FILMMMAKER
MICHIEL THOMAS
DIRECTOR - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
I’m a 29 year-old documentary filmmaker originally from just outside Brussels, Belgium. Landing in the City of Angels in 2008, I have been involved in numerous national and international TV productions of the highest stage from politics, Hollywood and sports.
I grew up a huge sports fan and when I turned twelve I fell in love with the game of basketball. At the age of sixteen I was selected to be a part of Bree, a Belgian First Division team. For three years I got a taste of professional basketball at the highest level in my country.
WHY I WANTED TO MAKE 'GAME FACE'
I've been openly gay since I was twenty-three. As an athlete I was in denial of my sexual orientation and as a young basketball player I needed a role model to show me I wasn't the only one dealing with those struggles. After I discovered my true identity, I realized many are still misinformed about LGBTQ's players in sports. And that's why I want to make this documentary: to inspire closeted athletes, but also to educate society on these very important issues and topics.
In the past we've seen several athletes come out after their career. But I wanted to bring stories of active LGBTQ athletes coming out during their career, to create a better understanding on the hurdles they have to overcome in finding their true selves and acceptance in society.
FILM CREDITS
DIRECTOR
Michiel Thomas
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Michiel Thomas
Yuhei Ogawa
PRODUCER
Mark Schoen
CAMERA
Brandon Musselman
Michiel Thomas
Bobby Lewis
SOUND
Michiel Thomas
EDITORS
Yuhei Ogawa
David Chang
Michiel Thomas
MUSIC COMPOSERS
Michael Reola
Brian “Killa B” Bates
SCRIPT CONSULTANT
Stephanie Hubbard
POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Dylan McGinty
SOUND SUPERVISOR
Trip Brock
Monkeyland Audio Inc.
COLORIST
Keith Roush
Roush Media
ANIMATION & MOTION GRAPHICS
Shadi Didi
LEGAL ADVISOR
Waukeen Mccoy
Ted Gerdes