Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun M Mathis.
Shaun M, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started as a novelist, but like Ava Duvernay, I was 30, when I decided to get into the film industry after a successful career in banking. Initially, I was only a writer. Directing and producing were very far from my mind when I started. Upon entering the industry, I decided to self-finance my projects, which was difficult as a single father. But the plan was to build a portfolio of well-written, produced and directed content that would allow me to build a brand and a reputation consistent with releasing dope quality films.
I was immediately successful, but that success is due to having a great team around me and us all sharing the same vision. My business partner Justin Toulon and our production manager Jemonqiue Miller are the reason why myself and our company, Laconic Productions have had the success we’ve had. Since entering the industry, I have had the pleasure of either working with some amazing companies, Eyeam Cinema, Studio 11 Films, Street Execs Entertainment, Charles West of CW Studios and many more.
My first major break came in 2015 when I was given the opportunity to co-write and co-produce a short film starring 2 Chainz, and I have written, produced and casted two of his music videos. To date, I have either written, directed or produced 22 projects and have won over 30 film festivals.
My success has put me into a position to be one of the go-to people for writing, directing and producing. So much so that I teach screenwriting each Thursday at The Nova House as well as offering one-on-one writing sessions to new writers. Also, I host the Atlanta division of the LA-based Black List writers meeting each 1st Wed of the month.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I create visual stories in the forms of web series, films and music videos. At first, I just wanted to write films and see them on the screen. I didn’t have a direction or a message that I wanted to tell. I initially wanted to get these stories out of my head. It wasn’t until 2017 when my team and I completed our documentary, Miles in the Life: The Story of a BMF Drug Trafficker as well as the short film musical BLK MGC, I finally realized what my inspiration was. I want to make films and tell stories that have strong human emotion and connection. I want to help people see ourselves in each other. I think we as a people are so disconnected from other genders, races socially, politically and religiously that we are blinded at how connected, and alike we all are. I believe that my art and stories, even for a moment, can both entertain and bridge the gap at the same time.
With that said, I was overjoyed when I was asked to direct episode 13 of a 16-episode anthology called The Sour Milk Series which touches on stories surrounding PTSS (Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome) headed by actor and producer Jason Louder and Anthony Page. My next feature film, No Indictment, will touch on the potentially dangerous outcome if we do not fix the issue of police brutality and the killing of unarmed African American and brown people.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think there are two big challenges facing artists, specifically independent film artists today. The first is finding a way to monetize our content. So often we give much of it away in hopes of building an audience or someone seeing it that could assist in us taking it to the next level. There are tons of platforms popping up to house content, but very few of them pay enough to keep an artist financially capable of producing more.
The second is education. I have found, at least in Atlanta, many artists do not take the time to educate themselves on the intricate process of filmmaking. Because of this, content is being released that does not represent the full capabilities of independent film producers, directors, and writers in Atlanta. There are too many runs and gun content producers in Atlanta and not enough artists that respect and appreciate the craft enough to learn to do it well.
It is my believe that if we don’t hold our independent community to a higher standard, Atlanta will continue to be a place that Hollywood comes to only to film but not where they look to hire new writers, directors, producers or to pick new films and television shows from independents to greenlight.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be found on several different platforms on the web. My feature film, The Plug, is available on Amazon Prime, my TV show Threesome, is also on Amazon Prime. The short film I did with the late Atlanta hip-hop artist Bankroll Fresh and Grammy-nominated artist 2 Chainz called Take Over Your Trap can be found on World Star Hip Hop.com. BLK MGC can be found on eyeamduran.com, and our documentary is in the process of finalizing a distribution deal and will be available in 2019. I also have several web series and music videos available on our Youtube Channel named LaconicTV.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laconicproductions.com
- Phone: 16788829798
- Email: shaun@laconicproductions.com
- Instagram: @filmmaker_shaunmathis
- Facebook: shaunmathis
Image Credit:
Laconic Productions
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
