Film, Television & Creative Consulting
Mike Ciannilli applies decades of NASA mission experience to film, television, academic, and creative projects that require both technical accuracy and emotional depth. As an aerospace technical advisor and media storytelling expert, he collaborates with directors, producers, educators, and artists to ensure complex ideas translate into compelling experiences audiences trust. Where Media & Commentary reflects his public voice, this work happens behind the scenes, shaping narrative structure, operational realism, and creative decisions so projects carry authenticity without losing momentum. Creative teams engage Mike when the goal is not just to tell a space story, but to make it feel real, grounded, and meaningful.
Consulting Services
Film & TV
Mike advises film and TV productions, blending real-world aerospace expertise with authentic cinematic storytelling.
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Projects
Mike consults on mission-driven exhibits, blending technical insight with design to create memorable stories.
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Books
Mike partners with authors to shape mission-driven stories into authentic, high-impact manuscripts.
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Academia
Mike advises top universities, integrating real mission lessons and systems-thinking into academic programs.
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Creative
Mike advises artists, blending authentic mission perspective with emotional, space-inspired storytelling.
Scroll for detailsAerospace Technical Advisor for Film & Television
Mike has supported major feature films and television productions, working alongside directors including George Clooney and Michael Bay. His contributions bridge real-world mission experience with cinematic storytelling, helping productions capture operational detail while maintaining dramatic flow.
His work has included:
- On-camera appearances portraying Test Director roles
- Coaching actors on authentic reactions, communication, and tension inside mission control environments
- Advising on filming locations and historical accuracy at NASA sites
- Reviewing scenes for technical realism and narrative credibility
- Supporting documentary development, including Apollo and Shuttle-era storytelling
Projects have ranged from feature films to historical documentaries and televised programs, where Mike’s insight ensured spaceflight was portrayed with accuracy, respect, and emotional resonance.
Film Production One-Sheet (PDF)
Project & Experience Design Collaboration
Organizations developing mission-driven exhibits and large-scale learning environments engage Mike to strengthen both structure and story. His experience includes collaboration on:
- NASA’s Forever Remembered memorial
- Smithsonian Discovery exhibits
- NASA’s Columbia Learning Center
- The Atlantis Exhibit Launch Countdown Experience
Mike works with creative teams to clarify narrative direction, align technical content with audience impact, and evaluate design choices against real operational insight. From lighting and visual tone to storytelling flow, his focus is on creating experiences that audiences remember long after they leave.
Book & Story Development
Mike partners with authors, historians, and organizations shaping mission-driven stories into powerful manuscripts. His consulting experience connects to works such as:
- Challenger
- Bringing Columbia Home
- The Burning Blue
- The Door Holder
- Abandoned in Place
- Deliberate Creative Teams
Through narrative strategy, content mapping, and technical manuscript review, he helps creators transform complex material into stories that resonate with readers while maintaining authenticity and historical integrity.
Academic & Institutional Collaboration
Universities and executive education programs invite Mike to integrate real mission lessons into learning environments. Institutions including Harvard, MIT, Georgia Tech, UCF, Purdue, and Syracuse have engaged him as a guest lecturer, advisor, and program collaborator.
His academic work includes:
- Guest lectures and executive sessions
- Capstone project advising
- Program development and collaboration
- Systems-thinking frameworks applied to real mission case studies
These collaborations combine rigorous operational insight with storytelling that connects deeply with students and leaders alike.
Music & Creative Storytelling Collaboration
Mike also collaborates with artists creating space-inspired work that blends emotional storytelling with authentic mission perspective. His contributions include projects such as 16 Minutes From Home, a tribute connected to the Columbia crew.
Creative collaboration may include:
- Narrative concept development
- Story arc refinement
- Technical and historical consultation
- Creative strategy sessions across lyrics, visuals, and live performance concepts
The goal is to create work that resonates emotionally while remaining grounded in authentic experience.
Why Creative Teams Work With Mike
Creative collaborators value Mike’s ability to translate high-consequence mission experience into stories that feel both real and meaningful.
He brings:
- 01
Operational credibility shaped by Test Director responsibility
- 02
Clear narrative thinking rooted in real mission dynamics
- 03
Deep respect for historical accuracy and human impact
- 04
A disciplined approach to creative decision-making
His role is not to override creative vision, but to strengthen it with insight earned where decisions carried real consequences.
See What Others Are Saying
Trusted leaders from NASA, global corporations, and media organizations turn to Mike when the message truly matters—and their words say it best.
See more consulting testimonialsOrganizational Systems Advisor for Future Leaders
Thank you so much for talking to the students yesterday after graduation and throughout the several months graduate level Capstone Project! It really gave them a great deal of world class context and information. I know they have talked with you for so many hours, it is absolutely clear that your work over your career has made you exceptionally well suited to help provide insight into the improvements needed on systems and organizations. Our students are immensely better off for having been academically mentored by you.
National Safety Strategy for 737 MAX Review
Sean O’Keefe … highly recommended that I personally ask for your assistance. Thank you for promptly reaching back out to me. I appreciate our first conversation – it helped the United States Department of Transportation determine the best way forward to structure our ‘Blue Ribbon’ panel to review certification processes of the Boeing 737 Max.
Defence Project Delivery Insight Session
On behalf of the whole of Defence - thank you. That was the most amazing session… the conversation will also shape the work we are doing directly - to ensure we apply your thinking to our own LFE offer within Defence.
