Michael was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. His first lead role in a feature
film was as a hit man in Daniel Casey's "The Death of Michael Smith,"
which won the Excellence in Filmmaking award at the Slamdance film
festival in Park City, Utah. He has also received credits in films such
as Amanda & The Fox, Killerman, Cash Only and Setup, just to name a few. Michael also received his
first producers credit for Guns Drugs & Dirty Money.
Michael expanded his knowledge as a screenwriter with the assistance
from the Academy of Television and Motion Picture Sciences and numerous
Los Angeles seminars. Michael's introduction to screenwriter was to
memorialize his time at Pharoh's Golden Cup Club, by penning his first
screenplay with John Anton called: Five Years in the Pit. Michael has
since then co-written; "The Mamaluke" and "Uncle Fino." He has written
along with Andy Collen, of Happy Trails Animation the animated feature
"The Blowffeld Bears" and the accompanying "Series Bible" for the
television series which is in development. Andy and Michael have also
written: "Eddy the Unending Life," a Poe adaptation; also numerous
episodes and several animated features for The New Three Stooges which
is also in development.
Finally, Michael teamed up with long time friend and actor-writer Rich
Goteri. Together they've co-written several screenplays including:
"Potty Time" "A Very Low Carb Movie," Taking It Back. For Happy Trails
Animation, the duo has written an animated series called "Nutz and
Bolts" now in production. Rich and Mike have also compiled and
developed a method of applied writing principles which they call,
"Words To Film By." Together they have determined to share their method
with everyone who wants to give Screenwriting a shot. The book of the
same name is set for release late this year.
Recently, Michael and Rich were hired by Frank Roche of Roche
Productions to re-write his story "The Italy Boys" along with Rich
Goteri.
Michael claims he received his education from his interesting life,
spent with his very funny family. However, Michael also attended Henry
Ford College where he studied Graphic Arts and Marketing and the
Detroit College of Business. He studied comedy from various stand-up
comedians, acting from Richard Goteri and comedic timing and voice
characterizations from Angelo & Vassili Metas.
Michael's accomplishments also include: the writing and illustration of
his weekly cartoon called Tasso, 101 Uses for the Dirty Disposable
Diaper and Tasso's Big Book of Humor. Michael is putting the finishing
touches on his novel based on his family and his experiences as a child
with the Detroit Mob.