We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael .T. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.
Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My most meaningful project to this day has to be the third narrative film I’ve done titled June 22nd. I did two short films and was ready to do a third short film and once the pandemic came around it stopped me from making it. During that time I spent rewriting it extensively. We had about 7 or 8 revisions to it during that time. I spent those months learning how to be a better screenwriter, which helped me a ton. The story was a tribute to friendship, my friends, and the coming-of-age movies I grew up watching and learning on my filmmaking journey. Once I was ready to shoot, we spent about 2 months prepping and having 3 days to shoot it. Throughout that journey, I made a lot of great friends, assembled the greatest crew ever and we were able to get it done. The film will have my heart forever and it was one of the best learning experiences ever.
Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Michael .T and I’m a filmmaker based in Massachusetts. Started making films around 2016, beginning to document friends creating art in my hometown, Lawrence, Massachusetts. I always tend to tell people I’m a filmmaker because there are so many hats. So far I enjoy directing, writing, producing, lighting and cinematography. I think to be limiting myself to one thing feels unfair, the term filmmaker kind of wraps everything in a bow nicely.
I think what sets me apart from others is the many skills I have, I take pride in that and I like being able to learn and know as much as I can when it comes to making films. I like being a part of the entire process, from beginning to end. if there’s a way I can contribute that always feels good.
I’m really proud of all the projects I’ve been able to create. Being able to have directed, written, and produce three narrative short films under my belt is a blessing. Made my first narrative short film in 2019, titled “BOYS WILL BE BOYS” which became nominated for multiple film festivals across the world. In 2020, then made my second short film titled “ERIKA”, which was also nominated and selected to film festivals. More recently, I finished my third narrative short, “JUNE 22nd”.
Currently on track to making my next narrative short and editing a documentary right now. A lot of things for 2023 are being planned out and hopefully being able to make good films overall.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Filming “JUNE 22ND” was one of the hardest things I’ve done so far. Learned so much from it. As a director, you have to have resilience. During those three days of production, there was not a single moment in my mind where I thought we couldn’t get it done. It was the three hottest days of that summer in Massachusetts. We had many obstacles and I never thought about giving up. There was always a backup plan. The crew helped me a ton. The conversations between our producer, Estarlyn Hiraldo, and our DP Reko kept me sane. Everyone’s words of encouragement, the cast, and crew I’m truly forever grateful for what we accomplished with this film. It takes a village to make movies.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to be able to provide more of a film community in my city. I want to be able to meet other filmmakers from Massachusetts. I plan on hosting movie nights and workshops in Lawrence, MA. Movies mean a lot to me and recently after taking production jobs in Boston, I felt like I found my people after a lot of searching. I want to be able to make that easier and more accessible for people.
Contact Info:
- Website: michaeltfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael.tfilms/
Image Credits
Mavvro Rosaly Jimenez