By Eva Trieger in Ramona, California
We are often impressed when we read of a child prodigy or a wunderkind who achieves notoriety at a young age. Perhaps the same could be said when we meet someone who achieves his dream after keeping it on the backburner for the bulk of his life. Meet writer-producer Mike Tove.
In a recent telephone interview, the native North Carolinian told me that although he loved to read stories or watch television shows with unpredictable plot twists, he also knew that storytelling wasn’t going to pay the bills. This led the young man to pursue a career in biology, later finding success in the financial field. However, the seeds of his creative spark weren’t extinguished, merely germinating.
Informed by authors such as O.Henry and spooky tales from Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone, Tove continued to ruminate on storytelling. His writing was emboldened by early school experiences when an English teacher was so awed by his short stories that she told him she couldn’t grade his work! Tove found that he had a unique voice that would not be curtailed by traditional expectations.
This passion for storytelling and theatre refused to be quelled. After responding to a cattlecall he saw on a local TV news broadcast, he suddenly found himself on the seat of a major motion picture, the film adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale. He was able to work alongside Aiden Quinn and Natasha Richardson. From the moment he set foot on the set, Tove found he’d been “infected with the virus.” This initial taste of acting led to taking acting lessons and acquiring an agent which led to Tove sharing sets with many big names including Gregory Peck, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lauren Bacall and George C. Scott.
By first befriending casting directors, then followed by years of professional training, Tove was gradually welcomed into the film industry. On the set of Yard Saleing Tov met and befriended Eric and Eliza Roberts.
A script that Tove had started didn’t come to fruition for close to 30 years after its inception. Originally written as Hot Ice his script was tweaked and retitled Yard Saleing, a 29-minute short film. It required numerous edits, re-writes and a great deal of collaboration before it made it to the screen. With the guidance of director Tom Logan, the screenplay went from an idea to reality. This association with Logan enabled Tove to shoot in San Diego. Tove’s story begins innocently enough, with a young couple purchasing something at a yard sale, never imagining the repercussions of discovering their treasure. Tove brings us along on an unexpected journey.
Beyond learning about all of the moving parts of combining storytelling with the technical aspects of filmmaking, Tove shared that the relationships and networking have been the most important parts of the equation. The author-storyteller-screenwriter-actor told me that he learned to respect the industry. “No one is an island unto themselves. Surround yourself with really good people. Collaborate. Let others do their work and get out of their way!” Perhaps his biggest lesson was that a creative person should never ever listen to the peanut gallery. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but Tove emphasized that it is critical to follow your passion and explore your dreams.
Yard Saleing has garnered attention at film festivals and this has given Tove a feeling of accomplishment and inspiration to take on more projects, including other short films. Having broken into the industry, Tove has become aware of how challenging it can be. However, he also insists that it be fun. Drawing on his own experience as an extra, he wanted to create a set that was inclusive, welcoming and respectful. Quoting his mentor and friend, Tom Logan, “All we are doing is making a movie, if we can’t have fun, what are we doing it for?”
Michael Tove may have come to filmmaking later than most, but his zeal for the craft, and his enjoyment of the process, coupled with his admiration and respect for fellow actors, directors and producers is timeless.
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the coverage of the arts.