Michael Downing (director)

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Michael Downing is a Canadian film director and screenwriter. He is most noted as director of two Genie Award nominees for Best Live Action Short Drama, receiving nods for Clean Rite Cowboy at the 21st Genie Awards in 2001 [1] and for Why Don't You Dance? at the 24th Genie Awards in 2004. [2]

A former dancer and a graduate of the film program at Ryerson University, [3] Downing began his film career making dance films for the National Ballet of Canada. [4] He subsequently received a scholarship to study at the American Film Institute; [5] during his studies there, he and Philip Svoboda won a bronze medal from the Student Academy Awards in 2003 for their short film Fine. [6]

He now works predominantly as a director of television commercials, although he has two films, The Threeway and a feature version of Clean Rite Cowboy, in development. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Maelstrom leads Genie nominations with 10 including best picture". Moose Jaw Times-Herald , December 13, 2000.
  2. ↑ "24th Annual Genie Award Nominations Announced". Canada NewsWire , March 16, 2004.
  3. ↑ Karen Bell, "In public spaces". Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Vol. 31 No. 1 (Summer 1997).
  4. ↑ Susan Walker, "Reel dance explosion ; Bodies in motion captured by the camera's lens stretch limits of both art forms at innovative festival". Toronto Star , October 18, 2002.
  5. 1 2 "Sweetshop Signs Director Michael Downing For U.S. Representation". Shoot Online, June 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ Christopher Henderson, "Academy Picks 11 Winners of Student Academy Awards". IndieWire , May 19, 2003.
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