The iconic Apple Store on Fifth Avenue is closed for renovations, so we found a doppelgänger location to host the launch of the latest iPhone. It just so happened to be a Subway station elevator. That suspiciously looked like the famous glass Apple Store cube.
To help bring this to life, I brought the idea to stunt-based comedy group Improv Everywhere and got 50+ actors to form a really long line outside of the elevator, mimicking a huge iPhone release.
In under a week, the video received over 5 million views on YouTube and the story was picked up on major news networks across the country. The video currently has over 11 million views.
2018 Webby Honoree - Viral Video
PRESS:
MacRumors
9GAG
Gothamist
HYPEBEAST
Laughing Squid
Boing Boing
CREDITS:
Idea by: Deanna Director
Created by: Deanna Director, Maggie McClurken
Directed by: Charlie Todd
Executive Producers: Alan Aisenberg, Justin Ayers, Juan Cocuy, Andrew Soltys, and Charlie Todd
Music by: Tyler Walker
Director of Photography: Justin Ayers
Editor: Carina Jollie
Production Manager: Isabel Lopez
Art Director: Heather Yancey
Production Sound Mixer: Alan Kudan
Camera Operators: Sarah Charlee Harrison, Keith Haskel, Christian Mortensen, Andrew Soltys
Still Photography: Arin Sang-urai
Production Assistant: Jason Kasman
These new Nike shoes were designed to help you outrun your problems.
PRESS:
WhoHaHa
AWARDS:
New York Shorts International Film Festival - Official Selection: Screening in NYC 10/22/22
Scarab Short Film Festival - Finalist
CREDITS:
Writer / Producer: Deanna Director
Director: Andy Currie
DP: Han Fischer
Editor: Angelo Valencia
Colorist: Paul Galati
Production Team: Sherry Morris & Jaquay Saintil
VO: Michael Stiggers
Runners: Max Emerson, Maggie Stiggers, Sarah Lasko, Darell J. Hunt, Mark Benjamin, Dom Manzolillo, Kim Fisher
Humor is the only way I survived quarantine. Here’s something I made for fun that was featured in The Washington Post on 4/11/20. I may be responsible for a Global P u n demic…
Retweeted by Peter Webber, the Director of the film “Girl with a Pearl Earring” starring Scarlett Johansson.
After noticing a phone booth with a discarded office chair sitting inside, I was inspired to reach out to Improv Everywhere with another stunt idea.
WeWork offices are quickly taking over NYC, so it only made sense for them to expand to the underutilized corners of Manhattan– the city’s phone booths. With this thought in mind, we re-branded a few unused telephone booths to look like WeWork office spaces.
Real New Yorkers were invited to try out the new “WeWork Street” service on 6th Avenue and learn about the many benefits of outdoor coworking.
Check out the full story with behind-the-scenes content here.
PRESS:
Gothamist
CBS
Laughing Squid
BoingBoing
SecretNYC
CREDITS:
Idea by: Deanna Director
Created by: Deanna Director, Maggie McClurken
Directed by: Charlie Todd
Executive Producers: Justin Ayers, Andrew Soltys, and Charlie Todd
Producer: Aleks Arcabascio
Head of Special Projects: Jordan Seiler
Key Production Assistant: Jonathan Portee
Director of Photography: Justin Ayers
Camera Operators: Kate Montgomery, Kristopher Knight, Andrew Soltys
Still Photography: Arin Sang-urai
Production Sound Mixer: Alan Kudan
Editor: Dean Marcial
Music by: Tyler Walker
CAST:
WeWork Representative: Addie Weyrich
Office Worker: Deanna Director
Coffee Server: Jordan Seiler
*This project was not a collaboration with WeWork or NYC
“Millennials Throughout History” is an original comedy series that drops famous Influencers in the middle of infamous historical events. It merges the present with the past, creating a unique lens to observe our current social-media-obsessed culture.
Shot aboard The Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, CA, Episode One: A Titanic Following features Travel and Lifestyle personality Max Emerson ‘influencing’ history on the Titanic in 1912. Surely his verified blue checkmark will guarantee him a spot on one of those coveted lifeboats…
PRESS
“The Titanic’s Unsung Shirtless Influencer”
“Millennial man lands sponsored content gig aboard the Titanic”
“WATCH: Max Emerson was the only shirtless influencer on board the Titanic”
“Max Emerson ‘Goes Down’ On The Titanic”
AWARDS
First place in the 2020 LA Female Film Festival
Nominated for “Best Dark Comedy Short'“ and “Best Parody Short” in the 2019 Indie Short Fest in Los Angeles
CREDITS
Creator / Writer / Producer: Deanna Director
Ep. 1 Influencer: Max Emerson
Director: David Ma and James Cameron
DP: John Shafto
Editor: Nick Prueher
Designer: Maggie McClurken
Photographer: Casey Kringlen
Special thanks to James Cameron
A pop-culture mash-up of "Jurassic Park" and "Parks and Recreation."
Less than a week after posting, the video had over a million views on YouTube, press from every major outlet, made the front page of Reddit, and got a tweet from Chris Pratt himself.
