.jpg/250px-Michael_Gracey_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_(cropped).jpg){kind=small}
.jpg/1711px-Michael_Gracey_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_(cropped).jpg)
Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Michael Gracey.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Michael Gracey
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Michael Gracey is an Australian filmmaker. He is best known for directing the films The Greatest Showman and Better Man.
Key Information
.jpg)
Early life and career
[edit]Gracey grew up in Melbourne – in Carlton then Kew – then started working in visual effects and music videos before making his reputation in advertising, gaining a name for himself with his Christmas commercials in the UK and US.[1]
Gracey worked for two years at animation and visual effects studio Animal Logic from 1994 to 1996 as an animator and visual effects compositor.[2] He left the company to work at Complete Post, during which time Gracey met and began working with director Baz Luhrmann, who invited him to work on Moulin Rouge!. "We worked on what we called 'visual scrapbooks'," Gracey told shots.net. "Baz would shoot some footage of Nicole Kidman singing or something and we'd do little mock-ups, and cut mood reels together."[3]
Career
[edit]
Gracey made his feature directorial debut in 2017 with The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum.[4][5]
Gracey was also slated to direct an adaptation of manga series Naruto,[6] but was replaced by Destin Daniel Cretton,[7] and an adaptation of the novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone,[8] which fell in development hell.
In 2022, Gracey directed a short film for Tourism Australia, G'Day, starring Rose Byrne and Will Arnett, with cameos from Hamish Blake & Andy Lee.[9] The commercial is the salient feature of the 'Come and Say G’day' campaign.[10]
Gracey is a member of the Australian production company: FINCH.[11]
Gracey directed the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.[12]
Gracey is COO of the recently formed entertainment company Gracey&CO. He is doing this alongside his sister Cassandra Gracey, who has had a successful career in the Music Industry managing the likes of Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and Simon Cowell's recently formed band December 10 - who formed off the back of his Netflix documentary "Simon Cowell: The Next Act."
Filmography
[edit]Visual effects
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Amy | Digital artist |
| 1998 | The Genie from Down Under | Visual effects artist (6 episodes) |
| 2001 | Cubbyhouse | Digital compositor |
| 2002 | Double Vision | |
| 2003 | Ned Kelly | Digital compositor – Complete Post Visual effects supervisor – Complete 2003 Post |
| 2005 | The Magician | Visual effects supervisor |
Director
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Greatest Showman | Yes | No | No | |
| 2021 | Pink: All I Know So Far | Yes | Yes | Yes | Documentary film |
| 2024 | Better Man | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Executive producer
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Rocketman | Originally attached to direct the film before being replaced by Dexter Fletcher |
| 2023 | Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie | Also song lyrics |
Special thanks
- The Square (2008)
References
[edit]- ^ Maddox, Garry (20 December 2017). "How first-time Australian director Michael Gracey landed a Hollywood musical". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ Green, Ricki (22 October 2020). "Michael Gracey joins FINCH". Campaign Brief. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ Edwards, Danny (7 October 2009). "Michael Gracey". Shots Magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela; Kit, Borys (17 August 2011). "Michael Gracey to Direct 'The Greatest Showman on Earth'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (28 February 2017). "What 'La La Land' Hath Wrought: The 15 Biggest Movie Musicals Coming Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave (31 July 2015). "Lionsgate Ramping Up 'Naruto' Movie with Michael Gracey". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ Kit, Borys (23 February 2024). "'Naruto' Movie in the Works with Destin Daniel Cretton Writing and Directing". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (3 December 2013). "Michael Gracey Set to Direct Universal's 'Daughter of Smoke & Bone' Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ "Australia's new short film invites you to Come and Say G'day". Drift Travel Magazine. 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Green, Ricki (20 October 2022). "Tourism Australia invites the world to 'Come and Say G'day' in global campaign". Campaign Brief. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ "Michael Gracey joins FINCH". FilmInk. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Laffly, Tomris (23 December 2024). "'Better Man' Director Michael Gracey Explains How Robbie Williams Saved 'The Greatest Showman'". IndieWire.
