Michael Copner
- Producer
- Director
- Actor
Michael Copner was born in 1954 in Seattle, Washington. A proud member
of the baby boomer generation of enthusiastic movie fans, Michael was
an avid lover of Bela Lugosi and Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters
of Filmland" magazine. In 1973 Michael got a job as a film
projectionist at the adult picture theater The Green Parrot Theatre in
Seattle, Washington. He had previously managed theaters for the
Sterling Recreation Organization and worked in the radio, newspaper and
television advertising department for Connor Theatres in Tacoma. In
addition, Copner worked as a projectionist at The Embassy theater. He
became a member of the Motion Pictures Operators Union in 1977. Michael
eventually moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1990 he launched the
film magazine "Cult Movies;" the first issue was a tribute to Bela
Lugosi. "Cult Movies" ran for fifteen years and 41 issues altogether.
Copner made the documentary "On the Trail of Ed Wood" in 1990 and was a
camera operator on the documentary "Ed Wood: Look Back in Angora."
Moreover, Michael appears as a vampire in the fun short fright feature
"The Vampire Hunters Club" and was interviewed in the excellent
documentary "Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies."
Unfortunately, Copner's life took a turn for the worse in the mid
2000's; he suffered serious health and financial problems because of
epilepsy and a brain tumor. His mental state deteriorated as the years
went on and he wound up living in poverty in various Hollywood
flophouses. On April 18, 2008 Michael attacked Hollywood Book and
Poster memorabilia store owner Eric Caidin with a screwdriver. Copner
was arrested on multiple charges which included assault with a deadly
weapon and subsequently put in jail. Michael was released from jail
after serving a two year sentence.