We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Henderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.
Michael, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
The journey to earning a full-time living from my creative work didn’t happen overnight—it’s been a long, winding road filled with challenges, self-discovery, and perseverance. For years, I balanced my creative passion with survival, often taking on corporate or local video production projects around the Dallas/Fort Worth area just to keep things moving. But even then, I knew I was building toward something greater.
The real turning point came in January 2024. That’s when I made the decision to go all in—no more sidelines, no more hesitation. I accepted that this creative path wasn’t just something I was passionate about—it was something I was meant to do. From that moment on, everything changed. Opportunities began opening up, people started seeking me out, and the energy around ArtWerks Entertainment shifted in a powerful way.
Now, I’m not just working on creative projects—I’m building a legacy. It’s deeply personal. The impact has been transformative, not only professionally but spiritually. It’s not just about income; it’s about alignment, purpose, and finally doing what I believe I was born to do.
Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Michael Henderson, and I’m the founder and creative force behind ArtWerks Entertainment, a rising independent film production company rooted in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. While the company is fairly new in name, the vision behind it has been decades in the making.
My journey into this industry started on December 7th, 1979, in a movie theater in Dallas, Texas. I was there for the premiere of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and as a lifelong Trek fan, I was already invested—but when the Enterprise hit warp speed for the first time, something changed in me. The visuals by Douglas Trumbull and John Dykstra blew me away. That moment embedded itself into my DNA. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I knew I had to create worlds like that someday. The seed was planted.
Fast forward to today, and ArtWerks Entertainment now develops and produces full-length feature films with a strong focus on fantasy, sci-fi, and action genres, while still making room for powerful human stories that matter. I’ve worked my way up through years of corporate and community-based video production, slowly building the relationships, skills, and courage to take that next step. I now have an opportunity to work with talented collaborators and established industry names—Trilogy Studios, PhantomFX, Picture Post Studios, Buffalo 8—and I’m proud to say the vision is no longer just a dream. It’s happening.
Right now, our flagship project is a high-concept reimagining of “Rikki Tikki Tavi”, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s beloved tale. This is the project that’s opening doors for us globally—connecting us to distribution opportunities, potential investors, and talent. But beyond just making films, our mission is to tell bold, visually driven stories that blend emotional truth with imaginative spectacle. We want to entertain, but we also want to inspire—and to leave something behind that outlives us.
What sets ArtWerks apart is authenticity. We don’t chase trends—we chase meaning. Every story we develop is rooted in personal passion and larger themes like bravery, identity, and transformation. We’re committed to inclusive storytelling and showcasing underrepresented voices in ways that still feel universal and cinematic.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just a single film or accomplishment—it’s the fact that I didn’t give up. I’ve overcome personal setbacks, rejections, reinventions, and years of being misunderstood—even by myself. But in finally accepting who I truly am and fully stepping into this role, I’ve created a space where anything is possible.
Whether you’re a fan, a fellow creative, or a potential partner, I want you to know: this is only the beginning. ArtWerks Entertainment is not just a company—it’s a legacy in motion.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes — without question. The mission behind my creative journey is to tell powerful, imaginative stories that resonate across generations, while building a legacy that reflects truth, hope, and transformation. I’m driven by the belief that storytelling is one of the most effective tools we have for healing, inspiring, and uniting people — especially when it comes from a place of authenticity.
At the core of ArtWerks Entertainment is a desire to blend entertainment with meaning. We create films that are visually striking and emotionally grounded, designed not just to entertain but to stick with you. Whether it’s an epic fantasy, a sci-fi adventure, or a grounded drama, every project we produce explores themes of identity, courage, family, and purpose — all while giving space to characters and perspectives that are often underrepresented in mainstream media.
A major part of my creative mission is also rooted in reviving Hollywood-level filmmaking in the North Texas area, where I was born and raised. There was a time when Dallas and the surrounding region were seen as legitimate hubs for major productions — I remember big projects like RoboCop, and I even had a brief experience as an extra on the set of Any Given Sunday when they filmed at Texas Stadium. That planted a seed early on and gave me a sense of pride and possibility that never really left.
Now, with ArtWerks Entertainment, I want to help reignite that spark — not only bringing high-caliber, original productions to the area, but also investing in local talent, facilities, and partnerships that can help establish North Texas as a serious destination for world-class filmmaking once again.
On a personal level, this mission became even more meaningful with the birth of my first granddaughter earlier this year. Knowing she will grow up in a world where she’ll see the work I’ve created — and hopefully be inspired by it — has deepened my commitment. I want to leave behind a legacy not just of films, but of intention, integrity, and imagination.
The long-term goal? To build ArtWerks into a creative powerhouse where original voices are celebrated, boundaries are pushed, and stories are remembered — not just for how they looked, but for how they made people feel.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Absolutely. One of the most defining pivots in my life came during a period of homelessness. It was a time when everything I thought I understood about myself, my path, and my potential was brought into question. And yet — that season ended up being one of the most transformative chapters of my life.
During that time, I didn’t just lose physical stability; I had to confront years of ingrained habits, limiting beliefs, and survival-mode thinking that were no longer serving me. I had to unlearn a lot — about the way I saw the world, my worth, and what I believed I was capable of. That meant rebuilding not just my circumstances, but my mind, my goals, and my sense of purpose from the ground up.
It forced me to take accountability, to become more honest with myself, and to reconnect with the core reason I began this creative journey in the first place. There’s a difference between chasing a dream and building a legacy — and in that quiet, uncertain space, I found the latter.
That pivot is why I now operate with such clarity and determination. It’s why I understand how deeply mindset, purpose, and discipline are connected — and why I’m so passionate about helping others see what’s possible when you choose not to give up.
The experience didn’t break me — it refined me. And it helped shape the foundation of ArtWerks Entertainment into something real, focused, and built to last.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artwerksentertainment.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artwerksentertainment/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-henderson-a5b85233/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ArtwerksE
