Michael J. Epstein Explained

Michael J. Epstein
Birth Place:Smithtown, New York, U.S.
Occupation:Artist, filmmaker, writer, actor, songwriter, musician
Nationality:American
Alma Mater:Northeastern University
Spouse:Sophia Cacciola

Michael J. Epstein (born 1976), is an American filmmaker, musician, writer, and auditory scientist. Epstein has also spoken and written about the impact of local media on the arts, music service gatekeeping, effective social networking, and crowdfunding.

Early life and education

Epstein was born in Smithtown, New York. His father is author Lawrence J. Epstein. Epstein grew up in Stony Brook, New York.[1] and was raised Jewish.[2]

Epstein comes from a technical background, but shifted toward creative work, saying he, "was building electronics projects and writing adventure games on my VIC-20 in gradeschool... [and] started seeing a lot of commonality between all of this creative work and my more formal training in electrical engineering as my creative skills advanced."[3]

Epstein received a BS in electrical engineering from Binghamton University[4] and a PhD in electrical and computer engineering in 2004 from Northeastern University and joined the audiology faculty there in 2005.[5] Epstein became a tenured professor at the university,[6] [7] studying psychoacoustics, loudness, auditory electrophysiology, and sound design before leaving Boston in 2016 to pursue full-time filmmaking.[8] [9] [10]

Career

Film

Epstein, in collaboration with his wife, Sophia Cacciola, has directed multiple feature films, including: TEN, Magnetic, Blood of the Tribades, Clickbait,[11] The Transformations of the Transformations of the Drs. Jenkins,[12] and The Once and Future Smash.[13] The pair are focused on creating sociopolitical genre films.[14] [15] Their film Clickbait started playing at festivals in 2018.[16]

Epstein describes his process for creating films as thematic.[17] Discussing his first feature TEN, he noted, "We really wanted to expand typical characterization themes of using shortcuts and stereotypes to touch on the broader narrative of the film. Because the film is about the arbitrary meaninglessness of identity, we wanted to recontextualize the film itself repeatedly by shifting tone and genre."[18] Michael Gingold of Fangoria described TEN saying, "it veers off in directions you likely won't see coming, both in narrative terms and in the way it explores questions of female identity.”[19] Lauren Shiro of Curve wrote, "the movie takes on a political and sociological stance, examining stereotypes, identity, and also the subtext and themes behind story lines."[20]

Epstein has directed Artsploitation's A Taste of Phobia,[21] Troma's Grindsploitation,[22] and the 60 Seconds to Die series.[23] [24]

Epstein was the winner of the 2022 Innovation in Film award at Nightmares Film Festival along with partner, Sophia Cacciola.[25] Epstein has collaborated with monochrom's Johannes Grenzfurthner,[26] Izzy Lee, Ungovernable Films,[27] [28] Troma,[29] Tanya Pearson of the Women of Rock Oral History Project,[30] [16] and Stephen Stull of BizarroLand Film Festival.

Music

Epstein has played in indie bands, including The Motion Sick, Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, Darling Pet Munkee, and Neutral Uke Hotel.[31] [32]

The Motion Sick, featuring Epstein on guitar and vocals, were featured as the band of the month in 2006 in SPIN Magazine[33] and were selected as the best unsigned band in Boston by commercial radio station WFNX during the Last Band Standing competition.[34] They also won The Boston Phoenix Best Local Band 2009.[35]

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling, featuring Epstein on bass, were awarded the 6th most creative video of 2011 in TIME Magazine.[36]

The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, with Epstein on guitar and vocals, was selected as a CBS best rock band.[37] The band has focused on collaborations, including an original rock ballet at Dorchester's Strand Theatre with BalletRox,[38] Art-Exchange: a collaboration with artists to write songs based on visual works and create visual works based on songs, 37 songs to celebrate speakers at TEDxSomerville and a three-season run as the house band on the franchised Encyclopedia Show.[39] The band was part of a documentary created by Berklee College Pulse to showcase different processes for songwriting.[40] [41]

Epstein also plays in Darling Pet Munkee, a band that writes garage-rock songs about items sold in comic books[42] [43] [44] and kindie band, Space Balloons,[45] [46] focusing on children's songs about out-of-place aliens obsessed with moustaches and Kurt Vonnegut.[47]

Academia

Epstein was a professor of Audiology/Bioengineering/Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University from 2005 to 2016. He studied loudness and auditory physiology and has more than 40 published articles and abstracts.[48] [49] He co-authored the Oxford University Press Handbook of Auditory Sciences chapter on Loudness.[50] His PLOS ONE 2016 article, "Toward a differential diagnosis of hidden hearing loss in humans"[51] was featured in The Wall Street Journal[52] and Scientific American.[53] It helped explain why many people with normal hearing struggle to hear in noisy situations.

