BPS 424: From Short to Feature The Filmmaker’s Journey with Michael G. Kehoe

On today’s episode, we welcome Michael G. Kehoe, a filmmaker who
turned a whisper of an idea into the resounding voice of a feature
film. From Brooklyn to Hollywood, from an eight-year-old boy
watching his mother direct community theater to a director
commanding his own set, Michael’s journey is one of persistence,
heartbreak, and sheer creative will.In this profound conversation,
Michael G. Kehoe shares the winding road of his career, one marked
by passion and loss. A pact among friends, the bright lights of New
York, and the uncertainty of Los Angeles formed the backdrop to his
early years. But it was a personal tragedy—the untimely passing of
two close friends—that set the stage for his first short film,
Second Dance. With no roadmap but a fierce determination, he
crafted a story that not only resonated but landed him in the heart
of Sundance, proving that even the smallest project can open the
biggest doors.The journey didn’t stop there.

Years later, inspired by his twin boys’ innocent bedtime fears, he
penned a horror story that would eventually become The Hatred.
Rather than waiting for a green light from the industry, he carved
his own path. He created Hush, a short film that distilled the very
essence of fear—the anticipation of the unknown. The reaction was
immediate. Audiences jumped, festivals awarded, and industry
heavyweights, including the producers behind Halloween, took
notice. The lesson? The industry rewards those who show, not just
tell.But success in Hollywood is rarely a straight road. Shooting
The Hatred on a tight budget and an even tighter schedule meant
adapting, improvising, and making every shot count. “Poverty breeds
creativity,” Michael says, a testament to the resilience needed in
independent filmmaking. Working with a largely female cast, he
crafted a horror film that stood apart from the blood-soaked
clichés, focusing instead on atmosphere, character, and tension.
The result? A film that paid homage to the horror classics of the
past while carving its own identity in the present.Of course,
filmmaking is a collaborative art. Michael speaks of the
relationships that make the journey worthwhile—the actors who
return to work with him time and again, the cinematographers who
bring his visions to life, and the producers who take a chance on
passion over pedigree. “Surround yourself with people smarter than
you,” he advises. A lesson as true for life as it is for
film.

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