R. Michael Wisner is an author, screenwriter, producer. His recent screenplay, Monsanto written with Alexandra Duparc, Ned Benson, and John Lee Hancock was acquired by Netflix for a major motion picture.
In his early career, Wisner studied and worked in the environmental field of human toxicology -studying the effects of toxic chemicals on human health.
““The greatest danger of pollution may well be that we shall tolerate levels of it so low as to have no acute nuisance value, but sufficiently high, nevertheless, to cause delayed disease and spoil the quality of life.” ”
ABOUT
The subject was depicted in Academy Award winning film, Erin Brockovich. Wisner authored, coauthored eight, peer reviewed scientific studies on the effects of toxic chemicals on farmworkers, firemen, police officers, electric workers, and children. He founded non-profit clinics where physicians diagnosed and treated chemical exposure victims. In this capacity, he worked with Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers. He served as a pall bearer at Cesar Chavez funeral. He wrote with David Steinman the best-selling book, Living Healthy in a Toxic World - a lay person’s protection guide to toxic chemicals.
Environmental worked put Wisner in direct contact with artists in the Los Angeles area. He worked with Meryl Streep and Kirstie Alley on Natural Resources Defense Council’s campaign to rid apples of a toxic herbicide. He co-founded a Hollywood environmental coalition, Earth Communications Office (ECO) to bring environmental messages into the media, film, and television. He co-produced the 1990 Earth Day Rally in Washington, DC that brought over 600,000 to National Mall where he wrote Tom Cruise’s keynote speech. He worked with Don Henley on the book Heaven is Under Our Feet (link) that helped save Walden Pond from real estate development. He wrote and helped produce Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s environmental-themed message to The International Olympic Committee that assisted Sydney in securing the 2000 Olympics. Wisner wrote the successful children’s book, Cry Out: An Illustrated Guide to What You Can Do to Save the Earth.
On Ted Turner’s animated Captain Planet, Wisner edited the lead character, Captain Planet, dialogue for Tom Cruise, who voiced the character in the series first six episodes. Wisner witnessed at one of his clinics, a family struck ill by exposure to a toxic termite chemical. Tom Cruise encourage Wisner to write a screenplay based on their story. This resulted in Wisner’s first screenplay, Madhatters. Cruise provided notes and setup actors for reading. It launched Wisner’s entertainment writing career. He then wrote and produced Disney’s Earth Day Special. He went on to head Kristie Alley’s True Blue Productions that oversaw production of hit sitcom, Veronica’s Closet and the CBS movie Profoundly Normal. Wisner has penned thirteen screenplays.
He lives with his family in Mill Valley, California.