Michael Carnick, a talented screenwriter and playwright from San Diego, California, has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. During his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD),he was unanimously voted as the first-place winner of the 50th anniversary of the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards in 2005, a prestigious honor that has been bestowed upon only a few individuals in the past.
After graduating from UCSD, Michael continued to hone his craft, writing screenplays and stage plays that have been successfully adapted into live performances. His impressive work earned him a spot as a finalist at the Kennedy Center ACTF Region VIII New Play Festival twice, and his play "Marlon and Momma" was showcased at the University of California, Riverside's (UCR) New Play Festival in 2012.
Michael's journey in the film industry began with the short film "Rolling Romance," which he wrote in 2012. The film was independently produced and shot on location in Los Angeles, with David Conley at the helm as director. Despite being made on a modest budget, "Rolling Romance" gained recognition at several film festivals, both locally and internationally, and won numerous awards, including Best Screenplay at the Malibu Film Festival and Indie Fest's Best in Show.
In 2015, Michael independently produced a feature film based on his award-winning script "Who's Driving Doug." Directed by David Conley and starring RJ Mitte as the titular character, the film is a semi-autobiographical drama/dark comedy that explores Michael's personal experiences living with Muscular Dystrophy. The movie delves into the social implications of being disabled and follows Doug's journey as he searches for love and self-discovery. "Who's Driving Doug" was sold to Netflix for online streaming rights in 2016 and premiered worldwide at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
Born with a rare physical disability that confines him to an electric wheelchair, Michael's work often focuses on disability awareness and the human experience of being a minority. His unique perspective and storytelling ability have enabled him to create relatable and impactful characters that resonate with audiences worldwide.
