Angry Doug Films is NYC filmmaker Michael Manese. As writer, editor, producer, director, his latest short is "The Pleasure of Being Served."
News 26 September 2020:
- MM is the recipient of the 2020 Inwood Arts Work Filmmaker Grant. The $ will be used to fund his next film, a comedy with an all-Asian cast shot in NYC "Asian PersuAsian." It will be completed in Spring 2021.
- "The Pleasure of Being Served" has been picked up by Philippine-based TV station ABS-CBN for broadcast in The Filipino Channel and their streaming platform for October's Filipino History Month. Stay tuned for more details!
MM on IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5251218/
News 26 September 2020:
- MM is the recipient of the 2020 Inwood Arts Work Filmmaker Grant. The $ will be used to fund his next film, a comedy with an all-Asian cast shot in NYC "Asian PersuAsian." It will be completed in Spring 2021.
- "The Pleasure of Being Served" has been picked up by Philippine-based TV station ABS-CBN for broadcast in The Filipino Channel and their streaming platform for October's Filipino History Month. Stay tuned for more details!
MM on IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5251218/
Visit SCREENINGS for the latest schedule of "The Pleasure of Being Served" screenings.
His other films such as "When Bart6874 met Lulu5547" and "Maxine" have screened in film festivals all over Europe and North America. The genres of his film works vary from experimental ("Maxine") to silent narrative ("When Bart6874 met Lulu5547"), to documentaries ("Annette Live at Bitter End" and "Philippines 2015").
FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS as of September 2020:
- Smiles IV Film Festival Staten Island, NYC USA 14-Aug-20
- Liftoff Pinewood Studios London, UK 13-Jun-20
- Kumu Online Online 1-Jun-20
- GanapTV Online Online 26-May-20
- BeBop Channel Festival - NYC Online 18-Jan-20
- Silk Festival on the Bushkill - Easton, PA USA - 21-Sep-2019
- Chautauqua Film Festival Chautauqua, NY USA 26-Jul-19
- Hang On To Your Shorts Asbury Park, NJ USA 22-Apr-18
- Inwood Film Festival NYC USA 26-Mar-18
- New York City International Film Festival NYC USA 8-Mar-18
- Albany Film Festival Albany, CA USA 6-Mar-18
- *Brightside Film Festival Jersey City, NJ USA 4-Mar-18
- Pelikultura University of the Philippines Los Banos, Philippines 18-Feb-18
- Cinematografo San Francisco, CA USA 11-Nov-17
- Cardiff International Film Festival Cardiff, Wales UK 19-Oct-17
- International Film Festival Manhattan New York City, USA 15-Oct-17
- **Golden Door International Film Festival Jersey City, NJ USA 7-Oct-17
- Sinehan sa Summer at the Philippine Consulate New York City, USA 3-Aug-17
- 40th Asian American International Film Festival New York City, USA 21-Jul-17
- ***iChill Film Festival Manila, Philippines 17-Jun-17
- Diwa Seattle, Washington USA 3-Jun-17
*
Nominee Best Screenplay: Michael Manese
Nominee Best Supporting Actress: Angelita Esperanza
**
Nominee Best Short Film
Nominee Best Director - Michael Manese
Nominee Best Actor - Graham Powell
Nominee Best Actress - Maan Cruz
Nominee Best Actress - Angelita Esperanza
Nominee Best Concept for a Short Film
***
Voted Most Controversial
non-competitive special screenings
- The Filipino Channel/ ABS-CBN streaming October 2020
- World Refugee Day Online Screening 2020-06-20
- Dragon Digital TV screening Maryland, USA 2018-07-01
- Necessary Studios New York City 2018-03-10
Short films
- "The Pleasure of Being Served" (2016) - 20 minutes, for mature audiences, in post production. Rosa, a Filipina domestic worker has to choose allegiances between Hudson, her American boss and Lynn, her Hudson's Filipina girlfriend.
- "Philippines 2015" (2015) - A 3 minute travelogue set to an old country song.
- "Anette: Live at the Bitter End" (2014) - 15 minute documentary about singer/songwriter Anette Norgaard's performance at a Manhattan night club.
- "2014 Seido Tournament Highlights" (2014) - Highlights from the 2014 Seido Tournament held in New York City.
- "Maxine" (2014) - 20 minutes, black and white, A mature, adult themed experimental piece about a man reminiscing about an old flame
- "When Bart6874 Met Lulu5547" (2012) - Senior Citizens use the Internet to find love and romance.
Biography
Born in the Philippines and raised in Passaic, NJ, MM studied filmmaking at Rutgers University (read more).
