{{short description|American screenwriter}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Varrati | image = Michael Varrati.jpg | alt = | caption = Michael Varrati | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = United States | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Filmmaker, screenwriter, columnist, actor | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = ''Tales of Poe''<br>''The Boulet Brothers' Dragula'' }} '''Michael Varrati''' is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, columnist, and actor known primarily for his work within the horror genre and the world of TV movies.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-do-slasher-flicks-and-holiday-schmaltz-have-in-common-1482857155|title=Ho, Ho, Horror! The People Who Make Christmas Movies Also Produce the Gory Ones|first=Erich|last=Schwartzel|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=27 December 2016|publisher=|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref> Outside of his film work, Varrati writes and speaks about pop culture and the horror genre as it relates to the LGBTQ experience, including at San Diego Comic-Con,<ref name="out.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2016/7/22/horror-offers-escape-queer-film-fans-says-comic-con-speaker|title=Horror Offers 'Escape' For Queer Film Fans, Says Comic-Con Speaker|date=22 July 2016|publisher=}}</ref> and as the host of the queer horror discussion podcast ''Dead for Filth.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gidney |first=Norman |date=4 July 2017 |title=Dead for Filth Hosted by Michael Varrati Coming to REVRY |url=https://www.horrorbuzz.com/2017/07/04/dead-for-filth-hosted-by-michael-varrati/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Horrorbuzz.com}}</ref>
Some of Varrati's notable works include ''There's a Zombie Outside'', ''Tales of Poe'', the screenlife horror ''Unusual Attachment'', episodes of the podcasts ''Darkest Night'' and ''Deadly Manners'', and serving as a writer/director of the series ''The Boulet Brothers' Dragula''. In 2014, ''Agents of Geek'' named Varrati one of the "9 Must-Follow Geeks on Twitter."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agentsofgeek.com/2014/01/must-follow-geeks-twitter/|title=9 Must-Follow Geeks on Twitter for 2014|date=1 January 2014|publisher=}}</ref>
==Early career, column work, and Peaches Christ== Born in New Mexico, Varrati was interested in writing fairly early on in his life.<ref name="horrorsociety.com">{{cite web |last=DeFellipo |first=Michael |date=1 March 2016 |title=Writer, Actor Michael Varrati Talks Career Ahead of "Flesh for the Inferno" DVD Release. |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2016/03/01/145343/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Horror Society}}</ref> Citing exposure to the works of Stephen King and the films shown on ''USA Up All Night'' as early influences, Varrati has stated he always knew some aspect of his work would be geared toward the horror genre.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 December 2011 |title=Michael Varrati |url=http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/see-horror/behind-the-lens/michael-varrati/ |website=This is Horror |publisher=}}</ref>
While attending Kent State University in Ohio, Varrati studied acting for the camera under Rohn Thomas. Although primarily identifying as a writer, Varrati would cite this and influencing him to act.<ref name="fangoria.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-two/|title=Gay of the Dead – MICHAEL VARRATI, Part Two|publisher=|access-date=2017-05-31|archive-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819235435/http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-two/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly after his time at Kent, Varrati began writing and conducting interviews for the horror film magazine ''Ultra Violent''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youareentitledtomyopinioninterviews.blogspot.com/2013/10/you-are-entitled-to-my-opinion_1164.html|title=You Are Entitled To My Opinion: Interview with Michael Varrati.|first=Scott|last=Lefebvre|date=14 October 2013|publisher=}}</ref>
In 2008, while working on a now defunct book project, Varrati connected with San Francisco–based drag performer Peaches Christ (stage name for Joshua Grannell), hoping to interview her for the book. Instead, the two became friends, and when Christ took her directorial debut movie ''All About Evil'' on the road, she invited Varrati along to help document the experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegasp.podbean.com/e/episode-24-peaches-christ/|title=Episode 24: Peaches Christ!|first=PodBean|last=Development|publisher=}}</ref> Writing a travelogue from the road for Peaches’ site, Varrati eventually began doing a regular column.<ref name="fangoria.com1">{{cite web |title=Gay of the Dead – Michael Varrati, Part One |url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-one/ |publisher= |access-date=2017-05-31 |archive-date=2017-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819235116/http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-one/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2016, the two reunited to co-produce an event for the 25th Anniversary of ''Vegas in Space'' for the Frameline Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2016/05/22/peaches-christ-troma-entertainment-michael-varrati-host-25th-anniversary-screening-vegas-space/|title=Peaches Christ, Troma Entertainment & Michael Varrati to Host 25th Anniversary Screening of Vegas in Space.|date=22 May 2016|website=Horror Society}}</ref>
