Michael Clarke

15 years into my career as a director and photographer, I’m finally launching a proper portfolio site — www.michaelclarke.work I designed and built everything myself with @readymag . There’s a lot of work and information on there that I’ve never shared before. Honestly, probably too much. Take a look sometime, if you want — preferably on desktop (though mobile works too).

Hey guys, here’s a roundup of stuff from when I was a pro skier (2006-2010). I grew up obsessing over @level1 ski movies, watching their films on VHS—over and over and over. And because of that, I determined from an early age that all I wanted to do was make ski movies. At 16, I entered their video contest, Superunknown, and won. I went on to (minimally) contribute to their films for a few years—some highlights are featured in this post. Reflecting on it now, I find it sort of interesting that a video contest helped launch my career as a skier, which later helped my launch my career as a filmmaker. I learned a lot working with Level 1. So @howjoshisliving , @freedlecoty , and @shotbythebureau —thank you. The first image in this post was shot by Jay Michelfelder in 2008, getting a full page in @freeskiermagazine that same year. Jay went on to be one of my most impactful mentors as I shadowed him on countless Under Armour shoots. He’s now a creative director there and someone I still work with from time to time today. So @jamesmichelfelder —thank you.

Met up with Jerome Peel for a story in the latest print issue of @mountaingazette on the @citybikeboys . From his @peels studio, with a wall of custom-modded Citi Bikes, to hitting Blubba and hanging in Tompkins, it was fun to see what he could do with 45 pounds of blue rental metal. Only one bike broken in the process. Thanks for the intro @riiicccooooo . Commissioned by @skiingrogge and assisted by @bradyperron —you guys rule.

Quick studio day for the @westerlind_us and @keen pop-up, starting today. Keen was always one of my dad’s go-tos. Glad to see the world catching up. CREATIVE @andreawesterlind MODEL @suvilou STYLIST brianneemmccabe

Stadium is proud to welcome director @heyguysitsclarke to its roster, championing a multidisciplinary storyteller who pairs premium craft with a human point of view. Originally from Lake Placid, New York, Clarke’s creative path began far from traditional sets. After traveling the world as a professional skier, he turned to filmmaking as a creative outlet and never looked back. He leveraged his existing relationships as an Under Armour endorsed athlete and built a long-running creative partnership with the brand, collaborating on more than 50 projects. Clarke’s work feels both expansive and intimate, balancing a documentary approach with an instinct for directing real people and real feeling.

Got to spend some time with Team USA at Skate America for CDW’s Olympic campaign. Shooting figure skating in my hometown was a full-circle moment. I skated competitively growing up and spent nearly every day after school in this same rink. At thirteen, I choreographed a routine to “Brick House.” My mom has a video of it that I’ll never show you. Thanks for the help @caseyzane .

Michael Clarke is a New York-based director and photographer. His work is polished yet human—sometimes scripted, sometimes documentary, often both. Formerly one of the world’s top-ranked freestyle skiers, he turned a 2010 endorsement deal with Under Armour into an enduring creative partnership—one that’s led to over 50 projects together and collaborations with athletes like Steph Curry and Tom Brady. He’s since expanded into healthcare, tech, and lifestyle—working with brands like Citi and UnitedHealthcare. His Samsung Olympic campaign with Gus Kenworthy chronicled the athlete’s journey as the first openly gay Winter Olympian for Team USA. It won a Clio and was shortlisted at the Young Director Awards. We are beyond excited to welcome @heyguysitsclarke to the team at Asymetric! Swipe to see some of his standout work: 1. Under Armour, “What Fast Feels Like” 2. Curry Brand, “Change the Game” 3. Celsius, “Fuelling Shaun White”

