Michael Plewa

Curriculum Vitae (updated Jul 24, 2025)
e:
michaelplewa@g.ucla.edu

  • M.F.A., Production/Directing – Documentary, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Los Angeles, March 2024

    B.A., Cinema and Comparative Literature, University of Iowa, Iowa City, May 2005

  • Graduate Student Researcher: UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE), 2023

    Teaching Assistant: UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, 2022-2023

    Filmmaking Workshop volunteer, Inner City Arts - Los Angeles, CA - 2016

    Filmmaking teacher, Hands 4 Hope LA - North Hollywood, CA - 2015-2016

    Screenwriting teacher, Young Storytellers Foundation - Culver City, CA - 2007

    Filmmaking teacher, VeniceArts Council - Venice, CA - 2006

  • Documentary Feature: director Michael Plewa, “School On Strike: Why Only Unions Can Save Education”, in production

  • Narrative Short: director Michael Plewa, “Love Spells”, 2025

    Narrative Short: director Michael Plewa, “Freemium 911”, 2025

    Documentary Short: director Michael Plewa, “How to Make a Film About My Son, Jack”, 2024

    Documentary Short: director Michael Plewa, “Covid Sourdough: A Labor Story”, 2024

  • Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “Broad City - Patient Zero”, 2016

    Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “Tom Cruise: Unlicensed Marriage Counselor - Pilot Episode”, 2016

    Narrative Series: writer and director Michael Plewa, “Bad Lads” all episodes, 2014

    Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “Orange is the New Black - Here Comes the Flood”, 2014

    Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “The League - It’s a Wonderful Game”, 2013

    Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “Home to Roost - Pilot Episode”, 2013

    Television Script: writer Michael Plewa, “Community - Summa Cum Laude”, 2010

  • Essay: writer Michael Plewa, “The Rise of the Producers Union: Why Hollywood Producers Will Use Militant Labor Tactics to Finally Unionize”, 2023

  • Video Producer - AFSCME, 2020-2022

    Campaigns Manager - Brave New Films, 2017

    Video Producer - Last Chance for Animals, 2015-2017

    Editorial Manager - Leaf Group, 2011-2013

    Production Assistant - Free Agents, Pilot, NBC - 2011

    Production Assistant - Outsourced, Series, NBC - 2010

    Production Assistant - Inside the Box, Pilot, ABC - 2009

    Production Assistant - Knight Rider, Series, NBC - 2008-2009

    Assistant to Producer - Unaccompanied Minors, Feature Film, Warner Bros. - 2006

    Assistant to Television Agent - Paradigm Talent Agency - 2005-2006

  • Official Selection, Canadian Labour International Film Festival, Toronto, Canada - 2025

    Official Selection, Mesa International Film Festival - 2025

    Official Selection, OFF - Odense International Film Festival, Odense, Denmark - 2025

    Official Selection, Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival - 2025

    Official Selection, Reel Work Labor Film Festival - 2025

    Official Selection, CREDO 23 Film Festival - 2025

    Best Student Film: Hollywood Verge Film Awards - 2025

    Best Short Film: San Francisco Social and Economic Justice Film Festival - 2024

    Official Selection, Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival - 2024

    Official Selection, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - 2024

    Official Selection, Daddying Film Festival - 2024

    UCLA, HFPA Cinematography and Directing Fellowship - 2023

    UCLA, Motion Picture Association of America Award - 2021

    UCLA, Mary Pickford Award - 2021

    UCLA, John H. and Patricia W. Mitchell Fellow - 2020

    Semifinalist, Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition - 2016

    Official Selection, Hollyweb Festival - 2015

    Official Selection, Indie Series Awards - 2015

    Official Selection, Tubefilter.com - 2015

    Official Selection, LA Webfest - 2015

    Semifinalist, Warner Bros. Television Writers Workshop - 2014

    Semifinalist, Warner Bros. Television Writers Workshop - 2010

    University of Iowa, Dean’s List - 2002, 2003