Michael Schilf

Co-founder of Lunar Door, an independent production company, Michael Schilf is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. He has worked on dozens of independent film projects and well over 100 advertising campaigns (including Nike, Volvo, Walmart, Ford, Target, Chrysler, Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes Benz). Schilf's acclaimed crime, thriller The Fixer, starring Jesse C. Boyd and Danny Trejo, has earned scores of international wins and nominations. His directorial feature film debut, based on his memoir The Sins of My Father, explores growing up with an absentee, alcoholic, mentally ill parent. The consummate paper boy throughout his youth, Schilf helped his single mother finance his own education at Saint Joseph High School, because to him the best education is the greatest equalizer. After graduating from Marquette University with double majors in Broadcasting and English Literature, Schilf embarked upon a spiritual and enlightening six month pilgrimage through Europe and North Africa, before returning to the states to earn his M.F.A. in Screenwriting from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. As a professor, Schilf has taught screenwriting, film analysis, film as literature, composition, argumentation, and American Literature. In 2010, Schilf co-founded The Script Lab, a screenwriting resource and entertainment news outlet, specifically designed for writers, filmmakers, and creators. As President and Editorial Director, Schilf developed content that helped The Script Lab gain brand recognition as an industry leader, providing high-quality E-learning and industry education to millions worldwide. In 2014, The Script Lab was acquired by TSL Media, Inc., and Schilf stayed on as an Educational Advisor. In 2020, Schilf founded Lunar Door with producing partner Chase Kuker.