Reader Spotlight: Michael Bina
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 5:33PM In the reader spotlight series we celebrate YOU, the reason The Film Experience keeps chugging along. Today we're talking to Michael Bina who just produced a well received short film! Let's meet him.
Nathaniel R: We met a couple years back at a guild screening for Coriolanus's tiny Oscar-qualifying run I believe?
MICHAEL BINA: Yes, that’s right! I remember you... loved it?
Well, Vanessa Redgrave in it! Otherwise not so much. How long have you been reading the site?
I’ve probably been reading The Film Experience for a little less than a decade. I was a huge fan of the Academy Awards growing up, so I began reading Oscar blogs. I stumbled upon yours and loved your insight on films, and just the way you wrote about them. The site's great at showcasing all aspects of the industry (film, theatre, television).
I understand you recently produced a film that was honored by the Producers Guild ? I'm fuzzy on details. Fill us in!
Every year the Producers Guild of America has a Weekend Short Competition. So over the course of one weekend you have to write, shoot, edit, compose and complete a film no longer than 5-minutes. This year the theme was Romantic Comedy in honor of Laura Ziskin. The film I made was called ‘The Squeeze’, inspired by my little cousin who has a Lemonade stand every summer.
That sounds fun. Let's watch it!
MICHAEL BINA: I used my cousin in the film, and made him a mafia-loving kingpin who runs all these lemonade stands in Beverly Hills. One day, this cute little girl opens an opposing stand, basically killing his business. So he tries to take her down, but falls in love with her. We ended up as one of the Top 10 Finalists, winning Honorable Mention. James Franco and Tom Cruise’s producing partner Paula Wager were two of the judges, so it was surreal knowing that they watched a film I wrote and produced.
Nathaniel: Congratulations so much. Okay, name 3 movies you've seen a bajillion times.
MICHAEL Movies are always playing in the background while I write, so this is easy.
X2:X-Men United
Moulin Rouge!
... and lastly (I know it’s cheating) but the four Disney Renaissance films: The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.
Take an Oscar away. Regift it.
I want to say The Artist’s Best Picture win to A Separation, which is my favorite movie of all time. But, instead I’m going to make one choice that affects three outcomes. Take Hilary Swank’s 2nd Oscar and give it to Kate Winslet for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This way Kate would lose for her work in The Reader, meaning the Oscar would have gone to Streep. Thus, Streep would have lost for The Iron Lady, meaning Viola Davis wouldn’t be Oscar-less! (And even if Streep didn’t win, it probably would have gone to a very, very, very deserving Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married).
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. So to wrap up, do like we did on sunday's podcast. Name your favorite turkey, succulent ham, and something you're sweet on for dessert.
Turkey: Independence Day
Ham: Jim Carrey
Dessert: Emma Watson
Thanks, Michael, Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. If you'd like to be a reader spotlight, stay engaged! Like us on facebook and follow Nathaniel on Twitter. Don't be shy.
Reader Comments (12)
Great short! Good luck in your endeavors, hopefully The Film Experience will predict you for the Oscars in the future.
Thanks Nathaniel for the opportunity. Hope you guys enjoy the short!
Jeff -- that's the sweetest of well wishes. I always wonder which Oscar winners actually obsessed over Oscars when they were younger? I mean, besides Nicole Kidman
Totally down for the Oscar Re-Gift.
Nathaniel: Definitely Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet. And Melissa Leo. And Leonardo DiCaprio.
Sarah J -- ooh yeah. I'd guess yes on all of those. well... maybe not Leo. NOW he's obsessed with winning one but he didn't seem to be when he first started out.
Congrats on a very cute film.
Insightful commentary and good luck as well.
Great article and awesome film!! Happy that Bina got the memo we wear pink on wednesdays.
Alyssa -- LOL.
Great short. Nicely done! Glad this feature is back.
He looks young! How old is he? Glad to see passion with filmmakers.
Nathaniel, this just makes me want to know how many Film Experience readers are aspiring filmmakers?!
Nikki -- i assume a healthy bunch. In my head it breaks down to 20% aspiring filmmakers 20% people actually working in the movies and 58% current or future lifelong movie fanatics who may or may not have at one time helped with some movie or another in some capacity or just seen a lot of them ;) and 2% random onlookers "what the hell is this place?" One reader who moved into filmmaking guest blogged for the site for her debut feature's premiere! I don't mean to brag but i'm so proud of Leslye that I have to!
interesting interview. Always nice to see young talent not only getting some recognition, but also to pick their brains and see their passion for both enjoying great films and film-making. Really cute short film! I loved the mafia approach with children's lemonade stands. Cute idea and well-executed! I like the thoughtful insight about the Oscar regift too.