Michael Shanks (filmmaker)
Michael Shanks is an Australian filmmaker, known for directing The Wizards of Aus (2016) and Together (2025). He also created the YouTube channel timtimfed.[1]
Career
[edit]As a grade 12 student, Shanks won a film competition run by The Escapist to produce a web series pilot episode. The pilot developed into Doomsday Arcade, a 25-part web series.[1][2] Shanks has stated that he views creating the series "as [his] film school".[1]
In 2014, Shanks wrote and directed the short film Time Trap.[1] In 2016, he both directed and starred in the SBS comedy-fantasy series The Wizards of Aus. Shanks plays a wizard who emigrates to Melbourne and faces backlash from the community. Originally devised as a six-part online series, it aired on SBS 2 as a 3 x 30 minute television series.[3]
In 2020, Shanks directed the short film Rebooted.[1] His script Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel was included in 2022's The Black List.[4][1]
His feature directorial debut, Together, screened at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.[5][6][7] Starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, the body horror film will be distributed by Neon.[8][9][10]
Influences
[edit]Shanks has named Lord of the Rings, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Monty Python as early creative inspirations. He has also named filmmakers Edgar Wright and Ari Aster as influences.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Brockett, Frazier (21 September 2022). "A Conversation with Writer and Director Michael Shanks". FORTY-FOUR CLOVERS. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Hamstra, Shane (30 March 2010). "Q&A With The Creators Of Doomsday Arcade". The Escapist. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ "Airdate: The Wizards of Aus". TVTonight. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ admin (1 February 2022). "Screenplay Review – Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel". ScriptShadow. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (29 January 2025). "'Together' Review: Alison Brie and Dave Franco Get Gross (and Close) in Delightfully Queasy Body Horror". IndieWire. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (28 January 2025). "Dave Franco and Alison Brie Knew They'd Either Be Divorced or 'More Codependent Than Ever' After Their Relationship Body Horror 'Together'". IndieWire. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Rooney, David (29 January 2025). "'Together' Review: Dave Franco and Alison Brie in a Bonkers but Wildly Fun Fusion of Body Horror and Codependency Angst". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Adams, Raymond (30 January 2025). "Neon Picks Up Michael Shanks' 'Together' For Distribution". mxdwn Movies. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (29 January 2025). "Sundance Breakout 'Together,' Body Horror Film With Dave Franco and Alison Brie, Sells to Neon". Variety. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ^ Swift, Brendan (30 January 2025). "Michael Shanks' 'Together' wins Sundance plaudits, Neon picks up worldwide distribution rights in huge sale". IF Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2025.