The talented LA PAC and C41 director lives in Milan but would rather be in Paris, mainly listens to music by dead people and winning at the UKMVAs last year took her by surprise. Alice Fassi tells us about the work that defines her and reveals her maxim for bigger and bolder creativity. 

Name: Alice Fassi

Birthday: 25.09.94

Where did you grow up? In Milano (unfortunately). 

Place of further education and course (if any)? SAE Institute in “Filmmaking” course. 

Where do you live now? In Milano. Trying to move to Paris again. 

Name a film or video or other creative work that had a huge influence on your career choice?

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, for sure. I’ve watched it so many times since I was a kid, and it still surprises me every time. It’s just so impressive what they pulled off. That mix of animation and live action felt kind of magical to me, and I think it really shaped the way I see storytelling - the mix of 'grounded' and absurd.

It really shaped the way I see storytelling - the mix of 'grounded' and absurd.

What were the important first projects for you, in terms of a learning experience and getting noticed, or a foothold in the industry?

I would say my music videos were definitely a turning point, especially Onions, by Cults. They wanted something with a horror-humour tone, inspired by Beetlejuice, which was exactly what I was looking for. It was the first project where I truly felt I could express myself 100%.

Then my commercial for Salomon, which I shot last year in Georgia, was another key experience. It was a very fun project and allowed me to merge my love for fashion with a slightly more absurd, unexpected twist, which is something that really defines my work.

And finally, my film for Vogue in collaboration with Maserati. One of my very first projects. It gave me the opportunity to express myself with choreography, entirely shot on 16mm film.

Best film(s) you saw last year?

I’ll stick to films that were actually released last year, otherwise the list would get way too long! I’d say: 28 Years Later, Bugonia, The Shrouds, One Battle After Another and Weapons.

Favourite song/album/music artist in the past year?

I mostly listen to music by people who are dead. So again let’s focusing on contemporary music: LCD Soundsystem, Sleaford Mods, La Femme, Fontaines DC, Future Islands. Would love to make a music video for any of them!

In the US last summer... I felt like I was living inside of a movie.

Favourite music video/videos in the past year? 

Doechii's Denial Is A River, Sabrina Carpenter's Taste, and pretty much all the A$AP Rocky videos. They feel like really fun characters to build a video around, and you can tell there’s a lot of creative collaboration there.

What was (or usually is) your favourite night out last year?

Oh, I had so many. I’d say all the nights where I actually experienced something, not just going out for the sake of leaving the house. In the US last summer, it all felt quite folkloristic. I felt like I was living inside of a movie. 

In terms of the music video-related jobs of the past year or so, what were the most rewarding creatively, and why?

Last year I only shot one music video. It was for Joy Crookes’s track Carmen. Joy is such an amazing character and we were very aligned creatively, so the process felt smooth. It’s just a shame we couldn’t shoot everything we had planned, or fully realize the vision the way I had imagined it.

Most annoying or irksome thing that’s been going on this year, work-related or otherwise?

I feel like directors should be protected more. Sometimes we pitch against more than five other directors without even knowing it. Writing a treatment is a lot of unpaid work, and it’s frustrating to see that effort not being properly recognized.

What are your favourite other (non-mv) projects of the past year or so?

I would say my commercial for Salomon, which I mentioned earlier. Then Born To Create Drama, a short narrative film. That project was particularly exciting because we shot it in just one day, entirely on an iPhone, with a kid actor at his very first experience, and there was something really raw and honest about that. The film opened the YDA winners screening in Cannes last year which makes what we achieved feel even more surreal.

And finally The Testimonial, a short film I directed for the 150th anniversary of Audemars Piguet, starring Pierfrancesco Favino. That experience was the complete opposite from the previous, in a way. It gave me the chance to work with a highly experienced actor, and to really explore how much you can play and even improvise when you’re collaborating with someone who has such mastery of their craft.

What’s the most surprising thing that’s happened last year?

Work-wise I would say winning the UKMVA with my music video Onions for Cults! I was so surprised I hadn’t even prepared a short 'thank you' speech.

Your top suggestion to change and improve how the music video industry works?

I would try to make the process more fluid. Everything always feels urgent, even before things properly begin. Since budgets are often very tight, having more time would really help in finding better creative solutions.

What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?

Plenty of adventures and lots of super fun films!!!

• Alice Fassi is with LA PAC in France, C41 in Italy, with represented for music videos in the UK by Hurry Sundown. Watch more of her work here.