ABOUT US
Victoria Gagnaire Stein and Joey Casale are the co-founders of Don’t Panic Picture Co, creative and life partners who run the company like a family business in the best sense: people first, trust first, ego last.
Victoria Gagnaire-Stein and Joey Casale are the co-founders of Don’t Panic Picture Co., a Los Angeles based production company built on real world experience, creative range, and a shared commitment to doing work with passion, precision, and integrity. Their approach is rooted in clear communication, strong storytelling, and professional standards that protect both the work and the people who make it. Victoria is originally from New England and a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where she earned a BFA in Film and Television Production with an emphasis in cinematography and editing. Over the last decade, her career has grown toward producing, production management, and coordination, shaped by years of documentary and non fiction work that required small crews, international travel, and nimble problem solving. She brings both a creative eye and logistical strength, spanning producing, cinematography, and post production. Joey is from Tampa, Florida. He studied journalism, but always knew he wanted to work in film production and got into it early, starting on sets at eighteen and building hands on experience throughout the Southeast before moving to Los Angeles. Since relocating, he has worked steadily in production and now works as a director and first assistant director. He is also a writer, and his foundation in directing and on set leadership brings structure, vision, and momentum to every project. Both Victoria and Joey began their early careers in the documentary and reality TV space, approaching production from different angles. Victoria’s path moved through coordinating, managing, and producing, supported by her cinematography and editing foundation. Joey’s path grew through directing and assistant directing roles in larger studio and reality environments. Alongside film and television, they have also worked extensively in event production, event coordination, and theater operations, including live events and film festivals, experience that sharpened their ability to manage high pressure environments, fast turnarounds, and complex logistics with calm professionalism. When they met in 2021, it became clear they formed a complete and complementary team with the ability to develop, lead, and finish projects from idea through delivery. They began working together organically, offering their services to local musicians, artists, and community spaces, often filming live performances and DIY projects with a hands on energy and high end eye. Gradually, their work developed a distinct identity and a reputation built on reliability, taste, and follow through. What started as grassroots collaboration evolved into a full service production practice. In the spring of 2024, they officially launched Don’t Panic Picture Co., recognizing they already had the experience, complementary skill sets, and shared values to build something meaningful. At its core, Don’t Panic is rooted in collaboration, resourcefulness, and a long term creative ambition, with a goal of producing narrative features and building a lasting body of work that feels unmistakably their own.
Victoria Gagnaire-Stein and Joey Casale are the co-founders of Don’t Panic Picture Co., a Los Angeles based production company built on real world experience, creative range, and a shared commitment to doing work with passion, precision, and integrity. Their approach is rooted in clear communication, strong storytelling, and professional standards that protect both the work and the people who make it. Victoria is originally from New England and a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where she earned a BFA in Film and Television Production with an emphasis in cinematography and editing. Over the last decade, her career has grown toward producing, production management, and coordination, shaped by years of documentary and non fiction work that required small crews, international travel, and nimble problem solving. She brings both a creative eye and logistical strength, spanning producing, cinematography, and post production. Joey is from Tampa, Florida. He studied journalism, but always knew he wanted to work in film production and got into it early, starting on sets at eighteen and building hands on experience throughout the Southeast before moving to Los Angeles. Since relocating, he has worked steadily in production and now works as a director and first assistant director. He is also a writer, and his foundation in directing and on set leadership brings structure, vision, and momentum to every project. Both Victoria and Joey began their early careers in the documentary and reality TV space, approaching production from different angles. Victoria’s path moved through coordinating, managing, and producing, supported by her cinematography and editing foundation. Joey’s path grew through directing and assistant directing roles in larger studio and reality environments. Alongside film and television, they have also worked extensively in event production, event coordination, and theater operations, including live events and film festivals, experience that sharpened their ability to manage high pressure environments, fast turnarounds, and complex logistics with calm professionalism. When they met in 2021, it became clear they formed a complete and complementary team with the ability to develop, lead, and finish projects from idea through delivery. They began working together organically, offering their services to local musicians, artists, and community spaces, often filming live performances and DIY projects with a hands on energy and high end eye. Gradually, their work developed a distinct identity and a reputation built on reliability, taste, and follow through. What started as grassroots collaboration evolved into a full service production practice. In the spring of 2024, they officially launched Don’t Panic Picture Co., recognizing they already had the experience, complementary skill sets, and shared values to build something meaningful. At its core, Don’t Panic is rooted in collaboration, resourcefulness, and a long term creative ambition, with a goal of producing narrative features and building a lasting body of work that feels unmistakably their own.
Here you would add a short bio for this team member. This can include what they do on set or in the process, their background, and what they’re most focused on creatively. Keep it brief and personal—just enough to give a sense of who they are and how they contribute to the work.
Here you would add a short bio for this team member. This can include what they do on set or in the process, their background, and what they’re most focused on creatively. Keep it brief and personal—just enough to give a sense of who they are and how they contribute to the work.
Here you would add a short bio for this team member. This can include what they do on set or in the process, their background, and what they’re most focused on creatively. Keep it brief and personal—just enough to give a sense of who they are and how they contribute to the work.
Here you would add a short bio for this team member. This can include what they do on set or in the process, their background, and what they’re most focused on creatively. Keep it brief and personal—just enough to give a sense of who they are and how they contribute to the work.
