Rising Stars: Meet Michael Adrian of Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Adrian.

Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Brooklyn and got into film and music pretty early—I studied cinematography at Hofstra University and later audio engineering in New York. That mix of interests landed me my first big break as lead producer at Verizon’s Mobile Recording Studio, where I spent nearly three years on the road making content with artists like The Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Timbaland, and David Guetta. It was a wild crash course in high-level production and collaboration.

After that chapter, I moved to Los Angeles and started carving out my own path as a director and creative. Over the past decade I’ve worked with brands like eBay, Adidas, MGM Resorts, Reebok, and Four Seasons—projects that have let me bounce between strategy, directing on set, and late nights in the edit bay.

These days I’m focused on building an independent creative studio and growing my streetwear brand, ThxSoMuch. Both are really just extensions of what drives me: collaborating with people I respect, pushing ideas forward, and making work that connects on a human level.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a creative has never been a straightforward career. It’s the kind of work that asks you to keep betting on yourself when the path isn’t clear. There were plenty of times I didn’t know what would come next. Most of it came down to trusting the process, sharpening my craft, and continuing to put in the work.

After my years touring, I found myself in this strange place where I had a big resume but nowhere to really put it. I’d worked with huge artists, but when I came off the road I didn’t immediately have a clear career path. I even took an internship at a well-known recording studio in New York, despite being overqualified, simply because the opportunities weren’t there. Those were uncertain times, and it ultimately pushed me to take a leap of faith and move to Los Angeles. It was chasing a dream without knowing if I could actually make a living doing creative work.

Agency life came with its own set of challenges. Winning clients, keeping them happy, solving creative and logistical problems, and managing large teams was a constant balancing act. It taught me resilience, but it also meant long stretches where the pressure was heavy and the stakes were high.

Now, building an independent creative studio and launching a clothing brand has brought a whole new set of challenges. With the studio, I carry the full weight from business development and pitching, to producing, directing, and delivering. And with the clothing brand, I’ve had to learn an entirely new world: turning ideas into garments, figuring out how to execute physical products, and shaping how the brand shows up in the world. It’s humbling, but also exciting, because I’m learning every day and working on something I love.

Looking back, the journey has never been simple or predictable. There were countless moments when giving up would have been the easier option, but those challenges are what shaped me and pushed me forward. That’s really what it means to be a creative: learning to live with uncertainty, continuing to bet on yourself, and finding joy in building something out of nothing.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the heart of my work, I’m a storyteller. I specialize in short-form content — spots, campaigns, and branded pieces that lean bold in both style and energy. I gravitate toward fast cuts, high-impact music, strong graphics, and treatments that feel unapologetically visual. Over the years I’ve had the chance to lead projects for some of the biggest brands in the world, including campaigns for Adidas and MGM Resorts, which I’m especially proud of.

More recently, I’ve been building out my own creative studio, ThxSoMuch, as a space to develop and execute projects from start to finish. Under that umbrella, I directed a 30-second spot for the video game Sky: Children of the Light, where we brought the game’s characters into the real world through live action. Projects like that stand out not just because of the scale, but because they come to life through collaboration ,bringing together talented people and shaping a collective vision into something tangible.

ThxSoMuch is also evolving into a clothing line that I’m developing now, with plans to launch in the coming months. The brand pulls from gratitude, ethos-driven design, and the culture of Los Angeles, and has become another outlet for me to explore visual storytelling in a different form. What sets me apart is the ability to merge these worlds — directing, editing, design, and fashion — into one ecosystem where the common thread is bold, human, and connected creative work.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The person who deserves the most credit is my wife, Callie Cleaves. She’s my biggest source of inspiration and positivity, always pushing me to believe in myself, aim higher, and elevate what I’m doing. She’s also a creative in her own right — a freelance producer who works on major campaigns — and she’s a partner in ThxSoMuch. We collaborate on a ton of projects, and having her perspective has been invaluable both professionally and personally.

I also have to give credit to some of my closest collaborators, like Brandon Williams, one of my best friends and someone who always has a hand in what I’m working on. Sometimes it’s him jumping into a project directly, other times it’s just sending him a draft to get a gut check.

Another longtime collaborator is DP Joshua Libertine. We’ve worked on countless projects together, including our recent spot for Sky: Children of the Light. He’s not only an incredibly talented cinematographer but also someone with a great attitude who brings positivity and energy to every set. Joshua has a way of pushing me forward creatively while also helping to push the industry forward, which makes him an amazing partner to have in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thxsomuch.co
• Instagram: michaeladri.an
• Other: https://www.thxsomuch.com

Image Credits
German Vizcarra
Niko McKnight