IN Woodland Hills Fall 2016 | Page 14

INPERSON Three Hats are Better Than One Woodland Hills alum Mike Smith finds success in writing, film and comedy. BY NICOLE TAFE “I ’ve been telling stories since I was able to pick up a pen, writing short stories in notepads while I was in school,” says Swissvale native Mike Smith. The author wrote his first novel when he was 15—a book titled “Craving Royalty” about an unexpected teen pregnancy. “It was terrible because I hadn’t learned how to edit yet,” Smith laughs, “but it showed that I had the self-discipline to write a full-length novel and be able to finish it.” Smith, 30, grew up in Swissvale, attended Woodland Hills High School and graduated in 2004. He comes from a long line of Woodland Hills family members including his brother, Chris, 34, also a Woodland Hills graduate, and his mother, Phyllis Smith Wawrocki and father Alan Smith, both graduates of Swissvale High School. Smith also met his wife at WHHS, Gabrielle Matich, during the high school’s 2004 production of “Anything Goes,” as Smith portrayed the character of Eli Whitney. “I loved my time at Woodland Hills,” he says. “I learned so much in those schools and I’m so appreciative of the diverse upbringing Woodland Hills offers its students.” Smith’s favorite teachers include Pat Kennedy, who taught 9th grade English, and Thomas Crone, his 12th grade performing arts instructor. “Mrs. Kennedy was the one who convinced me I could be a writer,” says Smith. “Mr. Crone taught me the wonder of the performing arts and, specifically, how to be a great director. Both teachers had a huge influence on me, and still do to this day.” Smith, who also writes comedy and is a screenwriter, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a dual major in English Writing and Political Science. 12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Woodland Hills Smith’s latest novel, “Miss Mezzanine,” tells the story of Jass, a college senior on the brink of graduation. His entire life is set for him—cushy job, good girlfriend, comfortable life, etc. On his last spring break, he meets Annabelle, who encourages him not to settle for something he may not truly want. “The book is told from both Jass’ point of view and Annabelle’s who, unbeknownst to him, is a popular west-coast blogger under the moniker ‘Miss Mezzanine,’” says Smith. “The book is technically my fourth, but it’s really the first one I am proud of as an adult.” The novel was awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars on IndieReader, and also received some nice comments from a judge in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Similar to his love of storytelling as a child, Smith’s passion for film early on paved the way for his screenwriting. “I’ve been obsessed with movies since I was a kid,” says Smith. “My first job was working at Blockbuster (when it existed).” His love of film is so great that he maintains an Excel spreadsheet that lists every movie he’s ever seen, sorted by name/director/actor and “star-rating.” With good friends in New York City working in film, Smith began to collaborate and soon found himself screenwriting, directing and producing various shorts and films. His film project, “Gala,” is a 10-minute short film about a struggling writer attending his 10-year high school reunion. His ex-girlfriend Faye is an up-and-coming actress in Hollywood and he’s been left behind with no success. He imagines what it’ll be like to see her for the first time since they broke up, and since she hit it big. “It’s very surreal and most of the film takes place inside the writer’s mind,” says Smith. “It’s ultimately about the weight of expectations and how we are usually the biggest obstacle to our own success.” “Gala” has been accepted into film festivals in Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, with New York’s festival being Smith’s greatest achievement so far, as the film was selected to screen at the Screen Actors Guild’s New York Short Film Showcase, which only showcases a dozen short films a year. “Gala” also won Best Film and Best Director at the Pittsburgh Uncut Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize for Drama at the Washington PA Film Festival.