The Recipe to a Passionate Career

BY Isaac Kawesa

The path to creating a movie in todays film industry can be a long exhausting process
often taking many years requiring extreme discipline and dedication. The path to finding
a career can be just as difficult, often requiring maximum confidence and perseverance.
These are traits that are far from foreign when speaking about local filmmaker Michael
Manasseri. Once you find out your passion, all the negatives and perceived roadblocks
in your journey begin to disappear and turn into opportunity Manasseri stated when I
spoke to him at the opening of his new comedy film The Pickle Recipe at The Maple
theatre located in Bloomfield off of W Maple rd.
Manasseri is a local film director, actor and producer who describes his journey to
owning a production company Flux Capacitor Studios, as a pretty unique experience.
Starting out as a child actor in New York in the early 80s, Manasseri found most of his
work starring in TV commercials, music videos and even working in multiple Broadway
productions. I didnt go to film school like many who try to break in the business do
Manasseri stated I got lucky at a young age and was able to learn the complexities of
the industry while also being involved in it.
Manasseri would stay in New York for most of his early childhood. It wasnt until he was
14 years old that he got his first big screen appearance as Charles in the film License to
drive. Auditioning and getting the part as Charles and being part of that film is what
gave me the courage to drop all my things in New York and make my move to Los
Angeles. While in L.A. Manasseri made appearances in multiple TV commercials and

as an extra in different sitcoms. He then took on his most notable role as the shy but
intelligent Wyatt Donnelly in the mid 90s sitcom Weird Science which filmed at
Universal Studios.
While at Universal Studios I met a producer named John Landis who become
somewhat of a mentor to me. Landis is an executive producer and director in
Hollywood whose most notable work includes Coming to America, The Blues Brothers
and Beverley Hills Cop. Landis and Manasseri formed a relationship that holds to this
day. He was very crucial in my development as a young actor Manasseri recalled, I
wanted to go beyond just acting I wanted to do more. And after four years of filming
at Universal, Manasseri slowly began to shape his future as a director and producer.
Manasseri describes leaving acting to pursue other aspects of the film industry such as
directing and producing as very difficult and at times discouraging. I had been known
as an actor for so long, it was hard for people to see me as anything other than that.
After noticing the difficulty of finding work outside of acting, Manasseri began to write his
own films, most of them being short films. They were awful, I mean they were f***ing
awful but thats where I learnedthat became my new film school.

Poster of the Pickle Recipe at The Maple Theatre (Rotated)

During his time as an aspiring film director Manasseri made connections with other
actors turned producers/directors. Through these relationships Manasseri and his
connections formed a partnership and created their production company, Flux Capacitor
Studios. Our first film as a studio was a horror film that I co-directed with a friend which
turned out alright Manasseri sarcastically stated, It was nothing big but we enjoyed it.
This would be the norm for Manasseri for a short period until his move to Michigan and
his relationship with Oakland University (OU).

When speaking to Oakland University film professor Andrea Eis, she explained her first
encounter with Manasseri. He came to us about five years ago and mentioned that he
had siblings that attended the university. He approached us and expressed his interest
in making a partnership with the University with the hopes of getting the help of current
OU students on his film sets.
Manasseri was the oldest of three having a younger brother and younger sister. Both of
my siblings attended OU after my parents moved them from Texas to up here in
Rochester. After spending the early years of his life constantly traveling and on the
road as a child actor, Manasseri understandably so missed his family. I missed them a
lot you know Manasseri stated, When the film incentives came into play in Michigan, I
saw an opportunity where I could be close to family and still be able to work.
The Michigan Film and Digital Media Incentive was a law signed by then Michigan
Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2008 that would give production companies a
refundable or transferable tax incentive with the hopes of bringing more films to the
state. Manasserri is now married to a fellow actor/director and plans on starting a new
family here in Michigan.
Manasseri explained his love for Michigan stating, The cool thing about Michigan is that
the environment is so different at different parts of the year which can make for really
cool settings in movies. This optimism would soon turn into anxiety when speaking
about the current state of Michigans film incentive. After November of this year, the
state is planning on ending the incentives due to lack of enthusiasm from other studios.
Were gonna a take hit once those incentives get cut later this year. When asked how
he plans to handle it he simply says I get through it like I always haveperseverance
man.
The last film that Manasseri will have under the incentive is his latest directorial effort
The Pickle Recipe. This is a heartfelt family comedy about a sons nagging pursuit to
uncover the recipe to his grandmothers famous pickle. I just wanted to make a movie
that everyone can relate to everyone has that grandma who makes the best family
dinner, I thought it was an interesting premise Manasseri said.
The film used many current OU students on its production, which in return helped give
real life experience to aspiring filmmakers at the University. When speaking to Brendan
Sullivan about his experience working on the project he highlighted the positive
environment Manasseri was able to bring to the set stating he never really got upset at
any of us, which was good because I needed a lot of help and he really encouraged

us to give our own creative input. Sullivan is a Cinema Studies major who worked as a
lighting specialist on the project.
Michael has been able to give our students an opportunity that many schools yearn for
especially in Michigan Eis stated. I often find inspiration from all the kids that come
and help out, I am able to give them experience and their able to help me pursue my
dreams and visions that I have Manasseri expressed.
When asked for advice to enthusiastic young filmmakers Manasseri simply said, do
what you love. Trust me there were many times I wanted to quit and work at Quicken
Loans, I know theyre hiring he said sarcastically. When bills werent being payed or I
spent all my time on a project and it doesnt turn out the way I wanted or gets slammed
by critics but even with all that backlash I wouldnt trade for any other job because I
love what I do.