Michael Peyser is an accomplished producer of both major studio movies and cutting-edge independent films, and has spent his career mastering the challenges of the film industry as a producer, filmmaker and executive.
Peyser is a tenured professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he teaches all aspects of producing and the filmmaking enterprise. He is involved in research and development of creative production pipelines, digital studio stagecraft, storytelling and immersive media.
Most recently he was executive producer of “Woody Allen: A Documentary” which PBS/ American Masters released to great acclaim in November 2011 and debuted in a theatrical version as an Official Selection of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
He also produced the samurai/western action fantasy “The Warrior’s Way,” starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth, Jang Dong-Gun and Danny Huston released by Relativity Media in 2010.
Peyser executive produced the groundbreaking “U23D,” a live-action 3D film of the great Irish rock band, which was the sensation of Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals before its 2008 worldwide release.
Michael’s extensive credits encompass a wide range of commercially and critically successful films, including: “Ruthless People” (Bette Midler, Danny DeVito), “Big Business” (Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin), “Hackers” (Angelina Jolie), “Desperately Seeking Susan” (Madonna), thriller “FX”, campaign comedy “The Distinguished Gentleman” (Eddie Murphy), and the children’s classic “Matilda” (directed by Danny DeVito). He also executive produced the Sundance cult classics “Haiku Tunnel” and “SLC Punk.”
Additional production credits include Milos Forman’s musical “Hair,” the classic thriller “Marathon Man,” and the hit comedy “Arthur” starring Dudley Moore and Sir John Gielgud. He supervised production on several Woody Allen films, including “Manhattan,” “Stardust Memories,” “Zelig,” “Broadway Danny Rose,” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo.”
In addition to his producing credits, Peyser was the founding Senior Vice-President of Hollywood Pictures at The Walt Disney Studios, where he supervised creative development, production and a broad release schedule for an extensive slate of films.