Mike Whalen

Michael Whalen has been producing documentaries and television shows since 1994. His television experience includes writing, producing, and directing for such hit series as A&E’s Biography and The Discovery Channel’s Super Structures. Additionally, he has produced over 100 hours of documentary/reality programming for Fox Television, MTV, NBC, and The Learning Channel (TLC).

Whalen has also produced multiple award winning independent documentary films. His feature documentary, Another First Step, received The Cine Golden Eagle and the Bronze Plaque from the 42nd Annual Columbus. A Question of Habit, which explores American popular culture’s odd fascination with all things “nun,” premiered at the 2011 Queens World Film Festival, garnered four national awards and was broadcast on PBS stations in San Francisco (KQED) and Chicago (WTTW). The Farmer & The Chef, played to sold out crowds at the 2014 Cinequest Film Festival, and received the Gold REMI Award at the Worldfest Houston International Film Festival, as well as an Award of Excellence from the BEA Festival of Media Arts.

Whalen has also directed and edited two award winning works of narrative fiction. The feature film, Can’t Thread a Moving Needle investigates the problem of sexual assault on college campuses and won a Platinum REMI Award at the Worldfest International Film Festival. A Day with Benton explores the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease on a family and won Best Short Film at the BEA Festival of Media Arts.

In addition to his network television and independent film work, Whalen has been teaching filmmaking at Santa Clara University since 2001, where he is the chair of the Communications Department.

Featured in: SMPTE Education Workshop