After spending three seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, Matthew was able to identify the skills learned, and apply them throughout his journey into the entertainment industry. In this episode, Matthew A. Cherry joins Pete to discuss the time he used his lunch breaks to write over 120 music video treatments, being mentored by three of the biggest Directors in the game, the creation of his Oscar award winning animation “Hair Love”, and more…

 LISTEN on iTunes // WATCH on YouTube

SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:06:15) — Pete’s Intro
(00:06:15- 00:14:20) — Breaking Into The Industry w/ Music Video Treatments
(00:14:20- 00:19:00) — How Did Playing In The NFL Help You Prepare For The Film Industry?
(00:19:00- 00:22:30) — How Did Your Mentor/Mentee Relationship With Ava DuVernay Begin?
(00:22:30- 00:25:40) — How Did Your Mentor/Mentee Relationship With Barry Jenkins Begin?
(00:25:40- 00:33:20) — How Did Your Mentor/Mentee Relationship With Jordan Peele Begin?
(00:33:20- 00:34:15) — “Transitions: A Directors Journey” Promo
(00:34:15- 00:40:10) — The Creation Of “Hair Love”
(00:40:10- 00:42:00) — Launching/Reaching Goal For Kickstarter
(00:42:00- 00:43:55) — Getting A Book Deal
(00:43:55- 00:46:10) — Transitioning Into Episodic Directing
(00:46:10- 00:47:30) — Favorite Process When It Comes To Directing
(00:47:30- 00:48:50) — Favorite Scene Directed
(00:48:50- 00:50:00) — Adjusting and Wearing Multiple Hats For Personal Projects
(00:50:00- 00:57:40) — Lightning Round Questions
(00:57:40- 01:01:00) — Pete’s Outro

*** Get your Director’s Merch! ***