About The Filmmaker Michael Whaley

Although Michael Whaley has more than seventeen years of experience in front of the camera, he has just as many years of experience behind the scenes as a director, writer and producer working in music videos, live theatre and film.

Whaley began directing, writing and producing while attending Occidental College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. As a student, he produced, wrote and directed several stage plays. For his senior comprehensive project, he wrote, produced, directed and starred in the musical drama One More Time, a story about a singing group trying to get back together.

In 1988, Whaley produced and directed the comedy Glasshouse at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. He again produced and directed Glasshouse in 1990-91, and the production received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Theatre Production.

Whaley began his producing career in film when he became a partner of Noir Film, a music video production company in 1992. Noir Film produced music videos for such artists as Tupac Shakur, Black Pearl, KRS 1, Four Non Blondes and Technotronics, and worked with directors such as the Hughes Brothers (Menace to Society and Dead Presidents).

Since 1992, Whaley has been developing concepts and projects for television, feature films and animation. Working with J. M. Winters, his cousin and writing partner of thirteen years, the two have had several of their scripts optioned for development with Fair Game as the first to make it to the big screen.