After graduate studies at CalArts in Valencia, California, Mike was brought to the attention of record executives with his Student Academy Award winning short 'Commuter'. Employing his unmistakable drawing style, he began his career in music videos by animating the epic MTV hit 'Take On Me' for A-Ha. He then teamed up with his wife Candace Reckinger to direct a string of MTV hits, among them Suzanne Vega's 'Luka', Sting's 'Be Still My Beating Heart', and Paula Abdul's 'Opposites Attract', which won the Grammy Award for Best Video. By the mid-90's, Mike shifted his focus to commercials. Coming from an art and photography background, he enjoys combining his live action directing skills with CGI, character animation, effects, and design expertise. His work includes award-winning spots for General Mills, Reebok, Yoplait, Nestle, and Intel, including a Clio for 'Videophone-Bald' with Jason Alexander for Intel. Placing a high value on quality and collaboration, Mike dedicates himself to each project thru finish.