Biography
Michael has been a screenwriter in film and television for over twenty years. With a background in documentaries, his earliest successes were in dramas based on real stories or events. THE ROTHKO CONSPIRACY (BBC / American Playhouse) was nominated for a Neil Simon Award in America. DISASTER AT VALDEZ (BBC / HBO) won a string of awards in the U.S., notably the top prize at the Houston International Film Festival. His screenplay for GLASS HOUSE (based on Eisenstein's visit to Hollywood in 1930) won a prize at the prestigious New Century Writer Awards in New Haven, Connecticut. Michael has written extensively for UK primetime series such as THE BILL, AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT (for which he won an 'Edgar' in the US), DANGERFIELD, ELLINGTON and WISH ME LUCK. He has also scripted TV movies for the BBC, HBO, A & E, Portman, ARD and other European broadcasters, including AN AFFAIR IN MIND (BBC / A&E), a thriller nominated for a US Cable Award. More recently, he has scripted European features. Michael also works as a script doctor, writes books (4 non-fiction published), and teaches screenwriting and drama-documentary to media students.
Full Credits:
In Development:
DOUBLE VISION
Psychological / horror thriller: Treatment
PEACE TROOPER
TV / feature: political thriller screenplay set in the world of international conflict prevention
GLASS HOUSE
Feature screenplay based on the true story of Soviet film director Sergei Eisenstein's visit to Hollywood in 1930: Prizewinner, New Century Writer Awards: US: 2002
Commissioned Film / Television:
THE MIGHTY OLIPHAUNT
Action adventure feature set in the time of Charlemagne: Lagestee Film BV, Holland: 2006
SLAUGHTER NIGHT
Teen horror feature: Lagestee Film BV, Amsterdam / Be Films bvba, Brussels: This movie is in post-production and is due for release in Holland on 5 October
1998
THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER
TV movie based on Jack Higgins novel: Visionview Ltd / Telescene Film Group
1996
THE ROAD TO SANTIAGO
3 x 90 min mini-series: Golden-Pro S.A., Spain: Directed by Robert Young
1995
THE BLOND BABOON
TV movie: Victoria Film A/S, Denmark, Degeto / ARD, Germany
THE MADRIAGA CONSPIRACY
TV movie: Portman Entertainment
THE BILL
Prime-time police series / 30 min episodes: Thames TV: One of the nominated writers for this series when it won Best Original Drama Series at the 1995 Writers Guild Awards
BETRAYAL OF TRUST
TV movie: Frankfurter Filmproduktion, Munich
1994
THE DOOMSDAY GUN
TV movie: co-writer / associate producer: HBO / GriffinRevcom: Directed by Robert Young
DISASTER AT VALDEZ
TV movie: BBC / HBO: Directed by Paul Seed: 1993: Won Grand Award: Houston International Film Festival, Golden Eagle Award at C.I.N.E. Annual Awards and Environmental Media Award
DANGERFIELD
Prime-time TV series / 60 min episode: BBC
EUROPE ON THE BRINK: WAR WITH AMERICA
Futuristic drama-doc special: BBC
SHOOTERS
90 min pilot for TV police drama series: LWT
THE CLAIMS MAN
60 min pilot for thriller series: BBC
AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT
Prime-time TV series / 60 min episodes: LWT: Won American 'Edgar' for Best Mystery Episode in a Series: 1992
ELLINGTON
Prime-time TV series / 60 min episode: YTV
WISH ME LUCK
Prime-time TV series / 60 min episodes: LWT
AN AFFAIR IN MIND
TV movie based on Ruth Rendell novel: BBC / A & E: Nominated for 1989 Cable Award for Best Writer of TV Movie
A LONG WAY HOME
TV movie: Thames TV / TV1 Sweden
ROSE
60 mins TV drama: Thames TV: 2nd Prize, Chicago Children's Film & Television Festival: 1988
A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC REALISED
Drama-doc special feature: HTV / Channel 4: Sid Roberts Memorial Award for Most Creative Use of Film: 1985, Cinematography Gold Medal: New York Film & Television Festival: 1986, Special Jury Prize: Los Angeles Film & TV Festival: 1986
WAVE ME GOODBYE
TV movie: Channel 4
THE ROTHKO CONSPIRACY
TV movie: BBC / American Playhouse: Nominated for Neil Simon Award: 1985
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