Filmscape Chicago presents Mickey O’Sullivan with the inaugural “Filmscape Chicago Mentorship Award”
Community is a big part of what we do at Filmscape Chicago, and this year we wanted to do something special to celebrate that community.
In the film industry a lot of people get their start by working with a mentor, and we wanted to find a way to celebrate those people year after year by launching the "Filmscape Mentorship Award", driven and picked by YOU... our FIlmscape Community. We asked our followers on social media to nominate a mentor who has made a difference in their careers and lives and overwhelmingly, we saw one name over, and over, and over... Mickey O'Sullivan.
Filmscape Chicago is thrilled to announce the inaugural winner of the 2025 Filmscape Chicago Mentorship Award, Mickey O'Sullivan. Mickey will be honored this weekend at Filmscape Chicago.
Mickey was born to Irish parents in New York and by luck got started in the business on As The World Turns as a baby actor. He was told his entire life that he was a storyteller, but he laughs and says that probably means he was "a little liar" and admits he got in trouble often as he was growing up and crafted “stories” to try to get out of sticky situations. Which, surprisingly, worked more often than not. Maybe that was true, and it became apart of the story he knew about himself. That he was a performer, even when he eventually took a break and started focusing on another passion of his, playing hockey. Which he notes “is pretty much just gladiators meets theater.”
They moved around as Mickey was growing up, and admits it was hard watching his brother easily find popularity while he struggled to fit in. He never felt a sense of community.
A blessing in disguise happened after he got injured his senior year of high school while playing hockey. After not really knowing what to do with himself with his new found freedom, the high school theatre teacher approached him about joining the theatre program. After struggling to find his own place for so long, he was welcomed into the theatre community with open arms and without having to prove himself. Not only did he enjoy the acting, but all aspects of theatre, such as building sets and costuming.
After high school he went to school for special education and theatre. After his freshman year he decided to only pursue theater. Quite literally, he completed almost none of his required general education courses and took almost solely theater focused classes. A self motivated dropout, he later moved out to New York to take a shot at New York City Theater. He admits he was always interested in film but didn't have the avenue to jump right into it. That all changed the day he attended a party in Brooklyn and heard a knock on the door. "Would you guys like to be an extra in a film?" and there was the birth of Mickey's first film credit.
His love for film grew when he moved to LA and did a short film with friends. He really started to appreciate the film industry and how it worked. During this time he would come back and forth to Chicago and realized he was being pulled more and more to the film community.
He notes being the son of a farmer provided him the work ethic and drive to break into the film community. If a friend would call him and say "I need PA help" or "I need a grip", instead of bowing out of those opportunities due to lack of experience, he would pitch in, even if he didn't know all the answers. All of this go-getter energy certainly led to open doors and opportunities, but also made him a more well rounded performer. A wise word from Mickey- "Be there for the experience, not the outcome."
He notes, though, you can't just pitch in to help for selfish reasons. "Your motivation has to be your love of film, and your love to learn. If you can find a reason to be on set, then go be on set because you love it." When asked what advice he would give to those just starting out in the film industry, he said "Go be a part of as much as possible. Go become fans of people who are working in your community. Go to film festivals. Go to Filmscape. Find people you dig. Find people you would be friends with."
He notes the free education provided by Filmscape Chicago is invaluable and he often encourages his students to attend the show and soak in the weekend of classes. Even if you've never attended and have some reservations, he encourages them to "Take advantage of the free show. Find a class that looks fun to you. Talk to people about movies. That's a win." Speaking to the Chicago film community, he notes the midwest is special. It's a little bit of "everybody knows everybody" in this industry. "It feels like home. It feels like family"
When asked what it means to him to be recognized by the Chicago community as an outstanding mentor, he admits "It's a little overwhelming. I just love to help people. It feels really good to use my time in a way that brings people joy and confidence in themselves."
He credits several mentors of his own... from the Cormalleth Family, to casting directors like AJ Links or Erica Jensen, writer/directors like Brittani Ward or Michael Glover Smith, to high school teacher Tom Dzursion, filmmakers he's worked with like John Otterbacher, costars like LaRoyce Hawkins and even his former stunt double Aaron Crippen. One thing I've learned from Mickey is he takes a bit from every person he's worked or even interacted with.
When asked what the most important lesson he's learned in his career is, he answered "Life is short. If you have an idea in your head, and you can take action towards that idea, you should. Don't wait for the perfect circumstances. Everybody wants to hop on a moving train. So get that train going."
Not only does Mickey want those in the Chicago film community to thrive, he's actively working to make conditions better for them. He recently helped introduce the "Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2025" with Representative Hoan Juynh that allows performers to itemize their expenses. The 2017 tax cuts and job acts made it so performers of any kind can't itemize on their taxes if they earn more than $16,000. He explains "Our taxable income is often 10-20% higher than we ever bring home due to agency and manager commissions, and we aren't legally allowed to itemize those expenses." Mickey went to Representative Hoan and explained that while a federal tax code would benefit performers nationally, a state tax code would incentivize performers to stay in Chicago instead of fleeing to LA, Atlanta, NY or elsewhere. If you would like to support this bill, you can call your Illinois state reps, along with the governor and voice your support. You can find more information on this bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/721
If you'd like to stay up-to- date on classes and workshops you can follow Mickey on Instagram @themickeyosullivan, or email Mickey to get on his mailing list. Contact: mickeyosullivanworks@gmail.com or visit www.mickeyosullivan.com
Mickey’s IMBD: Imdb.me/mickeyosullivan
Bonus Content- Check out Mickey's favorite three movies below!**
"Without Limits" - I'm obsessed with Billy Crudup. He's an Actor's Actor. His ability to work with text is unparalleled - Big fan of him on The Morning Show. I also find it to be an incredibly inspiring story about what it takes to be great at something.
"Take Shelter" - This was my introduction to Michael Shannon. Him and Jessica Chastain manage to come together as one of the strongest family units I've ever seen in a film. Astounded by both of these actors and incredibly interested in the relationship that Shannon seems to have with Jeff Nichols. There is nothing better than finding a good working relationship. What an incredible duo.
"Drop Dead Fred/ Dumb and Dumber"- Toss up here. Drop Dead Fred is my childhood favorite movie. I've seen it more than any other film. I love the story. I love the ridiculous circumstances. And somehow they find an incredibly heartfelt center of that film that helps ground it into something worth rewatching again and again. Dumb and Dumber because I love the fact that Jeff Daniels went toe to toe with Jim Carrey and both of them just fed each other so incredibly well and the Farrelly Brothers created such a fun road trip type movie with two absolutely bonkers characters that manages to connect every single joke to a previous joke or plot point. Incredible.