External links
[edit]Michael Gracey
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family background
Michael Gracey was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, initially in the suburb of Carlton before the family moved to Kew.[7] He grew up in a music-loving household with four siblings, where their mother played piano and guitar and taught music at a school for disabled children, instilling an appreciation for expression and communication.[8] All five Gracey children learned musical instruments, with Gracey himself playing the saxophone during his childhood in the 1980s.[8] Gracey’s father, a tech-savvy photographer, co-founded a company in Melbourne that developed the Flame digital compositing software in the early 1990s, an industry-standard tool for visual effects that exposed the young Gracey to cutting-edge image manipulation technology from an early age.[4][9] This familial immersion in both music and digital innovation, combined with Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene—including frequent family outings to musical theatre productions like Sunset Boulevard and viewings of classics such as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music—sparked his early fascination with animation and filmmaking during the 1980s and 1990s.[8] This interest in musical theatre would later influence his career trajectory toward storytelling through song and visuals.[8]Education and early influences
Gracey attended Xavier College, a Jesuit school in Melbourne, Australia, where he graduated in 1994.[10] During his school years, he developed an interest in drawing and animation through self-taught practices, often experimenting with sketches and basic techniques inspired by his surroundings.[9] In 1994, during a gap year from his schooling, Gracey joined Animal Logic, Australia's pioneering animation and visual effects studio in Sydney, as his first professional experience in the field; this period solidified his passion for visual effects by immersing him in cutting-edge digital workflows. He graduated from Xavier College that year and continued at Animal Logic until 1996.[2][8][11][9] His family's early access to advanced technology, provided by his father's pioneering work in developing the Flame image manipulation system, further equipped him with foundational technical skills in digital compositing.[4][9] Key early influences included exposure to musical theatre at home, where his mother's enthusiasm for performance and dance instilled a love for storytelling through motion, blending seamlessly with the technical prowess he observed from his father's innovations in image manipulation.[9][8] These elements converged to shape his creative direction, leading him to pursue animation during a time when 1990s advancements in digital effects, such as CGI integration in films, were revolutionizing the industry and opening new possibilities for visual narrative.[2][8]Career
Beginnings in animation and visual effects
Gracey began his professional career in animation and visual effects at the age of 18 in 1994, during a gap year from his education, when he joined the Australian studio Animal Logic as its youngest animator and visual effects compositor.[12][13] This entry-level role marked his initial immersion in the burgeoning digital effects industry, where he quickly adapted to the technical demands of the field. Over the next two years, until 1996, Gracey contributed to various early Australian visual effects projects at Animal Logic, honing his expertise in compositing and animation techniques amid the studio's pioneering work in digital tools.[1][14] His hands-on involvement exposed him to emerging technologies, such as early software for layering and integrating visual elements, allowing him to build a foundational portfolio in visual effects design that emphasized precision and innovation.[12] By the end of his tenure, Gracey had transitioned from junior tasks to identifying broader creative opportunities, particularly in commercials, which laid the groundwork for his evolution into directing.[13] This period solidified his technical proficiency and sparked his interest in blending visual effects with storytelling.Work in advertising and music videos
Gracey began his directing career in the early 2000s with music videos, leveraging his background in visual effects to create visually dynamic narratives. His debut music video for 1200 Techniques' "Karma (What Goes Around)" (2002) marked a breakthrough, earning an ARIA Award for Best Video and leading to his signing with the production company Partizan for commercial work.[15] Subsequent videos, such as Sugababes' "Shape" (2003), Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten" (2004), Alesha Dixon's "The Boy Does Nothing" (2008), and Gabriella Cilmi's "On a Mission" (2010), showcased his ability to blend innovative visuals with storytelling, often incorporating choreographed sequences and surreal elements.[16][17] Transitioning to advertising, Gracey directed high-profile commercials starting around 2005, focusing on international brands and emphasizing spectacle through integrated VFX and live-action. Notable early works include the T-Mobile "Dance" flash mob at Liverpool Street Station (2009), which captured a spontaneous street performance to promote connectivity, and the Evian "Roller Babies" campaign, featuring infants roller-skating in a whimsical urban setting.[18][19][2] Other projects, such as the Lipton "Tokyo Hotel" spot with Hugh Jackman (2010) and the Renault "Race" commercial, highlighted his narrative flair in short-form content, often produced through Partizan in collaboration with global agencies.[20] These efforts built his reputation for creative fusion of practical effects and digital enhancements, earning accolades like a Cannes Lions Grand Prix for the Evian ad and multiple Clio Awards for direction.[15][2] From the late 1990s through the mid-2010s, Gracey's work centered on international campaigns, initially based in Australia before relocating between Sydney, London, and Los Angeles to accommodate shoots across Europe and the US.[4] This period culminated in music-related projects like the music video for P!nk's "Walk Me Home" (2019), which transformed a cityscape into a dreamlike noir sequence, and his direction of the documentary P!nk: All I Know So Far (2021), incorporating concert footage and behind-the-scenes elements to explore her touring life.[21][22][23] His approach consistently prioritized emotional resonance and visual innovation in these short-form pieces, setting the stage for longer narratives.[4]Transition to feature films
