We were lucky to catch up with Matondo Kiantandu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Matondo, thanks for joining us today. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?
We do almost everything electronically and virtually until it’s time for filming. Auditions, table reads, chemistry reads, meetings. It is very efficient but the downside is you miss the energy in the room when you meet new people. It’s the wave of the future. Time is so valuable and meeting with and each every person and to find you’re not interested or they’re not serious is time wasted.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started as a writer. I just wanted to write then I started to take an interest in acting. I took a few classes then started producing. This gave me the avenue to act and have my written script completed.
I got distribution for a few films and was hired to write for some people. This allowed me turn it into a business and give several people their first shot.
I think people will see MGFame Entertainment is about excellence, respect and perseverance. We really love films and making them. We learn from our mistakes and get better each and every time out.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I spent time sleeping in my car. I parked near a car wash and a local park every night. I slept in a tiny old Chevrolet Cavalier. I would get a hotel room occasionally when I could afford it. I was able to get an agent and book a few commercials then get a new car, only three years old but new to me, then an apartment. I shot several films using that location and even to this day I somehow film in the area I was homeless for years.
I very recently survived a really bad car accident. I was hurt physically and my car was pretty much totaled. I had a new car within two days and I am almost 100% again physically. I always try to think what next instead of why now.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Fabian Jaime auditioned for a movie we were doing, the original Hell in Allendale. The two lead actresses were extremely difficult so the project failed. Fabian never bailed. Even when he had an audition last minute he came back. We have been friends ever since. Everyone outside of those two lead actresses and one supporting actor who bailed, was great. We shot a different version of the film Hell in Allendale: No Escape with a wonderful lead actress Emma Dusenbury and supporting actor Wayno Sanchez. We are almost wrapped in it’s sequel in spirit The Night Never Fades. A suspense thriller, horror movie road trip. The first time Fabian has been the lead along with Jana Miley.
Fabian became a producer and joined my company. Its been a wonderful adventure ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mgfameentertainment.com/
- Instagram: @matondokiantandu
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCxTmDUEetGZyc_M1knc2ZCQ
Image Credits
Kimberlee Peterson (Lottaphoto)