Michael Alan Spiller (born August 1, 1961) is an American

cinematographer The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the photographing or recording of a film, television production, music video or other live action piece. The cinematographer is the ch ...

and

television director A television director is in charge of the activities involved in making a television program or section of a program. They are generally responsible for decisions about the editorial content and creative style of a program, and ensuring the prod ...

.Michael Spiller Biography (1961-)
Film Reference Spiller has directed on numerous series and has also served as a

prior to directing. Early on, he worked frequently with director and classmate

Hal Hartley Hal Hartley (born November 3, 1959) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and composer who became a key figure in the American independent film movement of the 1980s and '90s. He is best known for his films '' The Unbelievable T ...

, including cinematography for Hartley's breakout indie film The Unbelievable Truth, which helped launch both of their careers. He was a regular director on the

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

series, ''

Sex and the City ''Sex and the City'' is an American romantic comedy, romantic comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star for HBO. An adaptation of Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City (newspaper column), newspaper column and 1996 book anthology of the ...

'' where he also served as

director of photography The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the photographing or recording of a film, television production, music video or other live action piece. The cinematographer is the ch ...

during the first four seasons. After ''Sex and the City'', Spiller continued to direct on series such as '' Scrubs'', ''

Jake in Progress ''Jake in Progress'' is an American sitcom television series broadcast on ABC from March 13, 2005 to January 9, 2006. Created by Austin Winsberg, the show was originally conceived as a real-time comedy; the first season was to show the first date ...

'', ''

The Bernie Mac Show ''The Bernie Mac Show'' (often shortened to ''Bernie Mac'' in syndication) is an American sitcom television series created by Larry Wilmore, that aired on Fox for five seasons from November 14, 2001 to April 14, 2006. The series featured Bernie ...

'' and has directed two episodes of the

series, ''

Big Love ''Big Love'' is an American drama television series that aired on HBO from March 12, 2006 to March 20, 2011. It stars Bill Paxton as the patriarch of a fundamentalist Mormon family in contemporary Utah that practices polygamy, with Jeanne Tripp ...

'' which premiered in March 2006. Spiller was also a producer on the series ''Jake in Progress'' and ''

Big Day ''Big Day'', originally titled ''A Day in the Life'', is an American television sitcom that first aired on ABC from November 28, 2006, to January 30, 2007. The series was co-produced by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa and directed by Michael Spil ...

''. In 2011, he won a

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...

for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the ''

Modern Family ''Modern Family'' is an American family sitcom television series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan for the American Broadcasting Company. It ran for 11 seasons, from September 23, 2009, to April 8, 2020. It follows the lives of thr ...

'' episode "

Halloween Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observanc ...

". Spiller was born in

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

and raised in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

Director filmography

TV series

*''

So Help Me Todd ''So Help Me Todd'' is an American legal drama television series, created by Scott Prendergast, that premiered on September 29, 2022, on CBS. The series follows a talented but directionless private investigator, who begrudgingly agrees to work ...

'' (2022) **episode 1.02 "Co-Pilot" *''

Firefly Lane ''Firefly Lane'' is an American drama streaming television series created by Maggie Friedman for Netflix. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah. The series premiered on February 3, 2021, and navigates the lives o ...

'' (2022) **episode 1.01 "Wish You Were Here" **episode 1.02 "On the Road" *'' The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers'' (2021) **episode 1.02 "Dusters" **episode 1.08 "Change on the Fly" **episode 1.10 "State of Play" *'' Perfect Harmony'' (2020) **episode 1.12 "Hymn-a-Thon" *''

AJ and the Queen ''AJ and the Queen'' is an American comedy-drama series, created by RuPaul and Michael Patrick King. It premiered on Netflix on January 10, 2020. It was cancelled after one season in March that same year. Premise ''AJ and the Queen'' follows "Rub ...

'' (2020) **episode 1.08 "Baton Rouge" *''

Mixed-ish ''Mixed-ish'' (stylized as ''ish'') was an American single-camera sitcom created by Kenya Barris, Peter Saji and Tracee Ellis Ross that premiered on ABC on September 24, 2019. The series is a prequel to ''Black-ish'', and the second series to b ...

