Gaia Livay, BFA Art, Media, and Technology class of 2023, had her AMT senior thesis selected for The 2023 Berlin Lift-off Film Festival.
Written by Willow Hayward, AMT 25′
After graduating from Parsons Paris, Livay completed an internship at Solab Pictures as an assistant art director, working with high-profile clients like L’Oreal, Chanel, BNP, Renault, and more. After her internship, she had the opportunity to direct a chapter for the Vogue series “Diary of a Model” (created and directed by Talia Collis, a Parsons New York Alumni), where she followed Moroccan model Rania getting ready for the Vogue world show in London. Since then, she’s been freelancing as an art director primarily working on commercials.
Vogue Series, “Diary of a Model”
In an interview with 3rd year BFA Art, Media, and Technology student Willow Hayward, Livay reflects on her time at Parsons Paris and expands on the work that she’s been doing since graduation. Read on to hear about her experiences since graduation and to find the link to watch her Senior Thesis, “All I Am- I Am All”…
Question: Was there a project during your first few years at Parsons Paris that helped to inspire your AMT Senior thesis short film?
Answer: There was a particular photo series that I worked on during my year abroad at Parsons New York, that I felt helped me to dive deeper into thought for my senior thesis. This series revolved around capturing Israeli Archetypes, where I took a series of self-portraits dressed as the various archetypes.
Do You Know Me ‘Soldier Girl’, 2022
Question: Did you have a favorite part of the process during the creation of your Senior thesis?
Answer: I particularly enjoyed the collaboration after the filming of the short film. I was able to work with a sound designer and we worked to truly make the film come alive with the addition of sound and music. It’s all people at the end of it, and being able to collaborate with different artists is always a highlight of my process.
Question: What was your favorite part of your Parsons Paris experience?
Answer: I loved my first year, where we were able to get a taste for a bit of everything in the art and design world. I also really enjoyed having a mix of AMT, SDM, and Fashion Design students because I was exposed to a lot of different work and was able to see everyone’s creative process. The small community here really helped me get connected with creative people and push my work further. I also had both Anne Attali and Clarisse Labro as my first-year Integrative Studio teachers, and they emphasized the importance of opening our minds, creatively pushing us, and working with our hands. I very much still enjoy looking back on the project that I created during my first year at Parsons Paris. I think it’s really important to have teachers who value their work and practice outside of school and help you to see the success they’ve had in their personal practices.
Question: How did you react to finding out that you were selected for the 2023 Berlin Lift-off Film Festival?
Answer: It was surreal but helped me to realize that I’m on the right track with the work that I’m creating. As artists, I think it’s important that we receive reminders on the way that there’s a reason why we do what we do and just how rewarding it can be.
Question: Is there something that you feel influences your work the most?
Answer: For me, the most important and influential part of being an artist is to live and gain inspiration from our everyday lives.
Question: Are you currently working on any creative projects?
Answer: I’m currently working with Parsons Paris graduates to create another creative short film which is something that I’m excited about. I’m also working with an artist to create a music video that we are planning on filming next month.
Question: Was there something, in particular, you did to help set yourself up for success after your graduation at Parsons Paris?
Answer: I started an internship at the end of my senior year in March that lasted until September which was a great way for me to smoothly transition into the working field.
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Below is a link to buy tickets to The Berlin Lift-off Film Festival where you are able to buy tickets to view Gaia Livay’s short film, “All I Am- I Am All”. Her selected category is, “Judges Select Shorts” where you are able to vote for her film.
https://checkout.liftoff.network/judges-select-berlin-lift-off-2024/
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Vogue series “Diary of a Model”
Director: Gaia Livay Directors of Photography: Chaimaa Ormazabal, Charlotte Croft Editors: Evan Allan, Sammy Cortino Creative Director: Talia Collis Senior Producer: Jordin Rocchi Producer, On Set: Sarah Al Slaity Audio: Filipe Pinheiro Assistant Editor: Billy Ward Post Production Coordinator: Holly Frew, Jovan James Supervising Editor: Kameron Key Associate Director, Post Production: Nicholas Ascanio Production Coordinator: Ava Kashar Production Manager: Natasha Soto-Albors Line Producer: Romeeka Powell Senior Director, Production Management: Jessica Schier Global Talent Casting Directors: Ignacio Murillo, Rosie Vogel-Eades Director of Content, Production: Rahel Gebreyes Executive Producer: Ruhiya Nuruddin Senior Director, Programming: Linda Gittleson VP, Digital Video English: Thespena Guatieri Filmed at: Hotel Café Royal, Redemption Roasters, Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
@glivay @taliacollis