Michael Asmus

Michael Asmus

Associate Producer


"A Lie to Die For"

Long Beach, CA USA


With any creative field, there is always a question of whether [talent] is nature vs. nurture. It’s both. There are lots of people out there who aren’t naturally creative, but they take the time to learn how to be.

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
I knew I wanted to work in entertainment from a young age and began directing movies while still in high school.
After attending community college, I was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) on a full-ride scholarship.
Received my associate's degree in digital media studies and worked for a while as a video editor, which is what I thought I was best at.
I decided I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree and go to film school, so I went back to community college to earn credits—while there, I was encouraged to be a writer.
Attended Biola University where I received my bachelor’s degree in film production and creative writing.
After graduating, I freelanced in video post-production and editing while doing some writing projects on the side (scripts, poems, short stories).
Decided to take a year and a half off from freelance video editing in order to focus on my writing—I got two part-time jobs to make ends meet and was writing every day.
Started a screenwriting group that meets once a month and I continue to edit, but I’m planning to transition into more writing and directing in the future.
Keep following my journey

Career

Associate Producer

I am an associate producer for a true-crime documentary television show.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Television
Film
Communicating / Sharing Stories

Day to Day

I am in charge of planning the interviews we get for the show and later organizing them into how they will fit in the show. I do a lot of research on potential true-crime stories that should be featured and go through the approval process. Once approved, I have to reach out to the people involved in the story (police, prosecutors, friends and family of victims, etc.) to determine who is willing to be interviewed and all of the logistics behind that. It involves a lot of organizing!

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

Working in film / television, you have to be sure that you love it. If you are fully invested in it, then the struggles are worth it. As a writer, you are only a writer if you write. Find a way to balance your enjoyment of what you are doing / creating and the work that surrounds it.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"Everyone thinks they are going to be a writer / director. I'll just focus on what I'm already good at (editing) and get really good at that."

Challenges I Overcame

Work Stress
Physical Issues
Imposter Syndrome