Comedy Director Amber Schaefer Joins Caviar for US Commercial & Branded Content Representation

Los Angeles-based Amber Schaefer brings her pitch-perfect comedy direction to the Caviar roster. Her extensive background as a writer, creative, actor, and producer informs her well-received commercial work for clients such as GEICO, Burrow, Carnival Cruises and Dos Equis. 

Schaefer’s enthusiasm for humor and for collaboration led her to study improv, character, and sketch comedy at such hallowed halls as The Pit, The Magnet Theater, and Upright Citizens Brigade. Her weekly stand-up show at Max Fish in New York ran for several years, and she’s written and produced content for clients like Expedia and American Express. Schaefer has worked in various creative capacities with talent including Ben Schwartz, Shaquille O’Neal, and Sam Smith. 

If comedy is Schaefer’s sweet spot, then directing is her calling. As she says, “When I direct I get to fall in love with every step of the process - from casting to color grading. I’ve always been a bit of an ADHD generalist and as a director, this is a strength, not a weakness.” 

Schaefer is also driven by a passion for politics, evidenced by her degree in Political Theory from Marlboro College. Recently, she created and directed a series of unsanctioned political ads that aim to shift the pervasive white male “Bernie Bro” rhetoric rampant in the media. A spoof on a traditional luxury fragrance ad, “Bérnié: The People's Perfume” was made with an LA-based cast of influential Bernie Babes: Demi Adejuyigbe, Paige Elkington, Matisse Andrews, and Kate Hollowell. 

The playful parody gives a face to the many women and people of color whose support for Sanders has often been rendered unseen, despite the fact that they have consistently made up more of Bernie’s base than white men. Says Schaefer, “Comedy at its best lifts a veil and makes the invisible visible.” 

Schaefer followed up “The People's Perfume” with a fresh batch of videos made with the same all-volunteer cast, launched on Valentine’s Day. Invoking the nostalgic cheesiness of 90’s-era commercials for late-night hotlines, the ads come complete with a working number where curious callers can hear a sensual voice describing Bernie’s policies, such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.

Kim Dellara, Partner & Executive Producer at Caviar, says, “We’re so excited to have Amber join our roster! Her infectious love of short-form storytelling and sharp wit was obvious from our first meeting. I really appreciate her clever ability to quickly establish premise and develop empathetic characters. We can’t wait to put her unique talents and satirical brilliance to great use at Caviar.”

Schaefer echoes the praise, saying, “I was drawn to Caviar because of their extraordinary directors, their impressive body of work, and their relaxed - yet hard-working - no-bullshit company culture. I couldn’t be more excited to join their team and expand my ability as a director with their experience, guidance, and reputation.” 

Previously repped by More Media, Schaefer remains signed to Soft Citizen in Canada and 3Arts for film and television projects. She is currently writing her debut feature film.