We were lucky to catch up with Shaun Mathis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaun, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first dollar I remember earning as a creative was in 2015 when I co-wrote and co-produced a short film for 2 Chainz, Bankroll Fresh & Street Execs called Take Over your Trap. It was $500 and I made a copy of the check and it hangs on the wall in my office to this day.

I felt accomplished when I got the check. To be working with a major recording artist and getting the opportunity that I positioned myself to receive was amazing. It made me realize even more that I could make a living being creative.

Shaun, 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?

I’m a screenwriter and film director as well as a screenwriting teacher. Sometimes I produce but it’s rare. I got into the film industry in 2013 when I took a screenwriting class with Studio 11 Films. I didn’t finish the program because I realized I was too advanced for it and decided what I wanted to do. I went on to partner with a guy named Justin in a production company, Laconic Productions. There I wrote and directed 2 feature films, The Plug (streaming on Amazon prime, Apple TV & Tubi) then we did a documentary, Miles in the Life: Story of a BMF Drug Trafficker (Streaming on AppleTV, Tubi and Amazon Prime) In addition, we produced several award winning short films.

The wild financial and commercial success of those films positioned me to be one of the go-to filmmakers in Atlanta. My company grew to offer directing and producing services as well as creating a weekly writing course for emerging writers. Through my services I have either written, directed or produced films and shows on BET+, AspireTV, STARZ and many others.

What sets me apart as a filmmaker is my quality and consistency. My films, although independently done, don’t look like most low budget independent films. The quality is light years ahead of my peers or others on my level. I remain consistent by putting out several films per year, writing and directing projects for others that have gotten the same success and creating films that are outside the box.

What I’m most proud of is moving to a state where I knew no one and had zero resources and becoming one of the most sought after filmmakers in Atlanta. As well as being able to earn a great living being creative everyday. I don’t need a 9 to 5, my children want for nothing and I do what I want when I want. I’m most proud of that.

The second thing I’m most proud of is a horror film I co-wrote, The Curse of La Patasola, getting a theatrical release earlier this year and will be streaming on STARZ starting in September.

Lastly, I’m most proud of the community I am apart of. I’m proud of the individuals I’ve helped become successful and most proud of everyone who trusts me with their career and their projects.

What I want potential clients to know about me and my brand is that we focus on quality and strong story. If you hire me or my company, Anti-Hero Productions, each clients project will receive the best we have to offer and more.

I want fans to know that I’m dropping new films every year and you can watch them on several streaming platforms as stated above.

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

I think non-creatives struggle to understand that being creative is actual work. It’s hours and days, weeks, months and years of hard work perfecting our craft and it doesn’t stop. It’s not a hobby for us and unlike people who have a chosen profession i.e. a doctor, lawyer, teacher etc, we don’t choose this. It’s in us and despite what we choose to do opposite of that, we can’t run away from what we are destined to do. Non-creatives should also understand that at the end of the day, their life is better because of creatives. We are in every aspect of their lives. Their clothes, shoes, houses, cars, what they watch on TV, cell phones, video games, just everything, are all from creatives and without a creative, their life would be dull as hell.

Lastly, non-creatives should understand that just because they have a “traditional” profession does not make them better than a creative. In fact, non-creatives need us, we are better than them!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

What society can do to best support artists in my opinion is purchase our work. If you are unable to, in the age of social media, share, post and suggest our work to others. It’s really simple. Another thing is offer words of encouragement to a creative because what we do is not easy and we experience more failure than successes. Telling us to get a real job is like a knife in the heart. So speak kind to creatives. Uplift and encourage them to continue or to start.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anti-heroproductions.com
• Instagram: @filmmaker_ShaunMathis
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmmakershaun
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MOQTV