Inspired by legendary storytellers such as Michael Jackson, Prince, George Lucas and Jim Henson, Michael Michael built Franklin Sound Stage, a film and music production facility, in the town of Franklin in spring 2024.
Michael’s vision, he said, is to create a space where artists could bring their own visions to life. The facility houses three studios for rent by the day or for a long-term project. Studios A and B are each 1,200-square-foot rental facilities, and Studio C is a 480-square-foot rental facility. In those spaces, clients can produce a film, podcast or commercial, or record music or shoot a music video.
Michael designed and built Franklin Sound Stage completely from scratch with the help of two local carpenters, he said. This is the fourth studio he has built based on three decades of experience in the music industry.
“We work with indie musicians, independent labels, filmmakers and vertical series producers across New York City, Delaware County and Otsego County,” Michael said. “We also provide remote editing and consulting services for projects based in Atlanta, Connecticut, New Jersey and overseas.
“We recently recorded an LP project for Shira Small-Cangialosi and Adam Cooper that featured a full lineup of local musicians,” he said. “Some of the artists involved included Yolanda Bush, Michael McGuane and Steve Eisenberg.”
Technology allows Franklin Sound Studio to collaborate and create with artists and businesses anywhere in the world.
“We currently collaborate with several creative professionals both inside and outside the studio who specialize in areas such as post-production, audio mastering, editing, and media development,” Michael said.
Michael said he plays 11 instruments and is a self-taught musician. He has a band called DragonEyeSeven, often abbreviated as “7.” His band serves as the house band for the studio.
“I started my career as a child triple-threat in acting, singing and dancing, working alongside legendary artists and entertainers such as David Bowie, Ron Howard, Roger Daltrey, Mercedes Ellington and MC Hammer,” he said.
David Bowie hired Michael early in his career. “Over the years, I’ve collaborated with platinum-selling artists as well as emerging independent talent across rock, funk, R&B, dance, hip-hop, and Caribbean music,” he said.
Michael said he has composed more than 7,300 songs and worked extensively in sound design across music and film.
His success in music opened the door to writing, producing and directing film projects. He composed the score and the sound design for the film “Embalmer” was inducted into the Black Horror Movie Hall of Fame.
“Right now, we already partner with Gotham City Outpost at the Southside Mall to host events such as Lyric Labs and Film Round Tables that bring artists together,” Michael said. Those events are publicized on Gotham City Outpost’s Facebook and Instagram. All are welcome.
Michael played guitar and sang songs he wrote and composed in February 2026 at Gotham City Outpost, a retail store he co-owns with his partner, Njemile Davis. Together, they hosted an event for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, called Agape Love.
Michael has been in business for more than three decades. Franklin Sound Stage officially launched in the fall of 2025. Prior to moving upstate, Michael lived and worked in Brooklyn.
His vision is for Franklin Sound Stage to become the number one destination for media production and artist development in the region, he said. “We plan to continue building collaborations between Franklin Sound Stage, our media outlet https://geekcaster.com, and our retail store, Gotham City Outpost.
“One of the smartest decisions we made was expanding beyond traditional production services.” Michael said. “In addition to recording and filming, we provide artist development and media consulting to help creatives build long-term success.”
For more information, visit https://franklinsoundstage.com.