On My Radar: Gracie Otto

What’s the best fashion campaign you’ve seen recently?

I’m a real fan of Gordon Von Steiner’s work. Fashion films are being looked at like music videos were in the 90s – creatively there are no boundaries. the Gotta Be Bonds campaign I recently directed gave me this scope, to take a traditional TVC and approach it like a fashion film.  My ambition is to shoot for high end fashion houses like Gucci and Louis Vuitton – it would be amazing to work with their beautiful clothing and a bigger budget.

 Bonds: Gotta Be Bonds

What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?

I use Feedly, an App that curates my favourite online information into one website. So in one place I can access my favourite industry publications like Variety, Deadline, Indiewire and the Hollywood Reporter, tech sites and YouTube channels, and fashion blogs like Nowness and Karla Clark’s great new website Side Note for which I recently directed the first Influencer film, with my dad Baz Otto, for her launch.

What’s the most recent piece of fashion (clothing/accessories/tech) that you’ve bought and why?

I recently got the Canon C200 which I’m shooting a feature documentary on my father Barry Otto. It’s a great camera because I am able to modify it to film a lot of the film myself and its quite portable and good for consumers as well as being a professional camera. Its perfect for documentary. 

Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?

On a daily basis I mostly do Instagram posts and videos – I love the immediate connection. These days I use Facebook to keep in touch with friends when traveling - basically my updates are usually just a city name and that’s how I catch up with whoever is in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Paris etc. And I still post new work on Twitter and Facebook to reach a different group of followers.

Who’s your favourite designer or label and why?

I don’t really have a favourite label but I do buy a lot of shoes from Balenciaga - sneakers, brogues, boots and heels you can’t go wrong and then I just wear the same jeans and black t shirts every day. And I love Celine sunglasses.

What’s your favourite app on your phone and why?

I like this app called Signal, It’s encrypted and is the ultimate player’s player app, as you can set your messages to disappear from 5 seconds up to 1 week. It’s very popular in Silicon Valley. 

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

I’ve recently enjoyed Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent) an award-winning French television series directed by one of my favourite directors Cedric Klapische, It’s set in a talent agency and stars some of France’s top actors. Like all good French drama, it’s also funny and highly sophisticated. 

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood For Love, is an exquisite and incredibly sensual film that depicts loneliness and desire, with the most breathtaking cinematography and score. Then watch the sequel 2046.   

Where were you when inspiration last struck?

Inspiration for me usually comes from travelling and being in the mood for adventure, while listening to composers and soundtracks. For me an idea is created out of a location and music, before the actual story. Most recently I loved being in Coober Pedy where we shot the Bonds campaign. The landscape and light and colour made me think about so many great Australian films, most recently Sweet Country, and imagine the stories that could take place in that remote outback town where it is so hot that people actually live underground. 

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

I’m relatively new to this industry, but what I’m hoping is a significant change is that opportunities for young female directors like me are becoming more usual. I’ve been aware for many years in the film industry that it is a harder road to recognition if you are a female of any age. But lately I’ve scored some great campaigns like shooting Gigi Hadid for Maybelline in New York last year, and then recently Bonds and Sportsgirl back here in Australia, so hopefully I am on the radar now.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

Following on from the previous question, I would hope that my recent success might inspire campaign directors or agencies to consider more young women in creative roles. There are the same number of young men and women in film schools, and represented in short film festivals, so it seems to me that the opportunity to pitch for advertising work will make all the difference. 

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

Michael White will always be the most important man in my life. An extraordinary theatre and film producer, Michael was the subject of my first feature film, The Last Impresario. I met him at the Cannes Film Festival when I was 23, and he was 75, and he literally changed my life. He introduced me to his world, and to his friends, and taught me to live life to the full. Everyone loved Michael – he had more energy and zest for life than anyone. He was a gambler, a risk taker, and an eternal optimist – and this is how I try to live my life.

The Last Impresario trailer.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…

Last year I decided to take a chance on something new so I began doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. I started with a short improvisation course, and then did storytelling and stand-up classes, and at the end of every course we would have to do a live show. So I was thrown in the deep end! And I love it! It’s terrifying and exhilarating. Most of my material comes from being an Australian living in LA – I could write a new show just about every day.