists including American singer, actress, and television personality Kelly Rowland, and R&B artist Eric Bellinger.
Over the years I have produced feature films, documentaries, music videos, commercials, corporate videos, and more. I havewon awards for various short films including Best Film at RIFF, one of the most renowned independent European festivals.Part of my growth was dedicated to travelling the globe extensively, which folds my worldly perspectives into my film work.
In 2021, I wrote and directed an experimental film, THE GOLF BALL, which was inspired by a defining moment in mypersonal life. My second film, 2022 feature-length thriller STRANGER, starring Taylor Jabara and Jacob Taylor, is available on Amazon Prime Video, Mometu, and V Channels. More recently, in 2024 it was released my feature-length film THE BOX, a claustrophobic horror/thriller starring award-winning actress Christy St. John, Bryan Scamman, and Chiyeko Jones, available on Mometu.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggle is to keep confident and faithful.
It is a long road with lots of ups and downs, and especially for a director, it takes a very long time to gain recognition, and it is at times tough to cope with the wait and the expectations while life goes on and you also need to find ways to support yourself. Making movies is expensive, and you can well monetize out of it, but to get to that point, you will first need to bite a lot of dust.
At the same time, you are bound to be comfortable with your craft in a competitive world that sometimes helps you but that more often will work to find your flaws. We’re all fighting our battles, and the strongest of all is to keep focused and think of work on a daily basis to build the best version of yourself, knowing that it’s going to happen one day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have worked on micro-budget feature films, short films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. I am most proud that I’ve had to shift and change it up in order to elevate myself and improve my skills, and while I had some tough moments, I saw every challenge as a new opportunity to learn something new.
I like to get better, and I love working in a creative space with interesting minds that educate my curiosity more and more. Making film is a stressful environment where you can have a lot of fun if you find the right balance. I like to see myself as someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously but who approaches every situation with a serious attitude.
To have an idea and work agains tons of obstacles to end up having a finished film in your hands, after many years, it is a gratifying and also an exhausting feeling, but it’s the essence that moves us forward.
Ultimately, I work to create something that may bring joy, entertainment, and a fresh take on the many sides of life.
What’s next?
I am financing and casting my next film, Hollywood noir JACK CLAYBORNE. We aim to film in Q1 2025. I’m also finalizing the screenplay to adapt the bestselling intelligence novel COMMISSIONE D’INCHIESTA.
I am currently producing two short films and brainstorming the concept for a romantic comedy feature.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emanuelepica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_emanuelepica/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuelepica/
Image Credits
Gregory J. Kasunich
