Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maty Young. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maty, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yep, I’ve managed to make a living doing what I love – being creative. It’s been a wild ride, and sometimes it just felt like things were falling into place without much effort. But before I dive into the nitty-gritty, let me give you a quick rundown of my background.

I’ve been into music since I was a little kid, starting at the tender age of five. Then, at thirteen, I hopped onto the stage as an actor, and there was no turning back. Fast forward to my late twenties, and I got my hands on my first camera for filming. We started with this basic Nikon model, which, honestly, wasn’t the best choice for budding filmmakers. We goofed around for about six months, making goofy skits that never saw the light of day. Surprisingly, our artist friends loved our stuff and asked us to shoot some scenes for them. We said yes, got paid for it, and realized we had something here. That’s how Young One Studio got its start.

Over the years, I’ve been juggling acting gigs, and music performances, and diving deep into the world of cameras, filmmaking techniques, lighting, editing, and all that jazz. Having a background in theater really helped me with the creative side of things, like writing, directing, and performing. That allowed me to focus more on mastering the technical side of filmmaking. It wasn’t always smooth sailing – there were moments of anxiety and tons of learning with each project. But as we took on bigger and bolder projects, I kept levelling up my skills and expanding my network in the industry.

One big lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t always need a fancy education to succeed in filmmaking. I basically became a self-taught filmmaker through YouTube, Google, and online resources. Of course, my years of acting and directing were a solid foundation, but nothing beats hands-on experience. You have to get out there, make mistakes, and learn from them. Also, having the perspective of an actor really helps when you’re directing and working with a crew.

Looking back, I wish I had started on this creative path sooner, but my upbringing didn’t exactly encourage it. If I could do it all over again, I might have skipped more college and jumped straight into filmmaking. However, there’s also the risk of burnout, which I’ve seen happen to friends who went down a similar path. It’s all about finding your groove.

My philosophy now is in line with a lot of influencers I’ve met in LA – keep creating content, and you’ll keep getting better, whether you’re in front of or behind the camera. It’s like my approach to acting, where I was always on stage, honing my skills. It turns out the same applies to filmmaking – practice makes perfect.

So, in a nutshell, my journey has been a mix of dedication to creative pursuits, a never-ending thirst for learning, and a relentless drive for self-improvement. It’s what keeps me going and pushes me to explore new horizons with confidence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my creative journey as a musician, really diving into it during my younger years. Then, I decided to get some formal education at one of Australia’s top music conservatories. I ended up making a living playing in bands for a good while. But my acting career kicked off when I was just thirteen, and it’s been going strong for over two decades now. I’ve had the privilege to work with some of Australia’s top talents in various roles – writing, directing, performing, and touring. Although I still dabble in acting and film, my music pursuits have taken a backseat lately.

The foundation of my creative dedication was laid early on, thanks to a childhood filled with performances. Even though my family didn’t really get how important the creative arts were, I knew acting wasn’t just child’s play. It was a way to express myself, experience a range of emotions, and, yes, earn some money doing what I loved. Two decades in the industry helped me build a solid network of fellow artists and creators, who would later become our first clients when we started Young One Studio.

After leaving the music conservatory, I kept my acting game strong, often performing with well-known cover bands on weekends. I even made some appearances on commercial TV to make some extra cash. Then, I moved to Melbourne with my partner, and things really started to shift. We set up a small home studio initially for our own use but soon realized we could offer better quality than what was out there. That was the moment when Young One Studio came to life. In Melbourne, I continued to be involved in bands and theatre, while our voice-over work gained momentum.

But we didn’t stop there. We got hungry for more control over our creative projects. We got tired of dealing with past project issues like delays, bad footage, and audio problems. So, we took the plunge and got ourselves a Nikon/GH5 camera. That marked the start of a cycle of filming, learning, improving, and delivering better and better content. Today, we’ve worked on some exciting projects, from an HBO feature film to music videos with Grammy-winning artists, not to mention a bunch of acclaimed short films and commercials.

Our strength lies in being a nimble two-person team, handling everything from direction and filming to writing and editing. Our shared vision and versatility keep our post-production process efficient, and we’ve built a reputation for delivering projects in record time. It’s not always easy, but the result is a combination of cost-effectiveness and happy clients.

One thing that sets us apart is our lightning-fast turnaround time. When we promise to deliver within a week and actually do it, our clients are genuinely surprised. It’s all thanks to our relentless dedication and willingness to work late nights to meet deadlines.

Speaking of our brand, the awards we’ve won reflect our journey. They show that people recognize our craftsmanship and motivate us to keep pushing for excellence. These awards have opened doors to a growing client base, including those with bigger budgets, seasoned actors looking to collaborate, increased rental opportunities, and crews eager to work on our projects.

Personally, I have a soft spot for crafting demo reel scenes. It allows me to explore different genres, create miniature cinematic worlds, and oversee everything from lighting to editing. On a broader scale, we’re on the lookout for outstanding scripts that truly captivate us. We’re moving away from just chasing lucrative projects and focusing more on stories that deeply resonate, regardless of the budget. Our portfolio includes music videos for Grammy winners, up-and-coming Hollywood talents, and performers from major platforms like Disney, Netflix, and Amazon. What makes us proud is our unique approach as actor-directors, infusing our projects with authentic performances and fostering a quality set atmosphere that defines our on-set ethos.

