Michael Catalano has over 30 years experience in the film, music and arts administration business. Currently Michael Catalano is the Vice President of Unconventional South a full service video and media production/development company that recently opened it’s doors in Music City.  The Company is affiliated with LA’s Unconventional Media, producers of several hit TV shows. For over 20 years, Michael was a touring musician and songwriter playing concert, nightclub and summer stage events. In 1986 He scored and produced the music for the Cine Golden Eagle Award winning short film TRAVLIN’ TRAINS.  He has also written and produced music for the Turner Broadcasting System, several PBS affiliate stations as well as numerous television shows. He has written numerous screenplays most recently KING OF COLORED. Michael has served as consultant to such arts organizations as the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, TN, Nashville Public Television (NPT,) to mention a few.  Up until recently he was Executive Director of Nashville's Music City  Arts TV 9 and iQ TV 10. In 1997 Michael was appointed Executive/Artistic Director of the then 28-year-old Sinking Creek Film and Video Festival. 
One of his greatest accomplishments in Music City was  turning the festival into the highly successful and now world renown Nashville Film Festival.

 

Q: What got you into the music business?
I’ve always been in the music business.  My dad played in the big bands in the 40’s and my mother was a concert violinist.  I don’t remember a time when music wasn’t part of the fabric my life.

 

Q: What got you into the film business?
I fell into it.  I was a road musician singer/songwriter, coffee house circuit.  After about 15 years I was looking for a change and the opportunity came walking up to me in a club one night in Atlanta.  Eric Mofford my current partner in Unconventional Media approached me in between sets at a club called Blind Willies in Atlanta.  He said that he had a film that needed music and would I consider it.  I read the script and really liked it so I agreed.  The film Travlin’ Trains when out the door and won every festival it was put in and then when on to win the prestigious Cine Golden Eagle Award. 

 

Q: What career highlights are you most proud of?
I guess playing with Townes Van Zandt over the years and starting the Nashville Film Festival are among the things I look at with the most pride.

 

Q: Recently, Unconventional Media, an LA production company, opened a branch office in Nashville. What are your responsibilities with that company?
I head up the Nashville Division developing and producing projects that can be produced and shot in Nashville and the Southeast.

 

Q: Why Nashville to open up a branch office?
Unconventional Media opened up here for a variety of reasons.  Firstly Nashville has always been a strong video market as well as having it’s share of independent and studio films produced and shot here.  Secondly there is a rich and very talented production pool here as well as artists and writers.   

 

Q: What does Unconventional South bring to the Nashville community?
Fresh ideas.  Ideas on how to combine media elements to meet an ever-changing market place.  Not only do we think “Outside the Box” we don’t believe we’ve ever seen the box. We are constantly exploring how we can use video, music, graphics, games and animation to create compelling new products that will amaze audiences and create revenue streams for our clients.

 

Q: Discuss some of the present challenges in your position at Unconventional South.
Well we are all challenged by the present economy but I tend to look at it more as a climate of opportunity for change and creation.  From Chaos comes order- from change comes opportunity.

 

Q: What do you consider your most significant accomplishments at Unconventional South to date? 
Working on a health reform documentary with Shout America.

 

Q: What productions at Unconventional South are currently being developed under your leadership?
A project dealing with motor cross champion Beau Braswell, a project with the sports authority of Nashville as well as a couple of music videos and a New Orleans paranormal project.

 

Q: Are you open to independent writers of TV shows pitching material to your company?
Yes we are. We are open to writers pitching ideas to us but we are more open to ideas that come with assets.  By assets I mean sponsorships or development funds.

 

Q: What demographic audience is Unconventional South trying to reach in their productions?
We cover a broad range of the demographic scope from young video gamers to traditional music, television and film consumers.

 

Q: What criteria are used to determine which projects Unconventional South becomes involved in?
We choose our projects based on the viability of the concept, worth of the content and marketability.

 

Q: Is there anything your clients could do to make your job at Unconventional South easier?
We don’t look for our clients to make life easier for us instead we look at how we can make our clients lives easier.  It is all about service and the quality of work.

 

Q: How has the Internet impacted Unconventional South as a company?
The Internet is our best ally we are a cyber-savvy company with an eye on current trends in new media.

 

Q: The country music industry is currently in a state of flux. What changes do you see happening and why?
I think it is essential that the internet be harnessed and the new forms of tele-broadcasting that are showing up be utilized fully.  Remember the internet is a relatively new phenomenon and as such has yet to reach its full potential.

 

Q: How will these changes impact Unconventional South business?
Any change in the way music companies do business will impact us positively because we are geared to creative change and to helping our customers find new solutions to old problems in a fast and effective way.
Q: What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into your industry?
Learn your craft and then get ready for a lifetime of changes and innovations that you will have to keep a head of.  Be prepared to do a lot of research on what the current and future trends are and be able to act on them quickly and effectively.

 

Q: What is your passion in life?
My children, the creative process...making something tangible out of seemingly random ideas and creating love in my life for me and those around me…it what gets me up every morning.

 

Q: What is your pet peeve?
Currently my pet peeve is this:  Why are people trying to tare down the President-Elect before he’s even taken office.  What ever happened to the concept of holding a fair election and then accepting the winning candidate as “Our President.” 

 

Q: What is most important to you in life?
Love and family are the most important things in my life.  To be able to create an atmosphere around me where love can flourish and my children and their families can feel welcome and safe.

 

The End