Michael Asmus
"A Lie to Die For"
Long Beach, CA USA
"With any creative field, there is always a question of whether [talent] is nature vs. nurture. It’s both. There are lots of people out there who aren’t naturally creative, but they take the time to learn how to be."
Career Roadmap
Michael's work combines: Television, Film, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
Fashion Institute of Design & Marketing
Bachelor's Degree
Cinematography and Film/Video Production
Biola University
Bachelor's Degree
Creative Writing
Biola University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Producers & Directors:
Associate's Degree: Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
Bachelor's Degree: Cinematography and Film/Video Production
Bachelor's Degree: Creative Writing
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I knew I wanted to work in entertainment from a young age and began directing movies while still in high school.
2.
After attending community college, I was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) on a full-ride scholarship.
3.
Received my associate's degree in digital media studies and worked for a while as a video editor, which is what I thought I was best at.
4.
I decided I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree and go to film school, so I went back to community college to earn credits—while there, I was encouraged to be a writer.
5.
Attended Biola University where I received my bachelor’s degree in film production and creative writing.
6.
After graduating, I freelanced in video post-production and editing while doing some writing projects on the side (scripts, poems, short stories).
7.
Decided to take a year and a half off from freelance video editing in order to focus on my writing—I got two part-time jobs to make ends meet and was writing every day.
8.
Started a screenwriting group that meets once a month and I continue to edit, but I’m planning to transition into more writing and directing in the future.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Everyone thinks they are going to be a writer/director. I'll just focus on what I'm already good at (editing) and get really good at that.
How I responded:
I've always been the type of person who recognizes their flaws rather than their strengths. I tend to be my own worst enemy and can sometimes hold myself back from things. I definitely don't have delusions of grandeur, but that can sometimes get in the way of me pursuing things that I really want to do. I've had to learn to accept who I am and go for things even if I'm scared I won't be good enough.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My job involves research and it takes a lot of time to sort through things to find stories that fit the parameters of our show. I sometimes have to deal with getting my pitches rejected, the legal red tape surrounding some stories, and the emotions.
I was born with a pre-existing heart condition. It has made getting health insurance difficult, which is further impacted by the fact that the entertainment industry isn't exactly a stable career.
I've shied away from pursuing some things right away because I didn't feel like I would be good enough or would stand out in the crowd. I've had to learn to just go for it and accept that if my work is good enough then it will all be ok.