Michael D. Akers (born September 5, 1970 in

Ephrata, Pennsylvania Ephrata ( ; Pennsylvania Dutch language, Pennsylvania Dutch: ''Effridaa'') is a Borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg and about west-northwest ...

) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and

editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, orga ...

. In 2000, he founded "United Gay Network" (UGN) with his longtime partner,

Sandon Berg Sandon Berg (born July 15, 1971) is an American film producer and screenwriter, and actor with past roles in both film and television. He co-founded United Gay Network, a film production company, with his longtime partner, Michael D. Akers. ...

. Most of his films are

LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is a ...

-related.

Career

Michael D. Akers studied at

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is a public research university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. As of fall 2021, the university enrolled 7,044 undergraduates and 1,865 postgraduates, for a total enrollment of 9,009 students. The univ ...

before moving to Los Angeles to begin a career in the entertainment industry as

production assistant A production assistant, also known as a PA, is a member of the film crew and is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production. The job of a PA can vary greatly depending on the budget ...

and

assistant director The role of an assistant director on a film includes tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, and maintaining order on the set. They also have to tak ...

to work on the cable movie ''Jurassic Women'' (1996). For three years, he worked with

Turner Feature Animation Turner Entertainment Company is an American multimedia company founded by Ted Turner in 1986. Purchased by Time Warner in 1996 as part of its acquisition of Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), the company was largely responsible for overseeing th ...

on ''Cats Don't Dance'' helping to research and develop animated features. Then he moved to Grand Productions, and later produced at least two episodes of the

Lifetime Lifetime may refer to: * Life expectancy, the length of time a person is expected to remain alive Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Lifetime (band), a rock band from New Jersey * ''Life Time'' (Rollins Band album), by Rollins Band * ...

series ''Intimate Portraits''. These included the "Intimate Portraits" of

Heather Locklear Heather Deen Locklear (born September 25, 1961) is an American actress famous for her role as Amanda Woodward on ''Melrose Place'' (1993–1999), for which she received four consecutive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress – Television ...

and

Jane Seymour Jane Seymour (c. 150824 October 1537) was List of English consorts, Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII of England from their Wives of Henry VIII, marriage on 30 May 1536 until her death the next year. She became queen followi ...

. He became

executive assistant A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a wh ...

Martin Short Martin Hayter Short (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and writer. He has received various awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2019 Short became an Officer of the Order of Canada. He ...

on ''

The Martin Short Show ''The Martin Short Show'' is a syndicated talk show, based on the late night model, hosted by Martin Short with announcer/sidekick Michael McGrath. The talk show aired for one season from 1999 to 2000. It was produced by King World Production ...

'' and a story and research assistant to

Ryan Seacrest Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American media personality and producer. He is the co-host of ''Live with Kelly and Ryan'', as well as the host of multiple media shows including ''American Idol'', ''American Top 40'', and '' ...

's NBC's '' Saturday Night at the Movies'' and

Anne Robinson Anne Josephine Robinson (born 26 September 1944) is an English television presenter and journalist. She was the host of BBC game show ''The Weakest Link'' (2000–2017). She presented the Channel 4 game show ''Countdown'' from June 2021 to July ...

's ''

The Weakest Link ''Weakest Link'' (also known as ''The Weakest Link'') is a television game show which The Weakest Link (British game show), first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and originally ended on 31 March 2012 when its host ...

''. Establishing United Gay Network, he moved to

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...

making. In March 2002, Michael D. Akers directing his short ''B&W w/Splash of Clown'' in partnership with Sandon Berg. His debut long feature film '' Gone But Not Forgotten'', a script he had begun writing back in 1995 while working for another film production company, premiered at the 9th Annual

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It was followed by ''Matrimonium'', an improv film about a reality show trying to marry two men for ratings. ''Phoenix'' is a symbolic and lyrical film examining why relationships end the way that they do. It focuses on a young man who goes to

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...

to surprise his lover, only to discover his lover's secret other life. ''Morgan'' is about a

paraplegic Paraplegia, or paraparesis, is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The word comes from Ionic Greek () "half-stricken". It is usually caused by spinal cord injury or a congenital condition that affects the neural ...

man putting his life back together after a bicycle racing accident leaves his paralyzed. In ''Gone, But Not Forgotten'' he was credited as Michael D. Akers. But in all later movies, he used Michael Akers (dropping the middle "D").

