Mykal Cushnie
Encyclopedia
Michael Edward Cushnie also known as Mykal, is a Jamaican film director, film producer and editor. He is most recognized for his work on Magnum kings and Queens of Dancehall- the Jamaican dancehall
version of American Idol
-, The Wray & Nephew Contender - The Jamaican version of Mark Burnett
's original boxing reality series The Contender
, and Mission Catwalk- The Jamaican version of Project Runway
. He is the CEO of DSE Media and founder of Edward Cushnie Films.
, to mother Beverline and father Albert, and is the youngest of three children. He attended the Wolmer's Schools
for Boys and went on to pursue a course in engineering at the University of Technology, Jamaica before dropping out to pursue his passion of story telling and television
, Richie Spice
, & I-Wayne under the tutelage of established directors Delano Forbes- of Phase Three-and Asha Michael. In pursuit of becoming certified, Michael enrolled at The New York Film Academy
where he studied film and script writing In 2007, Mykal returned to Hype Tv for a short stint, before deciding to form his own company DSE Media, an acronym for Direct. Shoot. Edit.
DSE media, is considered one of Jamaica's leading post production houses and was founded with the vision of creating a complete production facility, where an idea could be developed from start to finish; hence the break down Direct. Shoot. Edit. DSE Media produces and offering post production services for commercials, music videos, reality TV series, short films and documentaries. One of the companies most recognizable commercials-behind the scenes features-, was for the Jamaica Tourist Board's Project Gold, which features Usain Bolt
in a series of Jamaican advertisements. Under the DSE Media banner, Mykal also founded Edward Cushnie Films, which is intended to develop, expose and train youths in post production and filming.
host, Leah Marville
's reality series Passport 246. However, it would be Michael's work with Irish-bon, Jamaican Producer Mark Kenny, that would establish DSE Media- and Mykal- as one of Jamaica's premiere post production facilities. Mykal's work on reality series The Wray & Nephew Contender and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall would resonate throughout the industry after both shows shot to local popularity. In 2011, Michael would offer his creative direction and post production services to the Jamaican reality series Mission Catwalk which was fashioned from Project Runway
In 2010, in partnership with Jamaica producer/model Kibwe McGann, Mykal would direct and share executive producer responsibilities on BET-Centric's lifestyle series SPLASH! which in 2011 was commissioned to produce a second season.
.
The documentary was screened at the University of the West Indies
, Jamaica
and at the Reggae Film Festival in the later 2009 and by January 2010 the documentary debuted in Ney York and in February at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
, Africa
.
, Damian Marley
, Etana, I Wayne, Busy Signal, Jah Cure, Sean Paul, Tami Chynn and Floyd West. Mykal's most successful videos include the Ras Kassa's 'Tic Toc' by Busy Signal
/VP Records nominated video of the year, and The Matrimoney Movie video, feat Sean Paul
, Tami Chynn
, Lady Saw
, Fambo, DJ liquid, Tifa & Wayne Marshall, considered to be the new standard by which Jamaican music medley's
are judged
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
version of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
-, The Wray & Nephew Contender - The Jamaican version of Mark Burnett
Mark Burnett
Mark Burnett is a British television producer and executive producer, based in the United States. He currently is the executive producer of five network television series with seven hours of network programming. Works with which Burnett is associated have won multiple awards and recognition...
's original boxing reality series The Contender
The Contender (TV series)
The Contender is a reality television series that follows a group of boxers as they compete with one another in an elimination-style competition, while their lives and relationships with each other and their families are depicted. Produced by Mark Burnett, the show is hosted by Sugar Ray Leonard,...
, and Mission Catwalk- The Jamaican version of Project Runway
Project Runway
Project Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme...
. He is the CEO of DSE Media and founder of Edward Cushnie Films.
Early life
Michael Cushnie was born on December 28, 1980 at The University of the West Indies Hospital in Kingston, JamaicaKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, to mother Beverline and father Albert, and is the youngest of three children. He attended the Wolmer's Schools
Wolmer's Schools
Wolmer's Schools, located in Kingston, Jamaica consists of Wolmer's Pre-School, Wolmer's Prep School and two high schools Wolmer's Girls' School and Wolmer's Boys' School. The original school is the second oldest English speaking school in the Caribbean...
for Boys and went on to pursue a course in engineering at the University of Technology, Jamaica before dropping out to pursue his passion of story telling and television
Career
After dropping out of University, Mykal interned at Jamaican cable station Hype Tv where he tried his at hand at Directing, filming, and editing. This piqued his interest as a director, which led to him directing a few music videos Jamaican reggae-dancehall acts such as CapletonCapleton
Capleton is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. He is also referred to as King Shango, King David, The Fireman and The Prophet. His record label is called David House Productions...
