From the beginning, Demetrius Matthews was unique. Being that his mother was 17 years old when he was born. Living on the Westside of Chicago within an unruly part of town, he was the older of his two younger sisters, life was not easy. His mom felt that society knowing the circumstances marked the young family without hope. And treated them as if they have already failed. However, they were wrong.
In elementary school, Matthews was deemed as having a learning disability due to failing a test of learning that was never taught to him. In the area he was raised, the learning standards were not up to par compared to what he was being tested on. His mother knew her son was not disabled and reassured him that it was a false narrative.
With grace, a man by the name of Mr. Kling took Matthews under his wing and transformed Douglass Middle School education. By the time it was for Matthews to graduate the eighth grade he was testing out of college-level curriculum in both reading and math.
Following middle school, Matthews was accepted into Taft High School. Being an African American man, he faced discrimination and systematic racism on daily basis from students, teachers, and staff. Unfortunately, due to being a minority he was treated unfairly and was even beaten by the school police officer. It gave his mother nightmares that one day he would be hurt or even worse killed.
His mother removed him from the high school in his junior year and Matthews spent a whole year running streets and participating in a so-called Thug Life of activities. He lost hope and became angry with the world. Matthews quickly made a name for himself in the streets however, learned just as quickly that there are only two outcomes of being involved in gangs, to lose his life to the system or in the hands of a rival.
He then made the decision that Chicago is not what was best for him and moved to Richfield, Minnesota. Thankfully, he was able to use the knowledge taught by Mr. Kling to get him through his high school senior year and later in college where he majored in accounting and computer science.
Matthews took advantage of his second chance at success and became a highly educated man. He returned to Chicago four years later and learned the harsh reality, he was different. His ex-girlfriend laughed at him for being well dressed and his former peers made fun of him for being well-spoken. But that didn’t stop him. He began his career working as an intern working for a Minnesota-based corporation.
Matthews held a series of corporate accounting positions including, database developer and programmer, IT Director, and many other project management responsibilities during the next 10 years. Then, realizing his worth, he branched off on his own and started an IT Distribution and Consulting Firm. He ran into complications and denials within America and started his journey in South Korea.
With determination Matthews traveled throughout Asia alone, meeting electronic manufacturers, negotiating prices, and creating a supply chain. Soon enough Demetrius Matthews became one of the largest IT distributors and resellers in his sector to the present day.
Furthermore, Matthews took on many other tasks. Saddened by how many black boys and men were killed and imprisoned he created his chain of music and recording studios in local shopping malls. These studios were set up with state-of-the-art recording equipment as well as high-end video cameras to create music and music videos.
He wanted them to be off the streets and channel their energy in a positive way. Matthews then added director, manager, and producer to his resume and got the chance to work with cameras and editing software. He developed a fascination with production and began making documentaries. Which then came is known short film named KLING.
From there Matthews started mentorship programs and investment groups. Within his coaching he’s often asked how did you make it out of Chicago? and he always circles back to Mr. Tom Kling, the man who potentially saved many students like Demetrius from being another statistic. Demetrius commented “he is a very important man that made so many sacrifices for all his students.
Which is something he didn’t have to do, but he did it with pride.” The KLING documentary highlights the experiences of students during the 1980s, the dawn of the crack epidemic. With the help of his 16-year-old brother and assistant video director/editor, Matthews and his team shot interviews and filmed in just three days.
From a lost boy in the streets of Chicago to a scholar, a businessman, and now nominated as one of the Best Documentary of 2021 by the Twin Cities Film Festival. You can now find Demetrius Matthews’ documentary KLING coming soon to Amazon Prime, and currently on Tubi.
From a lost boy in the streets of Chicago to a scholar, a businessman, and now nominated as one of the Best Documentary of 2021 by the Twin Cities Film Festival. You can now find Demetrius Matthews’ documentary KLING coming soon to Amazon Prime, and currently on Tubi.
indieactivity: How would you describe your work as a director?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): I am more of a Creative Director and very hands-on. I believe in knowing everything about the cameras, sound, and setup. Of course, I can’t do it all by myself but to understand every aspect of filming gives a director an important edge of creativity.
How did you get into directing?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): I have always had an imagination and feel that I am way more creative than smart. I have been blessed with the ability to see things in my mind that don’t exist and can bring them into existence in forms of art, music, and movies.
How do you choose a project to direct?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): I choose the film that I am passionate about or things that I have dealt with personally. I have been told many times that my life experience sounds like a movie. I have been blessed with an abundance of good people in my life that helped raise me to become who I am today. My mom was a poet and she spent time teaching me poetry and writing at a really young age. I would sit and write with her when she came home from school as fun. In her poems, she would write as if she was the person experiencing other people’s pain and sorrow. I think I took after her, so when I come up with an idea I somehow know exactly how to execute it and bring it to life in film. I think it’s a gift because I never had any formal training as a Director, writer, or producer.
Do you often take courses to increase your craft?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): I learned phototherapy and cinematography from watching YouTube courses and videos.
What books do you read?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): Empath by Judy Dyer
Why would you choose an actor, writer, or producer? what do you look for?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): KLING was my first Featured Film. I have not worked with any other actors or producers, but anyone that I choose to work with has to be deeply empathetic and passionate about my film or project.
When you are offered a project, what things do you put in place to deliver a good job?
Demetrius Matthews (DM): Most projects that I have done has come from my own project list of things I want to share with the world.
Briefly explain your latest work?
DM: My Latest work is with the film Kling, it was more like therapy than a movie. So much love and emotions were uncovered from myself and my classmates for Mr. Kling.
Explain key challenges in your last film?
DM: The key changelogs are learning how to market the film and get placed onto streaming networks.
What ‘thing/situation’ helps you during production?
DM: A good night’s sleep, and when I wake up energy and clear focus.
Explain a creative choice you took on the set of a recent production?
DM: Filming with 3 different cameras and lighting.
How do you advise directors to find projects?
DM: Do the project that brings out the passion in your heart.
How can filmmakers finance their projects?
DM: Save money and have many different side jobs.
What do you want from an actor during a production?
DM: 100% commitment and flexibility.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during a production?
DM: Very close and I’m very detailed and hands-on.
What do you think a female director can do to get into the film industry?
DM: Make as many of your own films as possible to show your work, craft, and dedication on your own and then showcase it to the world.
Who is your favorite director?
DM: Steven Spielberg.
Why?
DM: I love all of his movies since I was a child,
Briefly write about your career?
DM: The only movie I have done is Kling. I have produced music videos and dog documentaries as a hobby.
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