Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Palmer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Matthew. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
My mom is an artist, and she exposed me to really great films at an early age. I remember seeing The Godfather when I was eleven or so. When I was twelve, she showed me Fargo, and it absolutely blew my mind. I had no idea that a popular, award-winning movie could be so strange and funny and violent and complex. I started filming stuff – just everyday life, basketball games, my family’s pets, my brother, whatever – shortly after that.
After graduating from NYU, I moved to San Francisco and produced, directed, and edited a feature-length documentary. It ultimately wasn’t the smash hit I assumed it would be, but I learned so much by making it. The film premiered at the Hollywood Film Festival and screened around the world, which encouraged me to continue making videos. I worked at a small San Francisco production company for a few years and, during that time, I worked to build my portfolio.
Finally, I did something I should have done years earlier – I moved to LA. I love this city and the creative energy in it. I now make documentaries, music videos, and branded content. I was fortunate to be a part of the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase at Cannes. My work has been featured on The Huffington Post, The Atlantic, Aeon Magazine, and more. I’m very fortunate to get paid to do what I love.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like most filmmakers, I’ve “failed” and been told “no” more times than I could count. I’m still told “no” practically every day. I now have pretty thick skin, but, nonetheless, I alternate between thinking I’m awesome and thinking I’m a fraud on, sometimes, an hourly basis. So, many of my struggles are mental and personal.
In a more tangible sense, making movies is pretty hard! It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, but it requires serious commitment and dedication, which can be draining. That said, it is also incredibly rewarding!
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m primarily a documentary director, but I do a bit of everything. I strive to bring a nuanced, cinematic sensibility to documentary and documentary-style pieces.
I love exploring human nature, as well as more abstract ideas, such as loss and grief. I also find myself drawn to subjects that are dominant in our current political culture (guns, race, etc.). I love trying new things and experimenting with different styles of film and storytelling.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has played a huge role in my life as a filmmaker. I am incredibly lucky to have been raised in an artistic environment. I’m so lucky that my mother encouraged my dream of being a filmmaker.
On many projects, there’s some happy accident that ends up making the finished piece better, which is lucky. But I also work hard and continually try to get better at my craft.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://matthewpalmerfilm.com
- Phone: 916-799-2567
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjpalmer/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Brian Gagliardi
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