Do you like movies? Well, this week’s Campus Celebrity has dedicated his Connecticut College experience to making them. Meet Matt Gentile, a student who exemplifies skill and passion in what he loves and his hard work is surely paying off. After interning at the Charlie Rose Show and spending last semester at the prestigious film academy, FAMU, in Prague, Matt spent his summer working at an esteemed production company in New York, responsible for several Oscar nominated films. I caught up with this Campus Celebrity to ask him more about his achievements.
When did you become interested in filmmaking?
I became interested in filmmaking at a very young age, but the credit goes to my father, who always made me watch the black and white, older movies with him. I thought these films would be boring, but they turned out to be pivotal in terms of artistic influence. He would show me films like Paths of Glory, The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, Lawrence of Arabia, 2001: A Space Odyssey, all of which are among my favorites. And my mother got me interested in theater at a young age and would take me to Broadway with by brother and my sister all the time. I really have to credit the two of them for exposing me to the arts scene at such an early age.
Can you talk about some early filmmaking experiences?
When I turned 13, I made my first film with my brother Scott about September 11th, called We Will Remember: 9.11. It was through this experience that I learned how to shoot, edit, and work with actors. The movie, for what it was, was very successful. It got into a few festivals and from there I felt sort of a calling to continue. However, my primary focus back then was acting; I really aspired to be an actor. I played various roles from leads to supporting from musicals to dramas. I studied at Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute and Carnegie Mellon University for a summer and I went to Broadway as often as I could, generally either with my family or by getting student rush tickets.
But you did not decide to pursue acting?
I always knew that my true passion was film. It was through making films that I not only achieved the most success, but it was also where I achieved the most artistic gratification – primarily through directing, screenwriting, producing – when you’re a student filmmaker, you pretty much have to wear all of those hats.
Who are some of your inspirations regarding film?
Growing up in the city was important to my growth as an artist. Having access to Broadway, off-Broadway, mainstream cinemas and art house cinemas allowed me to draw from all kinds of sources for creative inspiration.
As a filmmaker, my two biggest influences are Akira Kurosawa and Walt Disney. Disney contributed so much to the world as an artist, entrepreneur and creator who could just think outside the box; and Kurosawa practically influenced all the great American directors of the 70’s. I also look up to the likes of Stanley Kubrick, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman. In terms of directors working today, I really look up to Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg as well, as I grew up with their movies along with many directors of the 70’s. I’ll cut the answer to this question short because my list literally goes on forever. As far as the younger generation of filmmakers go, I love the Coen Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and David Fincher especially.
Are there any types of filmmaking that you find particularly inspiring?
I’m also really influenced by animation, which plays a very important part in my life as a filmmaker here at Conn due to my involvement with CAT. I’m virtually obsessed with Pixar; I think how they raise the bar every time is spectacular because what they focus on is making original stories — which is essentially what I want to do. John Lasseter is someone I idolize, as well as Hayao Miyazaki – god bless the man for still doing hand-drawn work.
Have your experiences at Conn shaped you as a filmmaker at all?
When I first came to Conn as a freshman, I wanted to take a little time off from film because the reason I came to a liberal arts school (and not a film school conservatory) was because I wanted to expand my mind as much as I could. My first semester I didn’t take any film classes and I missed it so much. I decided I would be a double major with English and Film Studies.
In terms of films I have made here, sophomore year I made an adaptation of a Neil LaBute play called Reasons to be Pretty. It was probably one of the most valuable learning experiences for me. Junior year I made a documentary called Keeping the Kids Safe with two other students about a campus safety officer Ronald Bastine who used to be a dancer on Broadway — as of now the movie is being submitted to film festivals in the US so we’re waiting to hear back, but it should soon be on the college website!
Any upcoming plans for this year or the future?
This year, I’m working on a film called Heart to Heart through the Ammerman Center of Arts and Technology (CAT). I’m going to be working with motion capture, 3D animation as well as live action so I’m really excited and bracing myself for the hard work that’s about to come. I also have another film in post-production that I shot this summer with my good friend and business partner Joud Kashgari who goes to NYU. I’m also in the process of submitting my film Cat in the Rain which I made in Prague onto the festival circuit. On top of that I’ve got to find myself a job so it’s busy, busy, busy. But naturally, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Clearly, Matt has made his mark in the Film department at Conn. Be sure to look out for news about his upcoming projects. I know I will!