#MoversandShakers #StephenSoucy #Producer #MerchantIvory Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know @GaroNazarianDDS #cosmopolitandental #loveyoursmile
.jpg)
Stephen Soucy
The Best Dentist in Manhattan & Official Dentist of Whom You Know:
30 E. 40th Suite 1001
(212) 683-1960
Dr. Garo Nazarian is a Mover and Shaker, and was the first featured: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/01/movers-and-shakers-dr-garo-nazarian-of.html
Dr. Nazarian, a graduate of Boston College and Columbia Dental School, opened Cosmopolitan Dental in 2006 and has grown in practice into one of the top cosmetic and dental implant practices in New York City. Cosmopolitan Dental strives to surpass all patients' expectations by catering to your dental needs while providing the utmost professional results. Cosmopolitan Dental has been recognized by America's Top Dentists and has earned both the Patients' choice award and the Doctors' choice award. Dr. Garo Nazarian is a proud member of the New York State Dental Association, New York County Dental Society and the American Dental Association. Cosmopolitan Dental loves to make you smile!
***
Stephen Soucy is a producer at Modernist Film and produces theater via Stephen Soucy Productions. Current projects include Merchant Ivory, previously Highly Recommended by Whom You Know, a documentary feature film, executive produced by Academy Award-winning director and screenwriter, James Ivory. Merchant Ivory will be released theatrically and distributed worldwide by Cohen Media Group in 2024.
Next film projects in development include: the short film, Reggie Rose, which Soucy will shoot March 2024. Reggie Rose is adapted from a story by David Ebershoff (The Danish Girl). Orientation, an original feature screenplay, and a screenplay adaptation and independent production of trailblazing gay fiction writer, John Rechy's award-winning novel, After the Blue Hour, are in the cue as well.
Soucy’s career goal is to keep making art, to keep driving projects forward with passion and persistence, to work with passionate collaborators, and to tell stories that inspire and make people think and react.
Soucy finishes every project he embarks on and aims to be a producer for projects that don't originate with him. He wants to learn via every opportunity he’s given. Soucy partners with the people he works with; he knows how to lead but is always open to input from collaborators. He wants everyone he works with to come away having a positive experience. He feels it's an honor to be able to work in film and create work that can impact an audience, so he comes to the work from a place of gratefulness.
Soucy is excellent at visioning a film and taking all the steps necessary along the trajectory to get to completion. He’s raised and secured financing on every project he’s been involved with - both film and theatrical. Asking for the financing and maintaining solid relationships with financing entities is a strength Soucy has nurtured. He’s budgeted all his projects and knows how to cut costs to get a project over the finish line. Soucy negotiated his distribution deal with Cohen Media Group for Merchant Ivory. Those negotiations were tense and challenging and Soucy emerged with an excellent deal that should bring he and his investors to recoupment
Soucy is interested in both narrative and documentary feature films. He hasn’t found his next doc subject, but he’s pitched a few.
Soucy feels his greatest achievement, thus far in film is the feature documentary film, Merchant Ivory. The project took three years to complete. Soucy knows he’s preserved cinema history, by driving the production and creating the film that is the first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and their primary associates, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins. Soucy secured footage from more than fifty interviews, 100’s of clips and photos, and archival material; all gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Academy Award-winning work of consummate quality and intelligence. The project had six Oscar winners among the notable artists participating, these close and often long-term collaborators intimately detail the transformational cinematic creativity and personal and professional drama of the wandering company that left an indelible impact on film culture. Interviews with Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Grant, and Vanessa Redgrave are featured.
Other notable projects from Soucy include, Slant, set in Palm Springs and structurally framed by an Emily Dickinson poem, Slant tells the story of a college professor in his early 50s looking for romantic connection long after the loss of his partner to AIDS. He sets his sights on a much younger prospect, but ultimately finds a more meaningful connection with an acquaintance who shares a similar history.
