Michael's first short as producer won a student academy award. Fresh out of Northwestern U, Michael produced a short selected to Cannes. Michael worked as a development/production executive on numerous movies including Bad Influence (Curtis Hanson directed), Men at Work (Emilio Estevez directed/starred) and Double Impact (Jean Claude Van Damme). Producing over 50 independent features in the late 80s and 90s, some thru companies he founded, Michael pioneered a micro-budget filmmaking process resulting in critically acclaimed movies at Sundance (The Invisibles), various international festivals and a Spirit award nomination (Charlotte Sometimes). Michael directs and produces hundreds of short movies for international advocacy organizations including UNICEF, RESCUE and the EU working in disasters and hot-spots all over the world. Additionally Michael focuses on directing promotional content for social entrepreneurs and planet-friendly products. Michael recently returned to features producing Passenger C (Cassian Elwes Director), Eurotrash, Lost Angeles and Bride of the Dead.
Speaks on panels all over the world about low budget production and
alternative distributon of film.
Graduated from Northwestern University.
In 1996, launched Zero Pictures, a Labortory where filmmakers received
production funds and educational and resource support without creative
interference.