Miss Dior, Spice Girls and MTV: The Work That Made Michelle Zelazny
A born and bred Jersey girl in the best possible way, Michelle Zelazny knew she wanted to be involved in the industry from the time she made a laundry detergent commercial in a middle school class. She counts herself lucky enough to work at Consulate for the past 10 years after coming up through different studios and post houses.
Outside of work she loves to travel and go on adventures. She lives in Central New Jersey with her boyfriend and rescue dog.
LBB> The ad/music video from my childhood that stays with me…
Michelle> I’m totally a late 80s baby with this answer, but the Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’ music video.
I remember watching a special where they showed the behind the scenes and just being in awe. As a child, it was five young women who were just so cool; as an adult, I love that it was filmed to look like one take (it’s actually two), which is pretty amazing considering the various rooms, indoor/outdoor locations, and all the action scenes.
It’s super impressive. Fun fact, this was director Johan Camitz’s first time directing a music video.
LBB> The ad/music video/game/web platform that made me want to get into the industry…
Michelle> Similarly, anytime a new MTV ‘Making the Video’ aired I was right there. Learning what went into the whole process really captivated me, and I knew I had to be a part of it.
LBB> The creative work that I keep revisiting…
Michelle> 2021’s ‘The Marfa Tapes’ by Jack Ingram, Jon Randall, and Miranda Lambert. The beautiful rawness has made me cry more than once.
This album actually even inspired me to take a trip to Marfa, Texas, where it was recorded. The whole small town is an artistic oasis in West Texas. There is also a fantastic documentary by Spencer Peeples that pairs with the album.
LBB> My first professional project…
Michelle> Right out of college I was a production assistant on DIY Network’s ‘Kitchen Impossible.’ My job consisted of cleaning up from the demo that was done, painting the kitchen, helping with prop placement, and cleaning up trash.
LBB> The piece of work that made me so angry that I vowed to never make anything like *that*…
Michelle> Any spot that is memorable only because they are annoying. Trying to be clever for the sake of being clever doesn’t always work. I only want to be a part of work that’s memorable for the right reasons.
LBB> The piece of work that still makes me jealous…
Michelle> Coincidentally, this was actually edited at Consulate where I currently work, but before my time there. I adore director Sofia Coppola and editor Chad Sipkin’s ‘Miss Dior’ spots with Natalie Portman. They are the right amount of feminine and elegant while still fun and relatable – an every girl’s girl.
LBB> The creative project that changed my career…
Michelle> In 2010, I assistant directed a short film called ‘Awkward Knockings,’ directed by Frank Tejada. It was my first time working at an actual studio. That film led to me landing a job there after I had proven myself on set. It’s been an upward motion ever since.
LBB> The work that I’m proudest of…
Michelle> This is so hard! There are so many I’m proud of. When I gather all that I’ve been privileged to work on, it’s more of a collective of work that I’m proud of. I also especially enjoy it when I get to work on a project outside of my typical wheelhouse. I love a good challenge.
LBB> I was involved in this and it makes me cringe…
Michelle> That’s a secret :)
LBB> The recent project I was involved in that excited me the most…
Michelle> I post-produced and Jeremy Maneval edited a very fun and entertaining spot called ‘Extraordinary Pursuits’ for Neiman Marcus, starring Ayo Edebiri and Colman Domingo. The director, Tyler Mitchell, is always great to work with, and I love how this turned out.
