Angry Doug Films is NYC filmmaker Michael Manese. For information on his latest projects as writer/ director/ editor/ producer visit:
Michael Manese on IMDB
- "Filipinos Get Some" (2022)
- "The Pleasure of Being Served" (2017) - 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.
- "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.
- "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.
Michael Manese on IMDB
Biography
Born in the Philippines and raised in Passaic, NJ, MM studied filmmaking at Rutgers University (read more).
Blog
About the Bathroom Scene - Pleasure of Being Served
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.
The second trailer - release 04 nov 2021
Inwood art works podcast interview
Sunday 17 October 2021
Thanks for Aaron Simms and Inwood Art Works for your continued support of me and my filmmaking. This podcast covers insights on myself as a filmmaker and my current project "Filipinos Get Some" (then known as "Asian PersuAsian."
Thanks for Aaron Simms and Inwood Art Works for your continued support of me and my filmmaking. This podcast covers insights on myself as a filmmaker and my current project "Filipinos Get Some" (then known as "Asian PersuAsian."
announcing the cast of "filipinos get some"
1 minute trailer of "Filipinos Get some"
Sunday 11 July 2021
Thank you Richie Rillera at Philippine Daily Mirror for your write up about me, my filmmaking and my upcoming "Asian Persuasian." Read read the article read FilAm filmmaker to start shooting “Asian PersuAsian”/ Philippine Daily Mirror 07 July 2021
Thursday 01 July 2021
I'm so psyched I rounded up the male cast of my upcoming short film. Now to work on the actresses...
Thursday 15 April 2021
Happy New Year! My first update in 2021! Great news, I'm fully vaccinated so I can move forward with my latest film project "Asian Persuasion." First step 1) build the hype - Spread the word, come up with a poster. I want to design it and put it together myself that's why I started painting, I have some ideas... build a social media strategy with IG, FB and Twitter, spread the news via word of mouth, through friends, family and colleagues 2) scout for locations in Inwood and Washington Heights (Fort Tryon Park, Isham, etc.) 3) Start auditioning in a safe manner...
Thank you Richie Rillera at Philippine Daily Mirror for your write up about me, my filmmaking and my upcoming "Asian Persuasian." Read read the article read FilAm filmmaker to start shooting “Asian PersuAsian”/ Philippine Daily Mirror 07 July 2021
Thursday 01 July 2021
I'm so psyched I rounded up the male cast of my upcoming short film. Now to work on the actresses...
Thursday 15 April 2021
Happy New Year! My first update in 2021! Great news, I'm fully vaccinated so I can move forward with my latest film project "Asian Persuasion." First step 1) build the hype - Spread the word, come up with a poster. I want to design it and put it together myself that's why I started painting, I have some ideas... build a social media strategy with IG, FB and Twitter, spread the news via word of mouth, through friends, family and colleagues 2) scout for locations in Inwood and Washington Heights (Fort Tryon Park, Isham, etc.) 3) Start auditioning in a safe manner...
Wednesday 16 December 2020
Thank you "Hang On to Your Shorts" Film Festival for having me on as a guest on your podcast. As a 3x alumnus of your festival ("When bart6874 met lulu5547," "Maxine," and "The Pleasure of Being Served") it is an honor and a privilege to have your ongoing support!
Thank you "Hang On to Your Shorts" Film Festival for having me on as a guest on your podcast. As a 3x alumnus of your festival ("When bart6874 met lulu5547," "Maxine," and "The Pleasure of Being Served") it is an honor and a privilege to have your ongoing support!
Tuesday 03 November 2020
Great news! Inwood Art Works will be streaming my short film "The Pleasure of Being Served" on Friday 13 November @ 3pm. More information to follow!
Great news! Inwood Art Works will be streaming my short film "The Pleasure of Being Served" on Friday 13 November @ 3pm. More information to follow!
Monday 02 November 2020
I hosted a zoom reading of the screenplay yesterday with some close friends and family. It's great hearing the lines being said out loud. Thanks to everyone who participated. On to the next draft...
I hosted a zoom reading of the screenplay yesterday with some close friends and family. It's great hearing the lines being said out loud. Thanks to everyone who participated. On to the next draft...
Wednesday 21 October 2020
Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund Awards Announcement - Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund Awards announces the recipients for this year awards including myself to make my next film, the all-Asian cast comedy: "Asian PersuAsian." In this YouTube video the 8 filmmakers spoke about themselves and why they're making their projects at this time. For more information visit:
- Inwood Art Works Inwood Arts Film Works
- Inwood Art Works Facebook
- Inwood Art Works Instagram
Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund Awards Announcement - Inwood Film Festival Filmmaker Fund Awards announces the recipients for this year awards including myself to make my next film, the all-Asian cast comedy: "Asian PersuAsian." In this YouTube video the 8 filmmakers spoke about themselves and why they're making their projects at this time. For more information visit:
- Inwood Art Works Inwood Arts Film Works
- Inwood Art Works Facebook
- Inwood Art Works Instagram
Saturday 10 October 2020
Thank you Asienne Magazine for this online interview about myself, Maan, and my short film "The Pleasure of Being Served" to help celebrate this year's Filipino American History Month.
Thank you Asienne Magazine for this online interview about myself, Maan, and my short film "The Pleasure of Being Served" to help celebrate this year's Filipino American History Month.
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/
- 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.

21 July 2017 - What artist doesn't dream of having their work presented in a museum? Thank you Asian Cinevision and the 40th Asian American International Film Festival for screening the Pleasure of Being Served as part of your program at the Asia Museum.
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.
Filipino Filmmaker Rodney Reyes and I were interviewed on Makilala (get to know) TV. To view clips by segments visit: interview.