
Michael Thomas James
Editing
Biography
Michael Thomas James is a Chicago-based editor who works on narrative feature films, shorts and documentaries such as the Emmy award winning Pooh: The Derrick Rose Story. He is also known for supervising dailies processing for network shows, such as The Bear and The Chi.
Known For

A relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story following a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. The story centers on Brandon, an ambitious and confident young man who dreams about opening a restaurant of his own someday, but is conflicted between the promise of a new life and his responsibility to his mother and teenage brother back in the South Side.
The Chi

A comedy that follows three Chicago EMTs who despite their narcissistic and self-destructive personalities are uniquely qualified to save lives.
Sirens

Sam is a true Kansan on the surface but beneath it all struggles to fit the hometown mold. As she grapples with loss and acceptance, singing is Sam’s saving grace and leads her on a journey to discover herself and a community of outsiders that don’t fit in but don’t give up, showing that finding your people, and finding your voice, is possible. Anywhere. Somewhere.
Somebody Somewhere

Moses Johnson is a promising high-school athlete with a bright future who’s accused of murdering a police officer during a drug bust gone wrong. Swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system, Moses’ case is taken up by ageing public defender Franklin Roberts, who sees this as his chance to finally challenge the institutional racism at the heart of the judicial system.
61st Street

A heart-in-your-throat drama, Red Line begins with the mistaken shooting of a black doctor at the hands of a white cop and unfolds from the perspective of each of the families connected to the tragedy. It's a then-and-now meets us-and-them tale about the often-personal politics of crime.
The Red Line

In the worlds of politics, academia, and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, Talcott Garland is an Ivy League law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death is questioned by Tal’s sister, Mariah, a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist, who believes that the judge, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.
The Emperor of Ocean Park

Follow a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of “Swan Lake.”
The Big Leap

Madeline Scott, a fierce and uncompromising lawyer with a hunger for justice, runs an underdog criminal defense firm. There is no one who understands the power of setting an innocent person free more than Madeline. At age 18, she was wrongfully convicted, along with her brother, in a sensational murder case. Madeline defends others as she fights to maintain her innocence and searches for the real killer in her own case.
Proven Innocent

Abby is a 45-year-old self-identified fat, queer dyke whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship.
Work in Progress

Seventeen-year-old Pakistani American teenager Hala struggles to balance desire with her family, cultural, and religious obligations. As she comes into her own, she grapples with a secret that threatens to unravel her family.
Hala

Paris Johnson and her best friends form the We-B-Girlz skate crew, determined to show and prove they have the hottest skate routines on the planet.
Saturdays

Eric and Kurt Sloane are the descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric's shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. Against Kurt's concerns, Eric accepts a paid offer and travels to Thailand to challenge the Muay Thai champion Tong Po and fails with dire consequences. Kurt sets out for revenge. He trains with his brother's mentor, Master Durand, for a Muay Thai fight against the merciless champion, Tong Po. Durand first thinks Kurt is impossible to train, but through a series of spiritual exercises and tests, Durand discovers that Kurt has a deeper strength that will carry him through his final showdown with Tong Po.
Kickboxer: Vengeance

In 1992 Chicago, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
We Grown Now

A coming of age film about a group of high school seniors forced to spend a Saturday at school completing an exam they either missed taking or failed. By the end of the day, they find their own values, betrayals and love within themselves and their classmates.
The Class

When Graham decides to surprise his family by traveling home for Christmas, he is shocked to discover them already celebrating with an unexpected guest of honor, his ex-fiancée, Ali. The two exes battle it out to see who the family will pick to stay through Christmas Day and who must go.
EXmas

Following a failed engagement, Lou discovers she has a talent for writing other people’s wedding vows. Word spreads across Chicago’s wedding scene and Lou’s services are in high demand. She even has a new admirer in Dash. But everything changes when she’s asked to write vows for Olivia, who’s marrying Warren, Lou’s old college flame.
Love Language

An agoraphobic hip-hop prodigy and a disgraced former music manager cross paths in Chicago’s South Side and help each other face demons of their pasts.
Beats

A small-town marshal who hasn't carried a gun since he left the Texas Rangers after a tragic shooting must pick up his gun again to do battle with a gang of outlaw bikers that has invaded the town to pull off a brazen and violent heist.
Disturbing the Peace

Chronicles a single day in the summer of 1989 when the future president of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago's South Side.
Southside with You

A group of aspiring filmmakers interview three individuals who claim to be monsters. However, unique incidents start to occur when they start filming.