Today we are joined by the resilient and creative filmmaker, Mike Messier. His journey is an incredible testament to perseverance and a DIY attitude. From his humble beginnings creating music videos with VCRs and a boombox, to evolving a film project into an award-winning documentary after the departure of its lead actor, Mike’s story is a masterclass in embracing challenges and using them as a means to fuel creativity.
The transformation of his film project, post the sudden departure of its key actor, is particularly fascinating. Mike shares how he adapted and turned what could have been a disaster into an opportunity, leading to the creation of the critically acclaimed documentary, ‘A Distance From Avalon When the Dying and the Dead Reunite.’ This experience taught him the importance of reassessing and adapting one’s creative vision when faced with hurdles. He also discusses an introspective monologue from the film, how he worked to memorize and deliver it, and the significant role his acting coach, Kim Kaling, played in this process.
You can view the podcast transcriptions here