Writing

Epstein has written short stories in the anthology "The Unnaturals" as part of Hydra Publications' Dystopian Express,[54] BIGFOOT DOES NOT EXIST!: An introduction to the fundamental principles of statistics, science, and logic,[55] and a crowdfunding guidebook for the In 30 Minutes series,[56] which was a finalist in the Foreword INDIES competition[57] and the Independent Publishers of New England Book Awards.[58]

Epstein has written articles for the starter filmmaking site, Filmmaking Fool.[59]

Art

Together with Sophia Cacciola, Epstein was awarded an art residency with monochrom at Museumsquartier in Vienna, Austria in autumn 2017.[60] He created Nothen für die Tothen, an interactive music art installation for Roboexotica.[61]

Epstein also created sound collage art under the name "M-sli©k da ninjA"[62] and was involved with The Droplift project,[63] [64] for which CDs with copyright-violating samples were reverse-shoplifted onto store shelves,[65] [66] Dictionaraoke,[67] [68] [69] songs created with vocals by dictionary readings of words, and the Beethoven Reclamation Society, a piece in which many artists each recreated a segment of Beethoven's 9th Symphony using sound collaging.[70]

Personal life

Epstein is married to filmmaker and artist Sophia Cacciola.[71] He resides in Los Angeles.

Selected filmography

YearFilmDirectorWriterProducerActorCinematographer
2022The Once and Future Smash
2021[72] The Transformations of the Transformations of the Drs. Jenkins
2020[73] Darling Pet Monkey
2019[74] Half-Cocked
2018[75] Clickbait
2017[76] Grindsploitation 2: The Lost Reels
2017[77] Blood of the Tribades
2015[78] Magnetic
2014[79] TEN
2011Quiet Desperation

Selected discography

YearArtistAlbum TitleSongwriterVocalsGuitarBassProduction/Engineering
2020Night KissesLaunch Over Short Film Scores, Vol. 1
2019Night KissesClickbait
2017Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darlinginformation...information...information! (The Complete Prisoner Recordings)
2017Do Not Forsake Me Oh My DarlingWhose Side Are You On?
2016Night KissesBlood of the Tribades
2016Do Not Forsake Me Oh My DarlingIn the Village
2015Night KissesMagnetic
2015Catherine Capozzi and Axemunkee present: Bring Us Your WomenBring Us Your Women
2014The Michael J. Epstein Memorial LibraryTEDxSomerville Speaker Songs 2012-14
2013Do Not Forsake Me Oh My DarlingBy Hook or By Crook
2012Darling Pet MunkeeGlows in the Dark!
2012Darling Pet MunkeeYou Better Believe It!
2012The Michael J. Epstein Memorial LibraryFaith in Free
2012Space BalloonsWelcome to Balloononia
2012The Michael J. Epstein Memorial LibraryThe Art-Music Exchange
2011Do Not Forsake Me Oh My DarlingQuestions Are a Burden to Others
2011The Michael J. Epstein Memorial LibraryVolume One
2010Do Not Forsake Me Oh My DarlingThe New Number 2
2008The Motion SickThe Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait...
2006The Motion SickHer Brilliant Fifteen
2002M-sli©k da ninjAAphorisms on Aphonia and Aphasia: Your Cure For Aphagia (A Collection of 39 Works 1994 - 2000)
1998Binary Test RecordBinary Test Record

