June AOTM Winner
Matt Van Daele
@Matt.VanDaele
[Q&A]
1) Q: Give us an introduction about yourself?
A: I’m 24 years young. I’m a professional videographer & training DP as of right now. I’m always looking to get into more videos, commercials, and eventually feature films.
2) Q: Where are you from?
A: Originally I’m from a little town called Riverside which is about an hour and thirty minutes east of LA.
3) Q: Where do you live now?
A: Now I live in Los Angeles, CA in Hollywood.
4) Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: I would say the biggest people that inspired me when I was first getting into this were Stew, Frankie, and Jaquory. I started out out not really knowing what I was doing. One of my biggest inspirations was my best friend Jake; he actually is the one that got me to pickup a camera. Stew, Jaquory, and Frankie were the ones that really put me on. They taught me email marketing, and many other skills. I started working with them for about six months to a year, and finally I knew after working with them that it was my time. I took what I learned from them, and decided to take it to the next level on my own.
5) Q: Is there anything notable that happened while growing up that shaped you into the person you are today?
A: I think the biggest thing that made me the person I am today was when my parents got a divorce when I was 14. Really messy breakup, and a lot of family issues. It sounds weird because whenever you think of a kid coming from a wealthy family you think they have nothing to worry about, but you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors until you meet the person. I would say the thing that shaped me was having to grow up quicker than a lot of people normally do at the age of 14.
6) Q: If you could live anywhere in the world for free, where wold you choose?
A: Honestly, Los Angeles. I think it’s a love/ hate relationship just because there is a lot of chaos that goes down in this place. I either had a choice of moving to Newport or LA. I knew that LA was the place I had to be to help me grow though.
7) Q: What are your talents?
A: I would say my biggest asset is photo + video production, but mainly storytelling is my strength that makes me stand out from the rest. I’m not afraid to put something out there about being different, and expressing myself in a sense. Even though it’s a very thrown around word now I think that the people who truly are different are the people that are going to stand out. They show it with their actions.
8) Q: Are you naturally talented, or did you acquire your skills?
A: That one I don’t know. A lot of people told me naturally I was just gifted with camera skills, because I didn’t grow up doing this. I remember making videos on a GoPro, and with my mom’s VHS when I was little. I did used to make gaming videos when I was younger though, and a lot of people I played with told me I was skilled at that. I think I always knew in the back of my head that eventually I would be doing it full time. Honestly, now that I think about it I believe it’s more of a building process. It’s not something I just woke up one day & was instantly good at. I definitely had to work my ass off to learn everything that I know now.
9) Q: How do you develop your skillset & improve your talents?
A: I developed them by going out every single day & shooting with friends without being paid. Joshua tree was my spot. Shooting with friends at the house, and little wake boarding videos too. I never did anything with the videos though. I remember I would just shoot. Never edit. The biggest thing that taught me was the accessibility to the internet. Youtube specifically taught me so much about cameras, how to shoot, rules of thirds, ISO, shutter speed, how to shoot a concert, and what not to do.
10) Q: How do you leverage these talents in your professional career?
A: I think just being true & authentic by not overselling myself is huge. Knowing what I can do, and taking risk on each job by believing in myself is huge. Saying that I can do something, and not having a clue how to do it is something I have done before. It forces me to figure new things out, and I push myself in that sense. I think my biggest skillset with that is not necessarily telling them what they want to hear, but telling them that I am capable… and pushing the boundaries.
11) Q: What are some opportunities you have gained because of your talents?
A: I mean a lot. I mean the biggest one to date is definitely buying a RED Digital Cinema camera through my work efforts. I think being 24, and being able to afford something like that is definitely a dream for a lot of people. It was for me, and I worked hard with my talents to get it. Being able to go places is huge too. For example, I just got back from a 9-day trip to Belize that you actually helped me set up since the charity I was working with needed someone with my skillset. It’s taken me all around the world, and allowed me to work with brands that I never even thought I would be able to work with. I always thought it would be awesome if I could work with these people, but I never imagined actually doing it.
12) Q: What industries are you experienced in?
A: Obviously creative storytelling within film & media. Also, music & entertainment. Lastly, commercial real estate since I have grown up around it my entire life. That was my very first paying job doing commercial real estate.
13) Q: Who, or what, inspired you to get started in your career?
A: I would have to say my best friend Jake. He doesn’t really shoot anymore professionally, but he definitely inspired me. He was always encouraging me, and pulled me out of a very dark time. He inspired me to push it, and to this day I always send him my finished videos. I send him my visions, and he always gasses me up. Other people who have inspired me are Matt Komo, Jeremiah Davis, Rory Kramer, and even Sam Kolder a little bit. Just seeing what they have done, and what they have built as an empire within this industry is mind-blowing. Especially being my age, and seeing that it is possible to do something so incredible by utilizing my skillset. I think that’s what really sparked my fire, and inspired me the most. I became aware that my goals were attainable if I worked hard for them. Knowing yourself, and how to be true to yourself is key. Jeremiah (Thatoneblondkid) is the one who put me on 100%. I went out to his workshop with Jacob, and we were apart of his first group in Bali. I went into that not knowing a single thing about what to do with my career. I was on the verge of quitting, and I remember the first thing he said to me was “What’s up man how are you doing? The video that you submitted, are you truly passionate about it? Like is that your best work?” I said no, and he asked why I submitted it then. I just said I didn’t know, and he could tell I was lost. He took the time to really get to know me, and we have a friendship to this day. It was a massive relationship for me, and I literally owe everything to that guy. He just showed me it was possible.
