“CSI: umiami” is one of the projects Gage has helped develop, in which he stars as his own version of Horatio Caine.

“SNL wishes they had this sketch,” said Greg Lynch in a Facebook comment about the video.  “Did I hear someone say Emmy for Brad Gage?”

But what is it that makes Gage tick?  It must be making people laugh.

Trying to get a hold of Gage for an interview, I reach his voice mailbox.

“Hey what do you call a guy who says he’s going to call you back and never does? …A phoney.”

These are traits that piece together this University of Miami School of Communication film student.

At UM students are given many chances to get involved and practice the things they learn in classes. 

Gage, a junior, has taken advantage of many of these opportunities.

He is director for UMTV’s “Off the Wire,” as well as director for an independent student film production, and just got accepted into a summer study program called the L.A. Experience.

A motion pictures and geography double major, Gage has always been interested in motion pictures.

“I’ve never really thought of doing anything else, but being an FBI agent, which I really only liked because of ‘The X-Files,’ which was a television show,” he said.

“Off the Wire” is a production on UMTV meant to mimic a late-night talk and variety show.

“It came from humble beginnings,” Gage said. “No audience, to a pretty solid following every other Thursday.”

Gage has been the director for about a year.  He works up in the control booth calling every shot and manipulating cameras. 

“Producers choose the content and what they want seen, and I make it happen,” Gage said. 

The show has been evolving over the last couple years.

Recently “we had (Coral Gables) Mayor (Don) Slesnick on the show for an interview,” Gage said.  “He was actually funny, making fun of the rules in Coral Gables.”

Gage also directs and acts in many short skits that are aired during “Off the Wire,” such as “Awkward Al.”

It is a story about a university student who can best be described as “awkward,” but must really be seen to be appreciated. 

Gage also directs and produces longer films outside of class. 

Currently he is also director and producer for “Tumbler,” an independent student film in production. 

“‘Tumbler’ is actually what I was doing just before this,” Gage said.  “It is a faux documentary with a 40-page script.  It deals with a story of four astronauts who go to space and one ends up going crazy and killing the others. It has a lot of interviews, stuff like that.”

Student script writer Max Landis wrote the story specifically for Gage. 

“Gage is a well spring of natural talent caused by his natural insight and overall positive outlook on life,” Landis said. 

Next big step: this summer Gage will take part in the LA Experience. 

“This program is part of the reason I came to school here,” he said.  “Part of my criteria in choosing a school was that they had a sister program in Los Angeles. 

Gage will spend the second half of the summer at UCLA taking two classes.  Casting agents, costume designers, and other film industry professionals will talk to the students while in California. 

About 15 students from the University of Miami will partake in the L.A. Experience. 

“I just got it set up … I am so psyched!” Gage said. 

Gage is a strong supporter of extra curricular work.

“Everything outside the classroom is so important,” Gage said.  “Getting involved with production of any kind is what counts.  You actually learn, instead of people just telling you what to do and not really understanding it.”