'' (2019-present) **episode 1.03 "Let Your Hair Down" **episode 1.14 "True Colors" **episode 1.15 "This Charming Man" *'' Good Girls'' (2019) **episode 2.15 "Everything Must Go" *''

Whiskey Cavalier ''Whiskey Cavalier'' is an American action comedy-drama television series, created by David Hemingson, that premiered on February 24, 2019. The full pilot episode debuted after the Oscars and was rebroadcast in the show’s regular time slot thre ...

'' (2019) **episode 1.06 "Five Spies and a Baby" *''

I Feel Bad I, or i, is the ninth letter and the third vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''i'' (pronounced ), plural ...

'' (2018) **episode 1.10 "My Kids Barely Know Their Cultures" *''

Fresh Off the Boat The phrase fresh off the boat ''(FOB)'', off the boat ''(OTB)'', are sometimes-derogatory terms used to describe immigrants who have arrived from a foreign nation and have yet to assimilate into the host nation's culture, language, and behavior ...

'' (2018) **episode 5.02 "The Hand That Sits The Cradle" *''

Champions A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the Victory, victor in a challenge, Competition, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and w ...

'' (2018) **episode 1.01 "Pilot" **episode 1.02 "I Think I'm Gonna Tolerate It Here" **episode 1.06 "Grandma Dearest" **episode 1.08 "Nepotism" *'' Superstore'' (2017-2018) **episode 2.14 "Super Hot Store" **episode 3.11 "Angels and Mermaids" *''

Black-ish ''Black-ish'' (stylized as black·''ish'', `black·''ish'', and black''ish'') is an American sitcom television series created by Kenya Barris. It aired on ABC from September 24, 2014, to April 19, 2022, running for eight seasons. ''Black-ish'' ...

'' (2016-present) **episode 2.15 "Twindependice" **episode 3.18 "Manitery" **episode 4.10 "Working Girl" **episode 6.05 "Mad and Boujee" **episode 7.17 "Move-In Ready" *''

Brooklyn Nine-Nine ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' is an American police procedural comedy television series that aired on Fox, and later on NBC. The show aired from September 17, 2013, to September 16, 2021, for a total of eight seasons and 153 episodes. Created by Dan G ...

'' (2016) **episode 3.13 "The Cruise" *''

The Mindy Project ''The Mindy Project'' is an American romantic comedy television series created by and starring Mindy Kaling that began airing on Fox in September 2012 and finished its run of six seasons on Hulu in November 2017. The series was co-produced by Un ...

'' (2012-2017) **episode 1.02 "Hiring and Firing" **episode 1.03 "In The Club" **episode 1.06 "Thanksgiving" **episode 1.10 "Mindy's Brother" **episode 1.13 "Harry & Sally" **episode 1.16 "The One That Got Away" **episode 1.19 "My Cool Christian Boyfriend" **episode 1.24 "Take Me With You" **episode 2.1 "All My Problems Forever" **episode 2.2 "The Other Dr. L" **episode 2.11 "Christmas Party Sex Trip" **episode 2.13 "L.A." **episode 2.16 "Indian BBW" **episode 2.22 "Danny and Mindy" **episode 3.1 "We're a Couple Now, Haters!" **episode 3.5 "The Devil Wears Lands' End" **episode 3.12 "Stanford" **episode 3.13 "San Francisco Bae" **episode 3.21 "Best Man" **episode 4.1 "While I Was Sleeping" **episode 4.13 "When Mindy Met Dandy" **episode 4.12 "Will They or Won't They" **episode 4.26 "Homewrecker" **episode 5.1 "Decision 2016" **episode 5.7 "Concord" **episode 5.8 "Revenge of the Nurse" **episode 5.11 "Dibs" **episode 5.14 "A Decent Prosopal" **episode 6.9 "Danny In Real Life" **episode 6.10 "It Had To Be You" *''

New Girl ''New Girl'' is an American television sitcom created by Elizabeth Meriwether and produced by 20th Television for Fox that originally aired from September 20, 2011, to May 15, 2018. The series revolves around a kooky teacher, Jessica Day ( Zoo ...

