Feature Stories
Michael Judd, '99
Michael J. Judd received a Bachelor of Arts in film and video production from Grand Valley State University in 1999. After graduation, he worked as videographer and editor for WZZM-13 News (ABC) in Grand Rapids, MI, and freelanced on various commercials and industrial videos in the West Michigan area.
In 2000, he headed to Hollywood to break into the film industry and landed work as a set production assistant on such films as Million Dollar Baby, The Aviator, Seabiscuit, and Terminator 3. He is now a second assistant director with the Directors Guild of America, earning credit on feature films such as Gran Torino, Fame, Evan Almighty, and Flags of our Fathers. He was awarded a U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Appreciation for his work on Flags of Our Fathers for assisting to preserve and promote a pivotal event in the Marine Corps history.
In 2006, Judd produced his first feature film, Carts, which went on to win Best Feature at the Valley Film Festival and was screened at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival and Imperial Beach International Film Festival. Most recently, he worked on the yet to be released film, Young Americans, and is currently the Key 2nd Assistant Director on Desperate Housewives.
Judd regularly volunteers his skills to support various educational and service projects. He has filmed several after-school programs working with schools and non-profits supporting low-income students, and has volunteered as 2nd AD on several not for profit Public Service Announcements, including SaveDarfur.org and AIDS awareness. Judd also participated in the first of GVSU's Summer Film Projects.
He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Jessica and their daughter, Eva Colette.
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