Scripting success: Michael Carvaines’ dual legacy in film and academia

Michael Carvaines working on the set of his 2018 Stephen King adapted short film “Mute” / Photo provided by Carvaines

By Desiré Correa

In the fast-paced world of film and media, Assistant Professor of Media Communication Michael Carvaines stands out as a figure of influence and inspiration at Muskingum University.  

Carvaines has a portfolio of over 35 film projects. He has also worked on advertising campaigns for more than 100 feature films for companies including DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features and New Line Cinema.  

Beyond his professional endeavors, Carvaines has carved out a niche in academia, where he imparts his knowledge and experience to the next generation of filmmakers and media creators. As a professor, he blends practical insight with refreshing creativity, fostering an environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. 

Assistant Professor of Media Production Michael Carvaines / Photo by Desiré Correa

An early love of film

Carvaines' passion was ignited in childhood and fostered by his mother's love for film. His early experiences with classics like "Psycho," "Star Wars," "Back to the Future," "Terminator," "Ghostbusters" and "Blade Runner" deepened his interest in filmmaking. 

“I started developing more interest in directors; I noticed that certain films by the same director had their own style, and so I became fascinated with that and wanted to learn more,” Carvaines said. 

He continued to immerse himself in cinema, including foreign films, broadening his understanding of the art form. 

After high school, Carvaines attended the University of Michigan. Initially uncertain about his career path, he knew his passion was in films, but he had no idea how to break into the industry. 

He eventually majored in business and used his degree to get into marketing and advertising, seeing it as a gateway into the film industry through commercial work.  

At university, Carvaines met people from various majors, including fellow student and aspiring playwright Gordon Smith. During their senior year, the two students collaborated on the film “After Class.” To Carvaines, the project was a testament to his ability to create impactful films. 

After graduating, he moved to California and brought the film with him. He began showing it to industry professionals, hoping to gain recognition for his work. 

Shortly after moving to the West Coast, he landed a job at Gramercy Pictures in Beverly Hills through a temp agency. This position led him to work on projects such as “Being John Malkovich,” “Traffic” and “In the Mood for Love,” which offered him firsthand industry experience and interaction with filmmakers. 

While working on marketing for other people's films, he continued to work on his own projects.  

However, balancing personal projects with professional work proved challenging.

"We worked on a bunch of movies, and I was still trying to do my own stuff, but the two worlds really weren't meshing," Carvaines said.

He grew frustrated with his inability to get film companies interested in his scripts, realizing this disconnect highlighted a need for formal training in filmmaking. 

Eventually, he decided to go to graduate school and get a master's degree in filmmaking and television. He took the opportunity to live somewhere different and went to Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. 

“The best decision I ever made [was] to go after a graduate degree and to learn filmmaking, to specifically study film and television because even though it was graduate-level college work, it was not hard to me at all because I was so passionate about it, like I cared so much, like I wanted to do it, I wanted to take as many classes as possible,” Carvaines said.  

With a master’s degree, Carvaines honed new editing and sound design skills, becoming a well-rounded filmmaker. During graduate school, his love for teaching also became apparent.

Bringing film production to the classroom and abroad

After Carvaines completed his graduate degree, he applied for film faculty positions nationwide, leading him to Muskingum University in 2019. 

Jarod Byard, a 2022 Muskingum University graduate and a student of Carvaines, speaks highly of his former professor. 

Jarod Byard / Photo by Desiré Correa

“One of the things I know he won recently...he won a screenwriting achievement for this tournament he put his screenplay into, and I feel like that's pretty cool to know that while he is teaching, he’s still writing screenplays and getting awards like that,” Byard said.  

Carvaines’ dedication to his students does not end when they graduate.

“Even after I’ve graduated, we’ve kind of met up and talked about stuff that we’re working on or what he’s like working on and just what we kind of want to do in the future and whatnot, so it’s nice to have someone that reaches out to you and keeps on talking to you about that sort of stuff,” Byard said. 

In March 2024, Carvaines traveled to London with a group of Muskingum University students to shoot a film project titled Sussex Gardens. During the week-long trip, students gained hands-on experience with professional actors, production and new equipment. 

Colleagues like Tom German, associate professor of digital media design at Muskingum University, recognize Carvaines’ impact on students.  

“I’ve always been very pleasantly surprised at the stories the students tell about what they have done in his classes,” German said. “For example, hearing about their recent experience in London, making basically a run-and-gun movie, the students I’ve talked to light up when they talk about those experiences.” 

Carvaines with students in London in March 2024 / Photo provided by Carvaines

As the film and media landscape evolves, Michael Carvaines remains at the forefront as an educator at Muskingum University and an active participant in the creative process. He is currently working on a documentary, scriptwriting and short films. 

Carvaines won Best Short Screenplay at the 2020 KinoDrome Film Festival / Photo provided by Carvaines

In his role at Muskingum University, Carvaines leverages his industry experience to foster a learning environment emphasizing creative exploration and practical application. His approach to teaching is informed by current industry standards and practices, ensuring that students receive a forward-thinking education. 

Carvaines’ contributions to both academia and professional practice exemplify the critical role of educators and professionals in preparing the next generation of filmmakers and media creators to navigate and shape the future of storytelling.