We recently had the chance to connect with michael mcneil and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning michael, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Date nights with my wife, Sienna, eating our way through L.A.’s mom-and-pop gems. We catch up, laugh, and try something new—and yes, sometimes the camera sneaks in because I can’t resist a good story.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Director of Photography and sound mixer based in Los Angeles, originally from Baltimore. I specialize in lean, mobile productions—documentary, branded, and fashion—where trust, timing, and resourcefulness matter. What makes me different is the combo of camera + sound + calm under pressure; I can walk into a live environment, build rapport fast, and leave with footage that feels cinematic and true. Right now I’m working on ‘The American Border Story,’ a documentary project and a satirical mockumentary series. My brand is simple: keep crews tight, keep the vibe respectful, and let the story lead.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother saw me first. When I doubted whether I’d make it in this industry, she’d say, ‘Just hold on—it’s coming.’ I’ve carried that line with me since she passed in 2022. My wife, Sienna, saw me next—she keeps me honest, grounded, and reminds me that the way I treat people is as important as the images I make. An instructor at the Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts mentored me and taught me K.I.S.S.—keep it stupid simple. That one reminder sharpened my edits and helped me let the story breathe.” Between my mom’s faith, Sienna’s steady belief, My father’s strength and that mentor’s push, I started to see myself the way they did.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. There was a stretch in L.A. when invoices lagged, rent was real, and I seriously considered moving to Vegas to cut costs. L.A. will test you—financially and mentally. I almost tapped out. Instead, I worked more overtime at the VA to buy the gear and rebuild my credit, and I parked the gym—my first love—for about a year so I could laser in on film, knowing it’d be there when I came up for air. Thankfully, I didn’t have to grind like that for long. My wife, Sienna, invested in me—sometimes we redirected $2,000 that should’ve gone to rent toward equipment—and my family backed me. I thank God every day; we still can’t believe the opportunities that started coming. I doubled down on what makes me different: running lean, wearing both the DP and sound mixer hats, saying no to bad deals, and building relationships one honest job at a time. I tightened budgets, asked for deposits, and focused on being the calm, solution-first person on set. And my mom’s voice stayed in my head: ‘Just hold on—it’s coming.’ That small bet and their belief turned into real momentum—within less than 6 months I was closing in on six figures. I didn’t move; I leveled up.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My no-matter-what project is The American Border Story (TABS) which is a nonprofit organization. It isn’t my personal project —I’m part of the team—but I’m fully committed because I believe in the mission. We’re documenting the human side of immigration—families, first responders, and policy voices—with empathy and clarity. Even when budgets are tight or schedules shift, I show up: run lean, double up as DP and sound, and keep the set calm so people feel safe to share. My wife, Sienna, has my back, and my mom’s line—‘Just hold on, it’s coming’—stays in my ear. I won’t quit until we’ve done it justice.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. I’m built to give my best whether anyone claps or not. On docs, if someone feels safe enough to tell the truth, that’s the win. On set, ‘best’ means calm, prepared, respectful—and delivering clean images and sound no matter who’s watching. I thank God for the opportunities, and I measure success by whether I served the story and the people in the room. My wife, Sienna, keeps me grounded, and my mom’s line—‘Just hold on, it’s coming’—reminds me why I don’t chase praise. And my brother kept me honest during the lean stretch: ‘Stop complaining. You’d be doing this even if nobody paid you—you love it, right? Then keep going. It’ll come.’ We laughed because he was right. I was even offering to work for free just to get reps and still getting ghosted. Now the opportunities—and checks—are landing, and I can see the iceberg tip. I’ve tasted it; I’m not stopping.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @michaeldstories87