Hey guys, I was lucky enough to spend a little but of time with Stephen for the launch of the Curry 10. He’s really good at basketball. Shot across San Francisco, NYC, and Detroit with an amazing crew. Just sharing my director’s cut now. Snuck in a @flight23white_ cameo. Look at Curry, man. So inspirational. Made with the lovely internal creative team at Under Armour and Curry Brand. PRODUCER / @mik__cooper 1ST AD / @jerremystew DP / @garretthardydavis STEADICAM / @renardcheren 1ST AC / @careyaway 2ND UNIT KING / @kevinedwardsteen COPY / @dudleyversaci Full project info and credits on my site ↗

Hey guys, here’s some of my favorite sequences from a Citi Paralympic campaign I directed during the last Olympic cycle. These athletes are incredible. Amputees, paraplegics, vision impaired—they’re out there doing things most people can’t. Creative by the Citi team at Publicis. Production by @harborpictureco and @20redlights . Produced by @bobokaminski and @tylertribeca . Shot with @williamdesena . Full project info on my site ↗

Hey guys, here’s a collection of “home movies” I made with the Harrison’s for the @artifactuprising Baby Board Book. Bit of an archive pull, but still one of my favorite projects. Would like to make more like this! Thanks to the best creative partner @kevinedwardsteen and @rathausfilms , @ericaharrison1212 for letting us invade your home, and @b_brynestad for the call.

Hey guys, shot this on a hot 96° summer day in Minneapolis—made to look like winter. Practical effects, match cuts, and mic’d-up athletes. @jjettas2 and @alexaust_ for Under Armour ColdGear from a couple years ago but never shared. CREATIVE DIRECTOR / @ngrundhauser ART DIRECTOR / @laurlavie MARKETING / @ebznhobbez UA PRODUCER / @emmybois @sgroberts EP / DIRECTOR / DP / POST / @heyguysitsclarke EP / @mik__cooper LINE PRODUCER / Nancy Carlson PM / Ben Robertson COORDINATOR / Brian Shelly STEADICAM / @renardcheren CAMERA OPERATOR / @mikeyvanbeuren 1ST AC / Randy Smith 1ST AC / Jay Chase-Jacobs 2ND AC / Kyle Frank 2ND AC / Kayla Anne Glick DIT / Chad Scheuneman GAFFER / Bill Felker ELECTRIC / Matt Muegge ELECTRIC / Jeff Villars KEY GRIP / Jeff Fischer GRIP / Dave Pope GRIP / Sec Pearman SOUND / Nick Mihalevich STYLIST / Katie Moroney TAILOR / Thomas Keller HMU / Amy Marie Reed EFFECTS / Tiny Proctor, Andrew Mueller, Alton Proctor, Matt Kendall PA / Kevin Adah, Alex Hall, Andrew Devary, Stuart Skrien

Hey guys, back in 2017 I directed a campaign for Citi about the Block Island Wind Farm—the first offshore wind project in the U.S. I never shared it publicly, but finally pieced together a director’s cut. Here are a few highlights—full project coming soon to my site. AGENCY Publicis Agency Producer: @timmyleg Creative Director: Jeff Westom Creative Director: Jeremy Filgate Art Director: Phil Cho Copywriter: Josh Aiello Account Manager: Yasmin Rodriguez PRODUCTION @harborpictureco Director: Michael Clarke Director of Content: @grayhirshfield Executive Producer: Kelly Broad Head of Production: @rebeccasiegel Producer: Diane Leuci Production Manager: Alexis Del Prete Coordinator: @sabine_b 1st AD: Hope Spooner 2nd AD: Josh Douglass Interviewer: @funkydanger Cinematographer: @toddmartin Steadicam: Stew Cantrell Pilot: Mike Peavey 1st AC: @chevyanderson 2nd AC: Ryan Nocella DIT: Dominick Pietrzak Sound Mixer: Chris Schneider Gaffer: Masseo Davis Key Grip: Scott Sousa Best Boy Grip: Brian Maclean Swing: Adam Lukens PA I: Dwayne Scott PA II: Steven Valle PA III: Nick Clark Stills: Tim Barber Photo Assistant: Israel Veintidos POST (DIRECTOR’S CUT) Edit, Color, Mix: Michael Clarke