About
Michael Dinetz was born and raised in the suburb of Cherry Hill, located in southern New Jersey. Michael has always had a passion for art, whether it be sculpture, painting, drawing, or even cooking. For most of his early life, he dreamt of a career in animation. As it neared time to attend college, he saw the animation industry changing direction toward computer-generated graphics work. Having little interest in this direction, Michael switched tracks and pursued a degree in industrial design at the Art Institute of Philadelphia.
During his second term at the Art Institute, Michael discovered special makeup effects, a discovery that changed his life forever. Upon graduation from the Art Institute, with a degree in hand, Michael left the east coast for Hollywood. There Michael attended the Joe Blasco makeup school with the goal of expanding his knowledge of makeup and special makeup effects. After intensive study at the Joe Blasco school, coupled with private research and study outside of class, Michael graduated and dove headfirst into a successful career as a Hollywood makeup and effects artist.
Michael has worked steadily in various aspects of makeup and effects since starting his career, often department heading the shows he works on. That work has ranged from small commercials and TV pilots, to film work that has taken him halfway around the world to China. In 2007, Michael formed Haunted Dreams Effects Studio, a full-service makeup and effects company capable of handling projects anywhere in the world. Since that time, Michael also worked on the first Chinese made sci-fi creature film, an innovative Taiwanese animatronic puppet TV show, and several Hong Kong action films.
Other projects of note include “Ghost of the Imperial Palace”, a psychological horror film shot on location in China, for legendary filmmaker Roger Corman, and “The Demon's Rook”, a mind-bending horror film, shot on location in Atlanta, Georgia, FOX TV’s series “Sleepy Hollow”, NBC’s “Grimm”, Kanye West’s Music Video “Famous”, Indie sci-fi epic “Space Command: Redemption”, Netflix’s “Lost in Space” series, and “Avengers: Infinity War”.
Michael brings a unique blend of artistic skill and technical knowledge to this craft, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in low budget film, and what can be achieved on a tight schedule.