United Gay Network

United Gay Network is a production house founded by Michael D. Akers and Sandon Berg. Akers has released his films through the company. In forming United Gay Network ten years ago, Michael Akers and Sandon Berg aspired not only to promote the

genre Genre () is any form or type of communication in any mode (written, spoken, digital, artistic, etc.) with socially-agreed-upon conventions developed over time. In popular usage, it normally describes a category of literature, music, or other for ...

of "gay films" but also tried to bring gay cinema closer to mainstream

cinema Cinema may refer to: Film * Cinematography, the art of motion-picture photography * Film or movie, a series of still images that create the illusion of a moving image ** Film industry, the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking * ...

. As Berg stated in a radio interview, he and Akers were striving to create stories that would crossover to a broader audience. Nowhere is this more apparent than in their latest production ''

Morgan Morgan may refer to: People and fictional characters * Morgan (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Morgan le Fay, a powerful witch in Arthurian legend * Morgan (surname), a surname of Welsh origin * Morgan (singer), ...

''. Berg said: "I think ''Morgan'' is a very universal story. I don't think it is gay-specific at all." ''Morgan'' is the story of a gay and

paralyzed Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, roughly 1 in 50 ...

young athlete that defies

stereotype In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for example ...

s and pushes through boundaries. The lead character, a young

athlete An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance. Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...

, named Morgan Oliver, is first seen wallowing in a state of depression, drowning his sorrows in beer as he watches bicycle racing (the sport that at once defined his sense of purpose and drove him to his catalytic accident) on television. UGN's first long feature film, '' ''Gone, But Not Forgotten'',was considered ground breaking and to have set the pace for normalizing the portrayal of

gay people This is a confirmed referenced overview list of notable gay, lesbian or bisexual people, who have either been open about their sexuality or for which reliable sources exist. The number of notables in the list is likely to be several times highe ...

in cinema. Each successive film produced by UGN has increasingly pushed limits and expanded the range of Akers and Berg as filmmakers. With each film, Akers and Berg shook things up. ''Matrimonium'' was a foray into comedy that played to reality show hype, while addressing homosexual stereotypes, and ''

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

'' was yet another step, into the suspenseful and mysterious journey of two jilted lovers following the trail of their mutual betrayer.

Personal life

Akers is openly

gay ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 1 ...

. His long-term partner is Sandon Berg. They have been together since the late 1990s.

Filmography

Director

*2003: '' Gone, But Not Forgotten'' *2005: ''

Matrimonium ''Matrimonium'' is a 2005 comedy film directed by Michael Akers, his second feature film after the successful '' Gone, But Not Forgotten''. Co-written and co-produced by him and Sandon Berg, the latter appears in a lead role in the film as Spencer ...

'' *2006: ''

'' *2012: ''

'' ;Others *2011: ''The Friends Project'' of

David Raleigh David Raleigh is a New York City based singer, songwriter and piano player. History Born in Rochester, New York, David Raleigh moved to Seattle at the age of four. After receiving a scholarship to attend Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, ...

with

Alan Cumming Alan Cumming (born 27 January 1965) is a British actor. His London stage appearances include ''Hamlet'', the Maniac in ''Accidental Death of an Anarchist'' (for which he received an Olivier Award), the lead in '' Bent'', The National Theatre o ...

, Ari Gold, and Billy Porter to benefit the

Ali Forney Center The Ali Forney Center (AFC), based in New York City, is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth in the United States. The AFC both manages and develops transitional housing for its clients. AFC helps approximately 2,000 y ...

Producer

*2003: ''Gone, But Not Forgotten'' *2005: ''Matrimonium'' *2012: ''Morgan''

Writer

*2003: ''Gone, But Not Forgotten'' *2005: ''Matrimonium'' *2006: ''Phoenix'' *2012: ''Morgan''

Editor

*2003: ''Gone, But Not Forgotten'' *2005: ''Matrimonium'' *2005: ''Flirting with Anthony'' *2006: ''Phoenix'' *2006: ''Love Life'' *2010: ''Going Maverick: The

Sarah Palin Sarah Louise Palin (; Heath; born February 11, 1964) is an American politician, commentator, author, and reality television personality who served as the ninth governor of Alaska from 2006 until her resignation in 2009. She was the 2008 R ...

Story'' (

video short A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

) *2011: ''The Friends Project'' of

with

, Ari Gold, and Billy Porter to benefit the

*2012: ''Morgan''

References

External links

Official resumeUnited Gay Network Official websiteMichael Akers YouTube
*
Vimeo
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akers, Michael D. 1970 births 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American Buddhists American film editors Film producers from Pennsylvania American male screenwriters Film directors from Pennsylvania American gay writers LGBT Buddhists American LGBT film directors LGBT people from Pennsylvania Living people People from Ephrata, Pennsylvania 20th-century American male writers Screenwriters from Pennsylvania