After growing up on the East coast, Evan Matthews attended the University of California, Riverside as an undergrad and majored in Film and Visual Arts with a concentration in film and media in 2005. With a stirring passion for directing, Evan won consecutive annual film festivals at UCR alongside his current producing team: Eric Matthews and Matthew Wardenaar. In between college competitions, Evan interned at Sony Pictures and Phoenix Pictures where he assisted legendary producer Mike Medavoy. Following this, Evan volunteered as a PA on the horror film The Hollow to gain set experience.
Evan entered the entertainment industry as a production assistant. It was on the set and in the offices of FOX’s “24” where Evan began to grow behind the camera. Shortly after his work on “24,” Evan moved over to the feature documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” with his twin brother Eric Matthews. The duo worked as PA’s with Participant Productions throughout the 2 month LA shoot with former Vice President Al Gore and producers Laurie David, Davis Guggenheim, and Lawrence Bender.
Following the documentary, Evan moved to a Comedy Central/Tenth Planet production; “Comedy Central’s Last Laugh 05’”. This Joel Gallen produced award show was Evan’s first shot at assistant production coordinator. Last Laugh lead Evan to another comedic project, this time for MTV. Evan took the reigns as the second assistant production coordinator on “Jamie Kennedy’s Blowin’ Up.” A first-of-its-kind reality-hybrid scripted project. It was on this show where Evan forged relationships with a tight-nip group of actors and producers that lead to his next endeavor.
Mark Burnett Productions was the next home for Evan as the assistant to the executive producer of “The Contender” (ESPN) and “Rockstar” (CBS). Evan was heavily involved with the physical production of these series with one of Burnett’s most trusted producers. After six months on the two shows, Evan was promoted to executive assistant of reality TV kingpin, Mark Burnett himself.
Under the wing of Mark Burnett and during the course of over two years, Evan began to experience the entertainment industry on an elite level. Through Mark, Evan interfaced with other moguls, presidents, stars, producers, agents, lawyers, managers, and directors. Aside from experiencing the diverse entertainment industry players and personalities, Evan also worked on a myriad of shows under the seasoned executive; Survivor (CBS), The Apprentice (NBC), Rockstar (CBS), The Contender (ESPN), Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader (FOX), On The Lot (FOX) and The MTV Movie Awards, among others. On top of coordinating show schedules with Burnett, his family and staff, Evan was also responsible for trafficking contracts, budgets, rough-cuts, scripts, logos, storyboards, music, graphics, and press releases. After 2 years with Mark, Evan was promoted to Associate Producer for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.
Evan is currently attending the University of Southern California as a graduate student at the School of Cinematic Arts when he is studying directing. Additionally, Evan is also focusing on writing, cinematography, editing and producing. USC has the number 1 film school in the world and has a 5% acceptance rate for applicants. Evan looks to graduate in the Fall of 2011.
EDUCATION & TECHNICAL SKILLS
University of Southern California — M.F.A. Directing, 2011
University of California at Riverside — B.A. Film & Visual Culture, 2005
