While this is only a sampling of Michael Q. Schmidt’s résumé — a résumé that features almost 200 indie-level projects since 2001 — it’s a fair indicator of the style of work he provides. In “John Dies at the End,” a film starring Paul Giamatti and Clancy Brown, Schmidt’s role is simply listed as “Mmm Bacon.” In “Safety First: The Rise of Women!,” his role is “Overweight Naked Runner.” In “Left 4 Dead: Impulse 76 Fan Film,” he portrays a famously overweight video game zombie known as the Boomer. He’s released several projects in which he plays the physical manifestation of the sin of gluttony. He’s also donned Santa’s red suit at least five times. The pattern speaks for itself.
During a 2014 interview with Noiseless Chatter, Schmidt offered some insight into why he does what he does. When asked about his proclivity for nude modeling, he replied, “From the very first time I (nervously) stood in front of a room full of strangers, and then had them thank me for sharing my body, I was hooked. Apparently artists are mainly concerned with capturing the human form in its many varieties — tall, short, thin, fat, smooth, wrinkled, young, old — and I found a niche. … My professionalism allows me to be the model they want and appreciate. They’d far rather draw curves and character than draw GQ gym rats.”
