Spotlight On Writers
Michael Danese
- Where do you originate from?
I was born in South Philadelphia, and I grew up in the suburbs, in the town of Drexel Hill. I graduated from Upper Darby High School. Some other notable alumni include Tina Fey, Jim Croce, Todd Rundgren, and Cheri Oteri.
From an early age, I knew that I wanted to make films. I majored in Film/TV production at The Pennsylvania State University. It was a wonderful time working with many creative individuals. After graduation, I moved to Hollywood and lived under the big sign with two women who graduated with me. I worked as a production assistant and camera assistant on a film that starred Frank Sinatra Jr.
I wanted to be Stephen Spielberg, but I soon found out that they already had one. I moved back to Pennsylvania and had a long career producing, writing, directing, and editing corporate video programs. I was also the video department manager.
At the same time, I worked as a photographer, shooting weddings, portraits, and commercial assignments.
I also recently partnered with two musicians and wrote a full-length musical for either stage or screen, with over 25 professionally performed and recorded songs. I’m exploring ways to help move it forward, so if you have any ideas, I would love to hear them! Info is available upon request.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
My wife and I moved to the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania for my corporate job. It is a perfect location, conveniently situated between Philadelphia and New York, as well as the Pocono Mountains.
It turned out to be the perfect place to raise our two daughters. They now live within an hour of us, which makes it easy to spend time with our seven grandchildren.
- What ignites your creativity?
Ignites is the right word, and there are many answers. Sometimes I’ll see an old film or TV show and see something in the plot that I can take in a new direction. Real life can also spark a story. It can start as an observation, then a “what if” scenario. Here are a few examples:
I once “photo bombed” a group on the beach. I thought, what if this was the wrong group to be photographed with? The story “Photo Bomb” resulted.
I noticed a pile of newspapers outside a house on more than one occasion. What if a group of burglars used a signal like that to determine that a house was empty? That became the story “Greed.”
I saw a news story about a mosque being shot up and several people killed. How does something like that happen? That became “Julie’s War.”
I noticed numerous conversations taking place at different tables in a restaurant. I wondered what all those folks could be talking about? That became the one-act play “Counter Talk.”
I saw photos of rich big game hunters with their trophies. I thought what would be the ultimate hunt for them? Perhaps other men? That became “The Deadliest Game.”
I saw a TV show about ghost hunters. I thought about what might go on behind the scenes of a show like that. That became “Ghose Squad.”
- Do you have a favorite word, and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
Many words come to mind – coexistence, integrity, cheese, but family won out. When all is done, if you take away the material things, the only thing left is people.
Not everyone is cut out to be a parent, but when it happens, it changes your life forever. You have new responsibilities, and in return, you get a lifetime of love. When my father passed away last year, he left a group of 50 people, including his children and their spouses, their children and spouses, and great grandchildren. What can be better than that?
- What is your pet peeve?
Many things get under my skin, but the biggest is people treating other people poorly. People who look down on others, engage in rude behavior, bigotry, hate, bullying, and racism are unacceptable.
Someone once said, “If you want to know the essence of a person, observe how they treat the waitstaff at a restaurant.” That makes sense to me.
- How would you describe the essence of Michael Danese?
I’m a lifelong photographer and storyteller, either on video or in writing. I enjoy it when someone is moved by a photo or one of my stories. I used to produce a lot of video programs about safety in a manufacturing setting. The fact that those training programs may have prevented someone from getting injured was fulfilling.
I hope that people would say I’m kind and compassionate. A good friend, father, and grandfather. Also, a creative person.
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