We were lucky to catch up with Matthew Schwab recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I started color grading over twelve years ago when there were very few options beyond major companies. I offered my services remotely, in-person, and on-site. I could (and still do) pack my whole studio in a couple pelican cases and set up a color suite for the client’s needs. I did this nation-wide, from New York to Atlanta to Los Angeles and stops in-between. Hence the name: “Roving” Pictures. I currently have my studio located centrally in Los Angeles, offering remote supervised color grading (I’ve hosted sessions from Israel to the Netherlands to China), traveling to work in-person, or at my color grading studio. Since the past few years has brought more people online, it has been such a joy to work with even more talented creatives here in LA and around the world while being close to my family at home.

Matthew, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Bringing clarity to the picture is bringing clarity to the story. Color invokes and communicates emotions, ideas, and expressions. As a colorist I collaborate with a team of incredibly talented filmmakers and help bring their vision to life. This goes for everything I work on, whether it be a commercial, a documentary, narrative, or music video. I love seeing the picture come to life.

Photography, painting, printmaking, and other fine arts mediums were my passion from the beginning. My father is a professor at Indiana University teaching advertising, and before that he worked at several major agencies in New York. My mother is a designer and a full time fine art painter. My wife jokes that while some families may gather around to chat and watch TV, our family gathers to create, read, or chat about art. It’s in my blood.

After studying film and photography at the Glasgow School of Art, I began a career in photography using some of the first high-end digital cameras. Soon I found myself working as an editor, which led me to meeting colorists at the Mill in New York. I fell in love straight away and went all-in. After working as a colorist for several years I met my now-wife, who is an incredibly talented producer and writer. We worked together for a short time, long enough for me to hone my skills as a producer as well. It taught me that while you need to be creative you also need to be a problem solver and a good communicator as well. Updates and changes in technology and turnovers from production to post are faster than ever before and there’s a lot to keep in mind with regards to that. I now hire a team of wonderfully talented producers and assistants to help keep projects moving along and at their best creative.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’ve felt that being passionate about my art helps the strength of my work in the post production industry. The hours are not regular and the days (and nights) are long. Clients come to me wanting creative and technical expertise, and also needing their problems solved. Every one of those projects has its own unique set of challenges and solutions. You have to be adaptable to meet the demands every step of the way because, and this is important, you want to do it. If I didn’t have the passion for what I do as a colorist and artist I think it would be much more difficult to do this job.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Expanding my knowledge in operations and finding people with a strong work ethic and also are just fun to work with has been truly invaluable. Working in post production for many years, putting in those hours, and also the experience my wife had helped me realize that. The adage “no one is an island” truly applies to running a business. The more work I delegate to others brings in more work to do and more time with my clients. It’s a win for everyone.

Along with that adage, there are so many people to thank and to whom I’m grateful for helping me along the way. When I find myself in a position in which I can help others I always try to do so too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mattschwab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattschwabcolorist/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewschwab/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattSchwabColor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattschwabcolor

Image Credits
Beyonce, Black is King Cadillac, Lenny Kravitz, Art of You Logitech, LilNasX NFL, The Sheriff Pharrell Williams, The Baes documentary