Comedy is a hot currency on the Internet these days, and often the most successful clips are those filmed on the fly, with little prep time or budget.

One director whose work circulates well in this world is Wayne McClammy. Discovered by Mr. Show co-creator Bob Odenkirk, who caught one of his early R-rated comedy shorts in a Texas movie theater, McClammy, 35, is a regular director for Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Sarah Silverman Show.

Two years ago, he conspired with Silverman to play a musical prank on Kimmel, her then-boyfriend. The result, “I’m Fucking Matt Damon”, attracted eight million hits on ABC’s website, won an Emmy and inspired a retaliation called (what else?) “I’m Fucking Ben Affleck”.

Commercial and feature opportunities followed. When droga5 asked Silverman to star in a campaign encouraging young Jews to convince their conservative elders to vote Obama, McClammy pitched a concept for “The Great Schlelp” viral that would take political advertising to a hilarious new level. He then signed with Hungry Man, directed Philly’s player Jimmy Rollins in a Nike campaign for Wieden+Kennedy and is now developing four feature films for major Hollywood studios.

Why did you start making films?
I always wanted to make movies, but growing up in the south made it seem like a pipe dream. Then, I moved to Austin, Texas in my early 20s and found a thriving film community. People like Robert Rodriguez, Richard Linklater and Mike Judge were proving you could make movies outside of Hollywood. The late ’90s was a really special time in the Austin film community and it inspired me to become who I am today… a balding, lonely man.

How have your first projects shaped you as a director?
I’ve been lucky enough to work in all genres, which has made me a more confident and decisive filmmaker. That’s why I have such diverse groups of friends – I have friends who are Harvard grads and friends who can barely walk they’re so dumb. I think it’s important to have a little bit of everything in your life. The same is true in film.

What non-commercial work of yours have creative directors most responded to?
It’s hard to say. I did “I’m Fucking Matt Damon”, “I’m Fucking Ben Affleck”, and “The Great Schlep” last year. They all had things that people responded to but “The Great Schlep” seemed to have a real impact and served as a tool for the campaign. I think it shows that a strong voice and simple design can still be really powerful. Q

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