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Michele Zieger is a Writer/Producer who established her company, ZIEGER PRODUCTIONS, in 1998 with the sale of a pitch to USA
Networks entitled Snow Jobs, which Carl Gottlieb (Jaws, The Jerk) wrote. Also in 1998, she established a partnership with
Massimo Cristaldi in Italy for all remakes of Cristaldi Films' 250+ titles (Cinema Paradiso, Divorce Italian Style,
Wife/Mistress to name a few) and to produce joint projects which involve both the US and Italy.
In June 2004, she accepted a first-look deal at Maverick Entertainment, Madonna's film and television production shingle.
The first collaboration between Zieger Productions and Maverick Films is Sex, Drugs & Mozart - a story of young people in
the world of classical music, written by Carl Gottlieb and co-produced by Massimo Cristaldi with Madonna serving as
Executive Producer.
Michele currently works with a number of authors and Washington, D.C. personalities, including Tim O'Brien, Ron Nessen,
Chris Darden, Sam Donaldson, Len Deighton and Marita Golden.
Prior to starting on her own, Michele worked in development for Lynda Obst Productions (Sleepless in Seattle, The Fisher
King, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) on the Twentieth Century Fox lot, where she found the spec script entitled Repo Girls
for Lynda to produce with Drew Barrymore. Michele also handled development and business affairs for PM Entertainment, where
she developed material and negotiated above-the-line deals.
Prior to her direct involvement in Hollywood, Michele wrote, produced, and reported a three-part series for NET in Washington
and interviewed such individuals on camera as Newt Gingrich and Orrin Hatch. She was also featured as a reporter in two
pilots for Image Television, a company owned and operated by former ABC News Correspondent Dennis Troute. Michele also
owned and operated a chain of political memorabilia stores and writing stores with a partner and before she sold out her
interest, the stores totaled ten in number across the East Coast.
Finally, Michele was an Entertainment Attorney at Hughes, Hubbard and Reed, where she worked on such accounts as Spelling,
Viacom, MTV, and other entertainment-related entities. While attending Georgetown University, she spent part of her time
during school working at ABC News Nightline, Weekend News, World News Tonight and special Washington shows.
Currently, Michele serves on the board of City Hearts, a nonprofit organization providing classes in the arts to
underprivileged children in the inner cities. She is also on the National Board of Directors for NOFAS (National
Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and Loyola Productions, a Jesuit production company found to create projects that
"illuminate hearts and minds."
Michele Zieger holds a BS and a JD from Georgetown University and a MFA in Screenwriting from AFI. She is married and lives
with her husband and two sons in Los Angeles.
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