We’re looking forward to introducing you to Matt Jenkins. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Matt, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Over the past six months I have been producing short videos for the War Memorial Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
I am documenting the different compartments aboard the USS Batfish, a decorated World War II submarine located at the park. The Batfish is currently closed to visitors as the park employees to prepare to move the submarine to a new location.
The videos I am producing provide a glimpse into each of the compartments aboard the Batfish and their specific purpose. Visitors will view these videos on kiosks while the sub is being moved.
After the sub is moved these videos will be available for those visitors who are unable to navigate through the sub.
The videos are a combination of current sub video and historical film footage I found through research.
This work is exciting and fulfilling to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Simply put I love movies.
I love watching movies in the theater, at the drive-in or on TV. I love talking about movies and picking through the five dollar bin at the box store for them. I rummage through stacks of DVD’s at flea markets for the best deals, and I love making movies
Sadly, sometimes people don’t “get” the movies I make.
Past judges’ comments include “This must be a lot of fun for you and your friends to make but difficult for the rest of us to understand – A well made movie.” and “Huh?”
A good friend encouraged me to embrace my style. So our movies are rough edged, quirky, with uneven acting, inconsistent audio, (but the lighting is always great).
Our movies contain hidden gems, tributes to other films, interesting twists and are a lot of fun to make and watch. We know true movie aficionados will find and recognize the surprises present in our movies.
I am currently in preproduction for a new movie written by my daughter called “All the Quiet Roads.” I was happily surprised at how well her script turned out and it will make for a great movie.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In my world of movie making a person’s word is their bond. If a person doesn’t keep their word then the bond is broken.
It is critical to work with people you trust. If the person lets you down or doesn’t show up then the production suffers from the absence. As the director I must find a work around to solve the problem and complete the production on-time and on-budget.
I’m not so sure if the bond can be restored if a person breaks their word. Certainly I can forgive but will I ever work with that person on another movie production? It is highly doubtful.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself to not to live for the party. Don’t waste my youth on it. Instead follow my passion of storytelling through moviemaking. Dive deep into it, totally immersing myself into production after production and not to let the less important things of life take precedence.
Time is our most value resource that once its used up it is not replaceable. Use that time wisely and make the most of the time you have creating your art, being with loved ones, carving out your mark.
Its OK not be a millionaire, Its OK not have a big house or a boat. Create and complete those things that will mean the most to you later.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I honestly don’t know what the public version of me really is or if there really is one.
I suspect the public version of me is viewed as someone who is stern as I hold people to their word. Maybe I am looked at as a little distant as I keep my private life private. If you were to look at my Instagram you would only see promotion of my work. No family pictures, no taking political stances, no pictures of favorite food.
I want my movies to be appreciated by as many people as possible so I am not interested in alienating potential audience members as I think I would by taking public positions on different topics.
The private me loves art and creating movies to be viewed in a movie theatre.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had ten years left, I would stop my day job and concentrate on my family. I am a new grandfather and I remember what my grandfather said on his death bed. He worried that no one would remember him. My grandfather was a brilliant man who held patents, owned a prosperous business, owned a big house and nice cars and his one worry was that no one would remember him. I do remember him and think about him often.
Knowing what he said I am striving to form a great bond with my grandson and future grandchildren. I want them to have fond memories of me. All the movies that I’ve made will either be seen or not seen, and any notoriety I receive from them is fleeting. It’s my family that is most important and on my deathbed I won’t have any regrets that I didn’t spend enough time or told my family that I loved them and how much they mean to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.misfitsoffilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misfits_of_film/
Image Credits
Tori Millspaugh, Kevin Haggenmiller
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