14) Q: What is something you have failed at, and did you learn from it?
A: What have I not failed at. Everyone fails, and it’s just about getting back up. The biggest thing that I know I failed at was when I learned not to oversell myself. It was my very first music video, and I went into it with a total direction. Everything got thrown away though because I didn’t have a director on it. I was the only guy. I definitely failed at that. I have failed with many brand videos, friendships, you name it. I mean everybody fails, and anyone that says that they haven’t is most likely egotistical, and probably just not true to themselves.
15) Q: What are some recommendations for others just getting started in your field of work?
A: Reach out to anyone. Even if it seems like they will never get back to you. You’ll be very surprised on the return of responses you’ll get from these people you otherwise consider to be untouchable. Putting yourself out there, and being able to put yourself on a whim is critical. Even if you end up looking like an idiot, at least you took your shot. The thing that I learned, the thing that everyone needs to learn, is that the worst thing that you could hear is no. You never know if it’s gonna be a yes. If you keep on saying to yourself that you shouldn’t reach out to this company, director, model, creator, etc because they aren’t even gonna get back to you, then you’re establishing false hope. You have to go into it with positivity, and even during the hardest times you can’t give up. Being strong in those times of darkness is when you really learn to evolve, and that’s how you learn to keep up with these alphas. People think that these leaders in the industry don’t take breaks, and that’s just untrue. Even Jacob has said to me that he took a month off before the workshop because he didn’t have anything going. It’s pointless to force it. I never try to force anything because that’s when your work isn’t gonna speak for itself. It’s going to degrade you instead of building you up. Get real with yourself, and go at your own pace.
16) Q: What is your opinion on social media?
A: Social media as a whole? I think it is a very beautiful place, but a very destructive place as well. As a person who is very against social media, I think there is a lot of harm that can be done. I think if you’re conveying a message that is meaningful, without putting other people down, then you’re doing it correct. Going in flexing false realities is whack. The people that are doing that are just doing more destruction to society than good. That’s why people are becoming so stressed, and filled with anxiety. People end up feeling like they aren’t good enough because they’re observing this facade that isn’t even real. I’d say probably 75% of what you see on Instagram is not real. Yeah, thats my standpoint on it.
17) Q: What are you most passionate about in life?
A: I’m most passionate about when it becomes time to have a family that I can take care of my kids always. I want them to be an open book, and I’ll be as open as I can with them as well. I guess just being the best man that I can.
18) Q: What are your top 3 goals in life?
A: Take care of my family, become a full time DP, and create authentic stories that people can relate to.
19) Q: What motivates you daily to achieve these goals?
A: I would have to say providing for a family eventually. Pretty soon I am going to want to settle down, and build a relationship with my future wife. Also, what helps me get up in the morning is that I have a skillset to do something that will make society better. I am extremely motivated to help others by telling stories that they can relate to.
20) Q: Best advice on being productive?
A: Don’t overwork yourself. Sounds really dumb, because obviously when you start out you’re going to be very hungry, but you need to take care of yourself. There’s gonna be times where you don’t want to work, and that’s okay. You watch these motivational speakers like Gary Vee telling you that it’s all about grinding in your 20’s, but it’s very misconceived. They’re not saying work 20 hours a day to the point where you’re drained, and can’t wake up the next day. There’s a balance to it. You 100% need to know your limits, and when to push them. If you overdue it then you’re just doing more harm than productivity.
21) Q: What is your philosophy on life?
A: I would say to be the best person I can be everyday, and to never take your frustrations out on others. Always stay true to yourself, and never create a false reality that makes people feel bad about their lives. Create with a purpose, and don’t create without meaning. Make sure you have a message behind your work, and stand up for what you believe in. Be mindful of what you’re creating because you don’t know what type of impact it’s going to make, or who you’re going to touch.
22) Q: If you could be any animal what would you be?
A: I’d be a black panther because they can hide up in trees & they are never noticed.
23) What is a fun fact that no one knows about you? // or // a fun story that you would like to share?
A: There’s a lot that people that people don’t know about me. People probably see my Instagram thinking I am the most depressed person ever, but I’m really not. I’m just emotional more than anything, and I feel things heavily. What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m very empathetic, and not afraid to be real with how I’m feeling.
Funny story is that when I was in 3rd grade I hit a baseball that ricocheted back into my head, and then two days later I lost my two front teeth playing football. Two days after that we had picture day at school. In my 3rd grade photo I have a black eye, two front teeth missing, and a glued head. Banger.