TIME
Mashable
College Humor - "The best mash-up of 2015"
Funny or Die
USA Today
Editor: Sean Nolan
Writer: Deanna Director
Designer: Maggie McClurken
Animation: Caroline Director
The Stunt
Celebrities and media personalities have been “dying off” due to a wide range of misconduct. Cancel culture is real. You can be famous one day and infamous the next.
On Oscars night in NYC, we staged our own version of an ‘In Memoriam’— remembering industry heavies who have been “cancelled.”
The memoriam began with a larger-than-life projection on Houston & Bowery in NYC and featured fallen heroes like Kevin Spacey, Lori Loughlin, and of course, Harvey Weinstein.
Mirroring the real Oscars ceremony as closely as possible, we hired an orchestra decked out in black tie formal wear paired with a renowned singer, and poured one out for these anti-heroes one last time.
A reminder to remember, so we don't repeat. #RememberTheCancelled
Press:
Comedians to Stage ‘In Memoriam’ Stunt for ‘Cancelled’ Celebrities
Credits:
Creator: Lucien Formichella
Co-Creator / Producer: Deanna Director
Creative Director / Producer: Jeff Greenspan
Director: David Ma
DP & Editor: Charlie Chalkin
Camera Operator: Sammy August
Still Photographer: Ben Hon
Slideshow Graphics: Gubi Chiriboga
Singer: Carly Atto
Musicians: Peter Ostella, Andrew Formichella, Ben McCoy, Mark Radcliffe
I’m a huge fan of Peloton and have a co-dependent relationship with my dog. So naturally, I built him a sidecar to keep me company.
Over 15k shares on Instagram & Twitter and reposted by Peloton instructors Jess King and Cody Rigsby.
Bonus BTS content here
When I first heard there was a “Dumb and Dumber” sequel in the works with Jim Carrey, I knew I had to find a way in to the red carpet premiere. It had been a lifelong goal to meet Carrey and the Farrelly Brothers, so I quickly devised a plan and executed with the help of the Head Designer of high fashion label Haute Hippie. Together, we designed the female version of Lloyd and Harry’s classic orange and blue tuxedos. Took a chance and thought that could be my ticket in.
So you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance..
Only one day after tweeting a photo of the hand-stitched "Dumb and Dumber" inspired dresses, the Farrelly Brothers personally invited us to the premiere of "Dumb and Dumber To" in LA. All expenses paid by Universal Pictures.
Idea by: Deanna Director
Head Designer: Matthew Demgen
Editor: Sean Nolan
Designer: Maggie McClurken
Illustrator: Hannah Choi
Lady Lloyd Christmas: Ashley Trudell, model
Press:
BroBible: ‘Dumb And Dumber’ Superfans Create Movie-Inspired Clothes — Farrelly Bros. Invite Them To Premiere After Finding Video
AdPulp: Creative Side Projects Can Be A Dumb And Dumber Idea (And That’s Good)
TCPALM: Deanna Director Dreams Big
Ranked #23 on “The 50 Best Cosplays of New York Comic Con 2014”
The Valentine’s Day aisle at CVS can be a sad place when you’re single. I wanted to change things up by giving those riding solo a thoughtful alternative on February 14th: a one-stop-shop for their party of one needs.
Playing self-care Cupid, I snuck in the fake signage and rearranged the shelves with single-friendly items in a few non-participating CVS stores around Los Angeles.
Designer: Maggie McClurken
My name may be Deanna Director, but occasionally, I’m Deanna Actor.
Introducing the The Quarantine Collection, an all-new line of indoor-inspired nail polish so you can stay on trend while you stay at home.
A socially distanced collab with Creative Director Julie Kutler. See all 9 exclusive colors!
Quarantine Craft Club
A series of sad crafts I made from things found around my apartment during Quarantine 2020.
Voiceover: The Carter kids
‘2020 Face Masks’
Designer: Lia Strasser
People have never been more politically divided in America.
It can be especially tense if you’re a Liberal in a Conservative’s home during the holidays. I grew up in a liberal-minded home, however, my mother got re-married to a Trump supporter who enjoys a loud, steady stream of FOX News. The holidays are…different now. This project was a coping mechanism.
I hope this helps some people (or at least brings opposing family members together for a laugh) this holiday season.
Over 200k shares on Reddit & featured on the comedy site WhoHaHa. Posted 11/25/19
We teamed up with the world's oldest working mime, Richmond Shepard, to put a modern twist on the traditional routine by having him interact with technology & NYC.
Partners: Nick Hugh Schmidt, Eric Alexander Franklin
Press: Front page of Reddit
Click here to download and print your very own “Heart of the Ocean” necklace.
While it’s printing, watch my Titanic short film here!
—————
“Pose Like Rose” Contest Rules:
Upload your glamour shot to Instagram using the hashtag #PoseLikeRose and tag me on IG: @DeannaDirector
Winner will be announced 4/16/20
Grand Prize: The drawing of “Jacked Dawson” used in the short film, the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace used in the short film, and $19.12 sent right to your dang Venmo in honor of the year Titanic sank.
CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
I received many amazing entries ranging from someone who recreated the iceberg crash in her bathtub to a ‘Pizza Rose Dawson.’ This was not an easy choice.
I judged based on creativity and nudity, and in the end, nudity won. Congratulations to Grand Prize Winner, Alex Stein. He used his imagination, and left nothing to the imagination.
