We recently connected with Mike Manning and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Mannifest Productions is the new production company that was founded by actor/writer/producer Mike Manning earlier this year. Mannifest Productions aims to create film and television content that focuses on being both commercially successful and raises awareness about social issues important to the company – using the power of storytelling for good. Mike has over 10 years of producing experience on a wide variety of projects including over 30 Feature Films, Short Films, Television and New Media projects.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Mike Manning is an Emmy-winning actor, writer and producer of film and television. On screen, Manning is most known for his roles in Disney’s “Cloud 9,” on MTV’s “Teen Wolf,” as Charlie Dale in NBC’s “Days of Our Lives,” and as The Manny on NBC’s “This Is Us.” Mike began his producing career with the documentary “Kidnapped for Christ” alongside Tom DeSanto (“Transformers”). The film won numerous awards before selling to Showtime, and was responsible for legislation in California and other states to protect children from abuse at “camps for troubled youth.” He continued producing documentary features and eventually transitioned into scripted content.

Mike’s other producing credits include: the Tribeca comedy “Folk Hero & Funny Guy,” the coming-of-age drama “Jinn” (won the Audience Award at SXSW and sold to MGM), the Netflix Original “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” with Oscar-nominated director David France, the SXSW revenge thriller “M.F.A.”, concept pilots for Lifetime TV, the powerful Barry Brown civil rights drama “Son of the South” executive produced by Oscar-winner Spike Lee, the homeless youth documentary “Lost in America” featuring Oscar-winner Halle Berry, Rosario Dawson and Grammy-winner Tiffany Haddish, and the anti-bullying horror/thriller “Slapface,” which won the Audience Award at the Cinequest Film Festival before being released by Shudder and AMC+.

Having lobbied Congress in Washington, D.C. on MTV’s “The Real World” before moving to Los Angeles, Mike has worked with many non-profit organizations throughout the country. He’s currently an ambassador for Boo2Bullying, a board member for Thirst Project, the largest youth-focused clean water organization in the world, and a board member for Legacy Youth Leadership, which aims to train and empower young people towards activism.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To me, STORY is powerful. I have seen first-hand how scenes in a movie have made people feel less alone in this world, how they have made audiences feel like there are others that are going through the same things they are, have the same fears, the same hopes, dreams, etc. I am extremely proud that I get to help tell stories that I think are going to spread understanding, inspiration, tolerance, representation, equality, and maybe a little bit of kindness into the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when I hear reactions to a film or TV show I was part of, either in front of the camera bringing a character to life, or behind the camera helping to support other actors and filmmakers. I’m not a woman, but I love pushing and supporting my amazing female friends tell their stories that the world needs to see and hear. I’m not a person of color, but I love pushing and supporting my amazing friends in those communities by fighting for representation alongside them and making choices with the films that I produce that will help move dialogue along towards fairness and equality. I push to tell stories about the environment, the poor, the LGBT community, the disenfranchised – and to me, those stories matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mannifestproductions.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_manning_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MannifestPro
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/mike_manning_

Image Credits
Getty Images North America