Hi, I’m Matt, or Eastie, or Eastman. (Take your pick, but please don’t shout at me if I zip past you on my bicycle — I am in my FLOW STATE.) I’m a director and writer dwelling in Toronto’s downtown west end. I am the son of Harry and Di, and brother to Nurse Sue. Loving boyfriend of JJ. I adore dogs, but have no pets. As a GROWN-ASS MAN, I am currently learning how to skateboard. I love Twizzlers and 90s Levis. I run warm.
Pee Wee’s Playhouse totally blew my young mind. That show OPENED ME UP to the CRAZY POSSIBILITIES of film and storytelling — that sounds MAD CORNY, but I speak truth. I studied English literature in university, moonlit designing party flyers. Shot super8 music videos for friends and did the odd DJ gig. (All good directors are just frustrated DJs, correct?)
In my early 20s I was at the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time, and became a globetrotting hawker of CERTIFIED-BANGIN’ television commercials. I’ve shot everywhere from Singapore to Santiago, directing popstars in Shanghai, coffee klatch in Kiev, and SKATEBOARDING SKUNKS in Jakarta.
I have directed both Keanu Reeves and Emily Ratajkowski, but NOT at the same time. My recent film THE YEAR OF STARING AT NOSES crushed at Slamdance and is a current Vimeo staff pick — Icelandic tastemakers have watched and liked it! I am comfortable shooting shit on my iphone with friends, or a massive crew in Agoura Hills as that sweet California sun starts to dip.
I’m a born collaborator, and I give good ZOOM. I excel in Microsoft Teams meetings. My favourite teleconferencing app is the much slept-on CISCO WEBEX. However, give me a glass boardroom and I will literally STAND UP and ACT OUT the scene for you.
I literally am at my HAPPIEST when I’m on set, and the scene on the monitor looks HELLA FAT and SWANKY, and you and me everyone we know — from the client to the agency to the cool kid PA — seems to be in that magical flow state.
Just like me on my bicycle.
