We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Farren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I mean– I think it’s safe saying that no one was ever remembered because they played it safe. I’ve always liked to think of it in the same way that I try to start each of my stories: it’s gotta start with something different; something memorable; something that no one else is doing– kinda seems like a dependable way to stand out. However, practically speaking, I don’t genuinely think I act in a risky way. It’s never about standing out JUST to stand out, but taking decisive action confidently. There are plenty of people who think good ideas are risky, so I guess the trick for me is tuning them out. Otherwise, I don’t think I’d be able to get anything done. Once you get into that mindset, it seeps into everything you do: you learn to work hard, persevere, and live resiliently. Even if you get knocked down, you’ll always be able to find the strength to get back up again. And I’ve failed A LOT: I’ve made short films no one saw, written songs no one heard, and put myself out there completely unsuccessfully. These setbacks make every further attempt to succeed feel foolish– but we can learn from every mistake we make, and trying again will always be a risk I’m willing to take.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I know some people say this next bit as a cliché, but I mean it all-too literally: I’m still a student, so I’m constantly learning. Every film that I make I try to approach as the project that could launch me, and as I look back on them, I’m constantly trying to figure out what I can improve for the next production. One of the biggest (but most rewarding challenges) I’ve ever taken on is this practice I’m in of making a short film every month. Beginning this routine was a huge change for me, but it’s instilled some really great lessons that I wish I’d learned forever ago: 1. nothing I ever make is going to be perfect. My films won’t turn out how I imagine them, and they probably won’t even be what I expected– but that doesn’t mean it can’t be something great, something people love. So, with these new deadlines, I don’t agonize over the details: I make sure I’m proud of my work, and I post it by my deadline. It keeps me excited, because I’m always FAST approaching a deadline, whether it’s a release-date or the first day of shooting (which is very often on the same weekend). This dedication to routine and doing what I say I’m going to do is a huge part of why I feel successful where I am, and it’s given me the confidence to feel like I’m gonna keep doing worthwhile things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oof. We’d be doing a lot of driving. When I’m on vacation, I’m basically only concerned about the food, and so I’d plan accordingly for my guest. We’d get breakfast a few times: Sidecar Donuts one morning, The Flying Yolk another morning, and top it off with a diner that neither of us had been to. That’s half the fun of this city: I’ll never be able to try everything, and I’ll always be able to try more. Then, we’d end up going to Toppers for Pizza, Monty’s Good Burger, for…. burgers…. and we’d definitely drive out to Nine & Nine Thai Kitchen for some Pad Thai. I also MUST mention my serious love for Frozen Fruit Co which is a dessert-must for me, and Crave Cafe, which has become a staple of late-night expeditions. Adventure-wise, I’m all about nature, so we’d go get slammed by the waves at Dockweiler Beach, hike Rocky Peak, and drive up to the top of Glendora Mountain Road to take in EVERYTHING. Then, if we had some extra time, I’m a sucker for the TCL Chinese Theater, so I’d definitely take them to Hollywood Blvd and catch a movie, maybe head to Amoeba to check out some records, and go downtown to The Last Bookstore to find something to read. I wanna say more, but in all honesty, I don’t know if we’d necessarily stop anywhere else– we’d just drive. There’s so much to see and so little time. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
OH! Without even thinking about it, Ben Farren. I’m lucky he’s my brother: he’s one of the most talented, resourceful, driven people I’ve ever met– and I met him when I was like, what, a week old? He was my first camera-man (when I basically needed a human tripod for my iPod), and since, he’s been the Director of Photography for numerous projects of my own (including The Vigilante, which you can watch now on Youtube shamelessplugshamelessplugshamelessplug). I wouldn’t be half as successful (not to mention anywhere near as confident) if I didn’t get to spend my life learning from him, so he gets the first thank-you. Mom, Dad, don’t be offended– thanking Ben basically counts as me thanking you too, so, you can have this one.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9672098/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjfarren/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-farren-a21b5b148/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MJFarrren

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.farren.77

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcMwGLsoeNwzDzOPofS2DvQ

Image Credits
Photos by: Sabrina Miller, Sasha Lebedeva, Adrienne Lee, Geneva Hancock, Jules Garcia, and Adam Linssen.

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