Faculty Bios

Michael Helmy

Director, Online and MFA Curriculum
School of Motion Pictures and Television

Michael Helmy is trained as an architect and began his movie career at Warner Brothers in the changing studio system in Hollywood. Learning from great directors like John Cassavetes and Francis Ford Coppola, and stellar production designers like Richard "Dick" Sylbert and Richard MacDonald, he worked his way up to become a successful production designer. Michael is well known for his work on landmark television shows such as Miami Vice, Nash Bridges, Birds of Prey and the most successful show in television history, ER. His film credits include Prizzi's Honor, Back to the Beach, The Webbers, Sugar Hill and Traveller. Michael is a passionate educator and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with his students, much like he once received guidance as a young apprentice. Currently, he is writing and developing family comedy movies