Meet Mike McGuff | Runaway Radio” director/writer/producer”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike McGuff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
It took me 14 years to fully release my documentary “Runaway Radio,” and there were times it looked like I should walk away.

Luckily I am stubborn. It was also one of those situations in which you don’t know what you don’t know, so ignorance is bliss.

I’m glad I didn’t quit because the film is now streaming on Video on Demand (VOD), getting great reviews, has played three different Houston theater chains, and is now available on DVD.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey into the “Runaway Radio” documentary started in local television news.

Over the years, I worked as a reporter, fill-in anchor, special projects producer, and digital media producer. All those experiences helped start my journey into documentary filmmaking, and I’m sure I used lessons from all of those jobs throughout the production process.

As a kid, I always wanted to make a film. I was one of those kids in the 80s and 90s who had an 8-millimeter video camera with two VCRs connected to a Radio Shack audio mixer.

But living in Houston, I thought the only way to make a film was to move to Los Angeles or New York.

Thankfully, technology moved away from 8-millimeter cameras and VCRs, to make it easier for anyone to technically make a film. And wow, did camera and editing technology change as I was in production.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is such a large city, and that means there is a lot to do if you are coming into town. With a name like “Space City,” you should definitely visit NASA and Space Center Houston whenever you are in the area.

While in that part of this massive metro area, do yourself a favor and head to Galveston Island. The beaches, The Strand, the food, the history, and the shopping will keep you busy.

The Houston Museum District is quite good, too. There are 20 museums, including the Houston Zoo, and my mission is to take my kids to all of them.

Of course, The Galleria is the ultimate shopping district.

Houston is full of restaurants, but let me tell you about one of my hidden gems: a sandwich shop – Paulie’s Poboys on Bellaire (formerly Antone’s). Trust me, this family-owned shop serves sandwiches like nowhere else.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jeffrey Brown was instrumental in helping me release “Runaway Radio.” He has worked on many documentaries and music docs in particular, one of which, “Nothing Stays The Same,” was recently a SXSW Music Doc Prize winner.

With that knowledge and background, I knew he was the producer who could help me reach the finish line, and he more than delivered.

I also want to thank Michael Repsch of Dark Star Pictures, who believed in releasing the film.

Website: https://mikemcguff.com

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemcguff/

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