User:Moodude/Michael J. Hein

MICHAEL J. HEIN Producer / Director / Screenwriter

Biography

Filmmaker Michael J. Hein, CEO of Moodude Films and founder of The New York City Horror Film Festival. Michael and his company Moodude Films are considered one of the leading proponents of independent film in New York City and highly respected in genre films. Michael has done it all, from Special Effects Make-up Artist to Screenwriter, and now Director & Producer. Through his company Moodude Films, Michael has produced various feature films including: The Word, Spiker, Red Hook, Dead Serious, Biohazardous, Cyclone, Devil’s Grove, and Killer Shorts Parts 1 & 2 to name just a few.

Michael's first passion was for special effects makeup. Even in high school, he was accomplished at creating scary effects that deceived everyone. Michael went on to attend The Art Institute of Philadelphia and upon graduation, he enjoyed an internship at The Shooting Gallery. This independent production company, located in Manhattan, produced the film "Sling Blade" among others independent classics.

In 1999 Michael wrote, directed, and co-produced his first feature film, Biohazardous, to date the film has screened at nine international film festivals, received six "Killer-B" award nominations for: Best cinematography, Best makeup, Best action sequence, Best set design, Best villain and Judge's Choice. The film went on to win for Best Special Effects and Judges Choice at the 2001 B-Movie Film Festival. The film then went on the win Director's Choice for best special effects at Oklahoma’s, Bare Bones Film Festival. Biohazardous also won Audience Choice award at The 2005 ZOE Film Festival in Ohio. To date, Biohazardous has screened at nine international film festivals and has received tremendous support from the press and horror film fanatics alike. “IF Magazine” even rated the trailer for Biohazardous higher than it rated those for Jurassic Park 3 and Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes.

As if Screenwriter, Director and Producer were not enough, Michael is the founder and sitting director of The New York City Horror Film Festival. The United States largest and most recognized genre film festival, which is held yearly at The Tribeca Film Center in Manhattan. Michael has also recently had high profile speaking engagements, speaking at both Notre Dame University and giving the AE lecture in New York City. He is also featured in the documentary Even More Scarier Moments, broadcast nationally on Bravo and one of the subjects based in the book “Splatter Flicks; How to make a low budget horror film”

Update: Michael is now featured in 13 More Scary Movie Moments now on Bravo.