Michael Fredianelli and Wild Dogs Productions, the Filmmaker who does not quit.

Today I want to highlight one of the sources of my inspiration by taking a look at Michael Fredianelli, the bay area filmmaker who had managed to make 59 feature films and counting. It’s a remarkable level of production and dedication to the craft, demonstrating a work ethic that can only be admired. The fact he has seen each production to completion and shared it with the world is amazing. When ever I think of giving up, I remind myself of this guy.

Michael Fredianelli looking quite cool!

Michael Fredianelli, who is ethnically Italian and Spanish, grew up here in the Bay Area in San Jose, CA. His production company Wild Dogs Productions, gets its name from combining 'The Wild Bunch' and 'Straw Dogs', both being Sam Peckinpah films. Sam Peckinapah was known for his innovative and explicit depiction of action and violence. No doubt an influence on Fredianelli, as you will notice a theme of characters that are often loners or losers who desire to be honorable, but are forced to compromise in order to survive in a world of nihilism and brutality.

Wild Dogs Productions started out making short films in the early 2000’s, an nice distraction from the daily grind of Michael Fredianelli’s IT job at the time. It wasn’t until 2008 where their first dive into a feature production with Pale Blue Balloons. Fredianelli embraces the true nature of guerrilla filmmaking, by filming where ever he pleases, even if it requires filming in a busy street with traffic or maybe trespassing in a rustic location. How else can one make an ambitious film like this with literally no money?

Here is Michael Fredianelli filming on location, capturing actor Bryan Wilks at Mason-Taylor Ranch

Wild Dogs Productions has also experimented over the years with various genres and styles as well. They embraced grindhouse leanings on The Minstrel Killer, where Fredianelli takes center stage as he plays a bigoted Texan sheriff. On Coin, Fredianelli goes back to his short film roots with a horror anthology series. The Enemy of My Enemy see’s Michael Fredianelli trying to make a movie by himself, as himself being the only actor and crew. The Home Invaders is a black and white Noir film. Wild Dogs Productions may be cooking with small budgets, but each project feels ambitious and unique in scope.

Fredianelli has faced his fair share of set backs as well. While working on the movie Xenobites, Production was officially terminated after only three days of filming when cinematographer 'Michael Nose' quit. Director Michael Fredianelli then decided to make A Bird in the Bush and it was only after he completed that project that he returned to finish Xenobites when a successful trailer featuring the three days' footage was screened and he felt the urge to see it through after seeing the support and excitement for it. Thankfully things worked out between Michael Nose and Michael Fredianelli as they often still collab to this day, with Michael Nose making acting cameos and roles in current productions.

59 films and counting, Wild Dogs Productions is still going strong. 

Wild Dogs Productions would keep grinding out films and it was at the premiere of one of his films where he meet Maralynn Adams. Maralynn asked Fredianelli if she could be in one of his projects and Fredianelli was thrilled to give her the role of Junkie 1. Not only did she help by acting, she got involved with producing and found a passion for it. Now today the two are a dynamic duo, with Adams handeling the casting, location scouting and producing of the films so Fredianelli can focus on directing and editing.

Michael Fredianelli has said the journey has been long, hard and fulfilling.  Hierarchy had a premiere in Hollywood that only attracted about a dozen people. But the film found it’s audience on Youtube which got over 10 million views. Wild Dog’s Productions now finds itself selling out premieres and archiving millions of views with films such as Apocrypha, Through the Ashes, and Justified Force. The success of the films has allowed Fredianelli to quit his IT job and focus on filmmaking full time. In 2018, Wild Dog’s made 7 feature films in one year, which is still the record.

Michael Fredianelli filming a scene for the movie “Blood Relative”. 

Wild Dog’s Production is currently gearing up for the filming of their lasted western, Bury ‘Em Deep, which will be starring Robert Bronzi and Allan Lazo. In collorabation with MillMan Productions, Bury ‘Em Deep is sure to be another excellent addition to the Wild Dog’s filmography and will be their fourth western film. They are also currently gearing up for the launch and premiere of First Rites, a mafia movie that was filmed on location in New York City. In a few years, we may find Wild Dogs approaching their 100th feature film. You can find their most recent titles on Tubi and their films on their youtube channel. Next time you feel discouraged, listen for the howl of the Wild Dog.