Director Lacey Uhlemeyer has joined bicoastal production company ArtClass for commercial and branded content representation in the U.S. Uhlemeyer, an alum of SHOOT’s 2020 New Directors Showcase, is known for directing humanity-focused stories for brands–from Nike’s International Women’s Day spot to the Amazon "Brand Truths" campaign. A former journalist who has filmed in more than 18 countries, she is passionate about creating content that transcends borders, genders, languages, and religion.
“Lacey is one of the powerful women voices in the industry today and we’re excited to work with such a dynamic storyteller,” said Rebecca Niles, ArtClass executive producer. “We just clicked right away. We’re on the same page when it comes to why we do what we do and how content can influence and create real change.”
“It’s an exciting time to be a female creative, especially when you have directors like Alma Har’el and Chloe Zhao leading the charge,” added Uhlemeyer. “ArtClass not only walks the walk when it comes to having a diverse roster, but also they create content with a sense of inclusivity. This is so appealing to me as a director. They encourage all of their talent to take creative risks and are incredibly supportive of our unique voices and visions as creators. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Uhlemeyer was most recently represented by Wondros Collective for commercial and branded content work. Prior to that, she was a freelance director on Nike’s International Women’s Day campaign in collaboration with MediaMonks. She also worked with the agency on branded content, documentary-focused storytelling, and longer-form content. Uhlemeyer has brought her humanity-focused storytelling to other clients including IBM, HP, Bristol Myers Squibb, and National Parks Service.
Known for her ability to traverse various mediums and platforms, she previously served as a sr. digital producer at Fusion, an ABC-Univision joint venture, where she produced digital, linear, and VR content for Fusion Media Group, which included Univision, Fusion, and The Root.
Uhlemeyer took a less conventional path to filmmaking, working as an international journalist and producer before moving into directing. She has helmed the short film, City of Widows, which focuses on the issues that widows face in India, one of the most stigmatized and marginalized groups. Her digital series, The Artisans of Italy, earned her a 2016 Webby Award, and the next year, she was nominated for Endangered, which explored endangered indigenous people worldwide. Peace and Dance, her piece on a Syrian refugee dancer, went viral on Facebook with over 20 million views in 24 hours and won a Shorty Award. As a writer, Uhlemeyer is currently working on scripts for two pilots, as well as a documentary series.
“Everything I do is about bringing the lens of empathy into my work and creating impact-driven content that combines poetic narratives with beautiful imagery,” concluded Uhlemeyer. “Most importantly, I’m grateful to lean on the creative-first approach and egoless culture of ArtClass–all in the spirit of spreading our wings and making the best work possible.”
