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Production Experience
IN PRODUCTION
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About Michael
Portfolio
Production Experience
IN PRODUCTION
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  • Home
  • About Michael
  • Portfolio
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  • IN PRODUCTION
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  • About Michael
  • Portfolio
  • Production Experience
  • IN PRODUCTION

production experience

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Production experience - narrative, documentary & TV

PRE-PRODUCTION

POST PRODUCTION

PRE-PRODUCTION

 My pre-production experience has been developed through my own original projects, where I took full creative and logistical ownership from concept to final film.  For both AT WILL and the television commercial Kong to the Rescue, I led the foundational work that brings a project to life  for storytelling and attention to detail sets us apart from the rest.

 

  • Development & Concepting – Original idea generation, creative vision,and audience alignment
  • Pitch Materials & Decks – Creation of professional pitch decks & look books. 
  • Script Development – Writing and revising scripts, scene breakdowns, and story structure
  • Creative Direction – Establishing tone, mood, visual language, and storytelling approach
  • Budget Awareness & Scope Planning Defining project resources & budget.
  • Location Scouting & Permits – Identifying viable locations, assessing logistics, and coordinating approvals
  • Casting – Talent auditions, callbacks, and casting decisions
  • Crew Planning – Defining roles, staffing needs, and workflow
  • Shot Lists & Pre-Visualization – Detailed shot lists, storyboards, and visual planning
  • Equipment Planning & Rentals – Camera, lighting, grip, and audio package selection and coordination
  • Technical Prep & Pre-Shoot Testing Camera tests, lighting tests and audio checks
  • Production Scheduling – Shoot schedules, and call sheets
  • Day-One Readiness – Ensuring elements are locked and production-ready


PRODUCTION

POST PRODUCTION

PRE-PRODUCTION

 My production experience spans narrative, documentary, and live television production, including work on an independent feature film and a semester of hands-on training at UMTV. These experiences have given me a well-rounded understanding of production, from controlled studio environments to fast-paced sets, shaping how I approach storytelling and collaboration. 


  • Camera 2/GE Swing member of an independent feature film Shot By An Angel throughout the entire production. Shot on location in Los Angeles
  • Production Assistant on a documentary short Seeing A Different Future with Entertainment to Affect Change (E2AC). 
  • Freelance Videographer & Content Producer for local brands, shooting branded content for digital and social media, including filming live events and interviews. 
  • TV Studio production crew member at UMTV, gaining hands-on experience in camera ops, audio, and live directing.

POST PRODUCTION

POST PRODUCTION

POST PRODUCTION

Because I believe great filmmakers must understand the entire storytelling process, not just what happens on set, I've stepped beyond my behind-the-camera focus and immersed myself in editorial, sound, color, and visual effects workflows and extensively trained using leading post production software and tools.


  • Post Production Intern:  Learning from the talented editors, mixers, colorists, and VFX artists at Therapy Studios in Los Angeles,  I supported daily studio operations deepened my understanding of how stories are shaped in post to become a more thoughtful filmmaker.



technical skills

CAMERA OPERATION , LIGHTING & SOUND

Proficient and trained operator in

  • Blackmagic Design 
  • Arri Alexa
  • Lumix Cameras

POST PRODUCTION

Experienced editing using:

  • Davinci Resolve
  • Avid Media Composer
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Avid Pro Tools 
  • After Effects

PRE-PRODUCTION

I have broad, working knowledge of industry-standard software used to plan, organize, and execute efficient pre-production workflows. 

 

  • Final Draft – Scriptwriting, revisions, and scene breakdowns
  • Backstage – Casting calls, talent sourcing, and crew postings
  • Google Workspace – Collaborative docs, schedules, budgets, and production planning
  • Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for scripts, breakdowns, budgets, and pitch decks

CREW ROLES & INTERNSHIPS - FEATURE FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES

Shot By An Angel - 2rd Camera | GE Swing

Directed by D.R. Bellard | Cinematography by Rick Galli
Summer 2025 | On-location, Los Angeles, CA

As a  3rd 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. 

PORTFOLIO OF STUDENT PROJECTS & FREELANCE WORK

GLANCES UNTOLD - INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING PROJECT

intro to Cinematography Class project

E11EVEN Vodka mock commercial

Served as Assistant DP and Prop Master

INTRO TO DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING - documentary short

MIAMI MARINE ECOSYSTEM

Co-Directed & Produced with Ethan Storey & Natalie Pemberton

currently in production - from script to screen

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 in the Spring of 2026. 


Copyright © 2026 MichaelSArias - All Rights Reserved.

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