Hollywood insiders name CCM grad Spencer Lackey as up-and-coming horror director
Lackey made The Hollywood Reporter's list of YouTubers with box office potential
Since graduating from UC's College-Conservatory of Music, Spencer Lackey (BFA Acting, '17) has established himself as a buzz-worthy creator of short-form horror content. Lackey's TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels have attracted millions of followers and his work has increasingly caught the attention of entertainment industry insiders. Now, his career may be entering an exciting new phase: The Hollywood Reporter recently named Lackey as a potential "next big thing in the horror space."
The Hollywood Reporter's list of up-and-coming horror directors was inspired by the recent box office successes of Obsession and Backrooms. Both of these popular horror movies were directed by filmmakers who first made names for themselves on video sharing platforms like YouTube.
CCM alumnus Spencer Lackey speaking with CCM Acting students via Zoom in the Digital Performance Lab. Photo/Provided by D'Arcy Smith.
The Hollywood Reporter article explains, "While horror directors have long had a reputation for stretching a dollar and finding creative solutions to filmmaking problems, the directors coming out of YouTube are seen as being able to do so on an even smaller scale, all while capturing the attention of the easily distracted Gen Z masses."
Lackey has certainly succeeded at finding creative ways to catch large audiences' attention, and The Hollywood Reporter notes, "With over 6 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, and nearly 600,000 subscribers on YouTube, Lackey has built his following with ingenious horror short-form content."
Last fall, Lackey worked with current students to create their own vertical short-form horror videos in CCM's Acting for the Camera Class, which was held at UC's Digital Performance Lab.
CCM alumnus Spencer Lackey and CCM Acting students meeting over Zoom. Photo/ Provided by D'Arcy Smith.
Lackey had this advice for current students:
"If you want to make stuff, do it! Gone are the days that require many thousands of dollars to make a short film. You can shoot a video, a short film, or even a full length movie on your phone! You can post it on to YouTube and get a ton of attention (if it’s good, that is). The trick is to make things you’re passionate about. For me, that’s horror."
Opportunity meets innovation
Lackey's success is reflective of the philosophy of CCM's Acting BFA program, which is dedicated to creating an academic and creative environment where students can engage with emerging industry trends and technologies so that they are empowered to have an immediate impact when they launch their careers.
The Hollywood Reporter turned its spotlight on CCM's innovative approach earlier this year when it featured CCM Professor D'Arcy Smith and his innovative work on microdramas with CCM's BFA Acting students. Microdramas continue to experience a "gold rush" in Hollywood according to The Hollywood Reporter.
CCM's innovative approach to arts education pays off for its graduates, too. The HEA Group, a research and policy organization focused on the value and outcomes of American higher education, recently conducted an analysis of the US Department of Education's "College Scorecard" earnings dataset and found that UC possesses one of the 10 highest-earning Drama, Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in the nation, as measured by graduates' earnings four years after degree completion.
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Featured image at the top: Spencer Lackey attends the Up Next Creators Showcase during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at AMC 19th Street on June 12, 2025 in New York City. Photo/Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
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