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DA SPOT INTERVIEW - ASHLEY:
How young we you when started using a camera? What was the first kind you used?
I recall being about 13, maybe 14, the beginning of high school at least, when I first started using a camera for artistic purposes. My mom had an old manual 35 mm SLR, a Praktica, which was given to her by a friend. It was a great camera, I used it all through high school and still have it. If ever I decide to use real film again I’ll be pulling that old German camera out first thing!
Did you study photography in college or was it a hobby turned job?
I studied photography in high school and wanted to take it in college. I was actually turned away from a couple colleges for photography so I decided to go in to general arts courses to get a grip on a few other mediums. It was only until about three years ago that I picked it up again when I fell in to a job.
Have you had the chance to travel, work and live in other places? Tell us a little about the different places you have lived.
I have been fortunate enough to follow some of the opportunities that arose in the last few years, which took me to Ireland, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and Montreal. I did some schooling in Dublin where I got to meet a grand bunch of people and develop a taste for Guinness, I interned in San Francisco where I was lucky enough to test my abilities in the editorial field, chill by the bay and run in to a few unsavory drug addicts. Work saw me to LA a few times and leisure brought me to Montreal where I worked and had one of the best summers of my life.
One of your past and present jobs is in celebrity photography. What was that like?
It was a wild ride. Very busy, very cunning, very mischievous, very fun. Tight deadlines and at times cutthroat. I worked with great people though so I always felt comfortable and needed.
That must have been a tuff gig to get? How did you come in to it?
It was all about the right place at the right time. I studied journalism and had done some editorial work so I just searched for jobs in that field online. The company who I worked for needed a photo editor and I was willing to travel to LA to get the job, so I got it. Persistence on my part also helped me secure the gig.
You hear a lot about celebrities not being like their personas on TV and film. Any stories you would like to share?
Not really. Too bad I don’t have something interesting to say. Sorry.
In terms of photography, what is the coolest shoot or experience you have had?

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ASHLEY MATT                                                           THE LOW DOWN:
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Born / Lives in: Midland, Ontario, Canada.

Favorite Place on Earth: Any beach...can’t help but love a good breeze.

Artistic Influences: I’ll have to think about that one ;-)

Favorite Style of Art: Impressionism.

Favorite Passtime: Biking, walking, swimming, watching films, reading.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/metafreelancing

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/metafreelancing

SLIDESHOW: (Click Speaker for Music)

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Honestly they have all been pretty normal. Meet subject, pose, shoot, end. I guess I need to shoot more interesting subjects to get wild stories :-)
Many artists say they see the world as a vast collection of things they can incorporate in to their art. Is that true for you?
I think it has to be true for any artist. No artist can produce something from nothing. We all have experiences in our lives, we see things, we hear things, we touch things. These are all things artists draw on to make something.
AtmospheresYou seem to be drawn to photo-realism and how angles can distort and add intrigue to common images. Is that true? Tell us about that?
You’re right, that is something I’m drawn to, finding the abstract in still life. Certain items can have a color or a texture or a form all of their own which if looked at out of its regular context can become something rather interesting. I’m also in to photojournalism, where an image tells a story, and portraits like those of celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.
You are also a writer and from what we understand you are working on a screenplay. Can you tell us a little about it? What is the topic of the film you are crafting?
I am working on a couple pieces, a short dramedy about a suburban family and a feature length dark comedy about a narcissistic young woman.
Is this your first time delving into screen writing? If not what types of things have you done?
This is pretty much the beginning for me. I’m learning as I go and surprisingly having a good time doing it.
So it seems you like to write by candlelight? That is really unique tell us about that. Have you always done that?
Someone close to me once told me that fire is a communicative element. I’m not a superstitious person, but for what ever reason that idea stuck with me. Maybe I feel like it sets the mood, keeps me from leaving my desk, gives me something to stare at when I hit a brick wall in my head, or maybe it actually talks to me. Totally kooky I know, but it seems to work.


Some artist are made and some are born. For you which one applies?

 
I think I was made. The passion, the talent that some artist have definitely is in their blood. For me I think my upbringing and environment shaped me, my likes and my dislikes. On the other hand my persistence and curiosity definitely is in my blood, characteristics that make all the other things I do possible. So maybe I’m 50/50.
What is your favorite film and why?
Too many to choose just one so here are a few:
Pulp Fiction: Tarantino became a major influence on me after I saw that film. Dark, funny, great characters, great pace. De grønne slagtere (Green Butchers): A Danish film about two butchers who sell human flesh to their customers. A rather humorous dark comedy that I feel the need to watch every now and again. Disney’s Aladdin: Loved it as a kid, still love it as an adult...Princess Jasmine was my hero.
Given the opportunity would you ever want to direct a film? What would it be like?
As a kid I thought I wanted to be a director. I was attracted to the industry and couldn’t figure our what I could do in it, so I figured director was as good as any profession. But as I got older and found new passions and discovered my abilities that dream kind of altered. If I were to direct a film I think it would be small. A light and witty comedy, shot digitally to avoid massive costs, and most importantly it would have convincing actors!
AshleyWe also understand that you work with a band tell us about that. What kind of music do they play?
I’m currently the junior manager for the Toronto progressive rock / experimental electronic band:

A / Collision     (Their MySpace).
They are a great group of guys and I have fun working with the band. It is a lot of administrative kind of stuff. Office work, loads of calls, loads of research and some fun nights out at gigs. You have to be self-motivated.
How did that all come about?
I was looking for a job and this one was posted. I ran with the opportunity as it presented itself and I drew on my skills from past jobs and experiences to get me through.
 
What industry do you like the best film, music, or photography? Why?
I don’t think I can choose. They have all been great avenues for me. In my experience all three have required a team effort and that is something I enjoy about all of it. Everyone has a role and when combined something spectacular gets created.
AtmospheresWhat is the hardest part of each business for you?
The thing that is the hardest is actually one of the best things: rejection. There is a lot of competition and it can be distressing and demoralizing at times when you’ve put your heart, your mind, your passion and time in to something and then after finding a million people to send it to, no one accepts it. But if taken the right way it actually helps to drive you, move you forward, work harder, practice and get better.
What is the one thing you would tell a young artist just breaking in?
Produce, produce, produce. Then show, show, show. And never stop.
Who is the person you would most like to hang out with for an hour? Why?
I couldn’t just hang with one person. That would be awkward. Imagine, you wouldn’t know the person and you’d spend the first 30 minutes trying to figure out something to talk about  ;)  No, it would have to be a few people. I’d say the creative team behind The Office; Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, and why not throw in their new friend Karl Pilkington, the guy with a “head like a fucking orange”.
If you had to choose just one of the three fields you work in now which one would you choose and why?
I think I have to say music. Film is great, but challenging in so many ways. It will always be something I’m in to but I won’t be heartbroken if it doesn’t become my sole career. Photography is wonderful, but again if I don’t find an opportunity in that I might not care to pursue it for too long. From what I’ve gathered the music industry is tough (a lot of great artists and competition), but I enjoy the vibe I get from it. There are a lot of passionate people, a lot of creativity and natural evolution (musically and technologically) that makes for a fun environment.
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