'' (2012) **episode 1.22 "Tomatoes" **episode 1.24 "See Ya" *'' Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23'' (2012) **episode 1.02 "Daddy's Girl..." *''

'' (2010–2019) **episode 1.11 " Up All Night" **episode 1.15 "

My Funky Valentine "My Funky Valentine" is the fifteenth episode of first season of the American family sitcom television series ''Modern Family'' and the fifteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on ABC on February 10, 2010. The episode was written by J ...

" **episode 2.01 "

The Old Wagon "The Old Wagon" is the second season premiere of the American sitcom ''Modern Family'' and the 25th episode overall. It was aired on September 22, 2010. The episode was written by Bill Wrubel and was directed by Michael Spiller. The episode is also ...

" **episode 2.03 "

Earthquake An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from ...

" **episode 2.05 "

Unplugged Unplugged may refer to: *Acoustic music, music not produced through electronic means * "Unplugged" (B.A.P song), 2014 * "Unplugged" (''Modern Family''), a 2010 episode of ''Modern Family'' Albums and EPs * ''Unplugged'' (5'nizza album), 2002 * '' ...

" **episode 2.06 "

" **episode 2.07 "

Chirp A chirp is a signal in which the frequency increases (''up-chirp'') or decreases (''down-chirp'') with time. In some sources, the term ''chirp'' is used interchangeably with sweep signal. It is commonly applied to sonar, radar, and laser system ...

" **episode 2.08 "

Manny Get Your Gun "Manny Get Your Gun" is the eighth episode of the Modern Family (season 2), second season of the sitcom, ''Modern Family'' and the 32nd overall. It originally aired November 17, 2010 on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was writ ...

" **episode 2.09 "

Mother Tucker "Mother Tucker" is the second episode of the fifth season of the animated comedy series '' Family Guy''. It originally aired on Fox on September 17, 2006. The episode follows Peter's mother, Thelma, divorcing Peter's father, Francis, and dating ...

" **episode 2.13 " Caught in the Act" **episode 2.15 " Princess Party" **episode 2.19 " The Musical Man" **episode 2.20 " Someone to Watch Over Lily" **episode 2.21 "

Mother's Day Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the ...

" **episode 3.02 " When Good Kids Go Bad" **episode 3.09 "

Punkin Chunkin Punkin chunkin, or as it is sometimes called pumpkin chucking, is the sport of hurling a pumpkin solely by mechanical means for distance. The devices used include slingshots, catapults, centrifugals, trebuchets, and pneumatic (air) cannons. ...

" **episode 3.10 "

Express Christmas "Express Christmas" is the tenth episode of the Modern Family (season 3), third season of the United States, American sitcom ''Modern Family'', and the series' 58th episode overall. It was aired on December 7, 2011. The episode was written by Cind ...

" **episode 3.14 " Me? Jealous?" **episode 3.15 " Aunt Mommy" **episode 3.20 "

The Last Walt "The Last Walt" is the 20th episode of the third season of the American sitcom ''Modern Family'' and the series' 68th episode overall. This episode originally aired on ABC on April 18, 2012. It was written by Dan O'Shannon, Paul Corrigan & Brad W ...

" **episode 11.03 "Snapped" *''

Cougar Town ''Cougar Town'' is an American television sitcom that ran for 102 episodes over six seasons, from September 23, 2009, until March 31, 2015. The first three seasons aired on ABC, with the series moving to TBS for the remaining three seasons. AB ...

'' (2009) **episode 1.4 "

I Won't Back Down "I Won't Back Down" is a song by American rock musician Tom Petty. It was released in April 1989 as the lead single from his first solo album, ''Full Moon Fever''. The song was co-written by Petty and Jeff Lynne, also his writing partner for the ...

" *''

Samantha Who? ''Samantha Who?'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007, to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Donald Todd, who also served as producers. Although highly rated during its first ...

