Michael L. Reiseneder

Michael L. Reiseneder is an established, award-winning film producer and senior executive, born and raised in Vienna, Austria. For more than three decades, he is serving the entertainment industry as a Producer, Executive Producer, negotiation expert, and advisor to major film and television production companies around the globe. Interested in cinema, especially in the process of making motion pictures, Reiseneder got his filmmaking start at an early age. In his teenage years, he created his own 16mm shorts and documentaries, thus developing advanced skills in camera work and editing techniques. This won him, among other Awards, a Prix du Film in France's Principauté de Monaco, at the age of 16. After graduating from Business School, he enrolled at The University of Music and Performing Arts' Film Academy, Vienna. Soon thereafter, realizing the limited options this academic training offered, he decided to fulfill his compulsory military service first. Subsequently, he moved to Los Angeles. To support his film studies, he initially took a few jobs, working day shifts at May Company (now the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) and Liberty Mutual, as well as night shifts at the Los Angeles Times. Dissatisfied with the slow progress and the lack of opportunities commencing a business career in film, he joined the Motion Picture Editors Guild of Hollywood, working as a film editor, among others at Universal Studios. In an interview, Reiseneder said, "In those days, I was in desperate need of inspiration. I received great support from beloved comedian Henny Youngman, a dear family friend. He gave me every chance to visit film sets, attend major entertainment events, and accompany him to many of his gigs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Las Vegas. I got to meet his close friends, among them Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis jr., Red Buttons, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, and many others. For a young movie aficionado and aspiring filmmaker from Europe, it was an unimaginable dream come true. And things finally got moving." Lisa Trumpler, a Hollywood Foreign Press Association correspondent, sparked Reiseneder's interest in reading screenplays. Before long, he began writing script coverages for a development executive at William Morris Agency. As a prolific Script Reader, he acquired in-depth knowledge in story development and screenplay analysis. This also presented the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the Film industry, creating a solid professional network. But the turning point in his career came in 1981 when he was introduced to studio executive, film producer Robert Evans. Reisender enthusiastically notes "Bob was the most interesting and inspirational conversation partner, that I could have ever wished for." Evans soon became a close mentor and confidante. So too was Zinn Arthur, producer, director, and acclaimed celebrity photographer. Zinn introduced Reiseneder, his "adopted son", to Charlton Heston, Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, and film producer Gottfried Reinhardt. Reiseneder soon got noticed by Hollywood power agent Paul Kohner, who quickly recognized his talent. Working with Kohner and numerous industry personalities, Reiseneder rapidly gained extensive experience in all facets of film development, financing, production management, marketing, and distribution. Due to Evans' and Kohner's guidance and trust, Reiseneder was determined to focus entirely on a career as a film producer, operational and administrative, becoming a coveted consultant in international feature film production, script, and project development, and finance. Besides working for a renowned major film studio, he dedicates a great deal of his time to up-and-coming filmmakers. He also plays a vital role as a mentor, consultant, and supporter of student diploma films and last but not least, as a Master-Class instructor. As such, he takes a leadership position in introducing new methods and techniques in film operations, preeminently engaging in film-set safety improvement. Michael Reiseneder attended The Danube University Krems, earned a Master of Arts degree in Television and Film-Production, and pursued a Ph.D. Degree in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California. He became the youngest member of the Friars Club of California. The Board of Trustees of The American Film Institute recognized Michael Reiseneder for Outstanding Achievement in preserving American Film and Television Heritage.