Michael Gracey with his dad Bryan.

It’ll come as no surprise to anyone who’s watched his work, but Michael Gracey [pictured here with his Dad] is an extraordinary dancer – trust us, we’ve seen him in action. He put that light-footed experience to full effect in two blockbuster viral hits this year: the energetic train station flashmob of T-Mobile “Dance” and the adorable rollerskating babies in Evian “Rollerbabies”. A recent “Weapon Of Choice”-style dance routine for Hugh Jackman for Lipton Ice Tea, “Tokyo Hotel” and a VFX musical spectacular for Peugeot “Alchemy” have cemented his reputation as the go-to director for dance extravaganzas.

What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on to your kids?
I used to hold my sister’s mirror out in front of me angled towards the roof and then run around the house, dancing around and jumping over [the reflection of] light fittings and doorways.

You’re given $1 million and a sticky note. You have to donate the money anonymously. Who would you give it to and what would you write to them on the note?
I met a Dutch girl in Rio de Janeiro who goes into poor countries and sets up theater programs for the disadvantaged and homeless as a way of giving them the means to support themselves through the arts. I would give her $1 million with a note that read, “I knew you weren’t a prostitute.”

You’re given a blank check and told, “This is your budget, go nuts”. Describe the commercial you’d make.
It would all be done in-camera, thousands of dancers, huge sets, perfectly choreographed in terms of camera and performance. No visual effects, everything done for real! Powell and Pressburger would be jealous.

If you were written about on the front page of a major newspaper, what would the headline say?
“Man Rescues Flaming Queen.”

How would you describe your profession to a kindergarten class full of four- and five-year-olds?
“Basically, I get to act like you all do but without parental supervision.”

What’s the one interview question you’re tired of being asked?
“When are you coming out?”

In the history of commercials, what’s one iconic spot that you wish you had a shot at directing? If we rewound time and gave you that chance, what would you change about that ad?
Tarsem’s Superga “The Challenge”. Wish I had done it, wouldn’t change a single thing.

What was the most technically challenging job you shot in the past year? What made it challenging?
Evian “Rollerbabies”. Child welfare.

What’s your most memorable experience directing an animal?
I got attacked by a platypus. Q

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