Meet Matthew Paris | Writer/Producer

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

Hi Matthew, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
As a producer the most important thing is that you have the control on how to develop material. Film and television is a collaboration, but sometimes you can’t listen to everyone. Many different people have an opinion about where it should go. But, if you believe in yourself you can achieve anything.
When I wrote my first short film, “Crisis” for Looknow Productions. There were many different aspects and opinions of how to market the film. Did you know that when a film is completed every independent film producer wants to take it to Sundance or Cannes. No matter is it’s a short or feature. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to take it to smaller festivals see if we could win awards there. That’s what happened to “Crisis”. We took the film to Worldfest-Houston, and several other smaller festivals where we won accolades. After the success of the festival run I took the film to a distribution company in Germany, but they said it was not for us. That’s another important factor that young filmmakers need to learn. If the film doesn’t get accepted for distribution, it’s not the end of the world. It just means that the film doesn’t fit their model for now. There are plenty of other distribution companies. I had heard about Shorts International. They are one of the biggest short film distribution companies with offices in London and Los Angeles. I submitted the film to them and within two months I heard back from them and said they enjoyed it and would like to buy it. I thought that’s amazing. “Crisis” played on the ShortsHD Network on AT&T U-VERSE and DirecTV. it played over several continents, the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Remember, you don’t always have to go for the home run, you can get some base hits, too. By thinking that way, people will take notice and the brand will build.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Growing up, I was mostly played sports, but loved going to see movies. I had a vast knowledge of movies and television shows. My friends would often ask me what is good playing at the cinema, right now? English Literature was my favorite subject and didn’t think about writing or doing it professionally until my Sophomore year in high school. My teacher came up to me and put an A paper on my desk. She said, “Matthew I think this is a talent and you should really explore this”. Once, I got to Texas Tech is when I really took it seriously. I wrote term papers, and critique other of my classmates works.
I started working on sets for independent films and they were fun. I learned about how a set is run and how to make a film. I started writing little short scripts on the side. I did it mostly just for practice. They say don’t write anything you can’t film. So, I knew there were industry rules. I went out and got at that time the latest version of “Final Draft” version 9. Which, that software is industry standard and taught myself how to be a screenwriter. Writing the short films and selling them for distribution is one of the more exciting things.
Nothing is ever easy, but if you take on the challenge and accomplish your goal no matter if it’s in business or film, it’s a great feeling. A lot of people think you have to network and it’s important part of the industry, but it’s not everything. You have to be able to sit down and do it. I can say, I plan on doing this or that, but you have to lay the ground work out and figure out how we are going to accomplish this task.
There are many lessons I’ve learned along the way. Ridley Scott said, “Every time you do a film, no matter if it’s big or small, you are a slightly different person by the end of it”. Scott was right! You’re either better or you’re worse. However, if you keep moving forward you will be successful with your brand. For my brand, I would like for people to be motivated by what I’m putting out and inspired. so, they can take on life’s challenges and be successful.

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.
If I’m in Los Angeles, I would take them to Mel’s Diner and the Hamburger Hamlet. However, I know the Hamlet has closed down now. I live in Houston, now. So, If a friend came to visit me and if they were out of state. I would want them to have the Texas experience. An Astros game or Rockets game. “Salt Grass” steak house for dinner and drinks. Some “Top Golf” to hit a few golf balls. Just make it a fun and relaxing trip for them.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve written many screenplays before and none of them got made until I wrote “Crisis”. I met this producer, Carlos Samudio in Austin. He is the owner of Looknow Productions. I met him to work behind the scenes on another film that we were going to do in New Orleans. However, that film fell through because of budget. I sent him the script for “Crisis” and he loved it. So, came the one month of development process before we actually started filming. We had filmed the movie, and people really liked it. So, we marketed it and sold the film for distribution.
Carlos went on to produce two of my other short films, “The Last Catch” which, won many accolades and was also sold for distribution and the short film, “My Mother’s Eyes.” I have to also give a shout out to two great filmmakers, Devin and Zane Van Cleeve, who directed the short film, “The Eyes On Me”. A film I wrote and helped produce. I also need to give a shout out to the wonderful actress, Tara Davis who’s been in many of my films.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.paris.965

Image Credits
Matthew Paris