Rich Atmosphere: The Music of Merchant Ivory Films started Soucy’s Merchant Ivory journey. Soucy met James Ivory (Call Me by Your Name) and pitched making a short animated film that gave tribute to Jim's and Merchant Ivory's long-time composer, Richard "Dick" Robbins. As producer, Soucy convinced London-based animation director, Jack Cunningham, to animate to the sound file Soucy had edited. Soucy provided the overall vision and communicated what he wanted visually, and the animators made it happen. James Ivory loves this film and through our work here, he gave Soucy his blessing to make the feature documentary film. Soucy learned that by producing a film you feel must be made, this can open doors you perhaps hadn't anticipated. Soucy feels it’s all about following your passion and telling stories that are meaningful to you, that you connect with, and in making those films, you'll often find your audience. The "if you build it they will come" advice. We are absolutely thrilled to present Stephen Soucy as our latest Mover and Shaker. Peachy Deegan interviewed Stephen for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What are the components of a successful film?
Stephen Soucy: A film sparks with an original idea that no one has seen before, a polished and tight screenplay, talented actors, and a director leading the production forward.
What are your favorite five films of all time that you didn’t work on and why?
The Talented Mr. Ripley directed by Anthony Minghella (based on a stunning novel by Patricia Highsmith that stands the test of time). The Remains of the Day directed by James Ivory (it’s a perfect film and I would’ve loved to work with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson on the roles of Stevens the Butler and Miss Kenton). Priscilla Queen of the Desert (the film was ahead of its time story-wise and the those drag sequences are to die for; the costume design was perfection and on a crazy low budget). Sunset Boulevard (the film is perfection and Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett were writing the script pages the day before they shot. Gloria Swanson had to learn her lines on the fly – it’s one of my all-time favorite films about Hollywood!). All About Eve (everything about this film is absolute perfection).
What do you know now about the business side of film that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
How to find investors and backers that will give you money to make the film. This is always the huge challenge of putting together an independent project, outside of normal production channels.
What makes you successful?
My work ethic and my ability to vision a project and bring it over the finish line.
What challenges does the film industry still have in the post-covid era?
The fact that the industry is shrinking. Studios and production entities that used to release a slate of multiple films are now releasing less. Competition to get projects backed and off the ground is fierce.
What did you enjoy about making the film Merchant Ivory?
Everything! Interviewing the key Merchant Ivory figures: James Ivory, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, and Hugh Grant. Having the opportunity to meet this level of talent and engage with them was a dream come true. Also, the friendship and relationship I now have with James Ivory. Jim loves the film so that response is extremely gratifying. Jim says that I was able to accomplish what no one had before: I captured the Merchant Ivory family and its key players. My film is the definitive look at their lives, accomplishments and dramas. It’s been an honor to tell this story and preserve cinema history through this “oral history” in my film. Finally, I enjoyed securing my distribution deal with Cohen Media Group. This was not an easy process, but we got it done. Cohen owns Landmark Cinemas, so we should see Merchant Ivory have a significant theatrical run in 14 markets in the US.
What interviews that you conducted in making Merchant Ivory surprised you the most and why?
Vanessa Redgrave was a challenge. She made the interview as difficult as possible for me in the moment, but warmed to me by the end, but I had to push back to let her know I would not be bullied.
What are the keys to success in negotiation?
To give while you’re reaching your ultimate goals. I understand both sides of the table: what you want/need and what others want/need to get to consensus and agreement.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
The films that I love and admire and filmmakers I admire impacted my drive to create great art at all costs. Ivory, Kieslowski, Mankiewicz, Wilder, Van Sant, Schlesinger.
What are you proudest of and why?
