We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matt Sill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matt below.
Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from what people have said about me growing up. I was told by a lot of people that I was never going to be good enough. I had teachers in middle school and high school tell me to my face that I was going to grow up to be a failure. I had bosses that gave other people opportunities, despite me outworking them. I think the thought of failing and proving them right, is what drives me to always give 110% into every project that I do, no matter how small or large the budget is. My name is attached to every project that I do, so every single frame of a film or commercial matters.
This year specifically, I am really pushing to find the balance of giving everything into a project, while not neglecting my personal life and well being. It’s something that I still struggle with finding the right balance for, but it’s been a priority really since entering my 30s.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am primarily a Cinematographer, and an occasional Director, depending on the project. I specialize mainly in commercials and films. As a Cinematographer specifically, I work with the Director to make His/Her story come to life visually. Cinematography is a massive collaboration between departments to serve the Director’s vision. On commercials, there are a number of other goals we need to serve, including the vision of the Client and Ad Agency.
For me, my favorite thing about working in the film industry is being able to create beautiful images and tell incredible stories, with some of my favorite people on the planet. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing crew members, whether in the camera, grip, and electric departments I oversee, or other departments I work alongside.
I think for me, cinematography is an art form, and something that I take extremely seriously. Something I love about cinematography, like many art forms, its the outpouring of a person’s personality, style, life, etc… I think you can take 5 cinematographers and give them a script, and they may shoot it 5 different ways. Something the last few years I have really worked to cultivate is to see myself in more of the work that I do.
As far as upcoming projects, I can’t go into too much detail, but I am directing and doing cinematography for a short film, based on the inspiring true story of a young boy. I can’t really say much more, but its a big undertaking and responsibility, but a story that I am honored to help tell.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three areas on knowledge I think are the most important:
1. Knowing who you are as an artist and be confident in your style and vision.
2. Creating projects that only you can tell. Projects you are passionate about, and that you know you are the only person who can tell that story and do it justice.
3. Finding Mentors. I have so many great cinematographers that I have had the pleasure to meet or talk with, and every one of them has given me something that I can pull and use. This would be also the advice I would give to people starting out in the film industry, no matter the department. Find people who are where you want to be, and soak up any advice and knowledge they impart to you.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I think a few books or resources come to mind, but to me, the top book I have read is a two book series called Cinematographer Style by Jon Fauer, ASC. It is interviews with many of the top Cinematographers, over career, technical, philosophy, etc…
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattsill.com
- Instagram: @mattsill
- Twitter: @mattsill
Image Credits
Damien Blue Madeleine Beck Tom Klane
