Meet Fabrice Sopoglian, The Godfather of French Reality TV!
Born and raised in France, Fabrice Sopoglian is a French/American producer based in Los Angeles. Fabrice Sopoglian has for 12 seasons been the TV host of a French reality TV show called ‘Les Anges’.
The main focus of his company 400 Blows Production Inc. is to develop documentaries, reality TV shows, series, and occasional movies.
Fabrice Sopoglian was the first executive producer of a French scripted reality TV show in Los Angeles called ‘Hollywood Girls’. He also produced a powerful documentary about the fashion designer Christian Audigier’s VIF’
Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?
I started by producing small low budget films. After that, I developed a TV series called West Hollywood. Working as an independent producer brought me some gigs for small TV shows. After a few years of training, I got an offer to be the TV host of one of the biggest TV shows in France, ‘Les Anges’
How were you introduced to the industry, and what first got you interested?
Networking is key in this business. If you are focused and you work smart, people will talk about you and look for you. One contact opens the door to another one.
After sending many TV pilots and projects to French networks, Stephane Joffre, the previous head of acquisition of the group NRJ12 offered me a role as the image of his new TV show. It all started that way! I have been hosting the show for 10 years now, with more than 600 episodes and 12 seasons.
Are you more involved in the initial development?
When I produce A to Z, I am involved in every single aspect of the production; writing, directing, and editing. I need to apply my creativity to get involved!
As a producer, what is it that motivates and drives you?
The motivation is the result! All the hours and dedication you put into a movie or a documentary! People think it’s easy to produce, direct or act but each one is a new experience; much like giving birth! You are skeptical about the audience, about the final cut, about the press but in the end, the feeling is always great!
What excites you most about your industry?
I don’t get the same excitement anymore because I know the other side of this business. It’s a lot of headaches like every business, but in this one, you will need to deal with a lot of egos and insecure people. If you are not a good therapist in this business, you won’t last!
What is one piece of advice you still remember that has practically changed your life?
The only advice I can give is to never give up! It’s usually when you think it’s all over that things take a turn for the better 🙂
If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?
I would work with more professional people. I wasted a lot of time with rookies or the wrong people since I didn’t know better! In this business, it’s very rare to find loyal people. I had to learn but when you work with real professionals, everything goes faster and smoother.
What’s your daily routine? How do you achieve work-life balance?
For me, a good lifestyle is very important! I don’t go out at night anymore. I wake up, I walk my dog, I work out then I start working! You get way more inspired when your mindset is clear.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Honestly, I don’t know! With what’s going on in the world, this pandemic and crisis. But I wish to try to build something big and sell it! Then enjoy my family and my parents.
Buy a second house in the south of France. I am not a workaholic! If I retire around 55 years old, I will be more than happy.
What types of projects do you see yourself involved with in the future?
I would love to produce a feature film I wrote. It’s about a great character who is seeking revenge – “The Limey Meets Death Wish”. Also, I would love to host a new show, something as powerful as ‘Les Anges’. Maybe a talent or a contest show.
Did You Attend Film School Or Study Film At University?
No, and I regret that. Learning is key in life. I am street smart, but you need to be technical as well because you can’t fake.
What Was Your First Job on TV And How Did You Progress To Producer?
I did a bit of everything to understand how it works.
How do you explain the success of your show ‘’Les Anges’’ in France?
The timing was probably good 10 years ago. We put some good ingredients which were a nice postcard of Los Angeles, a big mansion, a good cast, and also a great godfather to mentor the candidates 🙂
From Snoop Dogg, DJ Khaled, Shemar Moore, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Van Damme, Denis Rodman, Pamela Anderson, and Kim Kardashian. How did you bring all those celebrities to your show?
Through my connection, I was the first one in France to bring big industry names to a French reality show on a cable network! I worked with people who knew people! I also worked with big agencies such as WME, ICM, and CAA. When one agent is happy about your work, it’s easier to get connected to bigger names.
The agent of Pamela Anderson brought me, Mike Tyson, and the team of Mike Tyson brought me different people…it works that way!
Your documentary VIF is very powerful, and intense with amazing cinematography! How did you meet Christian Audigier the founder of Ed Hardy?
I met Christian through a mutual friend. Then I started to produce small TV shows. Christian wasn’t my best friend, but he knew how I was working. He knew I was the only one in town who would be capable of producing his documentary and respecting his vision.
Any regrets about your career as a TV host in France?
Unfortunately, France is a small country. My career would have been way bigger as a host if it was in the US! But that’s the way it is, we cannot change our mentalities.
Are any more products in development besides VIF?
I co-produced another documentary American Badass starring legendary actor Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dog, Kill Bill). I was able to find some investors for this project to finish it.
We did a nice screening at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and the audience liked it! Now we need to find the right distributor for it.
I did hear besides the TV business you just made a move into a different industry. Sushi delivery business?
Correct! During the pandemic, I was super bored for a few months. Production was dead! Hosting as well. I was turning around at home. One day, my long-time friend Romain Chavent who is one of the biggest club promoters in LA told me we should become partners in this new venture.
He introduced me to his partner Lionel Azoulay and together, we opened a new location of Azai Sushi in Van Nuys. Ghost kitchen is the new wave and I enjoy learning something different! Now I am dealing with different problems, mostly Chef problems 🙂
How do you see your future as a TV host? Any other season of ‘Les Anges’?
I will probably be hosting season 13th of “The Angels”. It will probably also be my last season! In this business, you cannot predict the future. One day people love you and you are a star, the next day it’s all over. That’s the way it is! You just need to accept it and move on.
What was your dream when you were a teenager?
When I was a teenager, my dream was to live in Hollywood, have a beautiful family, and be famous 🙂
I live in the US. I have a beautiful family and a nice house. The real success at my age is not fame anymore but happiness! Happiness is the new rich my friend.
What Advice Would You Give To Those Hoping To Pursue A Career In Hollywood?
Follow your dreams, you need to work hard, be sharp and come prepared with an agenda and some money. Also, luck is very important! Without luck or connections, you will struggle anywhere.
The trailer of the tv show ‘The angels’
Follow Fabrice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabricesopoglian
