Michael Heagle's fascination with filmmaking began in the fifth grade, when he started creating movies using Super8 film processed at K-Mart and projected onto a bed sheet. Growing up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, his creative influences were diverse, ranging from Sesame Street to Syd and Marty Krofft, Ray Harryhausen, and Scooby Doo.
As a child, Michael was captivated by the model work and animation in films like Star Wars, King Kong, and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, which inspired him to build miniatures and attempt ambitious short films filled with special effects, often sourced from Super8 Filmmaker magazine.
With the encouragement of his drama teacher parents, Michael pursued his passion for theater in high school, while simultaneously making films and music, gradually transitioning from Super8 to VHS and SVHS formats. He collaborated with friends and family to produce elaborate fantasy and horror pictures, honing his skills as a filmmaker.
Michael's academic journey took him to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film. During his time there, he co-created a film with his classmate Mark Borchardt, titled Toga Party Massacre.
After graduating, Michael ventured into independent filmmaking, taking on multiple roles, including screenwriter, director, production designer, editor, and visual effects supervisor. His notable film credits include the 16mm cult feature Go To Hell, released by Troma in 2003, and the zero-budget sci-fi western Planetfall.
As a co-creator of the puppet comedy series Transylvania Television, Michael wrote, directed, and performed as the character Dwayne Frankenstein. He holds a Master's Degree in Animation and Visual Effects from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has taught in higher education since 2000.
Under Michael's guidance, his students have gone on to secure positions at renowned visual effects studios, including Digital Domain, Industrial Light and Magic, Marvel Studios, MPC, Luma Pictures, and Double Negative. In 2016, he served as Animatics Editor on the Amazon Studios production of the animated series Danger and Eggs.
