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), 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 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.
I’ll be in Los Angeles this summer and open to collaborating on projects while I’m in town. If you’re looking for an intern to jump in with energy, curiosity, and a strong work ethic—let’s connect.
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.