Michael Wiehart Interview(s)
POV: Director
How would you describe what you do?
I am a creative and strategic resource for brand-driven motion design and live action projects. I collaborate with clients and help them at every stage of the process, I direct, edit and design to tell their stories in a unique and engaging way.
How did you get into this job?
Word of mouth mostly, I do try and cultivate collaborative relationships with my clients that will last and grow with their demands. And there are also the occasional jobs that come in through reps, these are great because they sometimes open up new possibilities and challenges.
What is most challenging about what you do?
Trying to make the ever-shrinking budgets work as hard as possible. That means bringing in the right people to not bloat the overhead and be hands-on at every stage of a project.
What is most rewarding?
Collaborating with driven and inspired people, our industry is full of them...
What’s a typical work week like?
There is no typical work week for me, every job is unique and sets its own demand on me. The one constant thing is my daily morning run followed by a couple of espressos.
What needs to happen the most in order for a shoot to run smoothly?
The concept and story need to be strong and well thought through then everything will fall naturally into place. Having a good production team also helps, nothing makes the clients more relaxed than a confidently led preproduction.
Whats your best job/worst job?
No names, but the best is definitely when a client calls me back after the job is on-air, to tell me how happy they are with the result. En contraire the client that won an award for a job I delivered and never calls me back. Both happened.
What advice would you offer someone considering a career as a Director?
Don't list to anyone's advice, go out there and do it your way, no two careers are the same.
If you had one project that you could post on AdForum to represent your work, what would it be?
It is always my most recent project. Currently, I am working on a music video that I shot, edited, animated and composited. It will hopefully be released sometime in February. Other than that "UF Health Proton Therapy Institute – Choices" is a pretty typical project.
Finally tell us something that most people don’t know about being a Director?
Timing is everything. Knowing what to do and when anticipating issues before they become one is key. And also I go hungry on the set, not enough time to eat, and craft service food isn't my thing.
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