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rice. Lewis. Music to His Ears. Northeastern Alumni Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20120705172453/http://www.northeastern.edu/magazine/fall06/feature4.shtml. 2012-07-05.
  2. Web site: Four Questions with Musician Michael J. Epstein. Jewish Boston.
  3. Web site: Michael J. Epstein [Interview]]. 16 October 2017. Trainwreckdsociety.com. 10 November 2018.
  4. Web site: Northeastern University Alumni Magazine feature. Numag.neu.edu.
  5. Web site: Northeastern University Alumni Magazine feature. Numag.neu.edu.
  6. Web site: Creepy Sounds in Modern Film . Northeastern University.
  7. Web site: Meet Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over in Hollywood . Voyage LA. 31 July 2018 .
  8. Web site: Musical artist is leaving for LA; just no future in Boston area. Universalhub.com.
  9. Web site: Financial strains, limited options for artists push powerhouse creatives out of the area. Cambridgeday.com. 18 February 2016 .
  10. Web site: Longtime Fixtures in the Boston Arts Scene Explain Why They're Leaving Town. Bostonmagazine.com. 17 February 2016 .
  11. Web site: CLICKBAIT - Without Your Head. Withoutyourhead.com. 10 November 2018.
  12. Web site: GENREBLAST 2021: FIVE FILM FAVORITES . Morbidly Beautiful. 22 September 2021 .
  13. Web site: EXCLUSIVE COMMENTS, FEST INFO, TRAILERS: HORROR MOCK DOC "THE ONCE AND FUTURE SMASH" AND '70S SLASHER HOMAGE "END ZONE 2" . Rue Morgue. 28 September 2022 .
  14. Web site: Erotic vampire movie BLOOD OF THE TRIBADES sees release. Rue-morgue.com. 2018-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20170313041710/http://www.rue-morgue.com/single-post/2017/01/09/Exclusive-commentsdetails-Erotic-vampire-movie-BLOOD-OF-THE-TRIBADES-sees-release. 2017-03-13. dead.
  15. Web site: SOPHIA CACCIOLA DISCUSSES SHOWCASING WOMEN IN FILM VIA SOCIOPOLITICAL HORROR AND SCI-FI . SyFy Wire.
  16. Web site: Meet Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over in Hollywood. Voyagela.com. 31 July 2018.
  17. Web site: What Is Theme? - Michael J. Epstein . YouTube - Film Courage.
  18. Web site: (re)Search my Trash. Searchmytrash.com. 10 November 2018.
  19. Web site: TEN in Fangoria issue 335. Blog.michaeljepstein.com.
  20. Web site: No One Is Who They Seem. Not Even You. Lauren. Shiro. Curvemag.ocm. 23 April 2014 . 10 November 2018.
  21. Web site: Artsploitation Films Gets A TASTE OF PHOBIA . 24 March 2018. Screamfix.com. 10 November 2018.
  22. Web site: "Grindsploitation 2: The Lost Reels" COMING SOON! from Troma Entertainment, Inc.!. myemail.constantcontact.com. 10 November 2018.
  23. Web site: Official Trailer For 60 SECONDS TO DIE Is Now Out! - Horror Society. 13 September 2016. Horrorsociety.com. 10 November 2018.
  24. Web site: Horror Anthology "60 Seconds To Die" hits DVD, December 5!. 28 November 2017. Screenanarchy.com. 10 November 2018.
  25. Web site: Baldwin . Daniel . Ethereal Thrills and Nostalgic Zeal: Day Three of Nightmares Film Festival 2022 . Dread Central. 24 October 2022 .
  26. Web site: Vienna Round-Up! Our adventures in Austria in November. 17 January 2018. Blog.mikeandsophia.com. 10 November 2018.
  27. Web site: TWS Week of Horror Day 2: Paul M. McAlarney [Interview]]. 24 October 2016. Trainwreckedsociety.com. 10 November 2018.
  28. Web site: UNGOVERNABLE FILMS - the ungovernable force. Ungovernablefilms.com. 10 November 2018.
  29. Web site: Michael J. Epstein [Interview]]. 16 October 2017. Trainwreckedsociety.com. 10 November 2018.
  30. Web site: Volunteer Staff. Women of Rock. 10 November 2018.
  31. Web site: Putting The Uke In Neutral Milk Hotel. radioboston.legacy.wbur.org. 10 November 2018.
  32. Web site: Concert Review: Neutral Uke Hotel at Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA. 22 April 2011. Theywillrockyou.com. 10 November 2018.
  33. Web site: SPIN Magazine. Spin.com . 13 January 2006.
  34. Web site: Last Band Standing. Thenoise-boston.com . 30 May 2007.
  35. Web site: Boston Phoenix. Zedequalszee.com . 17 April 2009.
  36. Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling "Episode 1: Arrival" - 6th most creative video of the 2011 in TIME. Time. 7 December 2011.
  37. Web site: CBS Boston's Best Local Rock Bands. Boston.cbsllocal.com . 7 August 2013.
  38. Web site: The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library & BalletRox Saturday night soiree – musings from boston. Bostonsurvivalguide.net. 10 November 2018.
  39. Web site: The Encyclopedia Show Brings Music, Mirth and Madness to the Davis Square Theatre - Scout Somerville. Marisa. Dellatto. scoutsomerville.com. 10 November 2018.
  40. Web site: Banded: Behind the Making of a Song - Berklee College of Music. Berklee.edu. 10 November 2018.
  41. Web site: Berklee Grove: "What Happens When 5 Boston Bands Bare Their Creative Souls to a Berklee Film Crew?". Berkleegroove.com. 10 November 2018.
  42. Web site: Darling Pet Munkee / Boing Boing. Boing Boing. 10 November 2018.