Gracey, an Australian director with no prior feature film experience, faced significant hurdles breaking into Hollywood, particularly for a high-risk genre like the musical. As a first-time filmmaker from outside the U.S. industry, he had to surpass standard expectations to secure opportunities, compounded by the geographical distance from major studios.[7] Pitching proved challenging; he landed his breakthrough project partly due to a misconception that he personally knew star Hugh Jackman, stemming from shared Australian roots and a commercial he directed.[7] Financing original musicals added further obstacles, as Hollywood had not produced one in over two decades, requiring persistent development through multiple script iterations and studio greenlights.[7] His feature debut came with The Greatest Showman (2017), a musical biopic about circus showman P.T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman in the lead role alongside Zendaya and Zac Efron.[24] The project spanned seven years of development, involving extensive revisions to transform an initial jukebox musical concept into an original score-driven narrative, ultimately greenlit by 20th Century Fox.[7][8] Gracey's background in music videos and visual effects equipped him to handle the film's elaborate song-and-dance sequences, blending theatrical spectacle with cinematic flair.[25] Following this success, Gracey served as an executive producer on the Elton John biopic Rocketman (2019), contributing to its production after originally being attached to direct the project.[2] His involvement bridged his work on musical biopics, leveraging his expertise in fantastical performance sequences.[24] Gracey returned to directing with Better Man (2024), another biographical musical chronicling the life of British pop star Robbie Williams, featuring innovative visual effects that depict the protagonist as a CGI monkey to symbolize his self-perception as a "performing monkey" in the industry.[26] Starring Jonno Davies as Williams' physical performer and Williams himself providing voice and vocals, the film premiered at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024.[27][28][29]Recent projects and theatre
Following the success of his feature film Better Man (2024), which earned critical acclaim and multiple awards, Michael Gracey expanded his portfolio into short-form narratives and stage production.[30] In 2022, Gracey directed the short film G'Day for Tourism Australia, a whimsical live-action adventure featuring a souvenir kangaroo voiced by Rose Byrne and a toy koala voiced by Will Arnett, designed to promote Australian tourism through vibrant visuals of iconic landmarks and natural wonders.[31] The film, produced by FINCH, garnered over 19 million views and highlighted Gracey's ability to blend animation with live-action for engaging storytelling.[32] In 2025, Gracey helmed the Christmas campaign for Shelter, the UK's leading homelessness charity, titled Earworm.[33] The poignant narrative short, set to Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart," depicts a young boy's frustration in temporary accommodation, using everyday scenes to underscore the emotional toll of housing instability on families during the holidays.[33] Produced by Partizan and Don't Panic, the campaign aimed to raise awareness and funds, emphasizing Shelter's support for 84,240 families trapped in temporary accommodation that Christmas.[34][35] Marking his debut in theatre, Gracey announced in July 2025 that he had secured rights to develop a biographical stage musical about opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, with the endorsement of Pavarotti's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani.[6] As director and producer, Gracey plans to incorporate Pavarotti's iconic arias into a narrative exploring the tenor's rise to fame, personal life, and cultural impact, with a targeted premiere in London's West End.[6] This project builds on Gracey's expertise in musical storytelling, transitioning his cinematic vision to live performance.[36] Gracey received the 2025 AACTA Award for Best Direction in Film for Better Man, contributing to the film's total of nine wins and underscoring his recent achievements in biographical musicals.[30]Personal life
Family and relationships
Michael Gracey grew up in a music-loving household in Melbourne with four siblings, where family traditions such as an annual Christmas Day concert continue to foster close ties among them.[8] His sister Cassandra, with whom he shares roots from their Melbourne upbringing, has publicly expressed pride in his filmmaking achievements.[37] Gracey is married to Nadya Nepomnyashaya, with whom he has attended red carpet events including the 2024 European premiere of Better Man.[38] There are no public reports of children as of 2025. The family's influence on his career persists, particularly through his father's legacy in visual effects; Gracey's father, a photographer, co-developed pioneering digital compositing software like the Flame system in Melbourne, shaping Gracey's early motivations in the industry.[4][8] For work, Gracey resides primarily in Los Angeles but balances commitments by returning to Australia to maintain family roots in Melbourne.[8]Interests and philanthropy
