Simon K Matthews' Short Film Sends a Hilarious Message to the Industry

What do you do when you have nothing to do in lockdown? Make a film about yourself, of course. Simon K Matthews did exactly that. Here, Simon explains more about what inspired the project and how he got it off the ground. 

“In all honesty, it's how I feel about the industry as a whole, that agencies don't hire up and coming people anymore and just happily use established names again and again yet moan that advertising is stale. My case in point is one of the biggest commercial directors working today directing a bloody zoom advert. It's a case of frustration on my part.

“But in a more sellable way, I was motivated to create something in lockdown that felt unique but still distinctly me. Like most people, I'm tired of seeing zoom adverts, user-generated nonsense or brands being worthy for the sake of kudos which we can all see-through. Where's the desire to make people laugh? 

“So I looked at what I could achieve in lockdown without spending a penny. Luckily I had some questionable photos of a DOP and blackmailed him to film some pack shots in his home studio, I directed it via facetime. Probably the easiest gig I've ever had. 

“Then set about scripting some pieces to the camera for actor friends who just wanted to perform some hard-hitting drama monologues. I obviously left them on the cutting room floor. The aim was purely to make something mainly for mental health reasons as it's well and good to be developing stuff in the background but us creative types need to occasionally finish something and put it out there. 

“I find the act of doing wonderful and purposeful and helps me navigate the weather in my brain.

“Is it perfect? No! Will it get me that Nike campaign? Unlikely. Did I have fun doing it? Absolutely! And as the film states, i'm available for hire.”