FILMMAKERS

Michael Perez-lindsey

Director, Producer, Executive Producer

Born & Raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles, California, Michael’s passion for film and storytelling took to him at an early age. He entered into the film business when he was 16 years old as an Intern at Raleigh Studios Manhattan Beach (now known as MBS studios). In his role as an Intern, he would spend time on productions such as The OC, CSI: Miami, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. In 2011, after completing his BA in Film and Electronic Arts at CSULB, Michael connected with D.P Byron Werner who gave him the opportunity to work in the camera department on a feature film called Phantom starring Ed Harris.

Working as a Camera PA and transitioning to a digital loader, Michael was able to merge his computer software experience with his growing knowledge of camera, filters, lenses and digital workflows, to become a DIT (Digital Imaging Technician).

As a result, Michael joined ICG Local 600 as a DIT in 2014. Since then, he has gone on to work across the gamut as a DIT in television on shows such as Showtime’s “The L Word: Generation Q” Seasons 1-3, “With, Love” on Amazon Prime, HBO MAX “Rap Sh!t,” and Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt to name a few. His Feature work as a DIT include, “Hello, My name is Doris”, “Cardboard Boxer,” “Fun Mom Dinner,” and “The Sky is Everywhere.”

This has allowed him to work beside many acclaimed Cinematographers such as Ava Berkofsky ASC, Sandra Valde-Hansen ASC, Moira Morel, Kira Kelly ASC, Michelle Lawler, Brian Burgoyne and Danny Grunes to name a few.

With a strong passion for storytelling, Michael is pivoting his skill sets and experience into Directing. As a queer, Mexican American who often felt invalidated and whose identify was not truly reflected on-screen, Michael strives to tell stories that stem from a place of social depth, diverse cultures, and creative originality.

Michael made his narrative directorial debut in 2024 with the dramatic short film "Will I See You Again?," starring Hosea Chanchez, Nick Wechsler, Richard Lawson, and Anna Maria Horsford.

Rhett Lindsey

Writer, Executive Producer

Rhett Lindsey was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Growing up in the entertainment industry, he was able to gain an in depth understanding and passion for the craft and the business. At age seven, he was discovered by world renowned talent agent Joy Pervis and was signed to Hot Shot Kids Talent Agency aka J Pervis Talent Agency.

With bookings under his belt from years of hard work, he landed the covenant role of "TJ" in the 20th Century Fox film "Big Momma's: Like Father Like Son" starring Martin Lawrence and Brandon T. Jackson. In the spring of 2013, he landed the role of Jah "Babycake" Johnson in the 1 hour BET drama "Being Mary Jane," starring Gabrielle Union. Rhett is a graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Social Work.

Rhett Lindsey is also the founder and CEO of Siimee, a social impact company whose mission is to reduce bias in hiring and transform the way employers connect with job seekers. Prior to launching Siimee, Rhett spent over seven years leading and collaborating with teams at prominent companies including Facebook, Tinder, Microsoft, and The Walt Disney Company, sourcing and hiring talent in the technology and software development sectors. Throughout his time as a recruiter, Rhett continuously dealt with unjust recruitment strategies and certain technologies such as Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, that led to bias in the hiring process.

In December 2020, he left the recruiting industry to create Siimee, an organization committed to reforming the hiring process in corporations. Siimee is doing this by increasing awareness of the inherent problems in recruiting and hiring through its series of expert conversations on its media channels and through the Siimee platform -- the first tool that will mitigate the risks of bias from occurring during the initial stages of the recruiting and hiring processes and is completely unlike the ATS systems used by more than 90% of large U.S. corporations. Lindsey's story and experiences in recruiting have been nationally featured in media outlets including The Washington Post, CNBC, and CBS News This Morning.

Rhett has always been passionate about storytelling as a writer. He will be pursuing his Masters in Creative Writing and Literature at Harvard’s Extension School in the Fall of 2024.


Department Heads