In collaboration with Playboy Magazine and Bombay Sapphire Gin, Talenthouse had the great pleasure to host a Creative Invite open to all independent filmmakers using the themes of “Imagination” and “Freedom of Expression.” These themes are not only helpful catalysts for creativity, as attested by the fantastic submissions we received, but align with Playboy’s oftentimes overlooked history of subverting stiff traditionalism in its dedication to artists and creativity.

Ray Bradbury, for one, initially published his Fahrenheit 451 through several issues of Playboy, and the pages of the magazine have seen exclusive art by Salvador Dali, and the work of famous photographers like Annie Leibovitz. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appeared in an interview with Playboy at the height of tensions in the Civil Rights Movement, giving more than a bit of credence to that old chestnut of subscribing “just for the articles.”

Following the winner and finalist announcements, we recently had a chance to talk to Matt Nye – one of three Finalists – who wrote, directed, and edited a short film titled “Post-Grad Lamentate.”

Matt’s describes himself as an avid movie goer whose interests in film-making started when he was a child, gaining momentum as he delved in writing screenplays and directing for theater in high school. His passion led him to film school where his first feature length movie garnered accolades from a competition, was screened at Tribeca Cinemas, and eventually got picked up for distribution through Amazon.com. He runs his own production company titled Red Sauce Films based in Chicago. Matt’s submission, described on his Talenthouse Portfolio as the story of a man who “laments his lost love in a state of post-graduation, frozen to the idea of moving on and beyond her[...]” is posted below.

Talenthouse: Does the creative process come easy for you? What is the most difficult part about getting a project off the ground, and what are some of the steps you take when first embarking on a new film?
Matt: The most difficult part is finding the funding. I have three new projects I want to do this year – have the scripts and assembling the crew / cast. Just need the money to make it happen. People can’t work for free forever. This isn’t college anymore.

TH: Do you have a particular area in making movies you enjoy best?
Matt: I love directing, writing, editing and producing in that order. I love working with actors and crew more than anything.

TH: Do you have any advice for aspiring film-makers?
Matt: Don’t give up, get as much feedback as you can, and follow your dreams. If you think it’s worth fighting for, it probably is.

TH: Who are some of your favorite filmmakers that inspire you? Are there any other sources outside of film you draw inspiration for your work?
Matt: I have too many, ha ha. We’re all inspired as artists and we all get that inspiration from somewhere. I love Scorsese and his ability to try new techniques given his age. I have also fallen in love with television recently as it has become so cinematic and engaging.

TH: How do you gauge the status of the contemporary movie industry?
Matt: It is always changing and evolving. I came into things right when it was digital vs. film and for a while really hated digital. I just loved the look of film and the process (still do). But now you have directors like David Fincher who make outstanding digital features and it’s become acceptable, or at least now it works as a style. Film definitely still lends itself to period pieces and you see the failure of Mann’s Public Enemies where he tried to use digital.

But at least he tried something different and these new mediums are forcing us to think of different things and create different subgenres. Very exciting. … and the marketing, too, is ever changing! Everything has become viral. You see what The Dark Knight did, and there is the future of film marketing. Youtube, Vimeo… it’s all there. A very exciting time to be a filmmaker.

Still from Matt Nye's "Server."

TH: Do you have any personal websites or other media links that you would like to share with the Talenthouse audience?
Matt: Yes. I have www.redsaucefilms.com that has some previews of my work. You can also watch full short films on Youtube and Vimeo (those links are on my website). I will also be launching two new sites in the coming weeks that will have teasers for my new feature “S.O.B.” I am also now raising funds for another feature “Stay With Me” on IndieGoGo and kickstarting a pilot for a TV series based off of my short film “Server.”

The “S.O.B.” trailers I would like to premiere through Talenthouse when the time comes. Think that would be really cool. Matt’s writing and background in theater is also well exhibited in his previous submission to a Talenthouse Creative Invite, which may be turned into a pilot for a series Matt has planned. The short film “Server,” staged entirely around an internal monologue given by a waitress as she passes through the mundane, and not so mundane, actions of her day, can be seen on Matt’s Talenthouse Profile.

Congratulations once more to Matt for his contribution to
the Playboy and Bombay Sapphire Gin Creative Invite.
Keep an eye out for this filmmaker’s ongoing endeavors -
we will aim to bring you news of his projects and premieres!