Mike Duff: Local Photographer and Filmmaker

People in Places written by Holly Stupak

Photos courtesy of Mike Duff

Broomall resident Mike Duff is having the time of his life. He has a fulfilling career as a pediatric respiratory therapist and a successful photography business. Now he’s adding screenwriter, producer and director to his list of accomplishments. He just finished his first movie short, 8-4-21 A Night From Hell, and he's bringing it to the independent film community.

If you’re a frequent reader of Marple Friends & Neighbors, you may recognize Mike as he’s been a guest photographer for our hometown magazines. He’s a Delco guy, originally from Collingdale, and he and his wife have lived in Broomall with their two children for the past 26 years.

Mike Duff on his set

After graduating from high school, Mike said he was looking for some direction and joined the Merchant Marines from 1977–1980. “The Merchant Marines gave me the opportunity to travel the world and I got to visit destinations that many people don’t get to see,” Mike explained. “It also taught me self-discipline and resourcefulness, which are great skills for any career.”

When Mike returned from the Merchant Marines, he enrolled at Delaware County Community College in their program for Respiratory Therapy. For the past 30 years he’s worked in the Intensive Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

What I love most about my career as a respiratory therapist is I feel that what I am doing really matters,” said Mike. “Not only do I enjoy doing it, but it’s very fulfilling.

Mike’s schedule of three 12-hour shifts at the hospital has allowed him the opportunity to explore other passions. He’s always had an interest in the arts, especially photography and film. He is a self-taught photographer who loves taking pictures of families and babies. He got his professional start by taking pictures of homes for local realtors and eventually he started his own business called MicDuffPhotography.com. Since he started in 2002, Mike has captured beautiful moments for brides and grooms, babies and families and numerous events. He has also photographed many of the Resident Feature families who have been on the covers of our hometown magazines.

It was about 20 years ago that Mike realized he also had a passion for filmmaking.

For a long time I was scared to pursue my passion for film,” Mike explained. “But my job as a respiratory therapist showed me that life can be taken from you at any moment. I decided at that point I was going to give my dream a shot.

In 2019 Mike received a Television Writing Certificate from UCLA in their extension program, and he’s just a few classes shy from completing his Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media from the University of Arizona. Although Mike says he’s a bit of a late bloomer in the directing world, he’s always been a film fanatic and is inspired by directors like Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock.

Mike Duff on his set

Mike and his crew have spent the past year filming 8-4-21 A Night From Hell at Romarco’s Italian Restaurant and Tiki Bar on Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights. It’s the story of Sydney, a nurse who thinks she killed her patient the night before. She's panic-stricken, shaken, and all she wants is to forget about the night before.

Since wrapping up production and editing, Mike is now anxiously waiting to hear from the film festivals he’s sent the film to. And, he’s already started writing his next film short: Love During Covid. “Film is a great outlet for me,” said Mike. “I write and create and it’s pure joy!”