Interviews - Michael Shea - Producer/Director of "Red State" - October 18, 2006

     Michael is a native of Seattle, Washington. After wandering through his 20's as an itinerant handyman Michael found himself in Vermont and enrolled at Marlboro College.

     While in college Michael realized that he needed to return to his childhood dream of filmmaking and so he relocated into the mouth of the Lion's Den: Los Angeles! Moving there in 1996 he acquired work quickly as a production assistant and worked steadily, becoming a 1st A.D.

     Michael worked as a 1st A.D. for many years concluding that this would be a prime position from which to learn filmmaking. He was wrong. Upon realizing this he began to seek other opportunities and has subsequently done some writing and producing taking any job that would help him further his goals, regardless of quality or substance.

     He has even stooped so low as to direct a reality television show. Upon realizing what had become of him over his many years in L.A. he decided to take a year away from earning a living to make a film he could believe in. Red State is the result of those efforts.

     Michael discussed his movie, "Red State," including the production process and the ideas that the film brings up.