Life & Work with Mike Woodward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Woodward. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Mike is a driven left/right brain executive with experience developing, producing, writing, marketing, and managing creative content for 1000s of events and productions over his 20 years within the entertainment industry.

His journey commenced as an intern PA on live news segments and films in Utah, providing him with a comprehensive view of production dynamics. This experience propelled him into the camera department for several Disney Channel movies, including the iconic High School Musical 2. During the winter months in Utah, Mike contributed to the Sundance Film Festival, transitioning from a Receptionist to a Corporate Relations Coordinator, adeptly managing the company’s sponsorship, donation money, and relations.

When Utah’s film incentive funds dwindled, compelling many local crew members to wait or relocate, Mike chose the latter. Researching film schools, he applied to one—Chapman University (MFA TV and Film Producing 2009-2011).

Post-graduation, Mike secured a position at Caesars Entertainment. As the Entertainment PR and Production Coordinator for ten properties on the Las Vegas Strip, he backed a small team coordinating publicity stunts for over 30 shows, entertainers, and nightclubs while also managing all on-site property film productions.

His journey took an international turn when he became the Producing Production Specialist for FiveCurrents in Moscow, Russia, orchestrating the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Sochi Winter Olympics. His role was pivotal in onboarding over 100 creatives and serving as the linchpin between creative producers and various fabrication, design, and logistics departments.

In 2013, Make began his tenure at The ATS Team, starting with a humble team of six. The ATS Team has left an indelible mark on challenge competition TV shows globally, including Ninja Warrior (worldwide), The Titan Games, and The Amazing Race. Initially a Production Coordinator, Mike collaborated with the team’s exponential growth over the years, doubling both in size and in the scope of his role and strategy. Progressing from Coordinator to PM, he became responsible for the day-to-day operations of 40+ full-time staff and 80+ riggers while overseeing staffing, staff management, contracts, scheduling, budgeting, and production financial tracking.

Mike currently serves as the President of Originals and Production at ATS. In this capacity, he assumes the responsibility of shaping the company’s creative direction and driving sales through various means, such as business development, forging partnerships, and producing captivating content for unscripted competition series, events, and live attractions. His most recent accolade in this role was Executive Producing Clash of Trades, a Webby and Viddy Award-Winning competition series presented by Project MFG and the US Department of Defense.

In Mike’s free time, he enjoys producing content for himself and his partner’s social media accounts @thrillguys.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The entertainment industry is tough—no two journeys are the same, comprising equal parts luck and experience. I can’t recall a time in my life when I wasn’t captivated by some form of entertainment. In my childhood, I aspired to be a roller coaster designer—entertainment. During my teenage years, the dream shifted to becoming a film director—still within the realm of entertainment. As an adult, my ambition evolved into wanting to be a producer. The entertainment industry, for me, is multifaceted, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed every facet I’ve touched.

My professional journey began with the harsh reality of being an unpaid intern. However, by the fourth project, I not only started receiving fair compensation but found myself camera assisting on substantial productions in Utah. As a freelance gig worker, navigating the gaps between jobs presented challenges for personal budgeting. This led me to explore opportunities with the Sundance Film Festival during off-seasons. In this creative industry, adaptability is key—finding innovative ways to survive, continually expanding one’s network and refining skills.

Come 2008, the economic downturn halted major production in Utah. Faced with this reality, I made the decision to move to Los Angeles. The choice was clear: either attend film school or start from the ground up. After researching various film schools, I applied to only one—Chapman University. Being accepted solidified my path to California.

Upon graduation, armed with a decade of industry experience, I found it inconceivable to start anew with a $100k loan hanging over my head. During a routine trip to Las Vegas, fate intervened. A friend informed me of an opportunity within her Caesars Entertainment PR team. Although it deviated from my Los Angeles film trajectory, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

In essence, we all carve different paths. For me, refusing to confine myself to a single avenue within entertainment has proven invaluable in navigating my course.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work for one of those companies where, after you explain your role, people often respond with, “Wow! I didn’t realize there was a team for that, but it makes sense.” The ATS Team has truly been a dream to work for over the last decade. Crafting games for a living has been nothing short of a blast. The ATS Team is renowned for creating challenges and obstacles for reality TV competition series. I take pride in contributing to shows like Ninja Warrior (worldwide), Top Dog, Ultimate Beastmaster (Netflix’s first challenge competition series), Holey Moley, Amazing Race, and Massive Monster Mayhem for Nickelodeon. Massive Monster Mayhem holds a special place in my heart because working on kids’ shows provides an opportunity for a level of far-out creativity that many other shows don’t offer. Moreover, it was a full-circle moment for me, as I grew up designing games and obstacle courses for friends inspired by “Double Dare” and other popular Nickelodeon game shows.

Each person has unique strengths in their chosen career path. Personally, I excel in organization and creativity. I can effectively manage multiple projects and meticulously plan logistics in advance, almost like predicting the future. Just when I think I’ve reached the peak of creativity, new ideas continue to flow. Possessing both organizational and creative skills naturally allows for the development of realistic projects that can be produced from a secure and financially sound foundation.

How do you think about happiness?
I find happiness in work and creating. Finding a job that does not feel like work is very important to me. Also finding a job that allows for creative freedom. I find great pleasure in starting fresh whether that be with a startup company or a project that needs to see through to completion. There’s no reward greater than feeling like you are part of something special.

Building my own social account for @thrillguys has proven to be one of the most exciting things I have done as it requires everything I have learned up to this point.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrillguys/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrillguys
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodwardms/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thrillguys
• Other: linktr.ee/thrillguys