Blog
About the Bathroom Scene
I had a long speech thought out that I was going to pitch once I start casting the movie. For some reason, I wasn’t worried about the guy doing it, I was more concerned about the girl, if I could find someone to do it. I was going to say that the scene was going to be tastefully done, it’ll be quick, just in and out and the movie really needed it. Of course it was going to be a paid role and I was ready to negotiate for a little more pay.
I sort of had Mara on the back on my mind already when it was time to cast the role. It was a small role I thought she could handle it and no auditions would be necessary if she was interested. I remember I was walking along the upper west side, I called her and said I was making a movie and see if she was interested in appearing in it. I told her what the role was about and she said sure. Then I started telling her the nude bathroom scene part. I was prepared for some questions and possibly push backs or red flags or something. But I had my speech ready. I said, anyway, there’s a scene when she disrobes and enters the shower, we only see her back... immediately she said yes. But by then I was already on a roll telling her more about the scene and that it’s needed and everything. Again, she said yes, just like that. So that was easy.
For the guy, when I was auditioning them, I made sure we go over the entire script. I think there were times I reiterated to them that “it’s just going to be from your back.” None of the guys saw it as a red flag. Then after I met the guys the second time, I asked them, are you OK with the role? Is there anything here you object to. None of them said anything.
GRAHAM
The shoot itself was straight forward. I was paying more attention to Maan’s reactions than anything. I told her I needed her to be three things 1) annoyed 2) offended and 3) embarrassed all at the same time. I remember going over her reactions in the bathroom while PJ set up the camera and Rene worked on the sound. Graham and Mara were walking around, waiting while in their bathrobes.
Before the shoot, he was telling me how he would cover himself up with some kind of pouch so that Mara won’t see him. He was concerned about that more than anything, Mara seeing him since they were going to be supposedly nude together in the shower. I said to him, I didn’t care, it was something that he and Mara should negotiate with each other.
Graham came to me and casually asked me “We’re not shooting full frontal, right?” First of all I thought I had told him a few times already that there will be no frontal shots in this movie and second, the casual way he asked it seemed like that option was on the table. What would have happened had I said “of course there is”? I said no, there will not be frontal shots in this movie.
We did a couple of quick run throughs. I was focused on Maan the whole. I remember seeing in my peripherals Mara and Graham dropping trow, I thought it was straight forward so I didn’t need to fuss over them.
29 March 2017 - I've entered the short film in 30 film festivals and venues so far. These are early bird entries. I won't start hearing about results until May.
19 December 2016 - BD/DVDs R.I.P.? I've been giving out DVD copies of the movie to cast, crew and supporters. Many are declining them and are choosing to have the streaming link with password instead. Some don't have disc players and say they stream all their movies. Is this the end of an era?
02 December 2016 - I've been entering the short in film festivals. I've entered 4 so far, three in the U.S. and 1 in the UK. I don't mind writing about the venues I'm entering. But I would only do follow ups IF the film makes it.
DVD - Part of the incentive I gave for participating and contributing $ to the short film is they get a copy of the movie on DVD. The thing now is most of the people involved don't have players anymore. They just want it streamed. Interesting.
21 November 2016 - There's a non-sexual nude scene in the film, the part where the couple goes in the shower disregarding ROSA the main character who's cleaning. Some venues don't care for it. Should I delete the scene, censor or withdraw the film?
18 November 2016 - Looking forward to tomorrow's interview, thank you DJ Chinita/RaydioFilipino for having me on. Please tune tomorrow as I discuss my latest short film, the Filipino/American themed "The Pleasure of Being Served." SALAMAT!
23 July 2016 - I'm hosting a series of private screenings for cast, crew, family and friends of a rough draft of "The Pleasure of Being Served" for feedback purposes. It's 95% done, it just needs music and full credits. So far so good.
Talking Points - I'm trying to come up with talking points regarding interracial dating, sex, love, friendships, the immigrant experience, loneliness, and work ethic just in case these topics come up in conversations when promoting this short film. I'm not a political person. Certain characters and situations may come up as symbolic but I wouldn't read to much into them.
I had a long speech thought out that I was going to pitch once I start casting the movie. For some reason, I wasn’t worried about the guy doing it, I was more concerned about the girl, if I could find someone to do it. I was going to say that the scene was going to be tastefully done, it’ll be quick, just in and out and the movie really needed it. Of course it was going to be a paid role and I was ready to negotiate for a little more pay.