Varrati has also been a contributor to ''The Huffington Post'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/michael-varrati|title=Michael Varrati - HuffPost|website=www.huffingtonpost.com}}</ref> ''Tubefilter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/author/michaelvarrati/|title=Michael Varrati - Tubefilter|website=Tubefilter}}</ref>'' and ''Vice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_au/contributor/michael-varrati|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232934/https://www.vice.com/en_au/contributor/michael-varrati|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 19, 2017|title=Michael Varrati|website=Vice}}</ref>''
==''Tales of Poe''== While acting on the film, ''Razor Days'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://grossmoviereviews.com/tag/razor-days/|title=Razor Days - grossmoviereviews|website=grossmoviereviews.com|date=13 December 2015 }}</ref> Varrati reconnected with the film's director of photography, Bart Mastronardi, whom he had previously met. The duo decided to collaborate on a segment for an anthology of modern adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories.<ref name="fangoria.com1"/> Shot over the course of several years, ''Tales of Poe'' featured three adaptations of Poe stories: ''The Tell-Tale Heart'' (written & directed by Mastronardi), ''The Cask of Amontillado'' (written & directed by Alan Rowe Kelly), and ''Dreams'', which was written by Varrati and directed by Mastronardi.
The ''Dreams'' segment, written by Varrati was noted for casting past scream queens Adrienne King, Amy Steel, and Caroline Williams.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sorel |first=Lynn |date=12 September 2016 |title=Wild Eye's 'Tales of Poe' Features Horror Scream Queens - Horror News Network - Complete Coverage of all Things Horror! |url=http://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/wild-eyes-tales-poe-features-horror-scream-queens/ |publisher=}}</ref> The segment was reviewed positively by ''Decay'' magazine as "an excellent exhibition of experimental Horror filmmaking."<ref>{{cite web |last=Artuz |first=Ken |date=15 September 2016 |title=Tales of Poe, Anthology Accents Poe's Horror -Film Review |url=http://decaymag.com/2016/09/15/tales-poe-film-review/ |publisher= |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=23 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023064113/http://decaymag.com/2016/09/15/tales-poe-film-review/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Varrati has said that the segment allowed him "give life to an existential crisis" on film and cites filmmakers Derek Jarman and Jean Cocteau as influential.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signature-reads.com/2014/08/qa-with-tales-poe-co-writer-michael-varrati/|title=So Dreamy: Q&A With 'Tales of Poe' Co-Writer Michael Varrati - Signature Reads|date=27 August 2014|publisher=}}</ref> ''Tales of Poe'' premiered on August 20, 2014 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web |title=Exclusive: genre-star-studded "TALES OF POE" to premiere in LA |url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-genre-star-studded-tales-of-poe-to-premiere-in-la/ |publisher= |access-date=2017-05-31 |archive-date=2017-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819235107/http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-genre-star-studded-tales-of-poe-to-premiere-in-la/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==''The Sins of Dracula'' and ''Flesh for the Inferno''== While making ''Tales of Poe'', Varrati began collaborating with Richard Griffin on a short about gay aliens titled ''Crash Site'', and later worked on a feature film: ''The Sins of Dracula''. ''The Sins of Dracula'' is a horror comedy about a community theater troupe who must stop the newly risen Count Dracula. The film satirizes Christian scare films of the early 80s. Released on October 26, 2014, ''The Sins of Dracula'' was called a "modern classic" by Horror Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2014/10/27/sins-dracula-review/|title=The Sins of Dracula (Review)|date=27 October 2014|website=Horror Society}}</ref>
Griffin and Varrati would collaborate again a year later on ''Flesh for the Inferno'', an Italian horror homage about demon nuns who attack a church youth group. Praised as a "dark, gory horror film with edge,"<ref>{{cite web |date=19 January 2016 |title=FLESH FOR THE INFERNO Offers Bloody Vengeance Via Pissed Off Undead Nuns – Film Thrills |url=http://filmthrills.com/flesh-for-the-inferno-offers-bloody-vengeance-via-pissed-off-undead-nuns/ |website=filmthrills.com |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=19 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232909/http://filmthrills.com/flesh-for-the-inferno-offers-bloody-vengeance-via-pissed-off-undead-nuns/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Flesh for the Inferno'' was named "Best Independent Horror Film of 2015" by Horror Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2016/01/23/2016-awards/|title=2016 Awards|date=23 January 2016|website=Horror Society}}</ref> Griffin and Varrati have also collaborated on the short film ''Hearty Treats'' and a faux-trailer ''They Stole the Pope’s Blood''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3341842/review-plenty-sinful-satire-sins-dracula/|title='The Sins Of Dracula' Review: Plenty of Sinful Satire|website=bloody-disgusting.com|date=27 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, Varrati contributed writing to Griffin's horror comedy ''Seven Dorms of Death''.
