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Guns, Drugs, and Synergy

MEET THE FILMMAKER: Matty O’Connor.

A few years ago, Matty O’Connor moved from Grand Junction to Denver to attend the Colorado Film School. He’s currently on schedule to receive his BFA in Film from Regis University.

Matty is quickly becoming a favorite with The Emerging Filmmakers Project (EFP), having screened the trailer for Five Steps last year. He’s currently working with the local comedy troupe The Grawlix on some of their comedy shorts. Matty  returns to the EFP to screen his hilarious short movie, Guns, Drugs, and Synergy on January 17th down at the Bug Theatre (3654 Navajo Street).

EFP Host Patrick Sheridan recently chatted with his fellow pasty Irishman.

P.S.: What prompts a young guy form Grand Junction to take up filmmaking of all things?Me roof five steps

M.O.: I honestly can’t do anything else at this point. I was part of a demolition crew one summer for like 4 days and it sucked!!! I much rather create and share my stories with an audience. I’ve always enjoyed entertaining and making people laugh. Over time I became addicted to it… or grew a giant ego, It’s subjective. BUT, with film making I can make people feel anything I want. Happiness, sadness, anger, anything! I think I might be too manipulative . Oh well… Enjoy my films!

P.S.: What was the inspiration behind Guns, Drugs, and Synergy?

M.O.: I filmed Guns, Drugs, and Synergy in October of 2011 and released it May 2012. It’s the story of Tim Sanchez and his drug cartel, Sanchez Enterprises. Tim is the CEO of his company, and likes to follow the corporate structure. He has an HR Department, and just opened a south side branch, unfortunately for Tim, he’s invaded the wrong part of town. Now, the meanest drug lord who lived is after him, Jesus Ortiz. I made the film after I became a manager at my fast food job the Junior year of college. I had to manage something totally out of my comfort zone. Half of the staff every night hardly spoke English. It almost felt like I was the leader of a drug cartel, but instead of selling marijuana, I sold noodles.

P.S.: What else are you working on?

M.O.: I begin filming my Thesis film for my BFA at Regis University the day after EFP. We’ve been working on it for a while. You can peep a trailer for it here: https://vimeo.com/51120672.

I also have been working with the Denver comedy team, The Grawlix, directing short comedy sketches. Here is a trailer for our latest: https://vimeo.com/56427092.

I try to stay busy to keep out of trouble… It doesn’t really work.

P.S.: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?

M.O.: I work with an incredible art team that moved to Denver for film school from South Dakota. The area code up there is 605, so if you look closely, you can find “605” scattered about in my films.

321995_2375422678363_1634472567_2319953_654066206_oP.S.: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?

Check out my vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user6257967. I post all my new work on there. Also follow me on twitter @mattroconnor to catch screening dates and other cool stuff.

P.S.: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?

M.O.: It’s super awesome that EFP gives Denver filmmakers a place to meet and network. I’ve made some great connections at EFP, plus the beer is a nice touch. The best part is being able to see your film on a big screen with an audience. The chance to see how they will react, how it looks, and how it sounds is great and important to the art of filmmaking. It lets me know what’s working and what isn’t, so I can make edit changes before paying to send it out to a festival. Even if you don’t feel your film is 100% done, still try to get it screened at EFP. You never know, it might solve your edit problem. EFP POR VITA!!!!!

P.S.: Thanks, Matty!