Author. Screenplay Writer. Infrequent Blogger. Joke Master.
Mike Smith is an author, comedy writer and screenwriter. Mike's collaborative style and unique writing techniques have resulted in national recognition, having written and contributed to a number of comedic events for the legendary Friars Club, including material for Robert De Niro, Jeff Ross, Harvey Keitel, Gov. Chris Christie, and more. He is the author of the coming-of-age novel "Miss Mezzanine", which IndieReader.com rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as "a lovely little book about the potential of turning points, romantic whims, and the willingness to be open to change and new experiences."
His short film "The Gate Agent" premiered at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival in June 2013 and has been shown in several venues and festivals since, and his feature screenplay "South Star" was a semi-finalist in the International Screenwriters Association's 2012 Emerging Screenwriters Competition. Mike also writes movie reviews and has interviewed some of the entertainment industry's biggest names, including Kevin Smith, John C. Reilly, and Lisa Lampanelli. Most recently, Mike wrote, directed and produced the short film "Gala", which played a multiple film festivals in 2016. His most recent film "Stage Five" screened at multiple festivals in Los Angeles, New York City, and Pittsburgh.
His short film "The Gate Agent" premiered at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival in June 2013 and has been shown in several venues and festivals since, and his feature screenplay "South Star" was a semi-finalist in the International Screenwriters Association's 2012 Emerging Screenwriters Competition. Mike also writes movie reviews and has interviewed some of the entertainment industry's biggest names, including Kevin Smith, John C. Reilly, and Lisa Lampanelli. Most recently, Mike wrote, directed and produced the short film "Gala", which played a multiple film festivals in 2016. His most recent film "Stage Five" screened at multiple festivals in Los Angeles, New York City, and Pittsburgh.
Recent Updates:
November 8, 2018 - I'm in New York City this week writing for the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award honoring Billy Crystal! Stay tuned for updates!
November 20, 2017 - Check out "Bringing up Baby" part 2, where I chronicle my wife's 47 hour labor and offer some limited insights a new, reluctant father.
October 15, 2017 - My novelette The Lavender Run is now available in audio form! Check it out on Amazon, Audible and iTunes!
July 26, 2017 - Thank you to the NewFilmmakers NY for screening Stage Five!
May 1, 2017 - What a great month for Stage Five! We were honored to screen at the IndieOaks Festival (where we won Best Score!) as well as the Washington PA Film Festival (where Sarah Jacobs won Best Actress!).
March 18, 2017 - "Bringing Up Baby" - A Writer's Reaction to the Biggest News of His Life.
February 28, 2017 - Our latest film Stage Five will be premiering at the North Hollywood Cinefest!
December 31, 2016 - My latest novelette The Shortcut is available for sale! Check it out on the "Books" page!
September 28, 2016 - The Martin Scorsese Roast was a huge success. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and many other stars joined to praise the wonderful director.
September 14, 2016 - I head back to New York City soon to write for the Friars Club tribute to Martin Scorsese. Some A-listers will be speaking. More to come!
August 28, 2016 - Production is wrapped for our next film "Stage Five"! More to come as we head into Post-Production!
July 16, 2016 - Honored to announce that I am writing for the Friars Club Tribute to the legendary Martin Scorsese! The event - held in September in New York City - is set to bring in some A-list talent to recognize one of our most talented filmmakers. Can't wait!
June 26, 2016 - It was an honor writing for the Roast of James Carville in Washington DC!
June 6, 2016 - Check out my latest blog "Discovering Your Board of Directors and Learning to Embrace Change".
May 1, 2016 - Congrats to Team Gala for a successful festival run of our film in New York City, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. Check out the film's official website www.galashortfilm.com for more details!
March 9, 2016 - Check out my latest blog "Breaking the Fifth Wall", which discusses the "social contract" between writers/audience members.
February 15, 2016 - The SAG-AFTRA screening of Gala has been rescheduled! Wednesday, March 16 @ 7pm!
January 28, 2016 - Check out my latest blog post: "Dear Mike - A Letter to My 20 Year-old Self"
January 20, 2016 - More great news for Gala! The film has been accepted into the North Hollywood Cinefest in Los Angeles, California! The festival will be held at the Noho Arts Direct from March 18-24. Very happy for our LA Premiere!
January 12, 2016 - Great news! We just received news that Gala has been accepted into the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's New York Short Film Showcase next month! Congrats to our cast and crew!
September 29, 2015 - Check out my movie review (first in a long time!) of Everest!
September 8, 2015 - Thank you to all of the Kickstarter backers who came to the private screening of "Gala" at the Rowhouse Cinema. We couldn't have done this without you!
February 21, 2015 - Mike's Kindle release "The Lavender Run" is now available on audio! Check it out on YouTube...for free!
February 14, 2015 - Thank you so much to the Woodland Hills Foundation for inviting me to host your annual Chocolate & Diamond Gala! It was an hour returning to my alma mater!
January 30, 2015 - The roast was a success! Thanks to everyone who tuned in to ESPN to watch! Jeff Ross wins MVP in my book!
