About Me
Hi, I’m Michaela! I’m a creative collaborator who recently graduated from Chapman University with a B.F.A. in Film and Television Production (emphasis in Directing) and a minor in Creative and Cultural Industries.
My passion for storytelling goes back further than I can remember. As a shy only child, I found my sanctuary in world-building, losing myself in the fantasy and adventure of everything from The Chronicles of Narnia to The Egypt Game to A Midsummer Night's Dream. I even "wrote" my first short story at three years old, spending my preschool years spinning it into a riveting, multi-part series (which is honestly still waiting to dominate the awards circuit).
As I grew, my love for writing naturally evolved into a passion for directing. While deep in a brainstorming session for a novel, I caught myself daydreaming about its future film adaptation, thinking, “They better let me on set so I can make sure they don’t mess anything up.” Suddenly, it all clicked. The years of writing, daydreaming, and forcing my friends into overdramatic improv games on the elementary school playground had all been directing prep.
That drive brought me all the way from Pittsburgh, PA to Orange, CA. Along the way, I grew from that quiet kid into a bubbly, highly collaborative filmmaker. While my skills have sharpened, my core mission remains exactly the same: to craft immersive, transportive stories that allow audiences to escape into another world, another time, and another life.
When I’m not on set, I’m usually leaning into my passion for global perspectives—a drive sparked by a transformative semester in Florence, Italy. That experience led me to serve as a Peer Advisor for Chapman’s Center for Global Education and a Global Engagement & Marketing Intern for AIFS Abroad. Because my filmmaking interests focus on true stories and book adaptations, I also spend my free time lost in fantasy novels or diving down research rabbit holes. During my time at Chapman, I was also an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Order of Omega, and the Women in Film Club.
Featured INTERVIEW
Where Film Meets CCI: Michaela Golik Shines in the CCI Internship Diaries
"Michaela’s journey is a clear example of how everything can come together in such a meaningful way as she wraps up her time here at Chapman. From internships that helped to shape her storytelling style and gave her a deeper understanding of audience engagement to the inspiration for an incredible thesis film that was sparked from more than 5000 miles away, Michaela has shown what it means to fully take advantage of every opportunity in front of her. Her experience is a reminder that when you put yourself out there, college becomes more than just a classroom experience; it becomes a space for discovery, growth, and connection."