Hi, I am Michael Need — also known as Miké Oz Need! I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism when I was three years old, and I have low vision too. I did not speak until I was six, and before that I used sign language to communicate. I eventually learned to talk by watching Sesame Street, which is why I speak with a bit of an American accent — people often ask me if I am from the US! 

I love drawing, storytelling, and making people laugh. A few years ago, I put my cartooning skills to good use and wrote and illustrated my first children's book, 3 Ducks Fix the Moon — a funny story about three cheeky ducks who taunt the hunters during duck hunting season, accidentally shatter the moon, and then have to work together to fix it and put it back in the sky. I have sold about one hundred copies so far, and now I am working on turning it into a full graphic novel so even more kids can enjoy it. 

Film is another big passion of mine. I write that act in, film and edit short comedy sketches and films at Tutti Arts, an arts organisation for artists with disability. My short film Indoor Camping Guide won three awards in 2023: 

Best Screen Writer at the Focus on Ability Film Festival, Best movie in South Australia from Nova Employment Choice Award and Semi-Finalist for Best Comedy at the Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF) in the United States.  

Winning the Best Screen Writer award earned me mentoring from Hollywood, Diversity Pictures producer Jessica Orcsik, and together we turned my 3 Ducks Fix the Moon into a full movie script — now registered with the Writers Guild of America. I am seeking funding to make the animation movie or TV series. 

My second short film, Surviving the Blackout, was a top five finalist at the 2025 Focus on Ability Film Festival. 

I also make movie review videos on my YouTube channel, Sketch Bud. You can view these from the link in this website. 

I am a member of Company AT (an autistic theatre group at Tutti Arts). We have performed in two successful productions, History of Autism and Impersonal Space. 

I am a member of Radio Tutti at Tutti Arts; we get to interview interesting guests. I have interviewed ABC 891 radio announcer (recently retired) Peter Goers, children’s singer and song writer Peter Coombe and Hans (a finalist of America’s Got Talent). We broadcast every Tuesday morning on Three D Radio 93.7FM.  

In 2022 and 2024, I was invited to be the guest film reviewer for the Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch (SDSW) international short film festival (held biannually) here in South Australia, where I watch and review around 20 films, design the festival's 3D logo, and manage the online release schedule. 

Whether it is a book, a film, or a graphic novel, I love telling stories that make people smile — and I am always excited for the next project!