Sophie Tabet

Unaffiliated

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
My first professionally directed work was for Amazon Prime in February of 2022. The video was a how-to on throwing your very own drag brunch at home, and it featured the fabulous Miss Peppermint. Funnily enough, back when I was at NYU, I used to go watch her perform on “Peppermint Mondays” at a drag club called Barracuda in NYC. I was delighted to have the opportunity to work with her!

How did you get into directing?
I’ve loved films since I was a child and for as long as I can remember, I’ve always seen my own life like a movie. But practically speaking, I do have one distinct memory of the moment it became clear: I was in an after school acting program, and during the first rehearsal of “Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events,” my teacher pulled me aside and asked me if I wouldn’t rather sit with her instead. She felt that I was better suited for “this side of the camera”, which not only confirmed how awkward I felt acting but also finally made everything click for me. And that was it, I was hooked. I “co-directed” the play at age 13 and never looked back!

What is your most recent project?
Most recently, I had the pleasure of directing an Alfa Romeo spot. To no one’s surprise at all, I’m obsessed with automotive and am looking to keep doing more of that! During the strike, my friends and I decided we wouldn’t let the lack of opportunity stunt our creativity – and so we came together to make a fun spoof trailer of a Nancy Meyers movie called Coastal Grandmother. There’s truly nothing better than working with friends and making something that encapsulates our shared humor!

I am also in soft prep on my debut feature Stone Cold Fox, which should be going any day now! I made a wickedly fun proof of concept that I am proud of.

What is the best part of being a director?
There are so many great parts about being a director… but the very best is being able to share an audio-visual snippet of what is going on in my brain. It’s having the opportunity to tell stories, to share perspective, to challenge norms and ultimately to change the status quo.

What is the worst part of being a director?
The wait.

What is your current career focus: commercials and branded content, television, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre–comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.?
Having focused primarily on narrative film and TV for the beginning of my career, I have now found myself more and more drawn to the commercial world. The dream would be to get to make cinematic and narratively-driven commercials, while still pushing my original features.

I have a real penchant for action-comedy (hence my love of fast cars) and as a lesbian from Lebanon (yes, that’s a reference to Mean Girls), I plan on genre-bending: gut-punching, pulpy, queer stories told with a habibi flare.

My main focus has always been the endless search for identity and the intrinsic need for connectivity: I aim to draw cultural bridges between the west and the middle east, the straight and the gay, often telling stories that encompass the complicated feelings about existing somewhere in between. All with a belly full of laughter, of course.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
My mentor is actually an NDS fellow, Nina Meredith. She has taught me so much – both technically and also theoretically. I always bounce my ideas off her, and she provides me not only with professional knowledge but with unwavering support – which as a woman in film, is crucial. She is the first person to encourage me to push my limits, and she has an impeccable eye. Getting to assist her on massive commercials has been a real learning experience.

Who is your favorite director and why?
My newest favorite director is Emma Seligman, who is just blazing a path for all of us queer women with big ideas. She is so incredibly impressive and has ignited a real fire in my belly. In terms of the directors that made me: Robert Zemeckis, Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?

• Favorite movie is very tough. If I have to pick one, to watch over and over again until the end of time… It’s The Mask (Jim Carrey).
• Favorite television show is Bad Sisters – and let me shout out my ultimate idol in the industry Sharon Horgan. An absolute legend.
• Favorite commercial: That Levis commercial of the man and woman running through walls – it’s called “Odyssey” by Jonathan Glazer.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I was born in NYC, raised in London, and my parents are French-Lebanese. I have three passports, but none of the countries know about the others.
I went to Tisch for Film & TV, and I began directing short content and music videos after graduation. After trying my hand at producing (I worked as an exec for a small production company), I eventually dedicated my time to sharpening my writing skills, and have since written two TV shows and a handful of features with my writing partner, Julia Roth.

I also started an art publication called Unemployed Magazine in 2015 with Cecile Winckler, which has allowed me to exercise the other creative parts of my brain, working with photographers, painters and illustrators to create a numbered annual print. We’ve since expanded into a creative agency and get to work on fashion campaigns amongst other things.

Have you had occasion to bring your storytelling/directorial talent to bear in the Metaverse, tapping into the potential of AR, VR, AI, NFTs and/or experiential fare? If so, tell us about that work and what lessons you have taken away from the experience?
I have not, but I am interested in learning all about it!

Contact

• Sophie Tabet, www.landedny.com, Email: sophie@landedny.com