Meet Michael Conroy

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Conroy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Michael, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I rowed crew in high school – training for that sport is one of the most dreary and agonizing experiences a human being can endure. Compared to that, filmmaking is a cakewalk.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I make my living as an editor but, like every third person you meet in Los Angeles, I want to write and direct features. My latest project, Queen of Prey, is a short horror film/proof of concept about a young man encountering a dark entity at a sex party. It combines colorful visuals, naturalistic acting, and a wretchedly brutal emotional punch. After playing at a few festivals including Dances With Films, you can now watch it on a number of online showcases including Film Shortage and Klipist. I’m looking to turn it into a feature.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’d say my most valuable qualities are a love of learning about almost anything – art, literature, natural science, etc.; an interest in challenging material – one of my favorite books is Blood Meridian and I regularly watch off-the-chain surreal films like Holy Mountain and Exterminating Angel; and a drive to create unique material. I think one of the key factors that separates the simply talented from those who ‘make it’ is the ability to distinguish one’s work.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I’m facing is how to get financing for my feature. I don’t have a rich uncle and I’m not getting a sweetheart deal from A24 anytime soon. The fluctuating state of the industry only compounds that obstacle even more. I guess my approach is to be patient, reach out to as many people as possible, and wait until I find a lead. Think of it like casting multiple fishing lines and waiting for a bite.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Micah Slay

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