The body of work I’m creating makes me very proud and my ability to navigate the film world and theater world/productions as well, as I have a dual focus in my professional life.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
Open a show on Broadway. I’ve been co-lead producer on Romy and Michele the Musical for the last 7 years. We’ll open off-West End in London in 2024. I’d love to move us to NYC and Broadway. Fingers crossed.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
The Ovation Award for my production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical in Los Angeles at Celebration Theatre. A few best narrative short film awards for my projects: Slant (Tuscon Film Fest) and A Gifted Amateur (USC School of Cinematic Arts / Don Thompson LGBT+ Film Festival) and Rich Atmosphere: The Music of Merchant Ivory Films (Outfest)
What one word best describes you and why?
Tenacious.
What do you take your sense of identity from?
From the gay experience that I’ve lived and that has pretty much defined my moves and trajectory.
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
The top of the Empire State Building! I’ve been up there many times through the years (as a small child with many stops in between including in 1988, through to adulthood) and there’s something about seeing all of Manhattan laid out before me. I also lived at 36th and Madison around the corner of the Empire State Building. It’s been a symbol of scope, scale, and unstoppable ambition for me, for years.
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
I’m a big Paul Smith (designer) fan so I often find myself drawn to SoHo and looking for a new article of clothing when I’m in town.
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
Emma Thompson. I’d love to direct a film that Emma would want to do and shine in. She’d later win the Academy Award for it.
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career and what mentors have influenced you the most?
Trust your collaborators to give you their best work. Most recently: James Ivory, but my producing partner on theater projects, Barry Kemp, has been an incredible mentor to me. Barry was the show creator and producer of Newhart and Coach. He was also a producer on Catch Me if You Can, Patch Adams, and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
What is your favorite drink?
Alcoholic? Vodka and soda with a tiny splash of cranberry!
Non-alcoholic? Fresh juices from a juice shop!
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
Someone threw their drink at me thinking I was someone else. It was actually quite a funny moment when the person realized she had got it wrong, and I was cool with it lol.
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
1st Balthazar 2nd Odeon
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature?
The Talented Mr. Ripley (before it moves to Europe) Tom Ripley
What is your favorite tv show and why?
Current? White Lotus Season 1 and 2 and I can’t wait for Season 3! I think Mike White is a genius.
What is your favorite movie and why?
All About Eve. The performances and the story, and the direction – everything in this film is utter perfection and it works and resonates today in 2023! That’s incredible. The themes and storylines are absolutely pertinent to our time now.
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
That it’s all about finishing a project and moving to the next as fast as you can. To build a strong body of work starting at an early age. I’m a bit of a late bloomer with film, but I’ve also had to work several fulltime jobs while pursuing my art.
What’s one thing you wish the world better understood about you and why?
My ambition. I wish the powers that be in the entertainment industry would see my talent and give me a production to helm, or get behind one of my next projects: Reggie Rose and the independent production I’m putting together for After the Blue Hour.
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
The President of the United States so I could make some big decisions and impacts and help to solve some of the world’s problems! And so I could get to explore the White House solo with no one preventing me from seeing everything.
What would you like to be asked in an interview that you never have been asked, and how would you answer it?
Would you like to be nominated for the Academy Award and win? Yes, of course!
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why?
The Morgan Library. I’d like to see the name changed to The Soucy Library. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city.
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
I have two: running in Central Park and playing pickle ball on a roof of a skyscraper.
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
See the Bergdorf windows at Christmas/The Holidays.
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
Ismail Merchant; after making this film, Merchant Ivory, I’d love to get his real voice in my head and learn more from him, than I’ve learned via research and interviews with folks that knew him well.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Recent? Visiting a Louis Vuitton exhibition that was in the old Barney’s building. Anytime I go to the Guggenheim I’m happy too.
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
I’ve been on several LGBT+ boards that do great work to impact the world. Both in Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan?
Underrated: Finding a great bar and having a drink near Patchin Place, an amazing gated cul-de-sac located off of 10th Street between Greenwich Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), where Paul and Jane Bowles hung out with ee cummings.
Overrated: seeing the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center.
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com column and what do you like about it?
The Arts – love the illuminating coverage of arts in NYC when there are entries here.
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I think we covered it!!
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
Email shsoucy@gmail.com
