We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael P. Blevins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael P. below.
Michael P., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I started working in Film as a PA, that went to grip because they made more money, to a gaffer (lighting guy) because they made even more, and the guy with the lighting trucks made more money than anyone haha. It took me a long time to bridge into directing and producing because I came to LA with no contacts or ways in. At first I thought it was damning to have avoided my real goals for so long, but I realized, by being a crew member for as long I was, I learned pivotal things about filmmaking watching other “leaders” screw up. I learned lighting, which at the time I didn’t know was going to be so important to making my movies look like MY MOVIES. I was able to learn work flow and how to communicate as a crew member; Expectations, and subtle tricks that a lot of directors or producers don’t really know how to do.
In saying this, learning the craft isn’t reading a book or practicing your lane sometimes. A lot of times ‘learning your craft’ involves learning ‘the crafts’ of the people around you and making your machine as efficient as possible.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been wanting to be a big Hollywood director since I was 17. I was in high school in Kansas City, Missouri making movies. I made three backyard features between the age of 19-23 and finally moved to LA to pursue the dream. Oct 1st, 2023 will be my 11 year LAnniversary.
Currently I’m in the producers guilds, have several movies I’ve either directed or produced, and my film The Devil Comes to Kansas City coming out on streaming and theatres October 21st, 2023.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the hole in my soul is filled. Or at least, as much as it can be.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Did you notice the stars on the sidewalk? If you have a job here you ARE resilient. This town eats people alive, but the reality is- you cannot fail until you quit. It’s impossible. You can have set backs, and screwed up attempts, but it’s IMPOSSIBLE to fail until you give up, or simply never try.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: blevfilm_la