Michael Pearlman has brought his passion for visual storytelling to the film and television world for more than 20 years. He has worked as a director for more than a decade with a client list that includes: NBC, CBS, ABC, Quibi, Bravo, Food Network, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, AMC, HGTV, and Discovery Channel.
Michael helmed the wildly popular Food Network series Chopped -- now in its 53rd season -- since its inception. And he’s directed more than 20 other culinary-based series, giving him the privilege of working with some of the greatest chefs in the world. Fashion and design programming have also been a constant thread in his work, including the fan favorite Project Runway All-Stars.
His experience runs the gamut, including competition, unscripted, hidden camera, branded and narrative. From single-camera projects to multi-cam series with 5 to 50 cameras, Michael is ready to go.
A Philadelphia native, Michael got his start working in the camera department on features, commercials, and documentaries. As a Director of Photography, he has shot dozens of short films, multiple full-length features and hundreds of hours of broadcast productions. Moving to New York and working on comedy specials and series with Chris Rock, Lewis Black and Wanda Sykes were highlights of his early career, as well as travelling the globe for a series on Discovery. Michael was part of the initial creative team for Season 1 of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, where he was grateful to have the opportunity to boost his production skills as well as his fashion sense. His award-winning work on the feature films Diary of A City Priest, Edge City, and Limousine Drive was enjoyed at international film festivals including Sundance, Berlin and Toronto.
Michael has a reputation for running a spirited and creative set environment that fosters a true ensemble vibe. At the same time, he is able to keep the machine moving and effortlessly navigate the most daunting production challenges. With his vision, sense of humor, and ability to communicate clearly, he can lift a project from good to remarkable.