Gracey developed an early and enduring passion for musical theatre, influenced by his mother's enthusiasm for the genre and live performances during his childhood in Melbourne.[39][9] This interest has persisted personally, with Gracey citing classic musical films such as Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and Singin' in the Rain as favorites that continue to inspire him.[8] He has expressed a similar affinity for opera, which informs his creative worldview and has shaped endeavors like his development of a biographical stage musical about Luciano Pavarotti.[6] Beyond theatre, Gracey harbors a deep fascination with innovative visual effects (VFX) and animation, viewing them as extensions of performance and motion akin to dance.[8][9] This passion traces back to his formative years experimenting with filmmaking as a teenager, where he began shooting personal short films, and has led him to continually explore emerging technologies for storytelling in his downtime.[9] In philanthropy, Gracey has contributed his directorial talents to charitable causes, particularly those addressing social issues through impactful campaigns. In 2025, he helmed Shelter's Christmas advertisement, a poignant film adaptation of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" that spotlights the plight of over 84,000 families trapped in temporary accommodation amid the UK's homelessness crisis.[34][40] He has also supported Australian film development initiatives via his involvement with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), including participation in talent incubators and industry showcases that promote emerging filmmakers.[41]Filmography
Feature films
Michael Gracey's directorial debut in feature films was The Greatest Showman (2017), a musical biopic chronicling the life of showman P. T. Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman in the lead role alongside Zac Efron and Zendaya.[42] The film became a global box office success, grossing over $471 million worldwide against a budget of $84 million.[43] Gracey also directed the documentary P!nk: All I Know So Far (2021), an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the singer's life and her 2019 world tour.[44] His second narrative feature, Better Man (2024), is a semi-biographical jukebox musical depicting the rise, fall, and resurgence of British pop star Robbie Williams, innovatively portraying the singer as a CGI chimpanzee to symbolize his self-perception.[45] The film features Williams' actual hits and narration, with actor Jonno Davies providing motion capture for the lead role.[46] As of November 2025, Gracey has directed three feature films, though he contributed as an executive producer to the Elton John biopic Rocketman (2019).Music videos and shorts
Gracey began directing music videos in the early 2000s, establishing his reputation for visually inventive storytelling that blended animation and live-action elements drawn from his visual effects background.[5] His early works include:- "Karma" for 1200 Techniques (2002)[5]
- "Innocent Eyes" for Delta Goodrem (2003)[5]
- "Shape" for Sugababes (2003, co-directed with Pete Commins)[5]
- "My Love Is A Kite" for Sean Sennett (2003)[5]
- "Your Game" for Will Young (2004)[5]
- "Unwritten" for Natasha Bedingfield (2004)[5]
- "Call My Name" for Charlotte Church (2005)[5]
- "The Boy Does Nothing" for Alesha Dixon (2008, co-directed with Pete Commins and Annie Beauchamp)[5]
- "On a Mission" for Gabriella Cilmi (2010)[5]
- "Walk Me Home" for P!nk (2019), featuring a dreamlike narrative that complemented the song's introspective tone[5]
Awards and nominations
Film awards
Gracey received his first major recognition as a feature film director for Better Man (2024), which earned him the Best Director award at the 65th AACTA Awards in 2025.[52] The film also secured the Best Film prize at the same ceremony, contributing to its nine total wins from 16 nominations, highlighting Gracey's innovative direction of the biographical musical.[53] Additionally, Better Man won Best Direction in Film for Gracey at the 14th AACTA International Awards, where it also won for Best Film, underscoring the project's international appeal despite its Australian production roots.[54] In contrast, Gracey's debut feature The Greatest Showman (2017) achieved substantial commercial success as one of the highest-grossing live-action musicals, earning over $435 million worldwide, but did not yield major individual directing awards for him, though he won the Truly Moving Picture Award for his direction.[24] The film received nominations including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 75th Golden Globe Awards and Best Action or Adventure Film at the 44th Saturn Awards (which it won), though Gracey was not personally nominated in directing categories. Overall, Gracey's two feature films have accumulated more than five nominations and two directing wins centered on Better Man.[55]| Year | Award | Category | Film | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Truly Moving Picture Award | Truly Moving Picture | The Greatest Showman | Win (director)[56] |
| 2018 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | The Greatest Showman | Nomination (film)[57] |
| 2018 | Saturn Awards | Best Action or Adventure Film | The Greatest Showman | Win (film)[56] |
| 2025 | AACTA Awards | Best Director | Better Man | Win[52] |
| 2025 | AACTA Awards | Best Film | Better Man | Win (film)[53] |
| 2025 | AACTA International Awards | Best Direction in Film | Better Man | Win[54] |
| 2025 | AACTA International Awards | Best Film | Better Man | Win (film)[54] |