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.
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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.