Spencer Lackey, an alumnus of UC College-Conservatory of Music and a filmmaker widely known for his chilling short-form horror videos, is now imparting his expertise to his alma mater's current students. According to a recent report from the University of Cincinnati, with over six million followers combined on TikTok and Instagram, Lackey's content is not for the faint of heart. His collaboration with CCM Acting students, under the guidance of Acting Professor D'Arcy Smith, is carried out in the Digital Performance Lab, orchestrating educational experiences that mesh with professional digital content creation practices.
Designed to bridge the gap between industry standards and academic learning, the Digital Performance Lab operates as a hub that fosters research and production in digital performances. Lackey, charged with teaching the students, reveals his production process and strategies for audience engagement, a skill highly valued in the saturated realm of social media.
The challenge posed to Lackey and his students involves crafting compelling narratives that can captivate viewers quickly. With millions of content pieces vying for attention on platforms like TikTok, the emphasis is on the creation of a gripping hook and a tight narrative arc. This is according to Lackey, who, in a statement obtained by the University of Cincinnati news release, explains the need "to capture audience attention in a medium that is overrun with content." He further details the structure required for success: "Generally speaking, this means developing a good hook, a strong, tension-building sequence and a payoff."
With these tools and mentorship, CCM Acting students are now producing their own hair-raising short-form videos, potentially following in Lackey's footsteps.
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