  43. Web site: DARLING PET MUNKEE…It's A Band Based On Old Ads Found In the Back of Comics…You're Gonna Like Them. 2 July 2012. Forcesofgeek.com. 10 November 2018.
  44. Web site: DOCTERROR.COM. Docterror.com. 10 November 2018.
  45. http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2011/11/local_musicians_cater_all_ages_kindie_rock
  46. Web site: Somerville media monarchs float toward children's TV with 'Space Balloons' songs - Cambridge Day. Cambridgeday.com. 3 September 2013 . 10 November 2018.
  47. Web site: An artistic tribute to Kurt Vonnegut Jr.. Thesomervilletimes.com. 10 November 2018.
  48. Web site: Google Scholar Profile of Epstein . Scholar.google.com.
  49. Web site: Michael Epstein . ORCiD.
  50. Web site: Oxford Handbook of Auditory Science: Hearing. Oxfordhandbooks.com. 2010 . 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199233557.001.0001 . 978-0-19-923355-7 . Plack . Christopher J .
  51. Toward a differential diagnosis of hidden hearing loss in humans. 2016. 10.1371/journal.pone.0162726. Liberman. M. Charles. Epstein. Michael J.. Cleveland. Sandra S.. Wang. Haobing. Maison. Stéphane F.. PLOS ONE. 11. 9. e0162726. 27618300. 5019483. 2016PLoSO..1162726L. free.
  52. News: Can't Hear in Noisy Places? It's a Real Medical Condition. Wall Street Journal. 26 September 2016. Beck. Melinda.
  53. Web site: Can You Hear Me Now? Detecting Hidden Hearing Loss in Young People. Scientificamerican.com.
  54. Book: Dystopian Express. 9781942212300. 10 November 2018. Blankenship. Robin. Hall. F. L.. 5 November 2015. Hydra Publications .
  55. Book: Epstein . Michael . Reiser . Elana . BIGFOOT DOES NOT EXIST!: An introduction to the fundamental principles of statistics, science, and logic . April 8, 2020 .
  56. Web site: Crowdfunding book - Crowdfunding Basics In 30 Minutes. Crowdfunding Basics In 30 Minutes. 10 November 2018.
  57. Web site: Crowdfunding Basics In 30 Minutes is a finalist in the Foreword INDIES competition - In 30 Minutes Guides. 27 March 2018. In30minutes.com. 10 November 2018.
  58. Web site: Independent Publishers of New England - 2017 IPNE Book Award Winners. Ipne.org. 10 November 2018.
  59. Web site: Michael J. Epstein. Filmmaking Fool. 10 November 2018.
  60. Web site: Q21. MuseumsQuartier Wien. 10 November 2018.
  61. Web site: MQ Journal. MuseumsQuartier Wien. 10 November 2018.
  62. Web site: M-sli©k da ninjA: Aphorisms on Aphonia and Aphasia: Your Cure For Aphagia (A Collection of 39 Works 1994 – 2000). 12 February 2011. Blog.mikeandsophia.com. 10 November 2018.
  63. Web site: Free Music Archive: Various Artists [Droplift] - The Droplift Project]. freemusicarchive.org. 10 November 2018.
  64. Web site: The Droplift Project. 25 November 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051125022224/http://www.droplift.org/. 10 November 2018. 25 November 2005. live.
  65. Web site: Shopdropping aka Droplifting: Guide to Reverse Shoplifting. 27 December 2007. Weburbanist.com. 10 November 2018.
  66. Web site: Shoplifting in Reverse. Matt. Hilburn. Chicagoreader.com. 8 February 2001. 10 November 2018.
  67. Web site: http://www.dictionaraoke.org/. 2 June 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060602010823/http://www.dictionaraoke.org/. 10 November 2018. 2006-06-02.
  68. Web site: Dictionaraoke. Npr.org. 10 November 2018.
  69. Dictionaraoke. Wired. 10 November 2018.
  70. Web site: The Beethoven Reclamation Society presents The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125. 24 May 2017. Blog.mikeandsophia.com. 10 November 2018.
  71. Web site: Longtime fixtures in the Boston music and arts scenes explain why they are leaving town - Vanyaland . 2018-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181111044046/http://www.vanyaland.com/2016/02/17/longtime-fixtures-in-the-boston-music-and-arts-scenes-explain-why-they-are-leaving-town/ . 2018-11-11 . dead .
  72. Web site: GenreBlast 2021: Five Film Favorites. 22 September 2021 .
  73. Web site: Prinn . Daniel . Fantasia 2020 Short Films – Central Dental, Darling Pet Monkey, Eyes of Eidolon, Night Shifts and Smiley Death Face . Filmcraziest . en . 2 September 2020.
  74. Web site: Half-Cocked (2019) Short Film Review . Screen Fervor.
  75. Web site: Movie Review: Clickbait (2018) - horrorfuel.com. 24 July 2018.
  76. Web site: Exclusive World Premieres of Grindsploitation 2, La Isla Del Infierno & short film French Kitty - Horror Society. 2 February 2017.
  77. Web site: BLOOD OF THE TRIBADES: Film Review - THE HORROR ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE. 24 September 2016.
  78. Web site: The Death of DIY? - Scout Somerville. Kristofer. Jenson. scoutsomerville.com.
  79. Web site: TEN: An Interview with Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola - Film Thrills. 14 April 2014.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Michael J. Epstein".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.