Meet Michael Finn | Filmmaker/Photographer/Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Finn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my career, and in life for that matter, is to not be afraid to ask for help or use your voice – to be honest. If there is something you want to learn or try, ask about it. If something is troubling you or makes you uncomfortable, speak about it. Growth is important, as is one’s safety and mental health. And the best ways to learn, grow, and evolve with a clear mindset is to be honest with yourself. There’s no shame in admitting what you don’t know and there is no weakness in admitting you’re feeling a certain way. No one is perfect and we all have off days, sometimes weeks. Honesty with yourself and with the others around you allows for so much room to breathe and expand. I spent a good portion of my life trying to “remain strong” and “have it all together” because I thought that was how I would get work and success, but you really can’t get anywhere without being true to yourself. As Ian MacLaren once said: “Let us be kind to one another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle.” I truly believe this extends inward as well as to those around us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art and endeavors involve acting, writing, and directing for both the stage and screen, producing and editing films, and landscape, nature, and product photography. It’s been a long process of discovery and growth, and I feel like I am just starting to really find my way. There have been a lot of challenges and missteps along the way, however I am thrilled with where I have arrived at. As I create and discover more about who I am, my story-telling becomes more personal, more heartfelt and meaningful with a clearer voice and message. I have spent a lot of my life giving to others, trying to help elevate them and spending a lot of energy on the creativity of others. I never felt like I had a home or fit in with groups in middle school and high school, and I carried that with me well into my adult life. I was always trying to please and help, and after years and years of it I was exhausted and burnt out. Eventually, I started to look inward. With guidance and therapy, I learned to navigate a clearer path for myself and find the things that bring me joy. This new view helped me tell more impactful stories and take photos with more impact and feeling. It was a huge turning point for me, and after speaking with friends and being honest about my struggles, I started to realize I wasn’t alone. I hope to use my creativity to tell these stories on a bigger scale, to help reach others and let them know they’re not alone and that we’re all in this together. I hope with my films and stories that I can impact others for the better and help people through troubles with my art. If I can positively impact even just one life, then I have done a great thing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend coming to Atlanta for a week, we would have plenty to explore. The city has a great food and beverage scene with areas like Decatur Square, Krog St. Market, and mid-town, and just as important (if not more), it has some great coffee shops and roasters. A few favorites of mine are Radio Roasters, Banjo Coffee, Land of a Thousand Hills, East Pole, and JavaVino. There’s also the High Museum which is a fantastic place to go for the day, one of the best aquariums in the US, and the Center for the Puppetry Arts is a wonderful visit. But just as amazing is what lies just outside the city, with tons of great hiking just an hour or so drive away as well as great small towns such as Helen, GA which has it’s own unique vibe. And if Atlanta United is playing, it’s always a great time to go to one of their games!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is a tough one, as I have had a lot of people in my corner over the years. Some have come and gone while others have been with me for decades. Recently I have been doing a lot of collaborating with John Machesky who has grown to become like a brother to me. Same goes for Jeff Sprauve and Fady Kerko. These are family that I have been lucky to find over the years and I am blessed to have them in my corner (and I in theirs). There’s a great film community here in Atlanta as well, including one developed by Isaac Dietz who created a weekly film game that challenges us as creatives. Through this collective, I have met some amazingly talented people who I have had the extreme pleasure to work with, including Matt Dickstein, Trevor Hancock, Audrey Dietz, Rick Andosca, and countless others. Also have to shout out friends and collaborators Hayley Brown and Kevin Saunders, with whom I am working on multiple other projects.

Website: mfmichaelfinn.com

Instagram: @therealmichaelfinn

Twitter: @realmichaelfinn

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mfmichaelfinn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealmichaelfinn

Other: imdb.me/michaelfinn