ABOUT MICHELE ABBOTT:

Michele Abbott, Executive Producer of Road Trip Films, has been involved in the Production of Music Videos and Television Commercials since 1990. She continues on as a Freelance Line Producer and recently as the Owner and Executive Producer of Road Trip Films.  She would continue to write this in the 3rd person but feels awkward talking about herself as "she"; so she will continue on as I.  

I started out as a Production Assistant.  I had no idea what a PA was or how to do it, but I knew it involved wearing jeans, practical shoes and playing with walkie-talkies, so it seemed better than selling furniture for Grantree Office Rentals. 

Not that I did that...purely an example.

My career path came to include working on Music Videos for Artists such as: Madonna, Whitney Houston, REM, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary J. Blige, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, The Wallflowers, No Doubt and a personal highlight; Dolly Parton singing the Dance remix of "Peace Train" Directed by Christopher Ciccone, Madonna's brother.  For Real. 

Visual themes for Music Video's turned dark and brutal, budgets were soon to follow.  I remember seeing an Art PA go on a run that included collecting a fresh pigs head from Chinatown and some cut rate white pigeons, to pass for doves.  When the crate full of birds broke open in the car, the Cop who stopped the PA did not find the pork and bird combo amusing.

I strategized how to get more involved in commercials and set my sights on Line Producing.  I had previously worked at RSA-USA with Director Jake Scott on a Tori Amos Video called “Past the Mission”, as the Production Manager. 

I orchestrated the shoot in Spain by running through donkey lined streets of Arcos De La Fronterra with a back pack full of cash, shouting to wandering Extras all I could remember in Spanish; "Todos Aqui"!   RSA acknowledged my performance under pressure and they also knew I was very conscientious with my paperwork, as was evidenced by the handwritten receipt on a wine stained napkin for "sheep holding area inside local coordinator’s Uncle’s house".

At RSA I was fortunate enough to Produce for Jake, Luke, Jordan Scott and others including Laurence Dunmore,  Sam Bayer, Hype Williams, ACNE, Ben Mor, Josh Miller & Chris Nelson.  I've also worked at Smuggler with Brian Beletic & Renny Maslow, Villains with Phil Joanou, Propaganda with Bryan Singer, Partizan with Warren Kushner and more.  Accounts have ranged from AT&T, Amex, AOL, Visa, Nike & an array of other shoes, cars, sodas, banks, drugs and a few PSA's to balance out the list.

My taste for Road Trips came into full fruition on a few of my all time favorite jobs. 

Nike "Magnets", featuring Lance Armstrong and Directed by Jake Scott, started off with a brilliant idea for "tech scouting" all over the state with the crew and I in a rock n roll bus.  When we closed down 16 square blocks in San Francisco, chasing bike riders through the street and using seemingly every cop in town, I almost cried at the sheer magnitude of it all.  Don't ask me about Lance Armstrong's one and only, one of a kind, did I say, ONLY ONE, Helmet.  A stomach dropping moment involving said Helmet and a sunset come too early, nearly resulted in weeping as well.

California Tourism.  The Ultimate Road Trip.  Since early 2000, I have been fortunate enough to Line Produce most

of the spots in the Campaign.  The Tourism spots have become recognized for their amazing locations and celebrity appearances.  I Produced many of the spots, up and down the state of California, with featured celebrities including; Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Jay Leno, Vanessa Williams and Marissa Miller to name a few.  Also, lots of famous skiers, athletes and foodies, plus The Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver.  And yes, he does say "You'll Be Back". 

Now at Road Trip Films, whether putting together a full 35mm shoot & crew, working lean with the Canon 5D's and other HD-Digital SLR's, shooting PSA's, webisodes, running footage or working with Vis FX or Post Production companies, I hope to create more memorable work and continue the adventure as Executive Producer of Road Trip Films.

I also Co-Created a TV show.

The L Word:

IMDb

Here’s Dolly!

Dolly Parton

   For more info contact: michele@roadtripfilms.com