'' (2007) **episode "The Wedding" **episode "The Hypnotherapist" *''

Ugly Betty ''Ugly Betty'' is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which was originally broadcast on ABC. It premiered on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian t ...

'' (2006) **episode "

In or Out "In or Out" is an episode from the dramedy series ''Ugly Betty'', the thirteenth in the series overall, which aired on January 18, 2007. It was written by Myra Jo Martino and directed by Michael Spiller. The episode title itself is an allusion to ...

" *''

'' (2006) **episode "Eclipse" **episode "Eviction" *''

'' (2005) *'' Kitchen Confidential'' (2005) **episode 1.03 "Dinner Date with Death" *'' Life As We Know It'' (2004) *''

Method & Red ''Method & Red'', sometimes written ''Meth and Red'', is an American television sitcom that originally ran on Fox from June 16 to September 15, 2004. It starred hip hop recording artists Method Man & Redman, portraying fictionalized versions of ...

'' (2004) *'' Cracking Up'' (2004) *'' Lucky'' (2003) **episode 1.7 "Savant" **episode 1.13 "In the Stars" *''

Oliver Beene ''Oliver Beene'' is an American sitcom that premiered on Fox on March 9, 2003. The show was created by Howard Gewirtz. Set in 1962 and 1963, the show chronicled the trials and tribulations of the 11-to-12-year-old Oliver Beene (played by Grant ...

'' (2003) *''

Do Over ''Do Over'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series created by Kenny Schwartz and Rick Wiener about a man who gets a chance to relive his childhood. The series, which was originally broadcast on The WB from September 19 to December 5, 200 ...

'' (2002) **episode "Valentine's Day Dance" *''

Monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

'' (2002) **episode 2.03 "Mr. Monk Goes to the Ballgame" *''

Greg the Bunny ''Greg the Bunny'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on Fox in 2002. It starred Seth Green and a hand puppet named Greg the Bunny, originally invented by the team of Sean S. Baker, Spencer Chinoy and Dan Milano. Milano and ...

'' (2002) **episode 1.04 "Greg Gets Puppish *''

Leap of Faith A leap of faith, in its most commonly used meaning, is the act of believing in or accepting something outside the boundaries of reason. Overview The phrase is commonly attributed to Søren Kierkegaard; however, he never used the term, as he ...

'' (2002) *''

'' (2001) *'' Scrubs'' (2001-2006; 2009-2010) **episode 1.13 " My Balancing Act" **episode 1.14 " My Drug Buddy" **episode 1.23 " My Hero" **episode 1.24 " My Last Day" **episode 2.03 "

My Case Study The second season of the American comedy television series ''Scrubs (TV series), Scrubs'' premiered on NBC on September 26, 2002, and concluded on April 17, 2003, and consists of 22 episodes. For the second season Neil Flynn was made a series reg ...

" **episode 2.06 " My Big Brother" **episode 2.14 " My Brother, My Keeper" **episode 2.19 " My Kingdom" **episode 2.21 " My Drama Queen" **episode 3.02 " My Journey" **episode 3.03 " My White Whale" **episode 3.12 " My Catalyst" **episode 4.21 " My Quarantine" **episode 5.03 " My Day at the Races" **episode 5.16 " My Bright Idea **episode 8.02 "

My Jerks "My Jerks" is the 151st episode and television season premiere of the eighth season of the television series '' Scrubs''. The episode first aired on January 6, 2009, on ABC, following the show's departure from NBC. It was immediately followed by ...

" **episode 8.04 " My Saving Grace" **episode 9.01 " Our First Day of School" **episode 9.05 "Our Mysteries" **episode 9.10 "Our True Lies" *''

'' (1999-2001) **episode 2.13 "Games People Play" **episode 3.15 "Hot Child in the City" **episode 3.16 "Frenemies" **episode 4.05 "Ghost Town" **episode 4.06 "Baby, Talk Is Cheap" **episode 4.09 "Sex and the Country" **episode 4.10 "Belles of the Ball"

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Spiller, Michael 1961 births Living people American cinematographers American television directors People from Brooklyn People from New Jersey Primetime Emmy Award winners Directors Guild of America Award winners