My name is Mike and I have been enjoying life for 37 years! I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my mom, sister, and a bunch of pets. Around eleven years ago, I got myself a Dazzle Capture Card and started making Call of Duty videos for YouTube. Eventually, I graduated from The University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's in Film and Digital Media. While I was studying I was able to work as the videographer and editor for the University's Theatre and Dance Program. In 2015, I moved to Austin, TX and spent some time teaching STEM as part of Boys and Girls Club grant program for underprivileged youth. I was offered a position as a Production Assistant in Los Angeles and decided to accept and give LA a shot.
After my first PA gig I started to pick up small editing and 3D freelance gigs here and there. I got a call from a friend who offered me a week long PA gig with Machinima. This was a company I had known and followed for years and accepted the position. After the week was up, I went to the line producer and told him I usually was an "Editor," and that I would send my reel and resume if he ever needed anyone. He told me not to bother and to come in on Monday for a week long trial. He told me, "If you can hack it, you can stay. If not, no hard feelings." The following Thursday he offered me a full time position on Machinima's Inside Esports. Machinima was eventually bought out by Warner Brothers and transitioned into Telepictures and part of DC Comics. I have worked on a lot of really cool projects with companies like DC, Razer, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and Not Your Father's Rootbeer but Machinima is still up at the top. R.I.P.
I spend a majority of my time outdoors or at the computer with very little in-between. I grew up playing traditional sports like football and baseball that developed into friendships that have held up for over 20 years. Later I found myself enjoying more obscure and extreme sports such as paintball, snowboarding, surfing, weightlifting and even handball. Video games have been the constant throughout my life. I started on the Nintendo with the original Super Mario Brothers and have been working my way through the consoles, eventually landing on PC gaming, ever since. I still make gaming content for fun on the side.
Editing and graphics have allowed me not only to continue to participate in these activities, but also make content around them. I truly feel blessed to be where I am today, and cannot wait to see where it leads me!
