Student filmmaker & visual storyteller
Michael S. Arias
Student filmmaker & visual storyteller
About Michael S. Arias
Student Filmmaker | Writer | DP | Director
Creative. Collaborative. Committed. That’s the mindset I bring to every production.
I’m a rising senior at the University of Miami, majoring in Motion Picture Production with a passion for visual storytelling from script to screen. My most recent project, At Will, is a short film I wrote, directed, and produced. Now in post-production, it challenged me to lead a crew, work with professional talent, and manage every phase of production.
I’ve loved movies and visual storytelling for as long as I can remember. It started with watching my dad film and photograph every family trip and celebration. In middle school, I discovered I could turn class projects into short films, and I was hooked. But the moment it all clicked was during a semester abroad in Rome, where I took a film class led by director Victor Rambaldi (Primal Rage, Decoy). Rambaldi turned the city into our sound stage, pushing us to see story in every street and shadow. That class lit the fire and from that point on, I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker.
My experience spans narrative, documentary, and branded content. I’ve worked as a PA on a documentary short with Entertainment to Affect Change (E2AC), and on the camera crew of an independent feature film. I've also produced freelance content for local brands and trained as a studio production crew member at UMTV, gaining hands-on experience in camera ops, audio, and live directing.
I’m proficient with Blackmagic, Alexa Mini and Lumix cameras and edit in Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and create motion graphics in After Effects. I also work with Avid Pro Tools for sound and post. Whether I’m behind the camera, in the editing bay, or assisting on set, I’m always ready to learn and contribute.
currently in production
AT WILL
AT WILL is a psychological thriller that unfolds during a mysterious corporate job interview, but quickly spirals into something far darker. The story follows James, a driven young professional looking to get ahead, who soon realizes this is no ordinary hiring process. As he's pushed through a series of increasingly personal and manipulative questions, he’s forced to confront a reckoning between ambition and love and the true cost of success.
This short film was shot on location in Miami, FL, and is the first film I've written, produced, directed, and edited. The film stars Lou Silver (Tulsa King, Capo Rise To Power) and Eric Newcombe (Dark Waters: Murder In The Deep, Albert & Claude), whose performances bring emotional depth and tension to the story.
Now in post-production with completion scheduled for August 2025, AT WILL will begin its festival submissions shortly after.
film production experience
Shot By An Angel - 2nd Camera | GE Swing
Directed by D.R. Bellard | Cinematography by Rick Galli
Summer 2025 | On-location, Los Angeles, CA
As a Camera Grip | Electric Swing on the feature film Shot By an Angel, I worked in a hands-on, entry-level capacity supporting both the camera and grip/electric departments. Under the guidance of Director of Photography Rick Galli, assisted with day-to-day production tasks while gaining valuable on-set experience in professional filmmaking.
- Helped set up and break down lighting, grip, and camera equipment under supervision.
- Assisted with running cables, organizing gear, and keeping the set clear and safe during camera moves and lighting adjustments.
- Shadowed experienced crew members to learn the basics of camera operation, lighting setups, and set protocol.
- Performed general production support including equipment moving, securing set areas, and responding to team needs as they arose.
Seeing a Different Future - Production Assistant
Seeing a Different Future: Directed by Carter Oakley & Nick Hudson
Summer 2024| On-location, Boston & Philadelphia
SEEING A DIFFERENT FUTURE (2025) is a documentary film focused on the people and partnerships that together led to meaningful progress in the treatment of the most common type of pediatric brain tumor.
As a Production Assistant on Seeing A Different Future, I contributed to the production of a purpose-driven documentary short, supporting a team dedicated to social impact storytelling. Worked closely with the director and producer across multiple stages of production, gaining hands-on experience in both creative and technical aspects of filmmaking.
- Crafted the film’s initial paper cut in outline format, identifying time-coded key moments to streamline
the editing process. - Supported cinematography by assisting with lighting and camera equipment setup on location.
- Assisted with the day-to-day production logistics and on-set operations.