Your Stage : Director/Writer and Producer because I had to become one by Kevin McMahon

Greetings,

Is this where I introduce myself. I have been in this business for 20 years now. I am a director and writer who is a Union Director of Photography in recovery. That means after 14 years in the union I've finally given up my bread and butter, cinematograpy. The odd thing is that even though I rose up the ranks quickly and made great money and helped steer the industry in a new direction I never intended on being in the camera department in the first place. I was actually pushed into the camera world by producers who recognized my skill and knowledge. Later they hired me to shoot all their shows. I only wanted to write and direct but our paths are all very unique and we often wake up and ask ourselves what are were doing here. I found myself as the go to D.P. for productions that had to hire directors who had no idea what they were doing. I had to protect them and the show and make sure all was good. Basically I found myself babysitting children who had a clever video on Youtube, which apparently warrents the opportunity to direct a pilot for CBS or NBC or an $10 Million feature film. Needless to say they did nothing and I actually directed while not getting the credit. No thanks! Not anymore!

Along the way I've also been very involved with post and for me editing is part of directing. That lead me to take breaks from filming and run post on many tv series, edit, online edit, color and VFX. I do all that on my own projects anyway so from time to time I've been paid wonderfully for that too.

It all ends one day so why not go after what we want in an all out attack? I've gone back to school for writing and continue to immerse myself in the world of independent production, sales and distribution. Currently I've got a film in the works with one of this years Oscar winners in our cast, which shoud go into production in May, and I've got two other films that I'm pulling the financing together for at the same time.

As a director I've had many successes and just recently won Best Super Short Film at Shriekfest LA 2017 for my film CLASSIFIED, which is based on a feature of the same name. The feature version has been optioned by two different companies and put through development at both. Sadly the film was never made and the option has reverted back to me but I believe that the right partner just hasen't arrived yet.

I haven't quite figured out how Stage32 works yet or why it's a benefit to me but I'm happy to be a part of the community. I'm also curious why they would schedule Film Con on the same weekend as Wonder Con. I'm going to Wonder Con to pitch a project but sure would love to see what Film Con is all about.

Other than that I'm from the Midwest, am a former professional athlete and have a dog named Jack.

Be well and the best to everyone.