Duncan Michael Laurance

Mike- You were a good and valued friend with the gift for sharing your talent by example. When my career was beginning, I came to you with an assignment. I said "I'm not sure how you can pull this off, but here's what I have in mind...". You thought about creating the (pre-digital, pre-photoshop) image and said "... well let's just get started and we'll figure it out". Remember?
I soon realized that you pretty much had it figured out before you started, but you knew that taking me on the...

So Mike,
Are you laughing at us FTTP students trying to find jobs? Are you laughing about the class you held in the rain to see if anyone would bail? Are you laughing at us "older" students who are now hooked on a Saturday morning latte? Or are you just laughing?
I feel so lucky to have been in your class.
Thanks Boss.

Mike, you were my only Republican friend,now what shall I do ? Your legacy at CMI will live on and when they write the history of New Mexico Film there will be a chapter for you.God speed brother

Mike,
Thank you for getting up early every Saturday and being the first one there. Thank you for your hard work, your example, and being a great teacher.

Becky

Mike was a wonderful man and he will be missed! His memory will live on in all of us.

thank you mike, thank you for all the knowledge one could ask for. may you be welcomed with open arms.

Mike was a really great intstructor. I took the filmcrew training class durring the 2005-2006 school year and learned so much.

Mike wasn't just an instructor, but he was a friend, and more importantly, he was a father figure.

Mike, we will miss you.

Juan

my prayers are with you, my friend and teacher. we will miss you

Note to friends of Mike--there is a second guest book for the KC STAR obit, so don't miss those stories and memories. Please check the first box, contact me--we are a far-flung network of friends. Abby Dix so aptly pointed out what a great 2nd act Mike had in his life. How rare that is. After some disappointments with other work places and through 3 bouts with cancer, he was thrilled to be part of the CMI film school project. He was invigorated and excited even in the end days, because of...