His latest film
is the quirky romantic comedy "The
Giant Mechanical Man". Michael developed
the production plan and line produced the project.
The film was shot in Michigan and he was able
to tap into the significant state rebates for
film productions. "The Giant Mechanical Man"
stars Jenna Fischer (“The Office”),
Chris Messina, Malin Ackerman and Topher Grace.
Creating a buzz at advance studio screenings,
it is scheduled for theatrical release in 2012.
His labor
of love project, taking 10 years to make
— Michael produced "The
Perfect Game". It is the true story
of the 1957 Monterey Mexico team who overcame
poverty and racism to get to the Little League
World Series in Williamsport, PA. Described by
CNN's Larry King as “a near-perfect film”
and by Roger Ebert as “thrilling,”
the film was released theatrically and is now
available on DVD.
Michael’s producing credits include features
and television projects such as "Humboldt
County", David Mamet’s "Edmond",
"The Junction Boys", "Disappearance",
"Junction Boys", "First Daughter",
"Pandora’s Clock", "The People
Next Door", "The Substitute Wife",
"Mission of the Shark" and "Stompin’
At The Savoy".
He made his feature
directorial debut with "10
Attitudes" — a romantic comedy
that won awards at film festivals from Philadelphia
to Barcelona. In 2011, Michael directed the reality/performance
pilot "American Dream:
Second Chance" and the scripted comedy
pilot "Why I Hate My
Roommate". Both projects are under
consideration for network and cable pick-up. His
company Gallant Entertainment is actively developing
projects for stage, screen, and television.
Michael and Gallant
Entertainment were selected by the Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences to produce a series
of educational DVDs called "Journeys
Below the Line". The series highlights
the many creative crafts in the film and television
industry. The first in the series is "24:
The Editing Process". It focuses on
the Emmy-winning editorial team of the TV hit
"24". Second
in the series is "ER:
The PropMasters". The third installment
is "LOST: The Cinematography
Team". It was shot in Hawaii and featured
the show's camera, grip and electric teams. First
Light Media distributes "Journeys" worldwide.
The series has won numerous awards and is used
as part of the curriculum in film schools around
the world. The series is available at www.journeysbelowtheline.com
.
Prior to his
career as an independent producer Michael served
as executive in charge of production for ABC Circle
Films and ABC Motion Pictures. During his tenure
at ABC his body of work includes the feature "Impulse",
and for television, "The
Day After", "Baby M", "Who
Will Love My Children?", "Inside the
Third Reich", and "Attica".
One of his most memorable, and one of the most
ambitious projects ever attempted for TV, was
the 30 hour World
War II epic "War and
Remembrance". Shot on land and sea
in 10 countries, it consumed 5 years of Michael’s
career. All of these projects went on to earn
10 Emmy Awards, 5 Golden Globes and 3 DGA Awards.
