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Michael Merino is an international award-winning director, producer, and writer. He began working on sets as a P.A. and over his early career has worked in various departments; Art, Camera, Electric, Grip, Hair & Make-Up, Wardrobe, Sound, Props, Catering and Construction. In addition, Merino also worked in post as an Editor before eventually focusing on Directing, Producing and Writing.

Merino grew up in Washington, D.C. the son of an Irish-Brit-German mother and a father who migrated to the United States from Mexico of Spanish-Basque-Sephardic descent. Having grown up in such a diverse home, Michael speaks three languages and has a wide appreciation and understanding of the world beyond the confines of the Americas. After college, Michael traveled the globe for nearly six years, living and working abroad. His adventures included the running of the bulls in Spain, and being caught and detained during a coup in Fiji. During his travels he held an assortment of jobs, including short order cook, ladies shoe salesmen, carpenter, bartender, pizza maker, door to door salesman, house painter, home contractor and peach picker. In addition to his university studies, Michael is also a quondam member of the NYSBA (New York State Bar Association) and former freelancer-stringer having worked with MSNBC, CNN, Turkish TV and Fox News. Michael was sidelined by a diving accident, and during his convalescence decided to turn his focus to the arts, attending Rockport's International Film School and The Corcoran School of Art.

Michael directed his first feature, the award-winning action film The Deal, in 2003. In 2006, Michael released the horror feature The Milkman followed by the thriller 502, which won the coveted Shakes Award at the Dead Time Film Festival, in 2010. Michael followed up with the critically acclaimed Our Last Supper in 2012. In 2015, Michael was awarded Best Director and Best Writer for his feature The Haunting of Pearson Place at the 2015 Scare-A-Con film festival in Syracuse, NY. The film garnered more than two dozen nominations worldwide and won more than 20 awards. He also won Best Director and Best Screenplay for his short films Times Up and Dream On at the WMIFF in 2014. Michael was recognized for his regional commercial and training video work from 2013-2017. In 2016, he produced, wrote, and directed the web series DRAKUL, released in 2017. In 2019 Michael wrote and Directed the action/thriller ACCELERATION (BEST DIRECTOR-NIAFFS Spain 2020) starring Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Chuck Liddell, and Sean Patrick Flanery. Michael divides his time between Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. He's known for being a cheeky Pirate.

Spent approximately five years traveling the world, having worked close to 100 different jobs from door to door sales, picking fruit, tending bar, construction, farm hand, selling women&#39;s shoes, jewelry sales, pizza maker, loading bricks on a dock, a janitor and researcher for Price-Waterhouse.

Often collaborates with former and current Military.

Includes a dog in all his films, either as a visual or sound effect. And, places a monkey statue, or photo somewhere within his films. His &quot;easter egg&quot; to audiences.

Always places a prop in his films, as a tribute to his parents. Such as, his mothers portrait, and his fathers trumpet. As well as, the wooden chair from which he wrote his first horror film.

Winner of the Best Director Award for The Haunting of Pearson Place at the 2012 WMIFF International Film and Music Festival in Washington, D.C.

Winner of the Best Director Award for The Haunting of Pearson Place at the 2012 Horrorfind Film Festival in Gettysburg, PA.

His American Author of choice is Ernest Hemingway.

His alcoholic drink of choice is Guinness.

Ran with the Bulls in Pamplona Spain to celebrate his 27th birthday.

While living in Australia, he bungee jumped in his &quot;birthday suit&quot; to celebrate his 24th birthday.

Met his wife in a bar fight at an Irish pub.

Was detained at gun-point by rebel forces while in Fiji but managed to be released after &quot;talking his way out&quot; of the situation.

On more than five occasions, he&#39;s had firearms pulled on him.

Owned a NINJA motorcycle, which on a bet he raced to 123mph while in the buff at 3am.

Is a former member of the NYSBA (New York State Bar Association).

At age 20, while at college he formed and was the lead singer of a rock band called AZTEK, after one week the band broke up due to no one showing up for rehearsals. Perhaps giving birth and death to the shortest lived band in college history.

Has been fired from over a dozen jobs before discovering his true path in the film industry,.

Has a penchant for speed, having totaled 3 cars.

Trivia

Michael Merino

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