Michael Lacey

1999 was a great year for walking, some guy in China walked the wall, Ian Botham walked from John-O-Groats to Lands-End and I launched my toolbox across a factory floor and walked away from a career in engineering. Armed with something to say I wrote my way into Manchester Metropolitan film school and became fascinated by images, subtext, and visually conveying emotion onto screen. The film-bug bit and I swapped my pen for a camera. After graduating from film school I worked as a VT Operator and Assistant Director on TV commercials until I got a break directing corporate videos for Swissport, Nissan, Lacoste, TNT and British Gas. I became increasingly aware of how the industry was littered with frustrated writers and directors and how quickly dreams fade with long hours and freelance concern, I needed a calling card that would open doors and give me the opportunity to kick-start my own move into the competitive world of drama. Unable to raise any funding, I financed my ten-minute short film ‘Touch Down’ by selling my house, and shot over 3 days on super 16mm. 'Touch Down’ went onto earn representation from the British Film Council at film festivals all over the world and opened a door at ITV, where I have now directed multi award winning episodes for both Emmerdale and Coronation Street.