Film and Video Production: Alumni Stories
Matt Dressel - '08
What has your work/life been like since graduation Grand Valley?
I moved out to LA and took a job as a runner/courier for a film
advertising company (trailers/tv spots). While there, I had the time
to work on my screenwriting while moving up in the company. I did
everything from runner to assistant editor to copywriter; working with
major studios the whole time. During that time I optioned a few
screenplays and worked on a web series.
What work are you doing right now?
I am in Freelance Screenwriting - One spec optioned to Darius
Films in Toronto, Canada and two specs optioned to producer Don Schmeichel.
What do you like most about what you do?
The ability to create stories that connect with people. I
primarily write comedies (which I consider the most difficult genre to
write), and when I make someone laugh, I feel like I'm connecting with
that person.
What is one of the most valuable things you’ve learned in your work?
The ability to take criticism. If I didn't learn to change
things when I was told they needed to be changed, I wouldn't be where
I am now. A lot of writers hand out their work simply for validation,
not criticism, and I think it takes a long time to correct this. It's
hard to change your work, but once your realize how crucial that
aspect of writing is, you'll instantly become a better writer.
What do you see as one of your most rewarding accomplishments?
Most recently, winning the IFP Minnesota Screenwriting Residency.
It was massively validating and is going to offer many connections
and resources.
Also, the feature screenplays I've optioned. But honestly, any
attention I get on a spec pitch is a big accomplishment for me. So
many pitches get completely ignored, so it's always a big win for me
when a producer wants to engage.
Life after graduating, what is some of the most valuable
advice you received? What insights did you gain?
The biggest insight I received was to "pick a lane". I
was fortunate enough to have a professional writer as a mentor when I
got out to LA, and his first advice for me was to not stretch myself
too thin. Don't make it my goal to be everything in film; pick
something and stick to it. There are so many people who go out to LA
(myself included) with dreams of being a writer/director/editor/etc,
and that just clutters up your business card. This was hands down the
most valuable advice I received and helped me focus solely on writing
(my true passion).
You moved out to a big city for work, what advice do you have
for others following this path? Tips on making a big move, finding
work, etc?
If you want to work in production, don't get a job in post
production. Or vice versa. I think a lot of people (myself included)
go out to LA thinking if they just get a job in "film"
they're set. But if you get a job in the wrong part of film, you're
climbing the wrong ladder. Even though my job in post gave me a lot
of time to write, all of my connections were in post and were
basically useless in finding work in production.
If you could give some advice to current students, what would
it be?
When I was in school I treated every - single - project as if it
would be screened before an audience of thousands (as opposed to a
single class). This way you're always striving to churn out the best
possible product and not just shrugging off any of your assignments.
It helps build your reel and then, when you leave school, you have
more quality work to show.
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