Michael Fitzer

180 Degrees / www.film180.com
Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Editor, Producer and Screenwriter

Louisville, Kentucky

Member Since:
October 2012

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

Invites sent:
0

About Michael

Michael is a Co-Manager of 180 Degrees and is an Emmy ™ award-winning Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, and Editor with more than twenty-five years experience in filmmaking and production.

Michael recently served as producer on the feature film "Under the Eiffel Tower" staring VEEP alum Matt Walsh, Gary Cole and Reid Scott. He also served as producer and director of photography on the 2013 film “Pleased to Meet Me” and as primary camera operator on the PBS Frontline documentary “Prison State.” His work has been seen on national and international networks including Discovery, History, A&E, The Documentary Channel, iTunes, Netflix, and has been represented at major domestic and international film markets including Cannes, Berlin and Toronto. His most recent screenplay "Still Perfect" won awards at both the Cannes Screenplay Competition and the American Movie Awards.

Michael was recently named a “Champion for Kids” by Kosair Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Foundation. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville, an appointee of the Louisville Film Commission and is also a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Army.

Unique traits: Still plays soccer two-to-three times a week (when not in production).

Gender:
Male

Photos

Loglines

Still Perfect Drama Kara Altop, a headstrong yet gifted pre-med student is unprepared for her surprise pregnancy, but when the new baby is murdered by a close friend, she and her blue-collar family must put aside blame and regret to find meaning through the sound of a beating heart.

Credits

Body Swap (2019)
Film Cinematographer
Under the Eiffel Tower (2018)
Film Producer
Little City Beautiful (2016 - 2017)
Documentary by 180 Degrees Director of Photography
Prison State (2014 - 2015)
Documentary by PBS Frontline / Mongoose / Daniel Edge Camera Operator One year in America's most incarcerated neighborhood.
Catching a Killer (2014 - 2015)
Documentary by 180 Degrees Director of Photography
Grief and a Giving Heart (2013)
Film by 180 Degrees (Documentary and News) Director / Producer / DP Kara Mallick's nine-month-old daughter Karlie was murdered. Three years later we follow Kara from Kentucky to Chicago so she can meet the little boy who received her daughter's heart. Using expert medical testimony and heartbreaking personal accounts we explore the epic tragedy of child abuse and the bitter joy of organ donation through the story of one woman struggling to come to terms with her grief and giving heart. Written by Anonymous
Undead Survival (2013)
Film (short) by 180 Degrees (Action, Comedy, Horror and Short) Producer / Director Reality is dead when an ex-Special Forces survivalist, a has-been producer and an incompetent network television crew produce a weekly reality program in a world overrun by zombies and cannibalistic TV executives.
Pleased to Meet Me (2013)
Film (Drama) Producer / DP Rocker Pete Jones (legendary "X" front man John Doe) is in trouble. He's solo in his personal and professional life and he can't seem to finish his long-awaited album. Threatened with bankruptcy and a lawsuit from his label, Pete turns to his lost love and former producer turned radio reporter Laura Klein (Academy Award nominee Aimee Mann) for help. Together, they form an eclectic group of musicians who have never met to create a band, for one day and one day only. Their 24-hour experiment will be recorded by Laura for the syndicated radio show "World CafÃ©" and provide her an opportunity to establish a life out from under Pete's shadow. For Pete, it's a chance to re-mix his personal and creative life, provided he can get his ego out of the way. For the unknown band, it's a time to see if they have what it takes to realize, or say goodbye to, the dream of making it in the music business. Picked by more than a million listeners as one of the best segments ever to air on Public Radio ... Written by Anonymous
Century of Flight: 100 Years of Aviation (2004)
Television (Documentary) Editor Add a Plot »
WWII Sub Rescue (2004)
TV Movie (History) Producer This is the story of a daring rescue of 40 American civilians trapped behind Japanese lines during WWII
Into the Lighthouse (2000)
Film by Blackfish Films (Documentary and Short) Producer / Director From Emmy[TM] Award-winning producer and director Michael Fitzer comes "Into the Lighthouse," an eye-opening, sometimes brutal documentary about teens walking a tightrope of self-destruction. This rare and uncensored look inside the secret world of drug addiction management focuses on day-to-day life inside one of Kentucky's only adolescent drug and alcohol treatment centers. From 17-year old Josh who will do anything to leave the center and begin using drugs again to 16-year old Tate who struggles desperately to stay out of jail, these kids make sure their voices are heard and their experiences are understood. Using candid one-on-one interviews and cinema verite style... "Into the Lighthouse" takes an extraordinary look inside some of the most sensitive adolescent treatment methods in use today. In addition, the overall film illustrates with raw veracity, the affects of drug and alcohol abuse on America's youth population. 2000 Ã�Â© Blackfish Films, LLC Written by Michael Fitzer
Winner Takes All (1998)
TV Movie (Action, Crime and Drama) Miscellaneous Crew In 1978, two rapper childhood friend turn to the quick and easy life of crime to support their needy parents. But after a foiled robbery, one of them is jailed while the other flees, changes his name, joins the military, and grows up to become a narcotics agent. 10 years later, the agent becomes embroiled in an assassination plot for a powerful Mafia boss headed by a corrupt drug agent. The two friends must find a way to come together to stop it. Written by Anonymous
Frontline
TV Series Camera and Electrical Department