Mike Flanagan (director)

Mike Flanagan

Director Mike Flanagan on the set of Before I Wake
Born 1978 (age 37–38)[1]
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.[1]
Residence Glendale, California, U.S.
Education Archbishop Spalding High School
Alma mater Towson University
Occupation Film director, screenwriter, film editor
Years active 2000–present
Notable work Oculus
Absentia
Hush
Spouse(s) Kate Siegel (m. 2016)
Children Rigby Flanagan-Bell
Website mikeflanaganfilm.com

Mike Flanagan is an American director, screenwriter, and editor, better known for his work in horror films, including Hush, Oculus and Absentia. His upcoming projects include Before I Wake and Ouija 2.

Early life

Flanagan was born in 1978 in Salem, Massachusetts. His father was in the United States Coast Guard, and the family moved around often. Although he only briefly lived in Salem, it left an impression on him, and Flanagan would retain an abiding interest in both the Salem witch trials and associated topics, such as ghost stories and horror fiction. Flanagan eventually ended up in Maryland, where he attended Towson University.[1] He graduated with a BA in Electronic Media & Film and a minor in Theater.[2]

Career

Flanagan's student films were more oriented toward melodrama. He later characterized them as "unfit for public consumption" but said that they were "incredible learning experiences".[1] His first film directed after graduation, Ghosts of Hamilton Street (2003), was filmed in Maryland and featured local actors,[3] including Scott Graham, whom Flanagan met at Towson. Graham would go on to star in Flanagan's 2006 short film, Oculus: Chapter 3 – The Man with the Plan, which he made for $1500.[2]

Flanagan originally intended for the Oculus story to be told in a series of short films, but he could not find the financing. Instead, he shot the chapter that included a back story and used that to demonstrate that he could direct a horror film. The short proved popular at film festivals, and producers were interested in developing the concept; however, they either wanted to shoot it as a found footage film or rejected Flanagan's stipulation that he direct the feature-length adaptation. Flanagan directed Absentia (2011), which was financed through a Kickstarter campaign, in response to this rejection.[1]

Made for $70,000, and filmed in his Glendale, California, apartment, Absentia was released direct-to-video but gained popularity when Netflix offered it on their streaming service.[4] After the surprise success of Absentia, Flanagan returned to Oculus, which he again shopped around. Intrepid Pictures took an interest in the concept and agreed to let Flanagan direct. The feature version of Oculus was filmed in 2012 and released theatrically by Relativity Media in 2014.[5]

After Oculus, Flanagan shot his next film, Before I Wake, in 2013. The film was acquired by Relativity Media in 2014, and was due for release in 2015, but Relativity Media's bankruptcy had left the release of the picture uncertain. After a year in bankruptcy court, Relativity then announced the film would be released on April 8, 2016, but did not release the film on the promised date, as the company struggled to get back on its feet. The release date is currently unknown.[6]

In August 2015 it was announced Flanagan would write and direct Ouija 2, which stars Elizabeth Reaser, Henry Thomas, and Annalise Basso.[7] Production on the film began in September, 2015.

Around the same time, it was revealed that Flanagan had been working on a "secret project" called Hush. Written in 2014 and filmed in March 2015, the project was kept confidential until a screening at the Toronto Film Festival.[8] Written by Flanagan and lead actress Kate Siegel, and also starring John Gallagher, Jr, Michael Trucco, and Samantha Sloyan, the film had its world premiere at SXSW in March, 2016, and was released exclusively on Netflix on April 8, 2016.

Personal life

Flanagan married actress-writer Kate Siegel in February 2016.[9] They live together in Glendale, CA.

Flanagan has a son, Rigby Joseph Flanagan-Bell (born October 15, 2010), from his relationship with Absentia actress Courtney Bell.

Filmography

Title Year Director Writer Editor Producer notes
Makebelieve 2000 Yes Yes Yes No student film
Still Life 2001 Yes Yes Yes Yes student film
Ghosts of Hamilton Street 2003 Yes Yes Yes No student film
Oculus: Chapter 3 2006 Yes Yes Yes Yes short film
Absentia 2011 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Oculus 2013 Yes Yes Yes No
Hush 2016 Yes Yes Yes No
Ouija 2 2016 Yes Yes Yes No
Before I Wake 2016 Yes Yes Yes No

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Barone, Matt (2014-04-10). "Fear the Glass: The Making of "Oculus," the Best Haunted Mirror Movie You'll Ever See". Complex (magazine). Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  2. 1 2 Miller, Mark L. (2011-02-18). "Bug talks with Mike Flanagan Writer/Director of OCULUS and ABSENTIA!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  3. ↑ "Made in Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  4. ↑ Schwartzel, Erich (2013-09-15). "Cheap Horror Movies Make a Killing". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  5. ↑ Barton, Steve (2014-01-27). "Exclusive: Mike Flanagan Reflects on the Horrors of Oculus". Dread Central. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  6. ↑ Vlessing, Elan (2014-05-20). "Cannes: Entertainment One Acquires Trio of Films for Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  7. ↑ Barton, Mike (2015-04-30). "‘Ouija’ Sequel Conjures ‘Oculus’ Director and Star". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 2015-07-14.
  8. ↑ Mack, Andrew (2015-09-12). "Toronto 2015: Mike Flanagan's 'Secret Project' HUSH Creates Buzz At Buyers Screening". Twitch Film. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  9. ↑ Peitzman, Louis (April 11, 2016). "Meet the Filmmaker Who Wants to Save Horror From Cheap Scares". Buzzfeed. Retrieved April 13, 2016.

External links

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