Biography

Michael DiGiorgio Jr. was born in Vineland, NJ to Annette (Ferrucci) and Michael DiGiorgio Sr., a retired police officer. Michael grew up alongside his two sisters Eva Marie (Emari) and Olivia. Raised near a nursery farm, with few neighbors, Michael and his siblings were encouraged to utilize their imaginations daily. They constructed their own ideas of houses out of bamboo, dug enormous trenches to hide in, rode their bikes until the tires went bald, and played baseball well passed sunset. By high school, Michael's backyard became an important piece for his future career, an expansive set for his first adventures in filmmaking.

Michael attended Stockton University in 2003, and developed his first short films during his enrollment. For his senior thesis, he directed, produced, and starred in his first feature film, Natalie.

Today, Michael runs his own independent film company, Red Jacket Films. He also manages the digital studio facilities and teaches courses in film and television at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. He earned his MFA in Motion Pictures and Television Directing from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
- IMDb mini biography by: James Redman

Red track jacket

Frequently has his main characters wear some variation of a red jacket or clothing in his films.

Played baseball for 18 years before leaving the game to pursue a career in filmmaking.

Cites Rear Window, The Sting, Memento, Donnie Darko, and Brick as some of his favorite films.

I remember the first time I saw Kevin Smith's Clerks. I loved the film, but I couldn't believe that something shot so simply, and cheaply could become so successful. It was the first time I thought, wow, if this is what passes for a film, then everyone has a shot.

It's an incredible time to be a filmmaker, it really is. The technology available today allows us to make literally anything we can imagine... But I also think that's part of the problem, trickling from Hollywood right on down to the consumer. You don't need to go out and buy a RED to tell your story. Hell, you can make your next film on your smart phone if you really want. So what's stopping you from shooting your next film? Just start shooting, anything, please.

To borrow from Glengarry Glen Ross, I like to use the ABC slogan, only instead of real estate sales, I apply it to filmmaking. Always Be Creating.

Don't get stressed about festivals, accolades, or fame, just keep creating. If your film is truly unique and special, people will seek it out, and everything else will follow.

[When asked about how many short films aspiring filmmakers should make when starting out] There is no number. As many as you can physically make. Before I even finish a project, I'm already thinking about the next one, or maybe the next two. It keeps my work fresh and I don't get too hung up on any one project. Then who cares if your project isn't well received, you're already on to the next one.