==Christmas movies and TV thrillers== In 2015, Varrati co-wrote the script for ''A Christmas Reunion'', a holiday film starring Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon that debuted on the Ion Network.<ref name="horrorsociety.com"/> In 2016, Varrati wrote another holiday film, ''A Christmas in Vermont'', starring Chevy Chase, Morgan Fairchild, and Howard Hesseman that also appeared on Ion.<ref name="auto" /> That same year, Varrati would also create the original story for ''Broadcasting Christmas'', which was adapted by playwright Topher Payne for the Hallmark Channel and starred Melissa Joan Hart and Dean Cain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hallmark Broadcasting Christmas, Melissa Joan Hart., 'Did I Let the Right One Go' |url=http://www.hollywooddailystar.com/hallmark-broadcasting-christmas-melissa-joan-hart-did-i-let-the-right-one-go/ |url-status=dead |publisher= |access-date=2017-05-31 |archive-date=2018-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003635/http://www.hollywooddailystar.com/hallmark-broadcasting-christmas-melissa-joan-hart-did-i-let-the-right-one-go/ }}</ref> In 2020, Varrati returned to the genre, writing the original script for the Canadian-produced ''Christmas with a Crown''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dove.org/review/21647-christmas-with-a-crown/|title = Christmas with a Crown | Dove Family Friendly Movie Reviews}}</ref> and co-writing the Mar Vista Entertainment produced ''A Christmas Mission''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Christmas Mission |url=https://www.c21media.net/screenings/marvistaentertainment/a-christmas-mission/17504/ |access-date=2021-08-26 |archive-date=2021-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826182918/https://www.c21media.net/screenings/marvistaentertainment/a-christmas-mission/17504/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In an interview with ''The Wall Street Journal'', Varrati spoke about the fact that he was able to write both horror and holiday fare, saying that he felt both kinds of story were important, as they catered to different needs of the audience.<ref name="auto"/>
Varrati has also written a number of thrillers and genre adjacent pieces for TV networks, including the Lifetime original movie ''The Wrong Stepmother,'' produced by Vivica A. Fox,<ref>[https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a33427140/vivica-a-fox-the-wrong-lifetime-movies-interview/ Vivica A. Fox Talks the Future of the Wrong Lifetime Movie Series<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the 2019 Lifetime thriller ''The Twisted Nanny'' (alternatively titled in some markets as ''The Nightmare House''), and the disaster movie ''End of the World.''<ref>[https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film101138.html The End of the World (2018) - FilmAffinity<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2021, Varrati also provided the original story for the Vivica Fox-starring horror movie ''Aquarium of the Dead'', which was adapted to screen by writer Marc Gottleib.<ref>[https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/386042/trailer-for-aquarium-of-the-dead-sports-zombie-starfish-and-walruses-and-octopi-oh-my/ AQUARIUM OF THE DEAD Trailer: Zombie Starfish & Octopi, Oh My!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Directorial work and June Gloom Productions==
While working as a producer and writer on the series ''I’m Fine'', Varrati met series creator Brandon Kirby and together started June Gloom Productions to produce their own work and that of queer filmmakers.<ref name="voyagela.com">[http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-michael-varrati-june-gloom-productions-studio-city/ Meet Michael Varrati of June Gloom Productions in Studio City - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Through June Gloom, Varrati has written and directed''The Office is Mine'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gidney |first=Norman |date=21 March 2019 |title=Queer Horror THE OFFICE IS MINE Short Reveals Workplace Politics Can be Killer |url=https://www.horrorbuzz.com/2019/03/20/queer-horror-the-office-is-mine-short-reveals-workplace-politics-can-be-killer/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Horrorbuzz.com}}</ref> queer slasher ''A Halloween Trick'',<ref>[https://www.horrorsociety.com/2019/11/05/review-michael-varratis-a-halloween-trick-basically-horror-will-grace/ Review: Michael Varrati’s “A Halloween Trick” (Basically Horror Will & Grace) - Horror Society<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the isolation horror film ''What’s Left Inside'', which made its North American Premiere at Outfest in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://outfestla2021.com/whats-left-inside/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726172743/https://outfestla2021.com/whats-left-inside/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 26, 2021|title = What's Left Inside|date = 22 July 2021}}</ref>
