Side Door Entertaiment

Biography

 

     Mike Costa was born and raised in Southeastern, Massachusetts.  He attended the University of Nevada in Reno where he studied Broadcast Journalism and Television/Film Production and graduated with B.A. With the encouragement of his professors, Mike began to research different types of entertainment companies in search of an internship. As a result of his tenacity, he was recruited by KTVN-TV, the local CBS affiliate, where he performed the duties of assistant director and videotape operator.

 

     After graduation Mike took a big gamble and packed his bags for Hollywood.  After successful stints with NBC in Research and ABC in Broadcast Operations and Engineering, Mike was accepted into the Guy Alexander Hanks/Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program sponsored by Bill Cosby and the USC School of Cinema-Television.  The application process was highly selective - only 15 of 454 applicants were admitted. Subsequently, Mike was hired as a staff writer and story editor for the hit television show “Roseanne.” He went on to write for Warner Brother’s television on several projects which included the first season of the hit series, “The Steve Harvey Show.” He also was writer on “The Gregory Hines Show.” (Pilot) for Sony Television.

 

     In 1998 Mike accepted an offer the work for NBC’s “In The House” starring LL Cool J, where his responsibilities as a writer grew to that of a producer. Along with his duties as scribe Mike was involved with editing, casting and production design. In 1999 Mike joined the staff of the syndicated television variety series, “The Roseanne Show,” as a writer/producer.  He wrote monologues, sketches, promos and produced segments for the comedienne.

 

     Mike stays busy developing and writing projects for various producers.  He freelances as a writer/producer for Isis Films, a production team in Marina Del Rey that produces music videos and commercials for some of the industry’s biggest names: Time-Warner Corporation, Miller Brewing Company, Motown, Warner Brothers and General Motors.  He is also the “Voice of the Tigers” for the Westridge School for girls Varsity basketball team in Pasadena, CA.  He also helped start a non-profit 501(c)(3): Cape Verdeans of Southern California. He has held various board positions over the years. 

 

    Mike co-produced a television pilot, “Woman on Top,” with John Aguirre, Alan Shafer and Eugene Lebowitz.  He wrote, directed and produced an original short film, “Hot Date.”  Some of his screenplays are; “Spy Du Jour,” an action comedy, an offbeat comedy titled “Fuzz. Mike’s latest project is a documentary film – “Proud to be Cape Verdean – A Look at Cape Verdeans in the Golden State,” which he wrote, produced and directed.  Side Door Entertainment, Mike’s production company is currently in pre-production with “The Heart of Porto Novo” a touching love story that takes place on the picturesque Cape Verdean island of Santo Antão.