
MICHAEL FELKER
EDITOR / ASSISTANT EDITOR
"Spring"
I'm very proud of this one. An official selection to the Toronto International Film Festival, "Spring" is marketed as "Before Sunrise with a supernatural twist". The film follows a man suffering a series of devastating life altering events as he flees to Italy to get away from it all. There he meets a beautiful woman who's hiding a dark secret. Filmed on location in Italy, I once again work with the young gurus of horror and mystery, Justin Beson and Aaron Moorhead. The unique approach to this film was the mixing of two different editing styles: supernatural horror and subtle romance. The balance was tricky to tackle at first, but thanks to the wonderful direction and sizzling collaboration, we found a beautiful median between the two styles as the story unfolds in the most unpredictable fashion. For more about the film, check out the film's Facebook page.
Note: Editing samples from this film and any other unreleased work will be posted as soon as they are available.
AMP: Shark Surfing
In the summer of 2014, I worked with director Paul Brown of BAU-DA Design on a series of commercials. One of our favorites was this AMP Energy drink commercial for Shark week. Matching Paul's sharp eye for comedic tone in an outlandish premise, to say this was a blast to work on would be an understatement. Happy to edit this commercial with Paul and his company along with many others, including...
Pepsi: World's Largest Claw Game
Serving as an additional editor with Paul on this one, we worked on creating an incredibly fun and vibrant piece about showing off the world's biggest claw game on the Jersey Shore beach. Prizes ranged from MTV Video Music Awards and a pizza party for the whole crowd. The editing was used to not only show off the energy of the young crowd, but also the epic size of the claw game with the use of drone shots operated by Will Sampson. For more about Paul Brown's directorial work, check out his website. Also check out Will Sampson's drone reel at his site here.
"V/H/S: Viral"
My most high-profile work so far comes from V/H/S: Viral. It's the third installment of the highly popular found-footage-horror anthology series. I'm the editor of one of the segments, "Bonestorm", directed by talented horror filmmakers, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Without spoiling anything, cutting this piece was a great challenge because of the amount of found footage cameras that were used (I think there were... 8 cameras rolling most of the time). Not only did I have string together the mysterious storyline, but I also had to keep up the tense kinetic action and sense of dread. Here is a sample clip of "Bonestorm" that shows the shooting style and build up to an epic skater showdown. You can check out the film's IMDB page for more.
BitesizeTV*
As a part time freelance editor, I worked on hundreds of videos for Bitesize TV, a new revolutionary live TV/web network that shoots dozens of shows from their studio on Hollywood & Vine. These shows range from celebrity event coverage and pop culture news comentary to comedic skits and scripted shows. Most of my work ranges from polishing linecuts of daily live shows and cutting and pilots for potential new series. I also cut majority of their stand-up show, Bite The Mic. The sizzle above contains just some of my work including interviews of Grant Show & Katherine Lana from Hollywood Today and Paris Hilton from EDM Live. For more, go to bitesizetv.com
*Note: I did not cut this sizzle. Unfortunately my work for Bitesize TV cannot be embedded on this site.
"Simple Being"
Credited as Co-Editor, Simple Being was my first crack at a feature film. I was bumped up from data wrangler to assistant editor to co-editor with in the span of production. It was a crash course on everything an editor should know for cutting a feature. But in relation to the film specifically, I also played with a surreal editing style: experimenting with sound design, adjusting shot composition, and tinkering with coloring. All to immerse the audience in the main character's headspace. Simple Being is a fascinating film experience with a unique concept. For more about the film, visit the film's website.
"Affected" Music Video by Meghan Tonjes (ft. Darren Vodgirdner)
Back in early 2013, I had the lovely opportunity to work with the lovely Megan Tonjes. With Co-Editor, Adam Johns and director, Ben Epstein, we tried a variety of editing techniques to further immerse the audience into Meghan's head, such as the use of double vision and flash frames. The final product was obviously experimental, but also surprisingly accessible (in one week, the video garnered 100k views on Youtube).
"Butterfly" Music Video by Bassnectar (ft. Mimi Page)
This passion project was definitely a group effort. Through a very small crew (about five people), we actually discussed, debated, and defended precise shot choices and juxtaposition for just about every moment in this video. Definitely a unique experience that evokes feeling and inspires discussion. Created under Electico Entertainment.
"An Idiot's Guide To Making Movies For Dummies"
This was a TON of fun to work on. In collaboration with the sketch comedy group "The Vacationeers", Idiot's guide was a perfect storm of improv comedy. And with the mockumentary format, not one take was the same. So while it was a challenge to cut together a coherent cut, the series turned out to be something funnier than we all had hoped for (especially thanks to a dynamite cast and crew). Check out the second episode (five episodes in total).
"LARPers" (Clip)*
LARPers was my first foray into mockumentary editing. It's an ambitious undertaking that is nearly at completion. The show follows characters that enjoy the activity of "LARPing" (which is short for "Live Action Role Playing"). Through the half hour pilot, we see the beginnings of alliances forming and love blooming. It's quite funny (especially for geek enthusisats) but more importantly, LARPers is incredibly charming. Check out more at the official site.
*NOTE: This show is a work in progress, Sound Design and Coloring not finalized.
