is an award winning multimedia writer, producer and rights clearance expert drawing on more than 20 years experience in Television and Film, Radio and Print. A protean media man.

Stephan performs music supervision, finding or comissioning the perfect tune to support story telling. He oversees all manner of Licensing for network television, studio features and independent films, broadcast and internet advertising campaigns, multimedia books and other platforms. Television production credits include network documentary, newsmagazine, reality TV and news parody. Radio producer / reporter credits include long form investigative reports and arts features for National Public Radio and the AP Radio Network. Digital new media works include website and content creation using WordPress and Drupal. Michaels is adroit at deploying SEO, devising messaging strategies and utilizing Photoshop and video editing to accent storytelling.

Recent Credits can be found here.

Writer / Photographer

Contribute long-form feature articles with accompanying photography, editorials and opinion pieces on subjects ranging from legal and business issues, to ecology and animal behavior, to music and human interest. Publications include The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Billboard Magazine, The Seattle Times, The Santa Barbara Independent, Crosscut.com, All About Beer Magazine, Northwest Magazine and The Peninsula Daily News.

Communications Specialist — “Pike For Bellingham”

Consultant and media strategist to Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike’s communications team. Edited television ads, designed graphics, contributed to website design, created content, edited photography, consulted on SEO and ad-word strategies, and spoke publicly at mayoral forums and on TV spots.

Now Showing / Made You Laugh

Contributing Writer / Licensing Manager

Wrote and edited chapters, edited narration and performed script supervision for the Andrews McMeel Multimedia books with DVD: Now Showing, Unforgettable Movie Moments — a New York Times Best Seller hosted by Dustin Hoffman — and Made You Laugh, A History of Comedy — hosted by Carl and Rob Reiner. Negotiated all film and television clips; oversaw talent and music licensing.

Flix Mix

Universal Pictures

Production Consultant / Manager Rights & Clearances

Production Consultant on the Flix Mix / Showtime documentary “Masters Of Horror,” featuring Wes Craven, John Carpenter and Guillermo del Toro. Oversaw licensing and clearances for the Flix Mix division at Universal Pictures.

Arrest & Trial

Universal Television – Wolf Films

Manager Rights & Clearances

Oversaw acquisitions and clearances on the Studios USA /Dick Wolf reality program hosted by Brian Dennehy. Brought in my department $300,000 under budget.

Roswell: Cover Ups And Close Encounters

Sci Fi Channel

Contributing Writer / Footage Acquisitions

The Gorge Games

Outdoor Life Network

Field Producer / Cameraman
Produced and field directed on three one-hour extreme sports specials for OLN.

Save our Streets

Syndicated

Field Director (2 Segments)

The Beef

MTM Network

Associate Producer on the news parody comedy specials hosted by Tim Conway.

Why Planes Go Down

FOX

Field Producer: Documentary on Airplane Safety hosted by Gillian Anderson.

He Says / She Says

MCA Universal

Producer: Six Episodes of the “Battle Of The Sexes” comedy talk show.

The Crusaders

Buena Vista Television

Segment and field producer for syndicated weekly newsmagazine aired on NBC O&Os nationwide.

60 Minutes

CBS News

Associate Producer on an investigation into “Interrogation Tactics.”

Caught In The Act

dick clark productions

NBC

Senior Researcher

KCET – TV Ch. 28, Los Angeles — PBS

Senior Researcher / Field Producer

National Public Radio / AP Radio / Marketplace

Freelance Producer / Reporter to NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, PRI’s Marketplace, and the Associated Press Radio Network.

Awards

Greater Los Angeles Press Club Journalism Award of Excellence

” Best Entertainment Reporting on Los Angeles Radio “

Member — Society of Environmental Journalists — since 2006

Recommendations

“Dedication, commitment, patience, resilience and natural talent are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when I think of how to describe Stephan Michaels. He has the nose for a worthy story and a gift at telling one. He also has an eye for composing a great photograph and possesses the personal character to communicate in a meaningful way.”

— Roger Smith, National Editor – Los Angeles Times

” I have awarded several projects to 2nd Wind Productions, all handled with diligence and expertise. From the editing of legal docs and requests to doggedly pursuing obscure sources, to negotiating exceptional terms and rates, Stephan Michaels has always delivered. “

— Jon Barlow, Executive Producer, NoSlate Productions

” Stephan and I have worked together for many years on various projects.
Quick and articulate, he truly understands the business. “

— Jay Schellenbaum, Director of Film & TV Music at Universal Music Enterprises

“In the time I’ve known Stephan Michaels, he has continued to impress me with his instincts for the kinds of stories that make compelling television. The pieces he investigated and produced for “The Crusaders,” for example, were well told and often moving. I also admire Stephan’s creativity and original ideas. He has the talent and tenacity to turn these ideas into successful shows.”

— Josh Howard, Senior Producer – 60 Minutes

.” A special thank-you to Stephan Michaels for his creativity, boundless energy, and meticulous attention to detail. This book is better for it.”

— Joe Garner, author of the New York Times Best-seller “Now Showing”

“Stephan Michaels has been a regular contributor to the Peninsula Daily News on Washington state’s North Olympic Peninsula (across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Victoria, B.C.) His feature articles have been written at a high standard, accompanied by his own professional-caliber photography. From covering the plight of Vancouver Island’s Luna the Killer Whale, to articles on sustainable farming practices, to writing about tennis, Michaels’ writing and reporting has been top-notch. He is a perfectionist.”

— John Brewer, Publisher and Editor – Peninsula Daily News