January 10, 2015 - Very excited to announce that I will be contributing to the Friars Club Roast of Terry Bradshaw! Roasters include Jeff Ross, Lisa Lampanelli, Jim Norton, and more! The roast will air on Friday, January 30th on ESPN2 at 8pm!
December 15, 2014 - Check out the writeup on "Gala" by Steel Cinema!
October 9, 2014 - I had the honor and privledge of writing for the Entertainment Icon Award ceremony for Robert De Niro! I contributed to the speeches of Harvey Keitel, Kenan Thompson, Larry King and De Niro himself! Keep a lookout soon for some media coverage of the event!
August 14, 2014 - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette includes a writeup of the Pittsburgh Improv's "Candidates Night", which includes several jokes I wrote against PA Governor Tom Corbett (both in the print article and in the corresponding video). The event raised nearly $40,000; I was happy to contribute to such a great event. Enjoy!
November 8, 2018 - I'm in New York City this week writing for the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award honoring Billy Crystal! Stay tuned for updates!
November 20, 2017 - Check out "Bringing up Baby" part 2, where I chronicle my wife's 47 hour labor and offer some limited insights a new, reluctant father.
October 15, 2017 - My novelette The Lavender Run is now available in audio form! Check it out on Amazon, Audible and iTunes!
July 26, 2017 - Thank you to the NewFilmmakers NY for screening Stage Five!
May 1, 2017 - What a great month for Stage Five! We were honored to screen at the IndieOaks Festival (where we won Best Score!) as well as the Washington PA Film Festival (where Sarah Jacobs won Best Actress!).
March 18, 2017 - "Bringing Up Baby" - A Writer's Reaction to the Biggest News of His Life.
February 28, 2017 - Our latest film Stage Five will be premiering at the North Hollywood Cinefest!
December 31, 2016 - My latest novelette The Shortcut is available for sale! Check it out on the "Books" page!
September 28, 2016 - The Martin Scorsese Roast was a huge success. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and many other stars joined to praise the wonderful director.
September 14, 2016 - I head back to New York City soon to write for the Friars Club tribute to Martin Scorsese. Some A-listers will be speaking. More to come!
August 28, 2016 - Production is wrapped for our next film "Stage Five"! More to come as we head into Post-Production!
July 16, 2016 - Honored to announce that I am writing for the Friars Club Tribute to the legendary Martin Scorsese! The event - held in September in New York City - is set to bring in some A-list talent to recognize one of our most talented filmmakers. Can't wait!
June 26, 2016 - It was an honor writing for the Roast of James Carville in Washington DC!
June 6, 2016 - Check out my latest blog "Discovering Your Board of Directors and Learning to Embrace Change".
May 1, 2016 - Congrats to Team Gala for a successful festival run of our film in New York City, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh. Check out the film's official website www.galashortfilm.com for more details!
March 9, 2016 - Check out my latest blog "Breaking the Fifth Wall", which discusses the "social contract" between writers/audience members.
February 15, 2016 - The SAG-AFTRA screening of Gala has been rescheduled! Wednesday, March 16 @ 7pm!
January 28, 2016 - Check out my latest blog post: "Dear Mike - A Letter to My 20 Year-old Self"
January 20, 2016 - More great news for Gala! The film has been accepted into the North Hollywood Cinefest in Los Angeles, California! The festival will be held at the Noho Arts Direct from March 18-24. Very happy for our LA Premiere!
January 12, 2016 - Great news! We just received news that Gala has been accepted into the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's New York Short Film Showcase next month! Congrats to our cast and crew!
September 29, 2015 - Check out my movie review (first in a long time!) of Everest!
September 8, 2015 - Thank you to all of the Kickstarter backers who came to the private screening of "Gala" at the Rowhouse Cinema. We couldn't have done this without you!
February 21, 2015 - Mike's Kindle release "The Lavender Run" is now available on audio! Check it out on YouTube...for free!
February 14, 2015 - Thank you so much to the Woodland Hills Foundation for inviting me to host your annual Chocolate & Diamond Gala! It was an hour returning to my alma mater!
January 30, 2015 - The roast was a success! Thanks to everyone who tuned in to ESPN to watch! Jeff Ross wins MVP in my book!
January 10, 2015 - Very excited to announce that I will be contributing to the Friars Club Roast of Terry Bradshaw! Roasters include Jeff Ross, Lisa Lampanelli, Jim Norton, and more! The roast will air on Friday, January 30th on ESPN2 at 8pm!
December 15, 2014 - Check out the writeup on "Gala" by Steel Cinema!
October 9, 2014 - I had the honor and privledge of writing for the Entertainment Icon Award ceremony for Robert De Niro! I contributed to the speeches of Harvey Keitel, Kenan Thompson, Larry King and De Niro himself! Keep a lookout soon for some media coverage of the event!
August 14, 2014 - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette includes a writeup of the Pittsburgh Improv's "Candidates Night", which includes several jokes I wrote against PA Governor Tom Corbett (both in the print article and in the corresponding video). The event raised nearly $40,000; I was happy to contribute to such a great event. Enjoy!
Friars Club Photo Credit: Dave Kogut