Severine Reisp

Cutter Entertainment

What was your first professionally directed work and when was it?
After earning my MFA in Film in 2021, I directed advertising work for various artists and brands. The first project that truly reflects my style as a director is the commercial I created for the original MJ Jordan Nike sneakers in 2022. I also directed a video promoting Richard Gere’s original photography collection around the same time.

How did you get into directing?
I have always been drawn to filmmaking. Initially, my background in choreography and ballet captivated me, especially the parallels between envisioning a scene and choreographing a dance. One of my first professors at Sarah Lawrence encouraged me to try her directing class, suggesting that many dancers make excellent directors. I took her advice and became hooked, ultimately earning my MFA in Film.

What is your most recent project?
I recently directed a video for a pharmaceutical company, along with various promotional content for Broadway, including a music video.

What is the best part of being a director?
The most magical aspect is being on set and watching all the elements come together harmoniously. I thrive on the continuous learning curve each shoot presents and the joy of collaborating with a talented crew.

What is the worst part of being a director?
With so many voices on set, it can be challenging to assert your vision. I’ve learned the importance of standing up for my ideas while also trusting my instincts.

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.?
Currently, my focus is on commercials, digital, and branded content. I also work on developing my own films. My experience spans high-end luxury content, editorial work, health content, and theater. I tend to be drawn to dramas but don’t want to confine me to only one genre. Recently, I’ve started filming more as a cinematographer.

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?
I consider Hillary Cutter, the founder of my production company, to be a mentor. I also learn a great deal from my collaborators on set, especially Wolfgang Held, an Emmy®-winning cinematographer I frequently work with. Together, we grow and learn from each other in the industry.

Who is your favorite director and why?
My favorite commercial director is Bruno Aveillan, known for his distinct and elegant visual style. I also admire Chloé Zhao’s work because of her intimate storytelling and authentic portrayals of real people.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content?
My favorite movie is La La Land.  For television, I love Chef’s Table. My favorite commercial is Cartier’s “Odyssey,” directed by Bruno Aveillan.

Tell us about your background (i.e., where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I’m a filmmaker based in New York, originally from Germany. I pursued ballet seriously as a teenager, leading me to audition for conservatories abroad. A scholarship allowed me to immerse myself in dance and academics, fostering my love for art and film. I later accepted a presidential scholarship for filmmaking at Sarah Lawrence College and earned my MFA from City College of New York. Directing a film is like choreographing a dance, blending storytelling and visuals to create a truly immersive experience.

I’ve directed award-winning short films, and from September 2021 to September 2023, I was a creative producer and video director for Christie’s, working on commercials for brands like Nike and Cartier and individuals like Richard Gere and Diane von Fuerstenberg. In 2023 my work has been awarded several Telly Awards.

In 2024, I joined Cutter Entertainment as a director, and I’m also an in-house creative producer at Marathon Digital, creating content about award-winning Broadway shows.

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 directed a short documentary about Keith Haring’s digital art, which was sold as NFTs, and another about NFT artist Sam Spratt. These projects showed me how art is constantly evolving and how different mediums can offer new outlets for filmmakers.

Contact

Cutter Entertainment
Website: https://www.cutterentertainment.com
Contact Hillary E. Cutter, Founder & Executive Producer via email here.