Michael Givens
Michael Givens a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California began his career as a still photographer finding his niche in the fashion and music industries. Subsequently, he moved into film with his directorial debut under the tutelage of Ridley Scott while at RSA. After which, he built a successful affiliation with the production company GLG. Michael then formed his own company, Michael Givens & Associates then joined forces with Director/Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel at Dark Light Picture. He worked as a Director of Photography for such noted directors as Ridley Scott, Steven Friers, Philip Borsos and Peter Smilie. who guided his career in the camera department of 35 feature films and hundreds of commercials into the field of directing.
Michael, an American director with an international reputation has directed successful, award winning campaigns for a number of large corporations, financial institutions and manufactures including UPS, Credit Suisse, Pepsi and Visa. His expertise covers many genres including; airlines, tourism, food (human and pet), automobile and special effects.
Utilizing a comprehensive network of international affiliates and contacts, Michael successfully plans and directs films worldwide. Whether the story calls for shooting on location in Europe, Africa, China or the United States, Michael assembles the finest technicians and production teams available to ensure the success of the project. Recognizing the need for different visual styles to reflect and speak to different cultures, Michael has created successful campaigns for audiences in Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America. While filming in nearly every corner of the globe, Michael's reputation as a director-cameraman easily adaptable to difficult and hostile locations, earned him the distinction of being the first western director to film in Vietnam since the end of the war. Presently (2008) Michael is working with Blueyed Pictures in the US. He is also represented by a number of the finest production companies abroad. His recent projects include: Fix-o-Dent (worldwide), multiple worldwide Whiskas spots, Wrigley's and Iams for all of Europe, Milka and Persil for Germany, Mizuno for Japan, Amaro Montenegro for Italy and Audi for Russia. His most recent music video was for 2 Live Crew and Ice-T. His feature film credits include directing and photographing the second unit for Coyote Ugly and Cinematographer on Rebel Private, a short project with director Ron Maxwell (Gods and Generals, Gettysburg) and The Celestine Prophecy (based on the best-selling book by James Redfield). Michael directed and photographed the feature film Opposite Day, starring French Stewart, George Wendt, Pauli Shore and Dick van Patton.