Check Out Matt Stalf’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Stalf.

Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I first got into video production I was your typical 11 year old skateboarding kid that couldn’t do any tricks but could hold a camera. Therefore I was coined as the group cameraman. That lead to me tinkering with windows movie maker, stop motion, rap music videos, martial arts parodies, film noir and gangster movies with my friends.

I always knew I wanted a career path in the arts, and tried my hand in painting and mixed media art, but kept falling back on video and photo. So I went to University of Cincinnati’s CCM media program for a bachelor’s and a minor in DAAP to itch the fine art scratch. With both backgrounds I can say I learned a lot of technical and art theory, but experience was the main element that I was craving.

Therefore I interned, shot anything and everything, edited, met production crews, micro budget feature films, the list goes on, just to immerse myself as much as possible in the video production world and find what I liked best and excelled at. After working on all kinds of sets, I find myself in a documentary, commercial side of video after 11+ years of this career. I initially called myself a freelancer as I help crews achieve their stories on set, but as I continue to grow my client base I consider myself a creative studio. We can do video, photo, animation, really any visual storytelling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road and I don’t think it ever will be. Imposter syndrome is extremely prevalent in any creative field, and especially when you are hand crafting the stories, executing the production day and post. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, but I’ve learned a lot by listening and collaborating to come to a happy outcome. Sometimes when I think of creative, the end product is completely different but the journey to get there always opens my eyes to new ways to hone and think about video production.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At first I used to say I was a jack of all trades in the video production world, and I still think I can adequately do anything on a video set as far as camera department and directing goes.
However I know what I excel in and that would be Docu-style shooting and editing for story based video. I also have a fair share of product video experience that really excites me and challenges me to think out of the box. I hope to continue growing and evolving and shoot more product video and truly use my studio space to it’s fullest potential.

I also really love to work with small businesses and restaurants/coffee shops. My brother is a chef and food videography has always fascinated me. With these connections I have shot video for tons of coffee shops, Aperture restaurant, Boom Box Buns {RIP} 🙁 , Nati Wine Fest, and tons more. I really enjoy documenting other artist’s work/food in the best light possible.

I would say I am most proud of the music videos, documentaries, restaurants and product video
“Dancing With My Demons” – Foxy Shazam (2022)

A notable documentary I have shot
“Why We Walk” (2024)

“Olay x Stanley Collaboration”

Aperture restaurant video

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I think I’ve learned is to have fun and work with your friends on set. Honestly I took video production so serious at first and thought if I didn’t act the part and knew all the specs and information on gear and theory, that I would get kicked out of the industry. Now, I realize the happier a set, and of course still full of professionals, the better end product we get every time. Don’t get me wrong, we take every job serious and achieve the best results, but I like to enjoy my time at work because at the end of the day this is super unique and fun way to make a living and I try to never take that for granted.

Pricing:

• Pricing is Difficult since I custom price per each project’s creative

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MattStalf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattstalf_dop/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattstalf/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/mattstalf

Image Credits
Ian Gunn – Louse music video BTS
Joe Walsh – Illustration for Why We Walk documentary poster