I sort of had Mara on the back on my mind already when it was time to cast the role. It was a small role I thought she could handle it and no auditions would be necessary if she was interested. I remember I was walking along the upper west side, I called her and said I was making a movie and see if she was interested in appearing in it. I told her what the role was about and she said sure. Then I started telling her the nude bathroom scene part. I was prepared for some questions and possibly push backs or red flags or something. But I had my speech ready. I said, anyway, there’s a scene when she disrobes and enters the shower, we only see her back... immediately she said yes. But by then I was already on a roll telling her more about the scene and that it’s needed and everything. Again, she said yes, just like that. So that was easy.
For the guy, when I was auditioning them, I made sure we go over the entire script. I think there were times I reiterated to them that “it’s just going to be from your back.” None of the guys saw it as a red flag. Then after I met the guys the second time, I asked them, are you OK with the role? Is there anything here you object to. None of them said anything.
GRAHAM
The shoot itself was straight forward. I was paying more attention to Maan’s reactions than anything. I told her I needed her to be three things 1) annoyed 2) offended and 3) embarrassed all at the same time. I remember going over her reactions in the bathroom while PJ set up the camera and Rene worked on the sound. Graham and Mara were walking around, waiting while in their bathrobes.
Before the shoot, he was telling me how he would cover himself up with some kind of pouch so that Mara won’t see him. He was concerned about that more than anything, Mara seeing him since they were going to be supposedly nude together in the shower. I said to him, I didn’t care, it was something that he and Mara should negotiate with each other.
Graham came to me and casually asked me “We’re not shooting full frontal, right?” First of all I thought I had told him a few times already that there will be no frontal shots in this movie and second, the casual way he asked it seemed like that option was on the table. What would have happened had I said “of course there is”? I said no, there will not be frontal shots in this movie.
We did a couple of quick run throughs. I was focused on Maan the whole. I remember seeing in my peripherals Mara and Graham dropping trow, I thought it was straight forward so I didn’t need to fuss over them.
29 March 2017 - I've entered the short film in 30 film festivals and venues so far. These are early bird entries. I won't start hearing about results until May.
19 December 2016 - BD/DVDs R.I.P.? I've been giving out DVD copies of the movie to cast, crew and supporters. Many are declining them and are choosing to have the streaming link with password instead. Some don't have disc players and say they stream all their movies. Is this the end of an era?
02 December 2016 - I've been entering the short in film festivals. I've entered 4 so far, three in the U.S. and 1 in the UK. I don't mind writing about the venues I'm entering. But I would only do follow ups IF the film makes it.
DVD - Part of the incentive I gave for participating and contributing $ to the short film is they get a copy of the movie on DVD. The thing now is most of the people involved don't have players anymore. They just want it streamed. Interesting.
21 November 2016 - There's a non-sexual nude scene in the film, the part where the couple goes in the shower disregarding ROSA the main character who's cleaning. Some venues don't care for it. Should I delete the scene, censor or withdraw the film?
18 November 2016 - Looking forward to tomorrow's interview, thank you DJ Chinita/RaydioFilipino for having me on. Please tune tomorrow as I discuss my latest short film, the Filipino/American themed "The Pleasure of Being Served." SALAMAT!
23 July 2016 - I'm hosting a series of private screenings for cast, crew, family and friends of a rough draft of "The Pleasure of Being Served" for feedback purposes. It's 95% done, it just needs music and full credits. So far so good.
Talking Points - I'm trying to come up with talking points regarding interracial dating, sex, love, friendships, the immigrant experience, loneliness, and work ethic just in case these topics come up in conversations when promoting this short film. I'm not a political person. Certain characters and situations may come up as symbolic but I wouldn't read to much into them.