Slamdance TV
This section is a little broad, but I'll try my best to be specific: Slamdance TV is the annual coverage of the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah every January. Now this isn't your ordinary film festival event coverage. Slamdance takes pride in the motto "For Filmmakers By Filmmakers." So on top of filmmaker spotlights and event pieces, we also create unique narrative pieces to highlight parts of the festival. This piece is specifically for the "Anarachy shorts". It's very weird and quickly thrown together (most of the pieces are shot and edited on site for very quick turnaround), but it basically sums up Slamdance as the most unique festival in the country. Check out more of our videos on Vimeo (including the short doc "All About Eve"), and visit the Slamdance website as the festival gears up for its next launch in January.
Star Maker
An epic web reality series that forced me to be a disciplined and efficient post house. Following Youtube star, Meghan Tonjes, for three months as she expands her music career while slimming down through diet and exercise, this show, like any reality show, was a constant onslaught of footage every week. And not one deadline was missed. The end product was something I was always proud of, and to top it all off, it even taught me how to cook a lean salmon dinner with asparagus). Check out the whole series at 3v.
"Brand Newsicals" Commercial
A brief gig I worked on with the ever-so-kind, Todrick Hall. Todrick, aside from being an American Idol finalist and Youtube viral star, also recently started up a theater production company called "Brand Newsicals". The company specializes in updating classic stories like Wizard of Oz and Cinderella with a modern spin to reach out to children unfamiliar with these stories all the while inspiring passion for theater. You can check out his site here.
"Ruin The Internet Comedy"
RTI; my pride and joy. Founded shortly after moving out to Los Angles with co-founders, Christopher Amick and Ben Mekler, Ruin The Internet Comedy is the ever constant dive into absurd humor. I learned the foundations of comedic timing through the dozens upon dozens of web videos we've created over the past two years. The group is currently undergoing a relaunch after partnering with Fullscreen in March 2013. Check out our Youtube channel now for now for more content (including our 2012 and 2013 Doritos Spec Commercials).
Professional Experience:
2015 Junk Drawer Magic - Web Kids Show - Lead Editor - DreamworksTV
2015 Hollywood Today Live - Network Talk Show - Editor - FOX
2015 Endings, Inc. - Narrative Short - Editor
2015 Red Bull Insider - Web Content - Editor - Red Bull
2014-15 Get The Girl - Narrative Feature - Editor - XYZ Films
2014 Spring - Narrative Feature - Editor - XYZ Films
2014 NFL/Pepsi/AMP/Buffalo Wild Wings - Commercials - Editor/Assitant Editor - BAU-DA Design
2014 Emmy Web Sizzles - Web Content - Editor - Television Academy
2014 Sunset on Sunset - Web Pilot - Editor - United Front Design
2014 Radio Disney Insider/Modern Family - Web Content - Editor - United Front Design
2014 History of Godzilla - Web News - Editor - Nerdist
2014 The Melting Family - Documentary Feature - Co-Editor - Flying Man Production
2013-15 Various Pop Culture Talk Shows - Web Content - Editor - Bitesize TV
2013-14 Filmmaker Spotlights/Festival Spots - Web Content - Director/Editor - Slamdance Film Festival
2013-14 Various Content - Music Video/Web - Editor/AE/Consultant - Ryzing Films
2013 V/H/S: Viral (Segment: "Bonestorm") - Narative Anthology - Editor/DIT - The Collective
2013 Dive In - Music Video - Editor - 9.99 Films
2013 Banish'd - Narrative Web Pilot - Editor - New Villany
2013 Affected - Music Video - Editor/DIT - Berman Braun
2013 Star Maker - Web Reality Series - Editor - Berman Braun
2013 Brand Newsicals - Commercial - Editor - Todrick Hall
2013 All About Eve - Documentary Short - Editor - Peter Baxter
2013 Various Content - Event Coverage/Shorts - Assistant Editor - Hot Pixel
2012 Idiot's Guide to Making Movies for Dummies - Narrative Web Series - Director/Editor - Modern Imbecile
2012 Simple Being - Narrative Feature - Co-Editor - SB Films
2012 LARPers - Narrative Web Pilot - Editor - Three Hat Productions
2012 Butterfly - Music Video - Editor - Eclectico
2011-13 Ruin The Internet - Sketch Comedy - Director/Producer/Editor - Ruin The Internet
2011-12 Gatorboys/DUI/Blood Realtives/Diagnosis/ - Reality Television - Assistant Editor - Mike Mathis Prouctions
Broken Minds/Love Addiction
2011 Resolution - Narrative Feature - Associate Producer - Justin Benson
2011 On Freddie Roach/Feature Film BTS - Behind The Scenes - Logger - Herzog & Company
2010 Black Widow - Narrative Short - Editor - FSU Film
2010 Dine and Slash - Narrative Short - Editor - FSU Film
Academic Preparation:
2007-11 Motion Picture, Television, and Recording Arts at Florida State University, BFA
2011 Scott Rudin Productions, Intern
2011 Playtone, Intern
2006 NYU Summer Filmmaker Workshop, Graduate
Professional Skills:
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere
Other Software: Adobe Photoshop, REDCineX
Additional Information:
Narrative Shorts Programmer for Slamdance Film Festival
Proficient at using RED and DSLR Cameras (Currently own a RED Epic with Zeiss CP2 Lenses and a Canon 7D)
Professional References:
Available upon request.