Meet TASSIA VIEIRA | Production Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with TASSIA VIEIRA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TASSIA, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
Moving to the U.S. It was incredibly hard to get out of my comfort zone, leave a stable job, and my growing career in order to find something new. Essentially, I had to start over. It was very hard at first, after all, it was the first time that I was living somewhere far away from my family. The language barrier was also a big challenge to overcome, as was the culture shock. Those factors almost made me give up, but in the end, they fostered growth. I decided to move to the U.S. because I’d always dreamt of speaking another language and experiencing living abroad.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have a degree in Film and have always had a strong bond with the art department. In fact, my first industry job was in the art department of the second-largest TV channel in Brazil. That’s where I discovered my true love of art production. My time there was essential in understanding how things work on a real studio set. I used to work with Telenovelas, the biggest form of entertainment in Brazil. As time passed, I employed these skills on other projects, like movies and tv shows. What sets me apart is my vast knowledge of art production, as well as my strong focus and persistence. I consistently seek unique references to lend depth and make the projects I work on more profound. I am most proud of the short film I shot during the pandemic. It was a challenge, considering we filmed everything remotely, and I had to convey the specificity and execution of my vision using only zoom. The short was screened in the international festival scene, for which I received a Best Art Direction award. It’s satisfying to reflect upon the obstacles we faced, and the beauty we created in the end.
My journey wasn’t an easy one. My career had a difficult start in Brazil. I’m the first person in my family to pursue a career in the arts, and even with their complete support, the industry remains elusive without a strong professional network. In college, I tried to make as many films as possible. In doing so, I always stood out due to my dedication and motivation to grow. I consistently asked for tips and feedback from my professors, and slowly began making a name for myself. Upon graduation, I worked in various sectors until I managed to get a job in the art department. I worked my way through the studio system until I arrived at the biggest studio in Brazil. Little by little, I carved out my space in the industry and earned respect from my peers. After a few years working in Brazil, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue work in the American film industry. It was challenging from the start, primarily due to the language barrier, but now, years later, here I am living my dream, building my Hollywood career.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
On her first day, I’d start by taking her to watch the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier, followed by a walk around the promenade, and some dinner nearby. We’d also head south to visit one of my favorite beaches, Treasure Island in Laguna, where we could visit some art galleries. It would be fun to spend a day at Disneyland, and maybe even a day trip to San Diego! I’d try to introduce her to food not typically eaten in Brazil, as well as my favorite local restaurants.
Of course, we’d have to spend a day visiting all the really famous city sights. Perhaps we’d wake up early and hike to the Hollywood Sign, then take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and eat lunch nearby. After that, we’d visit the Farmer’s Market and do some shopping at The Grove. To end the day we’d grab dinner in some cool restaurant in West Hollywood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my family’s support. Especially my mother, who’d always encouraged me to dream, and who’d helped make my dreams come true. She herself dreamt that my siblings and I would be able to travel the world and discover new cultures; all things she’d wished for herself, but couldn’t realize.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tassia-vieira-de-castro/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XW8iJaSQI4

Image Credits
Rafael Maiolino Thalma de Freitas Gabriel Sousa