Fairly early into the COVID-19 pandemic, Varrati released ''Unusual Attachment'', shot entirely remotely as a screenlife/found footage narrative about a man who runs into unspeakable horrors while using online dating sites.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeFellipo |first=Michael |date=2020-04-22 |title=June Gloom Productions' remotely shot horror-comedy debuts on Vimeo. Watch inside! |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2020/04/22/june-gloom-productions-remotely-shot-horror-comedy-debuts-on-vimeo-watch-inside/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref> Later in the pandemic, Brandon Kirby and Michael Varrati would use this remote shooting technique to co-create a queer drama miniseries titled ''So Far, So Close'' for the Dekkoo streaming platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/watch-jamie-dornan-threesome-another-torrid-threesome-angelica-ross-serving-fierce-20210211|title = What to Watch: A Jamie Dornan threesome, another torrid 'Threesome' & Angelica Ross serving "Fierce"| date=11 February 2021 }}</ref> Outside of June Gloom, Varrati wrote and directed a segment of the international holiday horror anthology film ''Deathcember''<ref name="bloody-flicks.co.uk">{{Cite web |last=bloodyflicksblog |date=2020-06-16 |title=Michael Varrati talks 'Deathcember' and 'Unusual Attachment' |url=https://bloody-flicks.co.uk/2020/06/16/michael-varrati-talks-deathcember-and-unusual-attachment/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Bloody Flicks |language=en}}</ref> and wrote and directed on the series ''The Boulet Brothers' Dragula''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3578554/boulet-brothers-dragula-amazon-prime/|title=Season 3 of "The Boulet Brothers Dragula" Makes the Jump to Amazon Prime Next Week!|date=23 August 2019}}</ref>
==The LGBTQ+ Horror Panel== Since 2013, Varrati has served as the host and curator of the "Queer Fear" panel at San Diego Comic Con. The panel has garnered attention over the years for its in-depth discussion of LGBTQ+ issues and its high-profile guests (which have included Bryan Fuller, Jeffrey Reddick, Guinevere Turner, and more).<ref name="horrorbuzz.com">{{Cite web |date=9 July 2016 |title=Michael Varrati and the Gay Agenda in Horror |url=http://horrorbuzz.com/michael-varrati-gay-agenda-horror/ }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="out.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/check-out-lgbt-inclusive-panels-years-comic-con|title=Check out the LGBT-inclusive panels at this year's Comic-Con!|date=12 July 2016|publisher=|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232800/https://www.glaad.org/blog/check-out-lgbt-inclusive-panels-years-comic-con|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.backyardspaceopera.com/byso-podcast-48-interview-with-screenwriter-michael-varrati/|title=BYSO Podcast 48: Interview with Screenwriter Michael Varrati|date=15 April 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2909959/ira-madison-iiis-comic-con-diary-days-3-and-4-synchronized-swimmers-and-joes-crab-shack/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726135434/http://www.mtv.com/news/2909959/ira-madison-iiis-comic-con-diary-days-3-and-4-synchronized-swimmers-and-joes-crab-shack/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 26, 2016|title=Ira Madison III's Comic-Con Diary, Days 3 And 4: Synchronized Swimmers And Joe's Crab Shack|website=MTV|publisher=}}</ref> Throughout the year, Varrati will also host variants on the panel and has written numerous pieces pertaining to its topic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-varrati/horror-movies-books_b_1441467.html|title=Unfairly Maligned Monsters: Why Horror Matters|first=Michael|last=Varrati|website=HuffPost|date=20 April 2012|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-varrati/lights-camera-action_b_1431856.html|title=Lights, Camera, Action !|first=Michael|last=Varrati|website=HuffPost|date=17 April 2012|publisher=}}</ref>
In 2021, Varrati hosted a virtual version of the Queer Horror panel due to Comic-Con's in-person events being postponed by the ongoing COVID pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/comic-con-at-home-queer-horror-panel/|title = Prism Comics Presents: Comic-Con@Home Queer Horror Panel Hosted by Michael Varrati| date=15 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/comicconhome-21-queer-horror-panel/|title = Syndicated Comics|date = 24 July 2021}}</ref>
