Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Sopracasa
Hi Erik, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Erik Sopracasa and I was born in Italy, in a small city close to Venice. At the age of 10 I moved to Belgium with parents and that’s where I grew up most of my life. It was my mother who introduced me to the arts from a very young age, I was probably around 6 years old, she pushed me to play an instrument and I chose the piano. I was also always performing with friends, we would set up small shows for our families and friends, but I never really thought of pursing a career in the entertainment industry until much later on. When I was 14 I actually focused sole on soccer, in Europe it’s of course much bigger than in the USA, and my dream was to play professionally and do that for the rest of my life but unfortunately when I received a chance to move to the other side of the country to play with a team I didn’t do it. I still regret it all the way until today, but that also taught me a lesson which brought me eventually to the US.
But before I moved to the US I studied marketing and when I graduated from University I worked for Samsung Electronics and then for a big bank. I’ve always been intrigued by acting and filmmaking but in Belgium it’s such a small industry that I never thought about actually pursuing it as a career. During my time at Samsung I started researching more about schools and couldn’t let it go, especially later on when I was working for the bank. I really didn’t like that job and kept asking myself if I would want to do it for the rest of my life or try something that seemed to be something I was really interested in. I remembered what happened when I played soccer, and I didn’t want to have another “what if”. So eventually I auditioned for Stella Adler in Los Angeles, got in, and that’s how it all started.
I quit my job at the bank, did a few extra jobs to earn some extra money before making the big move the US. Many people thought I was crazy. Why would you leave your stable job to go studying acting in the USA?
When I arrived in LA, it was really like a dream come true. It was my first time in the USA and I was walking to school every day right there on Hollywood Blvd.
After a few months I decided to move to NYC and continue at Stella Adler there. Because the two schools don’t work together I had to audition again and got in. In NYC I had the opportunity to work with The Acting Company with Ian Belknap and founder Margot Harley. There I learned about the production side of theatre in NYC and worked with Morgan Freeman, Walter Bobbie, Dana Ivey and many more. It was an amazing experience and I will be for ever grateful.
Then the pandemic started and I had to switch gears and went back into marketing and that’s also when I met another Belgian actor in NYC, Tom Sys, who’s path of moving to the US was very similar to mine. We brainstormed about how we could work together as we were both planning for our US work visa and started writing a film together. That’s where I realized how the industry was changing and how important it was becoming to do much more than just one job. Actors were becoming writers, directors, producers etc. So we decided to start our own production company and creative agency: MOVART.
In this industry, just like in many other industries, you need work to get work. So we immediately started planning to build up our portfolio. We shot short films and some spec ads for several brands. In just one year we achieved to win several awards for directing and writing, we just finished a rebranding for one of the oldest breweries in Austin, Texas, and we will have the world premiere of a documentary we shot this year during 5 months in The Philippines, on January 11, 2025 in Manila. Something we really look forward to!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth road. Moving from one continent to another is always difficult especially if you have to start from zero and do it all by yourself. It’s probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. I didn’t have any family of friends living in the US when I moved here. It’s actually now, by doing this interview that I realize it actually, that I really moved here by myself to pursue my dream and really left everything behind. You don’t have time to stand still when you move here and want to succeed because every minute counts if you want to get your work visa and build up a career.
When you make the jump, you also don’t know what’s coming. Many times I thought I probably faced the most difficult challenge and then there is a next one to overcome.
Starting our company has also not been easy, it’s a big risk, you’ll meet a lot of interesting people along the way but you’ll also meet people you’ll want to stay away from. That’s the risk of entrepreneurship, there is no one there holding your hand or protecting you. You are on your own and you have to figure it out. I think for most entrepreneurs it’s just something they have to do. It’s hard to explain. It’s this need to create, to work, to push the boundaries, even when things seem impossible.
The biggest lesson I learned is to not give up, never give up. The difference between succeeding or not, often is just to start whatever it is you want to do and keep going. Many people are afraid to start and really do it, because it’s scary, there are many things that can go wrong, there are many risks, many people will tell you it’s a bad idea, and it’s hard to be ahead of others. It’s really difficult to not start doubting when it seams like you are the only one thinking a certain way. It can be a pretty lonely place. But that’s when you know you are on to something and you cannot give up. That’s mostly how I overcome the challenges I face, maybe I’m just also pretty stubborn but it works :-), I just don’t give up until I achieve whatever it is I’m working for.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
MOVART is a dynamic production company and creative agency specializing in brand strategy, video production, design, virtual production, and social media management. We excel in helping brands build vibrant communities and connect authentically with their audiences by crafting compelling visual narratives and strategic campaigns.
What sets us apart is our ability to merge artistic creativity with marketing expertise. Our roots are deeply connected to resilience and innovation, allowing us to thrive in challenging circumstances. As the first Belgian actor to graduate from the Stella Adler Studio in NYC combined with 18 years of experience in Sales and Marketing my strength is to bring a unique perspective to storytelling and branding.
We’re especially proud of our first feature documentary about Miss Universe Philippines, which will be streaming on Netflix. This groundbreaking project showcases our ability to create world-class content that resonates with global audiences. Another highlight of this year that we are proud of includes the rebranding of a U.S. beer brand based in Austin, Texas, where our designs transformed the brand’s identity and prepared it to make a bold market statement. It’s amazing to see the designs we created being in all the stores all over Austin.
At MOVART, we don’t just create content; we craft experiences that elevate brands, engage customers, and drive success. Whether it’s through visually stunning design assets, captivating video content, or strategic campaign planning, our mission is to inspire and connect.
We’d love for readers to know that MOVART isn’t just a creative agency—it’s a partner in bringing bold ideas to life and building brands that truly matter.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Working with MOVART is simple and collaborative—we thrive on partnerships that bring creative visions to life. Here are some ways people can connect with us:
1. Engage Us for Your Next Project
Whether you need a brand strategy, video production, design, or social media management, MOVART offers a full suite of services tailored to your goals. We work closely with clients to deliver results-driven campaigns and visually stunning content.
2. Collaborate with Us Creatively
Are you a creative professional—designer, filmmaker, writer, or strategist—looking for meaningful collaborations? We welcome partnerships with like-minded individuals and companies who want to push boundaries in storytelling and branding.
3. Support Our Work
Follow us on social media and share our projects to help spread the word about our mission and creativity. If you’re a fan of engaging stories and unique brand experiences, your support means everything to us. You can find us on Instagram @movart.tv
4. Invest in Unique Storytelling
If you’re in the media or entertainment industry, we’re always open to discussing opportunities to co-produce or promote impactful content.
5. Join Our Community
We’re more than a company; we’re a community of creatives, brands, and audiences united by a passion for storytelling. Go to our website www.movart.tv and subscribe to our newsletter there to stay up to date!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eriksopracasa.com and www.movart.tv
- Instagram: @eriksopracasa and @movart.tv
