My imagination has always been vivid. As a visual person, I grew up trying to capture my imagination in some tangible art form in order to share my vision with others. While I was pretty good with Legos, the plastic pieces were too limiting. I couldn't draw, paint, or use any other art form well enough to translate my imagination and perception of the world. Although I had a ton of action figures and dolls, they lacked the soul (and fully articulated appendages) that my stories needed. Then, I discovered photography, video cameras, and behind-the-scenes features on DVDs of movies like Star Wars, Titanic, Lord of the Rings, and films by M Night Shyamalan. From those discs, I learned how to first tell stories visually and realized the visual language of film comes naturally to me.

For most of my life, I was quiet, reserved, and not always capable of articulating my thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others. I often had to fight for space to speak and attentive ears to listen. As an adult, I know how much my spirit needs to express itself and be understood. Films have always been a way for me to experience and process emotions, discover empathy, and expand my perception of the world through seeing other people's imagination and stories vividly and vulnerably displayed on screen. 

As I began to pursue filmmaking, I soon realized I had the power to write screenplays and create a more comprehensive blueprint to share with my collaborators. With each film, I'd feel liberated by self-expression while often discouraged by audiences that didn't understand or appreciate what I tried to accomplish. Looking back, my filmography and skillset evolves as a result of me consciously improving the translation and execution of my ideas and feelings while digger deeper into myself to tell the stories my spirit yearns to share. What I've learned is that it isn't important for people to understand me. What is important is that I understand myself, share my stories with authenticity, and allow my work to speak for itself.

I've learned that the work must be motivated. It must be intentional. The magic I harness with a pen, a camera, and a group of collaborators requires dedication to intention and permission to escape into my imagination. Through all the tools as a filmmaker, I am able to express myself and my stories to an audience who will watch and listen to what I have to say. My hope is that my work speaks to others in ways that improves their life whether through simple entertainment or a more profound understanding of the stories and characters I share on screen. ​​​

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~Michael Williams