==''Dead for Filth'' and ''Midnight Mass''== Motivated by the annual discussions being had at the LGBTQ+ Horror Panel at Comic-Con, Varrati created ''Dead for Filth'', a streaming audio series that debuted in August 2017.<ref>[https://www.horrorsociety.com/2017/07/04/dead-filth-new-queer-horror-podcast-hosted-acclaimed-writer-michael-varrati/ Dead For Filth: A New Queer Horror Podcast Hosted by Acclaimed Writer Michael Varrati. - Horror Society<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Originally produced by Revry ''Dead for Filth'' was a weekly, in-depth interview podcast.<ref name="ReferenceA">[https://bloody-flicks.co.uk/2021/07/11/michael-varrati-talks-new-midnight-mass-podcast-with-peaches-christ/ Michael Varrati talks new Midnight Mass podcast with Peaches Christ – Bloody Flicks<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="nbcnews.com" /> During its run, ''Dead for Filth'' was named by ''The Advocate'' as one of "12 LGBTQ Podcasts You Should Be Listening To"<ref name="advocate.com">{{Cite web |date=17 May 2019 |title=12 LGBTQ Podcasts You Should be Listening to |url=https://www.advocate.com/media/2019/5/17/12-gay-lgbtq-podcasts-you-should-be-listening}}</ref> and by NBC as an LGBTQ Podcast "To Know."<ref name="nbcnews.com">{{Cite web |title=11 LGBTQ-Inclusive Podcasts You Should Know |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/11-lgbtq-inclusive-podcasts-you-should-know-n798166 |website=NBC News|date=September 2017 }}</ref>
In 2021, Varrati returned to the podcast space to co-host a new series, ''Midnight Mass'', with Peaches Christ. Inspired and named for Peaches Christ's long-running cult movie series in San Francisco, ''Midnight Mass'' is weekly discussion into the nature and devoted fanbase of cult cinema.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
==Other work== Varrati has twice collaborated with filmmaker JT Seaton on short film projects that have played at various festivals. The first of which was a comedic time travel short titled ''Then and Again'' that starred Sleepaway Camp’s Jonathan Tiersten,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://girlsgunszombies.wordpress.com/2017/02/09/then-and-again/|title=Then and Again|date=10 February 2017|publisher=}}</ref> and the second was a dark fairy tale titled ''In Darkest Slumber''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2016/05/31/darkest-slumber-haunt-dreams-film-quest-international-premiere/|title=In Darkest Slumber to Haunt Your Dreams after Film Quest International Premiere.|date=31 May 2016|website=Horror Society}}</ref>
Varrati reunited with his ''Tales of Poe'' collaborators Bart Mastronardi and Alan Rowe Kelly in 2015 to work with filmmaker Billy Clift on a short film biopic about the life of Hollywood actor Montgomery Clift, titled ''Monty''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/cinematography-instructor-showcases-tales-of-poe-comic-con/|title=NYFA Cinematography Instructor Showcases "Tales of Poe" at Comic-Con|date=9 August 2016|publisher=}}</ref> With an original script by Varrati, the film was shot by Mastronardi, directed by Clift, and premiered at the Cinema Diverse Film Festival in Palm Springs in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinemadiverse.org/page/schedule-1|title=2016 Schedule|website=cinemadiverse.org|access-date=2017-05-31|archive-date=2015-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807110212/http://cinemadiverse.org/page/schedule-1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In late 2016, ''Nightmarish Conjurings'' named ''Mystery Phone'', a short written by Varrati and directed by Ama Lea,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://horrorbuzz.com/open-the-link-for-your-mystery-phone-date/|title=Open the Link For Your Mystery Phone Date!|website=horrorbuzz.com|date=3 December 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> as one of the best horror shorts of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nightmarishconjurings.com/articles/2016/12/21/favorite-horror-short-films-of-2016|title=Nightmarish Conjurings Share Their Favorite Horror Shorts of 2016|publisher=|access-date=2017-05-31|archive-date=2017-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608035534/http://www.nightmarishconjurings.com/articles/2016/12/21/favorite-horror-short-films-of-2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Varrati and Ama Lea would later work together again on the lesbian vampire short ''From Hell, She Rises'', which was also directed by Lea.<ref>[https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/311443/exclusive-ama-leas-award-winning-short-from-hell-she-rises-debuts-online/ Exclusive: Ama Lea’s Award-Winning Short FROM HELL, SHE RISES Debuts Online!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Also in 2016, Varrati wrote a number of pop culture oriented videos for Frederator Studios’ (creators of Adventure Time) YouTube channel.<ref name="horrorsociety.com"/>
