About the Filmmaker

My name is Charles Michael Williams, and I am an independent filmmaker from West Point, Mississippi. I began to create independent films in the spring of 2004. With the love and support of my friends, family, and church youth group, I have begun to fulfill my dream.

My first scripted and edited film project was an action/adventure film titled BitterSweet. Although this was the first time for many of my cast to act, they gave me their all and suffered through the heat, cold, rain, bugs, and fight scenes for me and my film. I cannot express how much the sacrifice of the all-volunteer cast meant to me. I know that at the time they did not understand my ambition and dream. However, they did not express their doubt, and they did not give up. Because of many unforeseen problems, the 25-minute film took roughly 6 months to film and edit. Despite the film's slow progress, the finished product exceeded the expectation of my friends, family, and even me.

After I finished BitterSweet, my support grew, and I had more freedom to create my independent films. I learned from my mistakes in BitterSweet, and I created Romeo and Helga, Amazing Grace, and The Wandering Re Re: Re.

In May of 2005, I participated in the Tupelo Film Festival. This was my first festival, and my film, Amazing Grace, did not receive any awards. However, my film was well-received, and I was able to meet many other filmmakers. I extremely enjoyed the experience, and Amazing Grace also participated in the 2006 Ocean Springs Film Festival.

In June and August of 2005, I finished the films Taken and Happiness. After I finished Happiness, I went to school at Mississippi State University for my Freshman year and decided that I would like to enroll in The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a degree in film.

In November of 2006, I finished The Fatal Awakening, a film that I had been working to complete since February. In December of 2006, I finished my 14th film Duplicates? . In February of 2007, The Fatal Awakening was screened in the 2007 Magnolia Film Festival and then again at the Tupelo film festival in May making it my fourth festival to have participated in.

In March of 2007, filming began on a new Shendopen film project. The film is a mockumentary titled Melvie. While filming a scene for Melvie, Davis Manning, Matt Judson, and I decided to film a short film based on their characters in Melvie, and this short film has now spawned a series of short films called The Adventures of Tillio and the Punisher. Sadly, I only filmed three scenes for Melvie before the film had to be canceled.

While at the 2007 Magnolia and Tupelo Film Festival I met a filmmaker named Kat Phillips from Pennsylvania. She offered me a job to work on her first feature film called Chasing the White Dragon. On June 16th I started my first real film job as a PA on this film which was shot in and around Tupelo, MS. Once principle photography started on this film, I moved up from being a PA to being the First Camera Assistant. This was an amazing opportunity that I am so very thankful for having. Because of this opportunity, I discovered the career path I plan to take after graduating. I never could have imagined how many wonderful people I would meet and how much priceless experience and knowledge I would obtain from this job.

On December 15th 2007, I finished Imagine Me a Hero, a short dramedy about a guy who thinks he may be developing superpowers, and as of May 2008, this film was screened at the 2008 Magnolia Film Festival, Crossroads Film Festival, and Tupelo Film Festival.

On May 28th, I finished my first 16mm short film (un)wanted that was produced for my basic cinematography class. The film required the most effort, stress, and money than any of my other films, and I am extremely proud of the film and feel that it was worth everything that my cast and I put into it, and I hope this film can have a successful festival run.

Once again, I would like to thank my family, friends, church youth group, film making partners, and film making mentors. I cannot fulfill my dream alone, and I cherish your undying support.

-Michael Williams-

Personal Contact Info:
Phone: 662.275.3285
Email: shendopen@yahoo.com
Myspace page

View my page on Indie Mississippi


Filmmaker Résumé:

Charles Michael Williams

EDUCATION
    High School Diploma from Oak Hill Academy, West Point, Mississippi
    Currently a Junior at the University of Southern Mississippi
    Perusing a degree in film at the University of Southern Mississippi

WORK EXPERIENCE

    Miscellaneous Video Productions
    May 2005-Present
    I film and produce video productions for schools, organizations, and individuals such as prom, wedding, and video and picture compilation videos.

    Direct, Edit and Produce my own independent films
    May 2004-Present

    General Office/Offline Coordinator at Mossy Oak Productions in West Point
    May 2006-January 2008
    I transfer and organize the raw footage for the head editors and occasionally edit for the television programs Mossy Oak produces

    1st Assistant Camera/Focus Puller on Chasing the White Dragon
    June 2007-August 2007 with pick ups in 2008
    Independent feature film directed by Kat Phillips

    1st Assistant Camera on Beyond the Forest
    June 2008
    Independent short film directed by Jamie Mathews

About