“Create your own reality.” Annie Bercy‘s Instagram bio doubles as her job description. The Haitian-American director, editor, and photographer is part of an era-defining wave of concept-driven visual artists that combine visual ingenuity with sociocultural commentary. Bercy often taps into her experience growing up in New York City, as well as the local underground music and fashion culture, to narrate stories shaping the current zeitgeist in music, advertising, and the arts.

Self-taught and motivated by curiosity, Bercy creates conceptual works that are simultaneously socially conscious and visually progressive. The multihyphenate is not defined by a singular aesthetic, but by energy and atmosphere. Her inspiration ranges from ‘90s high-gloss fashion films to ‘50s vignettes of showgirl glamour.

Bercy has collaborated with renowned R&B and hip-hop artists such as Cardi B, Ciara, SZA, and Tinashe. In 2021, she directed her first narrative work for Hulu’s Your Attention Please. Notable commercial clients include Gucci, Prada, MAC Cosmetics, Parkwood Entertainment, Shea Moisture, Vogue, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

You can check out more of Bercy’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

What is the first creative project you remember?

The first creative project I remember was creating my first music video in 2017 for a song named “Exercise” by Saint Cassius. We set up lights, hazed up an old boxing gym, and captured our talent working out in a sultry and cinematic way. My shot list was written on the spot on a crumbled piece of paper. I still think it came out pretty great.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Colorful, theatric, and dreamy.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Working with Hulu’s production on my first short film, “Riley.” I had originally written it for a passing grade in my Thesis Screenwriting class. COVID-19 hit a semester later during Thesis Production when my classmates and I were supposed to spend shooting our thesis scripts. I was at risk of failing because my script couldn’t be shot during the pandemic. I would have to rewrite my script and shoot it in the same semester, even though it took me months to write it in the first place! Luckily, Hulu reached out to me mid-semester, inquiring if I could write a narrative for an upcoming episode of Your Attention Please.

“Amazing! I actually have a script right here!”

Through the pre-production process, I was forced to alter the script seven to eight times to adhere to COVID guidelines and restrictions but the pressure to turn the script around in a short time frame while simultaneously locking in location, schedule, art, cast, mood boards and so forth to meet a TV deadline motivated me to wake up every morning and get to it. What a challenge! I worked with an entirely new crew, had to be assertive and apply myself on a daily basis. It was a hectic shooting weekend but working with different people in the profession (from producers to art department to editors) and seeing the script pages of “Riley” come to life was such a transformative experience. It was my first long-form scripted film, and I would love to work on another short film soon.

And yes, I passed my classes with flying colors.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

Reviewing my work as a whole thus far, I learned that I have the ability to communicate to different people to execute one singular vision. Despite the different crews that I work with and the different things that each person on each team brings to the table, you are still able to see my “touch.” I believe there isn’t a sole genius, but a scenius, which is defined as the intelligence of a group of people. What I deliver, despite what work ties back to my identity and perspective, has touches of ideas and input from the people I surround myself with. I love that most.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I’m 70/30 on this one. I think that creativity is certainly something that you’re born with. Your creativity starts shining when you develop a personality as a kid. I remember always thinking outside the box growing up. I loved making things. I loved writing. I loved getting new notebooks and filling the pages with stories, journal entries and drawings as a kid. When I was in middle and high school, I would dress up with my friends from school or church and shoot portraits and videos of each other on my BlackBerry cellphone (or whichever technology was out at the time).

At the same time, if you are willing, creativity can be taught. After the “photo shoots,” I’d rush home to a photo editing website and learn how to edit all our favorite photos. I taught myself how to use Windows Movie Maker, Final Cut Pro, and a few Adobe programs such as Premiere Pro, Lightroom, After Effects, and Photoshop. The types of tools I worked with at the time didn’t matter because I envisioned a bigger picture and wanted to see it through. If I had an idea, I would push myself to learn how to make it happen. I was eager to ask questions, learn, and practice—all while having fun! Attaining newfound knowledge pushed me to think of new ideas to execute. Now, here I am today, doing what I love for a living. I’m creating art, challenging myself, and still learning more and more. I am constantly evolving. I’m really happy that I explored all of my interests growing up, because I believe you are what you are exposed to. The sky is the limit, but only if you are open!

What’s the last dream you had?

When I was younger, I loved playing Sims. (Sims 1, 2, 3, 4, you name it.) But I didn’t care for the families I created; my favorite part was building and designing houses. My first dream was to be an architect or interior designer. As the years went on and I fell into directing, the set design was always at the forefront. I loved transforming spaces to match the vibe of the music. I found inspiration in the little things, whether window displays, places I traveled, or photos I saw on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

I traveled to Atlantic City in the summer of 2020 and stayed at a hotel on the strip. The hotel, in my opinion, was lifeless. And yet, we were paying over $200 a night simply because it was closest to excursions and nightlife. One night I walked around the ballroom and dining areas and observed how boring they looked. I dreamt of how I would go about this hotel, given the space, then started thinking about designing my own hotel from the inside out. I decided my dream was to open up my own hotel franchise when I got older. It would be a colorful, inspiring, intricate space that took people far away from wherever they came from, even if it was down the block! I want to have an effect on people in such a way that they look at their own lives through a different lens.

I like directors and production designers that are detail-oriented and think outside the box. That’s why I love media pioneers such as Nadia Lee Cohen, Jora Frantzis, Tyler the Creator, A$AP Rocky, Kanye, Colin Tiley, Stillz, SZA, Christian Breslauer, Virgil Abloh, Dave Meyers, Hype Williams, Tanu Munio, Nigo, and Cliqua so much. They represent the caliber of focus, creativity, consistency, and detail I want to achieve in my directing career and later have that spill out into a physical place people can access and experience beyond their screens. Each person I mentioned is an expert on world-building (the creation of an entirely new fictional world). It’s so important to take people out of their element, out of their comfort zone, out of their current reality, even if it’s just for a moment. Maybe that’s why I love to travel! I forget the world I live in and embrace the new one I’m experiencing. I take it all in. The world is so much bigger than where our minds can take us. The world is so much bigger than our backyards! Time and time again, it has been proven that anything and everything a human being can imagine can exist, as long as they have the determination to see it through.

I have many dreams. I dream of constantly creating and bringing my (and other people’s) ideas to life. I dream to execute. I dream of being and showcasing myself. I dream to be in love, not only in my relationships but with my career and life. We only have one life to live. Why not make it a fantasy?

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

It’s hard for me to answer that question; I actually think it’s too soon to say. I feel like I haven’t yet tapped into my true potential. As of right now, I want to simply inspire people that have found me and are following my career journey to follow their hearts and passions to the fullest.

Follow @AnnieBercy on Creatively.

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