Meet Matt Leslie | Screenwriter, Director & Producer

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

Hi Matt, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
As a screenwriter, I think we’re a breed that prefers sitting at a computer and writing, and then hoping our material finds its way into the hands of someone who can produce it. But after writing a lot and winning a couple screenwriting contests, I realized that — at least for me — that approach wasn’t working.

So I decided to step out of my comfort zone and find opportunity inside the business. At that time, a friend of mine was working with a producer named Matt Alvarez, so I asked him if Matt needed an assistant. Turns out, he did, but couldn’t afford to pay for one. I’d been smart about my savings and my wife Susie was super supportive, so I went and worked for him without pay for a number of months.

It was financially risky, but being on his desk revealed so much about how things really work. I found out which agents really made things happen. Which executives I should know. Which peers were great allies. It was a true education, and it led to me working on the feature film, “Straight Outta Compton,” where I played a big role in shaping the screenplay alongside F. Gary Gray (the director), Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and our producers Matt Alvarez and Scott Bernstein.

So, all that to say, this was the single most important decision I made that contributed to my ability to write films.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I spent one year as an Assistant and five as a Development Executive, working for two prolific film producers, and during that time I learned a lot about the business. I then took that knowledge and the connections I made, and used it all to empower my writing and directing ambitions.

In 2018, I left the development world when I got my first feature film made — a Hitchcockian psychological thriller called “Summer of 84” — which premiered in the Midnight lineup of that year’s Sundance Film Festival. Since then, my creative partner, Stephen J. Smith, and I have focused mostly on the horror genre, and even directed our first film, the soon-to-be-released supernatural horror “Don’t Open the Door.”

It’s been a lot of fun, but working in the entertainment industry right now isn’t easy. Between the strikes last year, the possible upcoming IATSE strike’s cooling effect, the contraction in streaming and theatrical, and the collapse of the independent film business model, finding work and doing this thing I love has been… challenging.

Exhibit A: last year, my creative partner Steve and I were set to direct a feature film we also wrote. The budget was $2.7mm and we flew to Boston to begin prep. But after three weeks in a four-week prep, one week away from cameras rolling, our line producer informed us that there, in fact, was no money after the initial $300k investment. Furthermore, turns out one of our producers admitted to stealing half of that $300k. As you can imagine, the production didn’t survive the ordeal, and Steve and I watched as much of the last two years of our professional efforts vanished into thin air.

While catastrophic, it’s a tale as old as Hollywood time. But that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Cliche but true. Because no one with staying power in entertainment hasn’t suffered devastating setbacks like that. It’s baked into the filmmaking cake. So as not to lose perspective, I always try to focus on that iconic Michael Jordan quote:

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots In my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

That is my North Star.

I’m confident in my abilities, but where I think I truly shine is in my uncommon level of determination. I wake up every day and push the ball forward on my various projects, each one in a different phase of its life, whether an idea, an outline, a script, or a package.

So despite the business being difficult, I remain focused, productive and hopeful.

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.
Los Angeles is a truly wonderful city with so many unforgettable things to see and experience. Having lived in LA for 20 years, I definitely avoid tourist trap spots like the Santa Monica Pier, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood & Highland, and Venice Beach. Caveats aside, these would be my top ten “can’t miss” LA to-dos (in no particular order):

1) Breakfast at the Griddle Cafe on Sunset. Hands down best pancakes I’ve ever had.
2) Catch a movie at Cinespia in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The Exorcist in a graveyard? Yes, please.
3) Visit LACMA — always a great experience. Will never forget the Kubrick exhibit from a few years ago.
4) A concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
5) Coffee at Go Get Em Tiger followed by a visit to Chevalier Books on Larchmont. I live near Larchmont and it’s my favorite neighborhood.
6) While a bit of a tourist trap, I do still like to take visitors to The Grove, especially during the holidays. It’s undeniably a festive experience that time of year.
7) A visit to Beverly Hills Juice Club on Beverly at Orlando for the best MFing smoothie you’ll ever have in your life.
8) Depending on time of year, a Lakers game or Dodgers game.
9) Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula. It’s a delicious way to spend two hours on a chill Saturday or Sunday.
10) The best east coast pizza on the west coast at Village Pizzeria on Larchmont.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a Shoutout to my partner, Susie, and my parents, Sue and Steve. The way I see it, they form the foundation that empowers me to fight on in this crazy business.

All my life, I’ve heard stories about parents who don’t support the wishes of their children and force their own ideas, desires, and even careers onto them, and that creates resentment and unhappiness. My parents couldn’t be more opposite of that. They truly have my back, and it means so much.

My partner, Susie, is a TV host and actor, so she understands the grit and gumption this business demands. By the end of 2024, we’ll have been together for 24 years — which is INSANE — and throughout those years, she’s been nothing but encouraging and supportive. She’s never tried to dissuade me from staying the course, and for her I’m eternally grateful.

What can I say? I’m a lucky guy to have these three amazing people in my life.

Website: www.matthewgleslie.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/matthewgleslie

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgleslie/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/matthewgleslie

Image Credits
The two headshots I included were photos taken by Jeremy Cowart