, Richie Spice
Richie Spice
Richie Spice is a Jamaican reggae artist. He is a member of the Rastafari movement. Some of his most famous songs include, "Youth Dem Cold", "Groovin' My Girl", "Earth A Run Red", "Marijuana" and "The Plane Land"...
, & I-Wayne under the tutelage of established directors Delano Forbes- of Phase Three-and Asha Michael. In pursuit of becoming certified, Michael enrolled at The New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy - School of Film and Acting is a film school andacting school based in New York City, Universal City, California, USA and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. NYFA offers short-term film-making and acting courses, as well as one- and two-year conservatory and Master of Fine Arts...
where he studied film and script writing In 2007, Mykal returned to Hype Tv for a short stint, before deciding to form his own company DSE Media, an acronym for Direct. Shoot. Edit.
DSE media, is considered one of Jamaica's leading post production houses and was founded with the vision of creating a complete production facility, where an idea could be developed from start to finish; hence the break down Direct. Shoot. Edit. DSE Media produces and offering post production services for commercials, music videos, reality TV series, short films and documentaries. One of the companies most recognizable commercials-behind the scenes features-, was for the Jamaica Tourist Board's Project Gold, which features Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt
The Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
in a series of Jamaican advertisements. Under the DSE Media banner, Mykal also founded Edward Cushnie Films, which is intended to develop, expose and train youths in post production and filming.
Film
In 2007, Mykal would get his break working on two Jamaican movie projects for FireFly Films. The first Film being Betta Mus Come, Mykal was a camera operator under the direction of Jamaican film director Storm Saulter and for the second film The Candy Shop he retained the roll of assistant director.Tv Series
Mykal's passion for telling stories would pay off, when he (DSE Media) partnered with College Lifestyle Magazine to create and produce the College Lifestyle TV series. This would lead to DSE media being hired for post production services for Barbadian international model and BETBet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
host, Leah Marville
Leah Marville
Leah Janine Marville is a model, TV host and former Miss Barbados World.Born and raised in Saint James, Barbados, Marville started her international career after being spotted at Barbados Fashion Week by Dwight Peters. Marville was encouraged to participate in the Fashion Face of the Caribbean...
's reality series Passport 246. However, it would be Michael's work with Irish-bon, Jamaican Producer Mark Kenny, that would establish DSE Media- and Mykal- as one of Jamaica's premiere post production facilities. Mykal's work on reality series The Wray & Nephew Contender and Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall would resonate throughout the industry after both shows shot to local popularity. In 2011, Michael would offer his creative direction and post production services to the Jamaican reality series Mission Catwalk which was fashioned from Project Runway
Project Runway
Project Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme...
In 2010, in partnership with Jamaica producer/model Kibwe McGann, Mykal would direct and share executive producer responsibilities on BET-Centric's lifestyle series SPLASH! which in 2011 was commissioned to produce a second season.
Documentaries
In 2009 Mykal was invited by Kimala bennett to supervise post production on her social documentary Combing through the Roots: Politics of black hair in Jamaica. In the same year, Guyanese attorney and film director Dr Claimont Chung would chose DSE Media and Michael to bring to life , a documentary on the life of world renowned, historian, author and activist Walter RodneyWalter Rodney
Walter Rodney was a prominent Guyanese historian and political activist, who was assassinated in Guyana in 1980.-Career:...
.
The documentary was screened at the University of the West Indies
University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and at the Reggae Film Festival in the later 2009 and by January 2010 the documentary debuted in Ney York and in February at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Music Videos
Mykal first started music videos while working at Hype Tv. While there he worked alongside established Jamaican directors such a Ras Kassa,Ras tingle, Jay Will and Kimala Bennett. Since branching out to open DSE Media, Mykal has worked on video projects for some of Reggae-Dancehall's biggest acts such as: Stephen MarleyStephen Marley (musician)
Stephen Robert Nesta "Raggamuffin" Marley is a Jamaican American musician and the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley. He is a five-time Grammy award winner as an artist, producer, and member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.-Life and career:Marley was born in Wilmington,...
, Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
, Etana, I Wayne, Busy Signal, Jah Cure, Sean Paul, Tami Chynn and Floyd West. Mykal's most successful videos include the Ras Kassa's 'Tic Toc' by Busy Signal
Busy signal
A busy signal in telephony is an audible or visual signal to the calling party that indicates failure to complete the requested connection of that particular telephone call....
/VP Records nominated video of the year, and The Matrimoney Movie video, feat Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
, Tami Chynn
Tami Chynn
-Early years:Tami Chynn was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Her father, Richard Chin, is of Chinese descent with Cherokee ancestry and her mother, Christine Chin is Afro-Jamaican and British...
, Lady Saw
Lady Saw
Lady Saw is a Jamaican reggae singer, known as the queen of dancehall.-Biography:...
, Fambo, DJ liquid, Tifa & Wayne Marshall, considered to be the new standard by which Jamaican music medley's
are judged