Film festivals - rejected by
- Heartland International Film Festival
- Västerås Filmfestival
- Grand Concourse Film Screening Series - New York
- NYC Downtown Short Film Festival
- Zanzibar International Film Festival
- Cork Film Festival
- Austin Film Festival
- FILMMAKERS WITHOUT BORDERS
- Fiffen
- Deep Fried Film Festival
- Queens World Film Festival
- Chicago Visions Film Festival
- Rahway Reels: A Short Film Festival
- Fresno State's Asian Pacific Islander Film Fest
- SAG-AFTRA Foundation New York Short Film Showcase
- DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon
- Greater Dandenong Short Cuts Film Festival
- SCENECS International Debut Film Festival
- InShort Film Festival
- Wavestock
- Queen City Cinephiles Independent Film Screening & Discussion
- Somerville International Film Festival
- Boulevard Film Festival
- Link International Film Festival
- SANDPOINT FILM FESTIVAL
- New Orleans Film Festival
- Copenhagen Short Film Festival
- The 2019 Mosaic Film Festival
- DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
- Holden Village Film Festival
- Astoria NY Film Festival
- Jordanian International Short Film Festival
- XpoNorth
- Ortigia Film Festival
- Colchester Film Festival
- Summerfolk Short Film Showcase
- GRAND OFF - WORLD INDEPENDENT SHORT FILM AWARDS
- Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival
- BlackBox Short Film Festival
- Life Screenings International Film Festival
- Charlotte Asian Film Festival
- Bear Tooth Experimental Showcase
- Militello Independent Film Fest
- Live at Heart Film
- CINE MIAMI FEST
- Universal Film Festival
- FIKTIVA - Media Art Festival à PARIS
- San Mauro Film Festival
- Ithaca Pan Asian American Film Festival
- The 2019 Forwardian Film Festival
- Shenandoah Seasonal Film Series
- Short Film Showcase
- Copper Coast International Film Festival
- Butch Cassidy Film Festival
- Snowtown Film Festival
- The Digital Ticket Awards + Screening Series
- Mostra Cinema Taranto
- 33rd Edmonton International Film Festival
- Chicago International Film Festival
- Urbanworld Film Festival
- Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
- 24fps International Short Film Festival
- Brussels Independent Film Festival
- Slemani International Film Festival
- Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
- Manifesto Film Festival
- New Jersey Film Festival, New Brunswick, NJ
- Exposure Short Film Festival
- Asians On Film Festival of Shorts
- Danforth East Short Film Festival
- Chelsea Fashion & Film Festival
- The Shortstack Film Festival
- SEAxSEA: Southeast Asia x Seattle Film Festival
- IndieWorks (Monthly Screening Series)
- Georgetown University Shorts Film Festival
- Flux Screening Series
- The Lower East Side Film Festival
- Traverse City Film Festival
- Cinemadamare
- Roma Creative Contest
- Sunnyside Shorts Film Festival 2018
- shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival
- Freedom Shorts XIX (Philly's LARGEST Short Film Fest!)
- Trenton Film Festival
- BFF Borgarnes Film Freaks
- Milton Film Festival
- Blackbird Film Festival
- Rooftop Films
- Leeds International Film Festival
- LA Shorts International Film Festival
- Migranti Film Festival
- Tangier International Film Festival
- Jersey Shore Film Festival
- International Shorts 2019 (Washington DC, USA)
- Courts Mais Trash
- Sanford International Film Festival
- Filmfest Düsseldorf
- Courts critiques
- Tioga Film Festival
- Brattleboro Film Festival
- Seattle Asian American Film Festival
- FIKTIVA Media-Art Festival
- Dinner and a Movie: Saltwater Soirée
- WAMMFest (Women And Minorities in Media Festival)
- The 3rd Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival
- Hidden Shorts
- Cinemì Cinemà International Short Film Festival
- Movievalley Bazzacinema
- Prato Film Festival
- Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
- CAAMFest (formerly San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Festival)
- Woodstock Museum Film Festival
- Roselle Park Short Film Festival
- SAG-AFTRA Foundation New York Short Film Showcase
- Global Migration Film Festival
- Reel Teal Film Festival
- Bowery Film Festival
- The Macoproject Film Festival
- CortoDino Film Festival Dino De Laurentiis
- Oregon Cinema Arts Film Festival
- Houston Asian American & Pacific Islander Film Festival
- 21 Islands International Short Film Fest
- Raindance Film Festival
- OFF - Odense International Film Festival
- Leuven International Short Film Festival
- Tehran International Short Film Festival
- NBCUniversal Short Film Festival
- International Random Film Festival
- Stony Brook Film Festival
- Shanghai International Film Festival
- Ocean City Film Festival
- Hastings Film Fringe
- PopUp Anthology
- Colorado Dragon Film Festival
- Monstronale Festival
- HBOAccess 2018 Directing Fellowship
- 16. Int. Low & No Budget film-sharing Festival 2019
- Reel Shorts Film Festival
- Chippewa Valley Film Festival
- CINEMA OF NATIONS ENCOUNTER
- Calgary International Film Festival
- Inconnu Festival - courts métrages indépendants
- Smoky Mountain Film Festival
- Coney Island Film Festival
- Seneca Film Festival
- Melbourne Underground Film Festival
- 24fps International Short Film Festival
- Strasburg Film Festival
- Kortfilmsdagen
- Filmkreis shorts
- Indie Cyprus Short Film Festival
- Chelmsford Short Film Festival
- Cottontown Film Festival
- Cambria Film Festival
Official trailer
A deceptively simple story filled with symbolism and archetypes that touches upon topics such as Sex, Race, White Privilege, Misogyny, Work Ethic, Morality, the Immigrant Experience, and Friendship.
makilala tv intervew july 2015
Filipino Filmmaker Rodney Reyes and I were interviewed on Makilala (get to know) TV. To view clips by segments visit: interview.