Meet Michael Mendelsohn | Film Producer & Financier

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

Hi Michael, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

The biggest thing that is responsible for my success is the power of teamwork. I believe there’s magic in that.

Does the director have a unique and clear vision? Story vs. visuals. The ability to take risks is also a huge factor by making movies that the studios and streamers don’t want to take the risk on.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Before I became the CEO of Patriot Pictures, I started out my career in Johnny Carson’s mailroom on The Tonight Show and was dealing with the mail for everyone from John Travolta to Bill Cosby to Cheap Trick, Foreigner, and David Letterman. My next stop was attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Then after graduating, I ended up at Union Bank. I had my sights set on making movies and being in control of getting them made and telling stories that haven’t been told before.

Established in 2005, Patriot Pictures has become an award-winning Film Finance and Production House, based out of West Hollywood, California. Our mission aims at entertainment that inspires social awareness spotlighting good vs evil in society throughout history and engaging audiences to participate in positive social change.

Patriot Pictures is known to be an innovator of gap financing in indie movies, unsold territories values BNP Paribas. We stand out from other film companies by financing movies that the studios did not want to make. It takes money, bold creative vision, and perceived risk vs actual risk to make unique and innovative movies.

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.
Here are my recommendations: Magic Castle Dinner (fun comedy and magic shows). Harley motorcycle riding up to Santa Barbara or to Laguna Beach. Breakfast at Patrick’s Roadhouse on PCH. Le Petit Four on Sunset Plaza Drive. Improv Comedy on Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood Bowl Philharmonic. Breakfast at Clark Street Diner in Hollywood or Pantry Cafe Downtown. Lunch at Honey Pot Fried Chicken in Culver City. Madeo for an Italian dinner on Sunset Blvd. Hot Rod Drag racing in Pomona. LA Art Faire Downtown LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Marc Rowan CEO and Co-Founder of Apollo Global Management (schoolmate at the Wharton School / University of Pennsylvania)

Ari Emmanuel CEO of WM/Endeavor, Johnny Carson NBC Late Show

Nick Cassavetes, Writer/Director

Rick Yorn, Film Producer

My English teacher Gert Woosner at US Grant High School in Van Nuys, CA

My music teacher David Wiinseman at Milliken Jr. High in Sherman Oaks

Website: https://www.patriotpictures.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriotpictures/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patriot-pictures-llc./

Twitter: https://twitter.com/patriotpictures

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriotPicturesEntertainment/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9Bg_MvXYj8HkNrls-F5tw?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Courtesy of Patriot Pictures