Photo by Zen Sekizawa Mathew Cullen of Motion Theory

• Name: Mathew Cullen
• Created on: 1976-Jun-04
• Record last updated on: 2008-Mar-21
• Homepage: www.motiontheory.com
• Domain: Filmmaking, Design
• Location: Venice, California

I love when things come together unexpectedly especially when you least expect it. Three weeks ago I approached one of my favorite filmmakers, Mathew Cullen of Motion Theory, because I wanted to do this profile. I’ve always been a huge fan of his work, we have collaborated together in the past and he is one of those quietly talented people who is innately creative and continually turns out awe-inspiring work. As I looked over his latest projects, I was struck by his music video “Chasing Pavements” for emerging UK artist Adele. Not only had I heard her sing live on KCRW last Friday, the singer’s voice, the song and the narrative of the story immediately drew me in. What started out as a simple dialogue turned into a series of two parts. In this first, we focus on Matt. In the forthcoming Anatomy of a Music Video we will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the Adele video.

You co-founded Motion Theory in 1999 when you were just 23 and it has since become one of the leading companies in the industry. Tell us a little about yourself, your background and what inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I have always been happiest when creating. I was just lucky to find the one thing I was good at and early in life. I decided to be filmmaker so I wouldn’t be miserable.

Cullen shooting the Beck video “Girl”

You and obviously Motion Theory have innovated quite a number of filmmaking styles in the last 10 years. One of my favorites was the combination of live action with animation in the HP “hands” commercials that you did. How do these new innovations come about?
Content is so easily consumed and forgotten. We try to put ourselves into situations where we can create something that has a lasting effect. A 30 second ad is not enough. When we created the HP “Hands” commercials with Goodby Silverstein and Partners, it inspired people to create their own and post on YouTube. The format was used to create autobiographies, satires, political commentaries. When an idea takes a life of it’s own, it lives forever and that’s the ultimate compliment.

Are you constantly sketching, do you photograph your surroundings, does it come in your sleep? Give us a little insight into the heart and mind of your creative self.
Inspiration is an amalgamation of countless sources. I never know when I am going to get an idea. It almost always happens when I’m looking for something else. The most important thing about inspiration is that you record it when you get it.

A still from NYC ‘The Ride,’ a surreal trip through Manhattan to promote tourism. Co-directed with Motion Theory’s Jesus de Francisco.

What prompted the change of you working under “Motion Theory” into featuring individual filmmakers at the company? It seems more and more production companies are doing this now.
We always have worked as individual directors, either alone or together. Motion Theory as a production company is similar to a Partisan, RSA, or Anonymous Content in that we represent filmmakers. The difference is that we believe in creating a unified experience by supporting our filmmakers visions with an internal production and post production pipeline that exists within the studio. When you make something from scratch you build a much closer relationship to the material. I have worked with almost every director at Motion Theory because I enjoy the process of collaboration. Directors Jesus de Francisco and Mark Kudsi helped in different ways with the Adele video. When you work with people that share common goals and interests, you want to work together. Whether collaborating with another director, art director, visual effects supervisor, or artist, we never create anything by ourselves.

If someone out there was reading this and is inspired to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you have to give? Or perhaps words of wisdom?
I didn’t come from a wealthy family or one that was in the business. Early on I learned a valuable lesson. If you want something, don’t wait for it to come to you. Get it. I am of the belief that nothing comes to you in life and that if you really want something, you work hard and make it happen.

Also, always watch the $100 extras…..they will ruin your shots.

A scene from ‘Dashboard,’ a video for Modest Modest directed by Cullen and Grady Hall.

Finally can you tell us what three words best describe who you are?
Never stop caring.