About – Michael McVey

My name is Michael McVey, and I love movies.  I write, direct, and edit films.  I illustrate community walking maps, as well as design and sell signage.

What does Skiffleboom mean?

Skiffle music is junkband music played on homemade instruments.  It grew out the southern United States in the early 20th century, from elements of jazz, blues, roots, and folk music.  The “skiffle boom” refers to this music’s rapid growth in popularity during the 1950’s in the post-war United Kingdom.  Skiffle music inspired an entire generation of musicians to pick up instruments and try their hand and making hit records.

For me, Skiffleboom represents an idea: you don’t need much to get started… everything you need is already all around you, just go for it.

Many great things come from humble beginnings.  Before they changed their name to the Beatles, John, Paul, and George were skiffle musicians in a band called The Quarrymen.  They mashed up old styles with new verve, giving rise to the fresh sound of the British Invasion.

I founded Skiffleboom in the town of Warwick, NY in 2003, illustrating walking maps and selling advertising throughout the Hudson Valley.  I have been a working illustrator and designer for many years, and and an art director of newspapers and magazines in New York and Boston.

I moved to Boston in 2006, and now manage Signarama Cambridge, designing and selling signage all over Cambridge and Boston while continuing to develop and sell my illustrated walking maps (I have one in Harvard Square and downtown Boston).  I volunteered at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, which helped blow the doors of my film education.

In 2008, I returned to school to study film production.  I started making short films in 2010.

In 2012, I wrote, directed, and edited the “Best Film” of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project, a city-wide short film contest with 85 teams competing.  Skiffleboom will be competing at the international competition is in 2013.  You can watch our winning film here:

I can be contacted through Signarama Cambridge.