David Michaels - Portfolio
This is the online portfolio of various creative works and original projects by David Michaels.

© 2010 David Michaels
WRITING EXPERIENCE
  • Constantly called a "natural storyteller" by those who knew me as a child.
  • Publicly recognized by my English teacher to my classmates for my writing talent in 1993.
  • Began actively writing original fiction in 1994.
  • Completed a 17-episode original superhero story series (average length 40-80 pages each) between 1997-1998.
  • Adapted first feature-length story into a screenplay in 2003.
  • Adapted and began producing an original hour-long TV drama in 2004.
  • Sold short fiction stories online to readers worldwide in 2004-2006.
  • Began writing a popular daily blog in 2006.
  • Self-published "the best of" that blog into a 224-page book. Received great reviews.
  • Attracted a talent manager in 2010 based on my previous writing work. Discussed long-term career objectives and began working on feature-length spec scripts to sell to Hollywood.
  • Continually writing (stories, screenplays, books, blogs, etc) to present day.
  • Received writing tips and career advice from established Hollywood writers, directors, and other industry professionals, as well as other trusted mentors.
 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP / BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
  • Shockwave Entertainment (1999)
    Assisted in the creation and development of an upstart comic book publishing company.
  • Echo Comics (1999-2001)
    My first sole business venture. Published Flash-based multimedia webcomics. Helped launch the careers of a handful of previously unknown artists and writers.
  • Astral Zone 4 (2004-2006)
    First profitable business. Successfully marketed up to 10,000 unique monthly visitors without spending any money on advertising. Managed 3-4 writers simultaneously.
  • Super Powers Unlimited (2009-Present)
    Created a 200+ page tabletop RPG game from scratch. Worked with artists, film crews, computer programmers, and a team of 16 beta testers. Wrote and produced professional viral videos to help market the game.
 
RADIO / TALK SHOW HOST / OTHER PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERIENCE
  • Church Lector (c. 1996-2000)
    Read scriptures and spoke to an average estimated audience of 400+ people.
  • Assistant High School Teacher (1997)
    Given 3 consecutive days by the teacher to teach him and the class HTML and web design.
  • Intern at WQYK 99.5 FM (2000)
    Assisted during the 6pm-11pm time slot.
  • Career Day - Guest Speaker (2005)
    Spoke to multiple middle school classrooms about entrepreneurship.
  • Spiritual Smarts Podcast (2006-Present)
    Personal audio podcast on personal growth, development, inspiration, and spirituality. Average episode length 20-30 minutes. Interviewed book authors, famous public speakers, and other experts in the field.
  • Small Business Podcast (2007-Present)
    Co-host of weekly audio podcast, teaching tips on starting and growing a business. Featured as top recommended podcast for small business owners in the June 2008 issue of BusinessWeek's SmallBiz magazine.
  • SageTalk Radio - Guest Speaker (c. 2007)
    Invited as a guest speaker on a live internet radio broadcast.
  • Achieving Life Health Expo (2008)
    Featured workshop speaker. Presented on "The 7 Keys to a Fulfilling Life" and "How to Make Money in Today's Stock Market". Approximately 20 attendees per workshop.
 
SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE 
  • Actively involved in church from childhood.
  • Began "hearing" God in prayer/meditation around age 6-8.
  • Attended week-long evangelization and training at Good News Ministries in 1996.
  • Started and led teenage Bible study group in 1998.
  • Core Team leadership member for church-sponsored religious retreat "Antioch XI" in 1999.
  • Rapidly began developing and manifesting spiritual gifts and psychic abilities starting in 2000.
  • Studied world religions as extensively and deeply as possible, both inside and outside of the classroom, starting in 2000.
  • Honored member of a professional paranormal investigation team from 2000-2005. Interviewed on the local Fox News channel. Filmed as part of a documentary by an independent film company.
  • Active member of the Catholic Student Union, interdenominational Chapel Center @ USF, United Pagan Allied Network, and other religious groups and organizations on campus.
  • Peer Ministry leader at the Chapel Center @ USF in 2004.
  • Developed experience with Tarot and Oracle cards. Explored and tested other divination tools such as talking boards, runes, astrology, and more.
  • Began being paid for psychic readings in 2005.
  • Served as a spiritual life coach or mentor unofficially starting in 2006.
  • Trained others how to hear God, connect with their angels, and develop their own spiritual gifts and abilities.
  • Began recording Spiritual Smarts podcast in 2006. Interviewed experts on soulmates, communicating with angels, and more.
  • Started monthly spiritual discussion group in Los Angeles.
  • Member of the new prototype small community fellowship program at Agape International Spiritual Center in 2006-2007.
  • Received Reiki I attunement by the Center of Living Light in 2007.
  • Received the Deeksha "oneness" blessing in 2008.
  • Interviewed other national and international spiritual experts (in Reiki and Tantra) on my podcast, in additional to other inspirational and life-affirming individuals in 2009.
 
ADDITIONAL TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSING
  • Self-taught HTML and web design in 1996.
  • Member of University of South Florida Honors College.
  • Maintained a 3.3+ GPA.
  • Completed Associate of Arts degree (General Education) while pursuing Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree at the University of South Florida in 2000.
  • Earned Florida Real Estate salesperson license in 2002.
  • Acquired Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class "A" in 2004.
  • Obtained Florida Life Insurance and Florida Mortgage Broker licenses in 2005.
  • Completed "Unleash the Power Within" weekend seminar by Tony Robbins in 2008.
  • Certified Hypnotist through the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2009.
  • Maintained a 3.78 GPA including upper-level classes while simultaneously creating a tabletop RPG game and building a new business to market it.
  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities: Philosophy, Religion & Popular Culture expected in 2011 from the University of Central Florida.
 
OFFICE SKILLS
  • Typing Speed: 80 words per minute.
  • Expert in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft PowerPoint, 2010 versions and earlier.
  • Totally proficient in all standard office equipment -- copiers, scanners, fax machines, type writers, all printers, computers (PC and Macintosh), multi-line telephones, and dicta-phone devices.
  • Receptionist experience.
  • Executive assistant experience (to CEO of multi-million dollar corporation).
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Organizational and efficient file management skills.
 
SALES SKILLS
  • Consistently a top 15% closer, whether I'm selling electronics, books, clothing apparel, or bed mattresses.
  • Retail sales experience (part-time and full-time) between 1997-2008.
  • Commission-only sales experience.
  • Earned double the department average in commission-only sales in 1999-2000.
  • Real estate leasing experience in 2006.
  • Quickly promoted at a new job for outstanding sales performance in 2008.
 
JOB VARIETY / MULTIPLE SKILLS EXPERIENCE
  • Hourly and commission-only retail sales (small ticket through big box).
  • Customer service.
  • Computer lab tech support.
  • Audio-visual equipment setup and management.
  • Freelance web design.
  • Self-employment.
  • Network marketing.
  • Commercial real estate management and investment office.
  • Courier/same day, on-demand delivery driver covering Los Angeles and San Diego.
  • Stock market investing.
  • Residential and commercial real estate investing.
  • Restaurant host.
  • Restaurant server.
  • Independent film production.
  • Post-production.
  • Talent management and development.
  • Entertainment marketing and promotion.
  • Podcasting.
  • Project management.
  • Contract negotiation (work-for-hire and profit-sharing plans).
  • Publishing experience and expertise. Includes newspaper, comics, books, CDs/DVDs, and online.
  • Copyright and trademark law.
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