In a nutshell, my creative journey has taken me from being a musician to an actor, weaving through music, theatre, and film, driven by a passion that refuses to quit. This unwavering commitment to creativity has led to a wide range of achievements, fueled by a dynamic partnership, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and an unwavering willingness to tackle new challenges.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Understanding the ins and outs of the creative arts can be a bit of a mystery to those who aren’t fully immersed in it. People often see the beauty of flawless performances and polished final products, but a couple of vital aspects tend to slip under the radar. First off, the immense effort, sweat, and tears that go into these endeavours often go unnoticed. It’s like folks have this misconception that creative work is a breeze, and they throw around statements like “it’s easy” or “I could do that.” But oh boy, are they mistaken. Secondly, and perhaps even more crucially, there’s a deep dive into genuine human emotions, a relentless quest to uncover one’s true self – that’s the heart and soul of the creative arts.

Dealing with that initial misconception is a common challenge. It usually takes some debunking, a bit of education, and a simple suggestion: if you think creative arts are a cakewalk, give it a try yourself. You might discover a hidden talent, or you might quickly realize that your confidence was misplaced. In my experience, most creatives are those who’ve taken that journey, and they typically have one of two reactions: either “Wow, that was way tougher than I thought, and I’m steering clear of it,” or “Man, that was a bigger challenge than I ever imagined, but it was exhilarating – I want more!”

Now, the second elusive aspect is all about the emotional rollercoaster that’s woven into the creative arts. I still remember my mom once saying, “All actors are a bit peculiar, you know?” In her eyes, and in the eyes of many, the arts seem strange, unconventional, and maybe even a bit odd. This realization hit me hard, showing me that some folks just can’t bridge the gap – they can’t grasp the emotional essence and the hard work that creatives put in. While I don’t hear comments like these in my adulthood, my teenage and early twenties were filled with statements like “You’re wasting your potential,” “Arts are confusing,” “Performers are a strange bunch,” and “You need a real job, a proper degree.” People can be quick to criticize, scoff, and express concerns about your career choices. The emotional core of the creative arts either gets ignored or dismissed, as if it’s not worth pursuing or understanding.

It’s no accident that those in the performing arts often have to break down societal and personal barriers to dive deep into genuine human emotion. I believe this marks the second critical fork in the road to becoming – or not becoming – a creative. Like before, many will give it a shot, feel uncomfortable, and then move on. But for those who already have a handle on emotional authenticity, this journey feels liberating, therapeutic, and incredibly expressive. Those who used to keep their emotions in check might find a new way to communicate that they never knew existed. These are the people who transform into true artists, often experiencing a profound change almost overnight. On the flip side, there are some who will never understand or acknowledge the emotional journey at the heart of performing arts, and they miss out on the very essence of it all, ultimately missing the chance to become true creatives.

In my own journey, these two challenges have popped up time and time again, things that I and countless other creatives have had to navigate when dealing with those outside the industry. There’s this widespread lack of understanding coupled with a shortage of empathy for the intricate work involved. I could go on about the endless hours, the grind, the months spent honing one’s craft without getting paid, and the constant desire to keep creating, crafting, and expressing. I could share stories of backstage battles, emotional turmoil, miscommunications, equipment malfunctions, and weeks spent editing alone. The struggles of facing the critique of acting coaches, striving to unearth genuine truths, and staying present in the moment could also take the spotlight. But when you weigh all of that against the two core challenges I mentioned earlier, these other struggles almost feel like side notes. That’s the nature of this world – people are fascinated by the glamour but dismissive of the emotional authenticity and lifelong commitment required. Some folks create moments of authenticity, while others consume them because they can’t conjure it themselves.

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

The internet and online learning have totally transformed education, especially in the creative world. I’m a strong believer that you don’t necessarily need to go to film school to become a master filmmaker. While film schools can be great for networking, my perspective might seem contradictory, considering I attended a conservatory for music. But my take on this comes from my personal experience – I went through a pretty accelerated maturation process in the music world.

It’s worth noting that some of my musician peers had crazy talent, matching up with seasoned jazz pros I looked up to. For them, formal education wasn’t an absolute necessity, but the conservatory did open doors and give them contacts that really boosted their careers.

This whole debate gets subjective. Some of the most captivating actors I’ve worked with had no formal training, while others blended incredible natural talent with ongoing instruction. But here’s the real takeaway, no matter what creative field you’re in: it’s all about action, applying what you learn, and constantly staying engaged. Progress comes from dedication.

For me, the journey of mastering filmmaking has been all about digital resources, thanks to the internet. I’ve grown by continually acquiring new skills and putting them into practice. Each project has been like a self-imposed checkpoint, pushing me to be accountable for my own progress.

Self-guided online learning has been a game-changer in my development. As long as you take responsibility and actually use the knowledge you gain, you can make crazy progress, often surprising yourself. The key is to keep practicing and embracing the “just make, just film” mantra.

Online platforms are packed with tutorials, courses, and forums that give you access to a treasure trove of knowledge. It’s all there for anyone with an internet connection. This access makes education, skill-building, and creativity available to pretty much anyone. Through these platforms, I’ve learned the technical ins and outs of filmmaking, even stuff that used to feel super intimidating.

But the real magic happens when you move from theory to practice. That’s when you solidify your learning. By consistently applying what you’ve picked up in your own projects, you not only get better but also develop your unique creative style.

In a nutshell, the internet and online learning have opened up a world of possibilities for self-improvement. You don’t have to rely solely on formal institutions – it’s all about you. While conservatories and film schools can speed things up, the real essence of progress comes from your own drive, continuous practice, and an unwavering passion for creating. The creative world is always evolving, and your journey is your own. Success comes from your own determination, dedication to practice, and that burning desire to “just make, just film.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.youngonestudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatmatyjguy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatyJY/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/matyjyoung
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSdiNo4ns5o09WacOwfPzg