Here's a summary of the podcast episode featuring Shawn, Alex, and Matt:

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## Podcast Summary

### Introduction

- Hosts: Shawn and Alex welcome Matt, a multi-talented author, podcaster, and filmmaker.

- Festive Spirit: Matt mentions wearing a Santa hat for Christmas Eve.

### Matt's Background

- Creative Journey: Matt shares his journey from acting in college to becoming a writer and director.

- Recent Work: He recently published his debut novel and collaborated on a film project.

### Filmmaking Experience

- Production Details:

- Matt collaborated with Josh from Studio Blue Jay.

- They worked on a short film with a tight budget of $1,000, emphasizing organization and creativity.

- Filming took place over four days in East Tennessee, facing challenges like weather and location issues.

### Creative Process

- Scriptwriting: Matt wrote 95% of the script and focused on creating complex characters.

- Character Dynamics: He aimed for a blend of psychological thriller and fantasy elements in the film.

### Industry Insights

- Writers Guild of America: Matt discusses the importance of guilds for protecting writers' interests.

- Video Game Narrative Design: He expresses interest in narrative design for video games and the potential for AI in creating interactive dialogues.

### Audience Engagement

- Marvel vs. DC: Matt shares his preference for Marvel, citing its expansive universe and character development.

- Harry Potter Influence: He recounts sneaking to read Harry Potter as a child and how it shaped his love for storytelling.

### Future Projects

- Upcoming Work: Matt hints at future projects, including a quirky sci-fi film and editing his next book.

### Closing Thoughts

- Encouragement for Creatives: Matt emphasizes the importance of pursuing creative passions and not letting day jobs define one's identity.

- Invitation for Collaboration: He expresses openness to collaborate on future projects and connect with other creatives.

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This episode provides an engaging look into Matt's creative journey, his experiences in filmmaking, and insights into the broader entertainment industry. #Filmmaker #PodcastLife #InspiringStories