Sophie Deschênes
President & producer
Sovimage: A Creative House Between Heritage and Renewal
President & producer
Producer
CROSS-INTERVIEW WITH SOPHIE AND LAURENCE
Sovimage is a production company based in Quebec since 1992. How do you think the industry and the public perceive you now?
When I took over as president of Sovimage in 2012, I wanted to continue the momentum that my predecessor, Vincent Gabriele, had started, while bringing my own vision for the company’s future. Sovimage has always been about impactful stories, letting creators fully realize their vision with respect and rigor. I’m proud to see that Sovimage is still known for its boldness and the quality of its productions today. What really touches me is how eagerly our series are awaited, how they spark conversations, and how they find their audience.
I feel the same way. Sovimage has managed to evolve with the times while staying true to its roots. Our series have made their mark on the Quebec television scene, and now they’re reaching even further.
I grew up watching my mom build Sovimage, and what strikes me is how she’s always focused on telling powerful stories and forging strong collaborations. Now, as I join the company, my role is to continue this legacy while adding my own perspective. I want Sovimage to be a bridge between heritage and renewal, bringing in new voices and experimenting with new formats.
What’s the first thing you look at when a project is pitched to you?
For me, it all starts with the story and the emotion. A project has to move us deeply. If a story doesn’t make me laugh, cry, or think, then something’s missing. After that, I look at who’s behind the story. There needs to be a clear vision, a creator who knows where they want to go, and someone we can build a real relationship of trust with. A good idea is great. But a good idea with a solid team behind it is even better.
It’s also important to note that we’re very hands-on producers, involved in every step of the creative process. You’ve got to get your hands dirty to see a project come to life... like baking a good loaf of bread. I like to think that, together, we’re building culture. We’re always looking for teams that share our values and mindset.
Exactly! No matter the project, we approach it with heart and kindness. We want our teams to feel good, to enjoy collaborating with us. And that should be the standard for any relationship, really. That's what it's all about!
Alongside our work ethic, I also bring a perspective that’s more focused on new storytelling forms and how the audience consumes series today. With streaming, television has changed. You need to grab attention from the very first few seconds and offer an immersive world. That’s where our duo works well: the balance between experience and a focus on evolving formats.
But beyond formats, I also believe we have a responsibility in terms of content, the stories we choose and the values we want to project on screen. For me, every series is an opportunity to contribute positively to society, to question, to inspire, and to tell stories that resonate with current issues.
What does your mother/daughter and mentor/mentee relationship bring to the company, and what have you learned from each other?
creation. Even before Laurence started working here, she would give me her thoughts on our series and the trends she saw emerging. What’s fascinating today is seeing how two generations can complement each other within the same company.
Now, with Laurence on board, she brings a fresh energy, a different way of looking at things, and that really motivates me.
Exactly! I’m still learning, but what excites me is bringing new voices, new ways of telling stories, while preserving the essence what makes Sovimage a respected and recognized production house.
What’s special is that I get to pass on everything I’ve learned to her, and in return, she pushes me to think bigger, to step outside the box.
What’s the latest thing that happened that reminded you why you love being a producer?
Every project reminds me why I love this job, but what always touches me are the messages we get from the audience. With The Emperor and Gorgeous, we received messages from viewers who related to the characters, telling us how much these series impacted them. That’s the best gift we can get as producers.
In the same vein, what really stood out to me recently was a message we received after the airing of our series Gorgeous. Someone wrote to tell us that watching the show made them realize they could take control of their life and choose themselves. That’s the power of a well-told story!
And that’s exactly what we’ve been aiming for with Sovimage from the start: stories that resonate, disrupt, and stay with you.
What’s your biggest dream for the next few years?
My biggest dream is to see Sovimage continue to evolve while staying true to what made it strong: being a company where creativity and kindness are at the heart of everything. I want to keep producing impactful works while passing on my experience to the next generation.
As for me, my dream is to build on this legacy while opening Sovimage to new horizons. Whether it's by bringing in new voices, exploring new formats, or strengthening our international collaborations, I want Sovimage to stay a key player in the industry’s evolution.
And if I can pass on my passion and expertise to Laurence, and to the next generation, then I’ll consider it a mission accomplished.
(THANK YOU TO JOANNE ARSENEAU FOR HER PRECIOUS HELP WHEN IT’S TIME FOR US TO ACT ALL FANCY ON OUR WEBSITE!)