About Me
With a foundation in live television production on high-profile events like the Academy Awards and international esports tournaments, I’ve built my career on pairing world-class logistics with immersive design. To the delight of colleagues (and the chagrin of those in my personal life), I will find a way to turn any project into a spreadsheet.
My work spans large-scale broadcasts, interactive brand activations, and game-based events where storytelling and competition meet. From multi-day field days to puzzle-driven challenges and sponsor-integrated spectacles, I specialize in productions that balance precision with play.
I’m passionate about pushing the boundaries of what live events can be, blending the structure of television with the creativity of game design to craft experiences that run seamlessly while leaving participants and audiences energized and connected.
- Name : Michael Kiaunis
- Location : Los Angeles, CA
- Email : mkiaunis@gmail.com
- Phone : 203 507 9720
- Specialties : Producing, Game Design, Interactive Event Design
Skills
Technical Tools
Production Specialties
- Live Event Operations
- Research & Development
- Audience Engagement & Experience Design
- Workflows & Automations
- Budget Tracking
- Production Management
- Talent Management
- Spreadsheet Management
Professional Experience
Producer
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Red Bull's Streamer Games - 2025
A multi-day competition where 40 top creators battled in larger-than-life games designed for a live audience and broadcast. I produced the event’s interactive format, handling logistics, game flow, and talent management to ensure the broadcast and in-person experience ran seamlessly. -
Ludwig’s 100k Challenge: Driven by General Motors - 2025
A live event featuring 3 teams of 4 streamers each competing in physical, puzzle, and endurance challenges while driving accross Los Angeles for a $100K prize. I created the format, and produced all operational logistics and the run-of-show, balancing timing, safety, and engagement for competitors. -
Starstruck Animatic Pilot - 2025
Director: Neil Graf An original animatic pilot blending comedy, adventure, and sci-fi created by Gary Trimarchi. I oversee fundraising, budgeting, and cross-department coordination, guiding the project from concept through production. -
Connor’s Basement Live Comedy Show - 2025
Director: Elizabeth Andrews A comedy variety series blending talk show interviews, sketch segments, and interactive games in a playful late-night format. -
MikeyTime 2: Folie à Deux Event - 2024
The second installment of my signature event series, a citywide 80-player competition, expanding on the original format with new scavenger hunts, fresh puzzle design, and larger-scale park challenges. Teams once again raced across Los Angeles solving multi-layered tasks that combined physical competition with strategic problem-solving. -
Pauline by Pomplamoose Music Video - 2024>
Director: Athena Wheton A stylized music video blending live performance with playful visual storytelling. Supported production logistics and coordination to ensure a smooth shoot and creative execution. -
Spellbook Short Film - 2023
Director: Dom Fera An artist‑turned‑witch uses the lost art of rune magic to break into a famous actor’s home and steal a powerful spell. Also assistant director. -
Save This Thing Short Film - 2022
Director: Dom Fera After a woman finds a mysterious cardboard box washed ashore, they attempt to perform an act of kindness with unexpected consequences. Also assistant director. -
MikeyTime Mystery Misadventure with Prizes, Puzzles, Quizzes, and
More Event - 2022
A 60-player, 12-team citywide race competition starting with a scavenger hunt, progressing through scattered challenges, and culminating in a final gauntlet of minigames. Teams also solved a layered puzzle packet, blending physical competition with collaborative problem-solving. I designed the format and produced the event from concept to execution. -
Reasonable Beef Podcast - 2018-2022
A weekly, free-form film discussion podcast where comedian hosts Tim Kish and Dom Fera deconstruct the day’s latest movies while always keeping the conversation thoughtful and funny.
Production Coordinator
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert Broadway Video / NBC - 2025
97th Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2025
Kid’s Choice Awards 2025 Nickelodeon / Paramount Global - 2025
96th Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2024
Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady Casey Patterson Entertainment / Netflix - 2024
Lion King Live at the Hollywood Bowl Fulwell 73 / Disney+ - 2024
Kid’s Choice Awards 2024 Nickelodeon / Paramount Global - 2024
Polaris Dawn: Harmony of Resilience Polaris Program / YouTube - 2024
76th Primetime Emmy Awards Red Carpet FullDay Productions / ABC - 2024
47th Kennedy Center Honors Honors Inc / CBS - 2024
Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular Disney / ABC - 2024
Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas Broadway Video / CBS - 2024
95th Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2023
Valorant Champions Tour: Finals Riot Games / Twitch - 2023
LinkedIn: Talent Connect 2023 LinkedIn / LinkedIn Live - 2023
The Give-backular Spectacular Independent / Fundraiser - 2023
46th Kennedy Center Honors Honors Inc / CBS - 2023
94th Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2022
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration Dinsey / Disney+ - 2022
74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Done+Dusted Entertainment / NBC - 2022
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade Disney / ABC - 2022
45th Kennedy Center Honors Honors Inc / CBS - 2022
74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Done+Dusted Entertainment / NBC - 2022
Disney's Harmonious: Live Yellowshoes / Disney+ - 2022
94th Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2022
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Casey Patterson Entertainment / HBO Max - 2021
An Audience with Adele Fulwell 73 / NBC - 2021
73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Done+Dusted Entertainment / CBS - 2021
Welcome Back NY Concert - 2021
93rd Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2021
Celebrating America: Hosted by Tom Hanks White Cherry Entertainment / CBS - 2021
72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Done+Dusted Entertainment / ABC - 2020
Palm Spring International Jazz Festival Nontelevised - 2020
92nd Annual Academy Awards AMPAS / ABC - 2020
Little Mermaid: Live Done+Dusted Entertainment / ABC - 2019
NFL Kickoff Concert Kickoff Entertainment / CBS - 2019
AFL Life Achievement Award: Denzel Washington American Film Institute - 2019
RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars WOW Entertainment / Showtime - 2019
Travel Manager
60th Academy of Country Music Awards Dick Clark Productions / Prime Video - 2025
59th Academy of Country Music Awards Dick Clark Productions / Prime Video - 2024
Taylor Swift Era’s Tour Final Concert Unreleased - 2024
58th Academy of Country Music Awards Dick Clark Productions / Prime Video - 2023
Google I/O Google / Digital Broadcast - 2023
Disney Holiday Specials Disney / ABC - 2023
Christmas at Graceland Done+Dusted / ABC - 2023
Apple Music Live: Luke Combs Apple / Apple TV+ - 2022
Apple Music Live: Mary J Blige Apple / Apple TV+ - 2022
Apple Music Live: Lil Durk Apple / Apple TV+ - 2022
Disney's Harmonious: Live Yellowshoes / Disney+ - 2022
Apple Music Live: Harry Styles Apple / Apple TV+ - 2022
Talent Transpo. Coordinator
2018 NBA Awards One Foot Productions - 2018
The BET Experience One Foot Productions - 2018
Education
Bachelor Degree – Emerson College
Sept 2014 - May 2018
BA in Studio Television Production with a minor in American Sign Language.
Services
Event Production & Logistics
Keeping chaos organized through detailed scheduling, budgeting, and operations management.
Games & Experience Design
Building interactive formats, puzzles, and challenges that turn events into unforgettable shared adventures.
Talent & Team Coordination
Ensuring creators, performers, and crew work together seamlessly on and off camera.