Michael Muscal
- Producer
- Visual Effects
- Production Manager
Muscal attended the University of North Carolina on a soccer scholarship after being named an All South Jersey performer in high school. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, Michael Muscal journeyed to Houston, Texas where for two years; he videotaped open heart surgery for the infamous Denton Cooley of the Texas Heart Institute. From there the path would lead to a more ambitious career in Hollywood and the motion picture business.
Call it a classic case of "beginner's luck," as Muscal's first job in feature films was as Unit Production Manager for the renowned cult classic hit "Re-Animator." From here, he would UPM several more low-budget horror films, leading up to the Co-Producing chores on the equally successful, "The Bride of Re-Animator."
One of those UPM stints was to co-ordinate a package of visual effects "test shots" for a project in development at Disney Studios called "The Teenie Weenies." Disney loved the shots and followed through on making the movie that would become, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." Muscal was kept on board to co-ordinate all the visual effects for this blockbuster hit and, the film would win the British Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
Later, he would receive an Emmy Nomination for his Visual EFX work on the acclaimed HBO original movie "The Tuskegee Airmen" and produce the Effects for the re-make of "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" starring Darryl Hannah. When aired, it was the highest rated cable movie of all time! With this success, HBO asked him to come back and assist Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) on the effects laden, "Witch Hunt."
Now, it was time to make the transition from the world of visual effects to producing.
In 1999, Muscal would cross paths with British distributor, Hamish McAlpine of Metro Tartan Films and the two would team up to produce a trilogy of critical and financially successful serial killer films, "Ed Gein," "Ted Bundy" and "The Hillside Strangler." "Gein," starring Steve Railsback and the late Carrie Snodgrass, would garner several prestigious awards including named Best Picture at the 2000 Sitges International Horror Film Festival, considered the most important horror genre festival in the world.
For the record, let it show that Muscal has Co-Produced or Produced four highly touted genre films that would either be nominated or named Best Picture at renowned Sitges. Re-Animator (Won) Bride of Re-Animator (Nominated) Ed Gein (Won) and Ted Bundy (Nominated).
Then, on Super Bowl Sunday, 2008, Michael Muscal would get "the call." Longtime friend and fellow visual effects veteran, Justin Ritter, was producing a project and simply asked the question, "would you like to direct a movie?" Working with a wild and crazy bunch of improv comedians, his directorial debut would lead to the making of one of the most absurd horror - stoner - comedies ever: "Little F*cker." Genre fans would not be disappointed! The film was named Best Comedy at the High Times magazine 2010 World Marijuana Film Festival.
From there, Muscal has written the original screenplay and executive produced the high school horror thriller, "Detention," starring world famous and recently departed David Carradine. The film, picked up by American World Pictures, was given its World Premiere at the 2010 American Film Market in LA, then sold overwhelming on the international market.
Later that year, the UK Horror Channel premiered the film there on Halloween night!
In the summer of 2011, Muscal decided to move back to Houston, Texas where he would produce the dark comedy, "Suicide Notes" starring Sopranos vet Lou Martini, Jr. "Notes" not only had its World Premiere at the 2013 World Film Fest but also walked away with an Oscar style sweep being named Critic's Choice Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Most recently, Muscal has joined forces with Houston production house Eye Candy, Inc. and together they have produced the critically acclaimed short, "The Rolling Road," starring the legendary Lance Henriksen and horror thriller "KILD TV." KILD TV has captivated audiences at more than a dozen international festivals en route to winning SIX! "Best Picture" Awards along with other awards for Directing, Editing, Effects and Best Actor.
2020 promises to be quite a year. Muscal Co-Wrote the Story and was Associate Producer on "Girl Next." A horror thriller now ready for distribution and one hell of a film they'll be talking about for decades.
Call it a classic case of "beginner's luck," as Muscal's first job in feature films was as Unit Production Manager for the renowned cult classic hit "Re-Animator." From here, he would UPM several more low-budget horror films, leading up to the Co-Producing chores on the equally successful, "The Bride of Re-Animator."
One of those UPM stints was to co-ordinate a package of visual effects "test shots" for a project in development at Disney Studios called "The Teenie Weenies." Disney loved the shots and followed through on making the movie that would become, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." Muscal was kept on board to co-ordinate all the visual effects for this blockbuster hit and, the film would win the British Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
Later, he would receive an Emmy Nomination for his Visual EFX work on the acclaimed HBO original movie "The Tuskegee Airmen" and produce the Effects for the re-make of "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" starring Darryl Hannah. When aired, it was the highest rated cable movie of all time! With this success, HBO asked him to come back and assist Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) on the effects laden, "Witch Hunt."
Now, it was time to make the transition from the world of visual effects to producing.
In 1999, Muscal would cross paths with British distributor, Hamish McAlpine of Metro Tartan Films and the two would team up to produce a trilogy of critical and financially successful serial killer films, "Ed Gein," "Ted Bundy" and "The Hillside Strangler." "Gein," starring Steve Railsback and the late Carrie Snodgrass, would garner several prestigious awards including named Best Picture at the 2000 Sitges International Horror Film Festival, considered the most important horror genre festival in the world.
For the record, let it show that Muscal has Co-Produced or Produced four highly touted genre films that would either be nominated or named Best Picture at renowned Sitges. Re-Animator (Won) Bride of Re-Animator (Nominated) Ed Gein (Won) and Ted Bundy (Nominated).
Then, on Super Bowl Sunday, 2008, Michael Muscal would get "the call." Longtime friend and fellow visual effects veteran, Justin Ritter, was producing a project and simply asked the question, "would you like to direct a movie?" Working with a wild and crazy bunch of improv comedians, his directorial debut would lead to the making of one of the most absurd horror - stoner - comedies ever: "Little F*cker." Genre fans would not be disappointed! The film was named Best Comedy at the High Times magazine 2010 World Marijuana Film Festival.
From there, Muscal has written the original screenplay and executive produced the high school horror thriller, "Detention," starring world famous and recently departed David Carradine. The film, picked up by American World Pictures, was given its World Premiere at the 2010 American Film Market in LA, then sold overwhelming on the international market.
Later that year, the UK Horror Channel premiered the film there on Halloween night!
In the summer of 2011, Muscal decided to move back to Houston, Texas where he would produce the dark comedy, "Suicide Notes" starring Sopranos vet Lou Martini, Jr. "Notes" not only had its World Premiere at the 2013 World Film Fest but also walked away with an Oscar style sweep being named Critic's Choice Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Most recently, Muscal has joined forces with Houston production house Eye Candy, Inc. and together they have produced the critically acclaimed short, "The Rolling Road," starring the legendary Lance Henriksen and horror thriller "KILD TV." KILD TV has captivated audiences at more than a dozen international festivals en route to winning SIX! "Best Picture" Awards along with other awards for Directing, Editing, Effects and Best Actor.
2020 promises to be quite a year. Muscal Co-Wrote the Story and was Associate Producer on "Girl Next." A horror thriller now ready for distribution and one hell of a film they'll be talking about for decades.
