Mike launched Cinemetro Films in 2001, taking on a multitude of roles including writer, producer, director, and actor. His debut project, the tongue-in-cheek spy thriller Diet, premiered in 2002. This ambitious endeavor saw Mike writing, producing, directing, and acting, as he fled his Midwestern husband's house in a desperate attempt to break his diet. To bring this large-scale production to life, Mike shot on film and meticulously pursued all necessary permits and agreements.
Diet went on to screen at film festivals worldwide, garnering impressive accolades including Best Comedy Short from the IFP Midwest Festival and Artistic Achievement In Cinematography from the International Cinematographer's Guild.
In the spring of 2003, Mike turned his attention to the stage, directing the two-woman comedy Roommate Wanted at the Theater Building in Chicago. This production, which explores the challenges of breaking into the entertainment industry, marked a departure from his cinematic work.
Mike's background in improvisation is well-documented, having trained at the renowned Second City in Chicago. He was also a member of the improv troupe "Inside Vladimir" at ImprovOlympic, alongside Saturday Night Live stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Mike's academic pursuits took him to Denison University and Northwestern University, where he studied theater and performed in a range of productions, including Harold Pinter's Betrayal, Moliere's Tartuffe, and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Mike's educational credentials are impressive, boasting a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from Northwestern University and a Master of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. His architectural skills were showcased in 2004, when his home, designed in collaboration with fellow architect Martin Klaeschen, was featured at the "Chicago Green" exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
