Filmmakers’ Diversity Award Winner Natasha Lee to Attend Commercial Directing Bootcamp

Travel, food and lifestyle photographer Natasha Lee will attend Commercial Directing Bootcamp on 10th October 2020 in Los Angeles as the recipient of a Filmmakers’ Diversity Award, sponsored by Oso Delicious Hot Sauce. Since 2015, Jordan Brady - whose recent work includes 'Buick' via Leo Burnett Detroit featuring cast members from the Netflix hit 'Cheer' - has presided over his Commercial Directing Bootcamp, holding sold-out seminars in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Dallas.

Lee is the sixteenth Diversity Award-winner, alongside Bootcamp alumni who have variously gone on to secure commercial representation, garner trade press for their spot work, and receive nominations for the Cannes Young Director Award and other honours.

“This scholarship feels like a real validation that I can branch out into the spot world,” said Lee, who had been interested in commercial directing (she cites Ramaa Mosley and Lance Acord as inspirations) and was an avid listener of Brady’s popular 'RESPECT THE PROCESS' podcast. She noted the timing for her Diversity Award submission was somewhat pandemic-driven in that she had a chance to "rethink the next chapter. I decided it was time to learn how to build the reel that will move me forward.” Lee added that she was excited about the unique aspects of Commercial Directing Bootcamp, including “insight into casting, bidding, the client-agency relationship. And, of course, connecting with fellow filmmakers and the Bootcamp community.”

“I see Natasha successfully translating her keen eye and point of view shown in her commercial photography into a healthy career as a live-action director of spots,” said Brady.

In light of Covid-19, Brady has updated the Bootcamp, limiting the program to 15 attendees in a new, open and airy 75-seat space in Los Angeles. His seminar will also cover remote production, sharing insights from the set of recent projects for Kaiser Permanente (via DNA Seattle), directed by Brady and an Alzheimer’s PSA (via Sherry Matthews Group/Austin), produced by Brady and directed by Jeannette Godoy.

Lee, who is Chinese, was born in Penang, Malaysia. Her family moved to the Bay Area when she was nine and she has traveled frequently between two worlds ever since. She headed to LA to attend Otis College of Art & Design and began her career in music video production. Lee worked as a designer/art director in broadcast design and entertainment at Troika Design Group, New Wave Entertainment and Midnight Oil, before pursuing photography. She transitioned into digital publishing as a visual director at Whalerock Industries, where she had the opportunity to direct branded content pieces for Acuvue and T-Mobile. Lee’s photography credits include Quibi, Airbnb, Condé Nast Traveler, The Wall Street Journal, Hemispheres Magazine and Food Network, complemented by directing assignments for RCI Vacations and Tahiti Tourism, on which she served as director/DP.

The Diversity Award scholarship sends one talented filmmaker to each seminar for free. Filmmakers are judged on the following criteria:

1) Quality of storytelling.

2) Need for exposure to brand storytelling.

3) True passion for making ads.

Those submitting are asked to email no more than three spots or short films to this email address. The deadline is two weeks before the next seminar. Travel and lodging not included. The next seminar has been scheduled for 16th January 2021.