Pop-Culturalist.com

Mike C. Manning is a passionate storyteller who’s using creative expression to bring important messages to the forefront of mainstream media. Whether he’s acting, producing, writing, or directing, each of his projects strives to create a deep and meaningful conversation with its audience long after the credits have rolled. His latest film, Lost in America, is a gripping documentary about the country’s homeless youth and their struggles. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Mike about Lost in America and how you (yes, you) can help make a change.

PC: Tell us about Lost in America and how you got involved with the project.
Mike: Lost in America is a documentary film about the homeless youth in America today. We traveled to 15 cities, interviewed over 30 homeless youth, and over 50 local and national organizations to really find out WHY youths are on the streets, WHAT life is like for them, and WHO are the people trying to help. The director and a few of his friends were in the early stages of gathering interviews from around the country. I fell in love with what they were doing and jumped on board. I really feel like this is an issue that can be solved if enough people learn about it.

PC: When did you discover your passion for creating projects that tackle big social themes?
Mike: The first documentary I helped produce was in 2013. It was a film about reform camps that abuse children. We sold it to Showtime and shortly after that film was used to help pass a law that would help prevent some of the abuse shown in the film. It was then that I truly realized the power of cinema in creating positive social change. Film as an art form has the potential to open audiences up to new ways of thinking and living. It’s a powerful agent for spreading empathy and I love that.

PC: You’re also a gifted actor. Was it a big adjustment to step behind the camera? What was the biggest challenge?
Mike: To me, telling a story is telling a story. Sometimes I belong in front of the camera, and sometimes I don’t. I’m not the type of person to say that I always have to be in a project as an actor to really be passionate about creating it. And producing has really opened my eyes to the other sides of filmmaking that I would have never been exposed to as an actor. Time management and rushing things on set is definitely different as a producer. The actor usually wants take after take to get it perfect. For the producer, time is money. That is still a balance I’m getting used to.

PC: How did your partnership with Rotimi Rainwater (director/writer) form and what was the collaboration like?
Mike: My favorite part about working on Lost in America has been collaborating with Rotimi in gathering the stories of the homeless youth and also the lawmakers that we spoke to. Rotimi is now in his 40s, but when he was 19, he was homeless. To work with him on an issue that is so personal has been really powerful and has continuously driven me to make this the best film that it can be. His heart bleeds for these kids and it really shows every time he interacts with them.

PC: The documentary features interviews with Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, and Jewel. How did they all get involved?
Mike: It was very important to us to not have a “celebrity for the sake of having a celebrity.” Each of the public figures in the film has either experienced homelessness, the foster care system, living in shelters, or they work with non-profits that help homeless youth. We just kept bugging them until they agreed to work with us. [laughs]

PC: What was the most surprising thing you learned about the homeless youth in America?
Mike: 5,000 homeless youth die in America every year. I could never have imagined the problem was that large.

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“5,000 homeless youth die in America every year.”

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PC: What do you hope audiences take away from seeing the film and how can they help make an impact?
Mike: I hope audiences realize that they don’t have to help EVERYONE. Helping just one person can make a huge impact on this issue. Also, our government will respond to public demand. If people come together to encourage lawmakers to make this an issue we care about as a country, things will change for the better. There are 325 million people in the U.S. Estimates on the number of homeless youth range from 1-4 million. If every 325 people helped a FEW youths, this problem would disappear.

PC: Besides Lost in America, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Mike: I have a film on Amazon right now called Ice the Movie, which was a ton of fun to shoot. I play an Olympic ice skater and the love interest of the lead, Maddison Bullock. We shot that film in my home state of Colorado and I actually ice skate for some of it. I also have Dirt Merchants: Rebelistic coming out later this year. That film takes place in the 80s so I wear a wig and drive a handful of muscle cars. That one is based on the book The Dirt Merchants by Henning Morales.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Mike: Friends

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Mike: Zoolander

PC: Favorite book?
Mike: The Odyssey

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Mike: Spring Awakening

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Mike: Kansas

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Mike: Sneaky Pete

PC: Hidden talent?
Mike: Shooting bows and crossbows, so I’d be a great friend in a zombie apocalypse.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter and Instagram, and learn how you can help make a change by visiting Lost in America’s official website.

Photo Credit: Diana Ragland