In 2017, Varrati joined the writing team of the narrative horror podcast ''Darkest Night'' starring Lee Pace, Denis O’Hare, and RuPaul.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gay-themed-films.com/the-lair-10th-anniversary/|title=Essential Feature: The Lair 10th Anniversary|date=30 May 2017|publisher=|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-date=18 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618010840/http://gay-themed-films.com/the-lair-10th-anniversary/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, he also became one of the writers for the murder mystery audio series ''Deadly Manners,'' starring Kristen Bell, Anna Chlumsky, and LeVar Burton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pride.com/entertainment/2017/10/06/were-obsessed-murder-mystery-podcast-starring-rupaul-kristen-bell-and-michelle-visage/|title=We're Obsessed With This Murder Mystery Podcast Starring RuPaul, Kristen Bell, and Michelle Visage|date=6 October 2017|publisher=}}</ref>
In October 2018, Varrati wrote and served as the on-camera host of Skybound's ''History of Fright'', a multi-part digital series about the history of horror icons and subgenres. The series ran on Skybound's GammaRay Channel.<ref>[https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/283508/gammarays-history-of-fright-explores-george-a-romeros-incalculable-contribution-to-the-zombie-genre/ GammaRay’s HISTORY OF FRIGHT Explores George A. Romero’s Incalculable Contribution to the Zombie Genre<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In October 2020, Varrati wrote and directed the Halloween Special episode of the narrative audio series ''It Listens from the Radio''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.horrorbuzz.com/2020/05/10/it-listens-from-the-radio-debuts-on-anchor-spotify-and-stitcher/|title=IT LISTENS FROM THE RADIO Debuts on Anchor, Spotify, and Stitcher|date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
As an actor, Varrati has appeared in numerous independent horror films and has worked with such notable filmmakers as Lloyd Kaufman, Mike Mendez, and Stuart Gordon.<ref name="horrorsociety.com"/><ref name="fangoria.com"/><ref name="fangoria.com2">{{cite web |title=GAY OF THE DEAD – Michael Varrati, Part Three |url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-three/ |publisher= |access-date=2017-05-31 |archive-date=2017-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819235343/http://www.fangoria.com/new/gay-of-the-dead-michael-varrati-part-three/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Current and upcoming work==
Peaches Christ has revealed in several interviews that she and Varrati are currently co-writing a feature film script together, which will serve as a follow-up to her directorial debut.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Alan |date=10 October 2016 |title=Peaches Christ: International Drag Superstar and Cult-Movie Maven |url=http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/10/10/introducing-peaches-christ-international-drag-superstar-and-cult-movie-maven/ |website=Blumhouse.com |access-date=31 May 2017 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820000059/http://www.blumhouse.com/2016/10/10/introducing-peaches-christ-international-drag-superstar-and-cult-movie-maven/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews45_01/page23.cfm|title=SGN - Seattle Gay News - Page 23 - SGN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Peaches Christ and Latrice Royale present 'Mister Act' at the Egyptian Jan. 12 - Friday, January 6, 2017 - Volume 45 Issue 01|website=www.sgn.org|access-date=May 31, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712120314/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews45_01/page23.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.michaelvarrati.com/ Official Site] *{{IMDb name|3623156}} *{{Twitter|MichaelVarrati}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Varrati, Michael}} Category:Filmmakers from New Mexico Category:American columnists Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American male screenwriters Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century American male writers Category:21st-century American screenwriters Category:Screenwriters from New Mexico Category:Kent State University alumni