Meet Michael Greenwood

We recently connected with Michael Greenwood and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

In a way, I was lucky to learn that I loved film at an early age, but on the other hand, I was fully surrounded by influences that discouraged me from accepting it as something to take seriously at all, let alone as an avocation or a career. I see the same thing happening to lots of people. We’re conditioned to dismiss as childish every interest that doesn’t easily translate to money, comfort or status, but I think those very things that first attracted and captivated you may be your real purpose. It took me a lot of years to finally realize that you should probably just ignore most people’s dopey opinions. If people tell you that your passions are ‘unrealistic,’ it’s more likely because they’re jealous that you have any than because they care about you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a DIY micro-budget filmmaker – in other words, an amateur. It’s challenging of course, but it’s also satisfying because I don’t have to please or answer to anyone. The films are 100% mine for better or worse. They’re not only non-commercial but probably anti-commercial. Looking back at them, I think they’re all about alienation except not as a hardship but as a source of strength. The characters don’t have ‘happy endings’ where they are reabsorbed into society; they find contentment by accepting their outsider status and moving on to their their next adventure. Whether they go alone or with a companion, it’s equally okay because they’re enjoying the journey. As far as current work goes, I’m in the middle of making a feature called ‘The Sandpipers,’ which is loosely patterned on Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’ but with surfers in place of hitchhiking poets. The core idea of a writer’s friendship with his own muse is the only real connection to the book. The rest is somewhat dreamy and improvised. If anyone out there finds that interesting and might like to get involved at either a production or distribution level, feel free to get in touch.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

If we’re just talking about the kind of filmmaking I do, I would say the most important combination of qualities to have would be perseverance, technical competence, and a knowledge of film history. You need to be willing to start a project and see it through whether or not anyone else gets it or helps or approves. You need to know the tools. Even if you don’t do everything yourself, you must speak intelligently with your team to make sure you’re getting the result you want. (This has been the hardest one for me, but I’m still actively trying to educate myself about equipment, software and practices.) Finally, a familiarity and respect for all the great films and great directors is important because it can inspire and humble you as well as allow you to communicate with your collaborators via references and examples. If your attitude is simply ‘I create the big picture and it’s everyone else’s job to make it happen,’ that’s a recipe for failure.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

One of the reasons I wanted to do this interview was to reach out to anyone who likes the sound of what I’ve been doing and would be interested in talking. I especially want to encourage people who, like me, have felt disconnected from the film business, maybe intimidated, even repulsed by it. I’ve learned that the simple desire and will to create something is worth infinitely more than a long resume of gigs or vague connections to celebrities. Anyone who’s browsed around on a streaming service knows that there are thousands of cheap, ugly, boring, unoriginal, horrible films being churned out by the ‘professionals.’ A team of amateurs couldn’t possibly do any worse. I am interested in forming a company or cooperative to facilitate a greater variety of films to be made by me and any partners who come in. Motto: Cinema, not content.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/michaelagreenwood
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FilmAdrift
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4531839/

Image Credits

Michael Greenwood