Interviewed By: Niki of Houston TREND

While the night calms and the city slumbers, you can find film director, Michael Sterling doing the complete opposite. Living by the motto of “Team No Sleep”, the Austin native is constantly on the grind. Michael Sterling will be debuting his new movie, Behind De Pole, starring Omar Gooding, Deandre Bonds, Cherie Johnson, and Samuel Monroe Jr., in select theaters, this August. Michael is one of the many break out film directors, in Houston, to watch out for.

381031_235676116498809_929025538_nHouston TREND: Where did you group up in Houston?

Michael Sterling: I actually grew up in Austin, TX… but I do have a lot of family and friends that reside in Houston.

Houston TREND: What were some of your hobbies that you did as a kid?

Michael Sterling:Basketball and Football were my favorite.

Houston TREND: How did you get into photography?

Michael Sterling:I’m an artist at heart, so I was fascinated by the way cameras can capture single moments. I’d ran across a few cameras, specifically the Nikon
D5000 DSLR. I started taking pictures and realized that I had a niche for it.

Houston TREND: At what age did you buy your first camera?

Michael Sterling:I was about 30 when I bought my first camera.

Houston TREND: Why did you make the transition from doing music to doing photography?

Michael Sterling:I was actually doing both when I realized that there was a demand for photography. Good news travels fast, so my clientele was growing and it eventually pulled me away from music.

Houston TREND: When did you get into film directing?

Michael Sterling:I started film directing about 1 year after I got the camera. I was reading the cameras manual and realized that I could also do video. It was fascinating to me and from that point I knew that directing is what I wanted to do.

Houston TREND: What are some other talents that you possess besides film and photography?

Michael Sterling:I love to draw.

Houston TREND: How did MSCN Productions come about and what does it stand for?

Michael Sterling:MSCN stands for Michael Sterling Carl Nick. Carl Nick is my business partner. One day we were sitting down, trying to develop a strategy on how to get into the entertainment business. This industry moves real quickly, so we developed the story line for our first movie, “Behind De pole”, we then created the company name and ran with it.

Houston TREND: How will or does MSCN Productions help others that want to follow in your path as a film director or producer?

Michael Sterling:MSCN Productions will encourage individuals to follow their dreams and we’re helping inspiring film directors and producers right now. We always have openings at MSCN Productions and we’re always ready to find new serious talent. Our mission is to produce jobs for those who are trying to be successful in the industry.

Houston TREND: Tell me about Behind De Pole. What was the concept of the movie and how did you go about casting the actors for this movie?

Michael Sterling:”Behind De Pole” is about 4 exotic dancers that are pursuing fast money, but they quickly realize that this path has serious consequences and sacrifices, leading them to question, is this the life for them? We actually sought out our actors by networking on social media and word of mouth.

Houston TREND: Is Behind De Pole based in Houston?

Michael Sterling:Yes, all the filming was done in Houston.

Houston TREND: Who else besides the known actors can we expect to see in the movie?

Michael Sterling:Expect to see Houston’s own actress and former football cheerleader, Scenic Woods, entertainer and actress, Victoria Monet and entertainer, Bella G.

Houston TREND: What was the process like filming your first movie?

Michael Sterling:A MAJOR HEADACHE.

Houston TREND: When will Behind De Pole be in theaters?

Michael Sterling:The first screening is August 15th, 2013 and there will be future screenings nationwide in selected theaters.

Houston TREND: What other films/projects are you working on now or in the near feature?

Michael Sterling:I’m currently working on four films. “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”, “The Invasion”, “Still Down for Me” and “Funny Money” and filming for these movies will be done by 2014.

Houston TREND: I read that you are going to write a book? What will it be about?

Michael Sterling:The book I’m writing is called “Power Move”. It’ll be like a Trilogy…
Keep going until I die.