Michael Scalise: Capturing Life Through the Lens of Passion and Precision

Back at The Nook, the late afternoon sunlight cast a warm glow over the cozy space. Seated on the growingly popular gray couch, Michael Scalise exuded an understated presence. His vivid blue eyes held a quiet intensity, a trait that became strikingly apparent as he spoke. With his hands gently clasped and his arms pulled close to his sides, he gave off a calm and composed air, underscored by an occasional smile that hinted at his reflective nature. But when the subject turned serious, his brows knitted, and his intense gaze seemed to darken, drawing listeners in.

Michael Scalise wasn’t just a man of stories; he was a master at capturing them. As the founder of Black Tie Productions, a premier video and photography company based in Temecula, Michael’s passion for storytelling had roots stretching back over four decades. He began humbly, as he recounted, during an internship at a local television station in San Diego in the early 1980s.

 “I started in the mailroom,” he said with a small smile, a hint of pride slipping into his otherwise soft tone. “That was just the way to get your foot in the door back then.”

The internship, however, was no ordinary starting point. It was the beginning of a career that would see Michael climb the ranks in broadcast journalism. From delivering mail to editing video in the newsroom, his trajectory was nothing short of inspiring. 

“Television news teaches you everything,” Michael explained. “You’re constantly on your toes, dealing with breaking news, editing under tight deadlines. It’s a fast-paced environment that prepares you for anything.”

Over the next several years, Michael honed his craft at two major broadcast stations in San Diego: KGTV, the ABC affiliate, and KFMB, the CBS affiliate. His work was not limited to editing the daily deluge of news footage; he also delved into entertainment production, writing, and celebrity interviews. “I’d go up to Los Angeles for junkets and talk to celebrities,” he reminisced. “It was fun because I was doing things most people don’t get to experience.”

But it was his work on special projects that garnered him the industry’s highest accolades. Among his many awards, Michael proudly recalled winning an Emmy in 1991. “It was for a special we produced about a parade honoring the troops returning from Operation Desert Storm,” he said. The project required him to distill hours of live footage into a compelling one-hour broadcast. “It was all on videotape back then, no nonlinear editing like today. It was intense, but the payoff was worth it.”

After decades of juggling a demanding broadcasting career and his side business, Black Tie Productions, Michael made a pivotal decision that most would hesitate to make. “In 2022, I retired from broadcasting to focus entirely on my company,” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and excitement. But it was clear that the transition was transformative. “For the first time, every minute of my day was mine. It allowed me to dive deeper into projects and connect more with the community.”

Community engagement has always been a cornerstone of Michael’s approach, exemplified by his role as an ambassador for the Temecula Chamber of Commerce. “Being an ambassador means you’re an extension of the chamber,” he explained. “You guide new members, attend ribbon cuttings, and represent the chamber in the business community.” His passion for supporting local businesses and fostering connections is evident, prompting us to give him the affectionate nickname “Mr. Ribbon Cutting.”

Through Black Tie Productions, Michael has brought his journalistic expertise into the world of visual storytelling. His knack for quick turnarounds, sharpened by years of working under newsroom deadlines, is a unique edge. “In television news, you might get the video five minutes before airtime. You learn to edit fast and never miss your slot,” he said with a chuckle. That same dedication now powers his work with clients, delivering polished productions with a personal touch.

One of his recent achievements includes a documentary on Reality Rally, a fundraising event benefiting Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center. The project won recognition at the IndieFest Film Awards, a proud addition to Michael’s growing list of accomplishments as a filmmaker. “Exploring the film festival circuit has been a new and exciting challenge,” he shared. “There’s so much to learn and so many opportunities to grow.”

As the conversation drew to a close, the golden hour light seemed to frame Michael in an almost cinematic way, fitting for a man whose life has revolved around capturing moments and crafting narratives. His journey from a mailroom intern with dreams of making movies to an award-winning storyteller is a testament to perseverance and passion.

Michael Scalise may have retired from broadcasting, but his love for visual storytelling and capturing moments burns brighter than ever, making him not just a creator but a curator of timeless moments.

Watch Michael’s interview here: Michael Scalise | From Emmy-Winning Broadcaster to Temecula’s Master Storyteller