We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Mccaleb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had just quit my management job with The Improvisation, and I wanted to go a different direction. A friend had me help him film an event, and I really enjoyed the documentary process. Making films of any kind is a very personal process. Especially if you do both filming and editing. I knew I had a certain direction that I wanted to go, and that I definitely did not want to work in Hollywood anymore, so it was just a natural progression.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been making wedding films for almost 25 years. There is something really gratifying in helping people remember what happens in that very short span of hours. It goes by SO fast for them. I remember thinking at my own wedding, “This is why I do what I do!” It’s a live production, and every wedding has its obstacles. Always a challenge. The more weddings I filmed, the easier it was to predict what might go wrong, and to be ready for it. You definitely don’t want to “fix it in post.” I try to have fun with my clients, and help them get through the day. Hopefully that shows up in my work. Michael Scot Films should be known for realism, and for fun.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love that you can visit the beach and the mountains in the same day. I love the outdoors. You would find me near a wooded lake, a beachside bar, maybe the Peterson Museum, or at a Dodgers game. Or an Angels game, just because I am a huge Mike Trout fan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My uncle is a composer in Hollywood. He has always worked hard and even when he had a partner, we all knew that he did all of the work. I worked with him for a few years.

I also had an amazing professor for documentary film class at Cal State Fullerton, named Larry Ward. He taught me that there is a story in everything.

Website: https://www.michaelscotfilms.com

Instagram: @michaelscotfilms

Facebook: @michaelscotfilms

Image Credits
All images by Michael Scot Films

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