In a significant move within the industry, Naima Ramos-Chapman, the accomplished American director, writer, producer, and actor, has joined the roster of directors at global production and entertainment Merman. The U.S. office of Merman announced the signing, marking Ramos-Chapman’s debut representation for spot direction in commercials and branded content.
Ramos-Chapman’s career spans various facets of the entertainment landscape, including notable contributions to television series such as Hulu’s The Other Black Girl, HBO’s Peabody award-winning Random Acts of Flyness, the GenZ comedy series Betty, and Boots Reilly’s satirical Amazon series “I’m a Virgo.”
Recognized as a former Sundance Institute Screenwriter Intensive Fellow, Ramos-Chapman’s talents extend beyond writing and directing, with her short film And Nothing Happened earning a premiere at the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival and inclusion in the Criterion Collection. Additionally, her directorial prowess was showcased in the powerful short thriller Piu Piu, which premiered at the 2018 BlackStar Film Festival.
“Naima is a supremely talented, interdisciplinary artist,” said Merman Global Managing Partner Kira Carstensen. “A self-taught filmmaker and editor with a gifted, intuitive visual sensibility combined with a deep understanding of the absurdity and beauty of the human experience, Naima can capture big moments, atmospheric nuances and high suspense with breathtaking skill. We are thrilled that Naima has joined us at Merman to launch an extremely promising commercial career.”
Ramos-Chapman’s commercial portfolio already boasts directing credits for Facebook, Instagram, and a branded film for Louis Vuitton featuring Lauryn Hill. With a background in dance and training from the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York, Ramos-Chapman incorporates dance and movement into her directorial approach, utilizing it as a method to guide actors and the camera while infusing body language into storytelling.
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“I’ve had a successful career going from writers’ rooms to writers’ rooms starting with Random Acts of Flyness,” said Ramos-Chapman. “Moving forward, my achievements in television and short films can be translated into the commercial space. I’m focused on getting into the kind of commercials that really touch people, that are elegant, that show a different side to things. In particular, I hope to create more content for fashion brands, everything from Louis Vuitton to Burberry to Nike. It’s very exciting and especially exciting to be working with Merman, an amazing company, where I immediately felt a strong connection. I met them a year ago and we kept up the conversation. Having a strong singular voice, it matters to me who I’m talking to and who’s listening. Merman listened. They get it. This is the right partnership at the right time.”
Ramos-Chapman’s decision to join Merman stems from a shared vision and connection with the company’s ethos. She lauded Merman for its receptiveness to her creative voice and expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the importance of genuine collaboration and understanding.
With Naima Ramos-Chapman’s addition to their roster, Merman anticipates further innovation and excellence in the realm of commercial direction, poised to redefine storytelling in advertising and branded content.
Reel 360 News wishes Naima the best of luck at Merman.
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