Relationships are everything.
Writing characters, dialogue and cinematic moments begins with dynamic character relationships. The more grounded, relatable, flawed and human these relationships feel, the greater the impact on the audience.
My first screenplay out of grad school at USC School of Cinematic Arts was an action thriller called Gifted. While it revolved around teenagers with superpowers, its focus was on the parental-daughter relationship between the two leads. This approached has served me ever since as Gifted managed to get me in the room with Sony Pictures to discuss their Marvel adjacent line up of Spider-Man characters like Kraven the Hunter, and Mysterio. It also was the basis for my recommendation for a comic book adaptation of The October Girl for Automatik Entertainment, fresh off their Oscar night success for La La Land.
My latest feature Con Van began the same way, and recently received the Second Rounder accolade at the Austin Film Festival!
What you need to know.
Projects & Timeline
November 2016 - February 2017
KRAVEN THE HUNTER -
Feature Film Pitch for Sony Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Logline: A group of scientists and researchers enlist the infamous Kraven the Hunter as their guide to find and tame the legendary Savage Lands.
(Based on the comic books by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko)
MYSTERIO -
Feature Film Pitch for Sony Pictures and Marvel Entertainment, Action/Adventure, Science-Ficture
Logline: In the aftermath of the Battle of New York, an orphaned Quentin Beck is raised and manipulated by dark forces to become the Master of Illusions - Mysterio!
(Based on the comic books by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko)
March 2017 - October 2017
THE OCTOBER GIRL -
Feature Film Pitch for Automatik Entertainment, Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Logline: Just beyond sight, there exists a fantastical world of magic and monsters harnessed only by a special few in our society. Teenager Autumn Ackerman's world is torn apart as she discovers her own power to wield this magic and save her family, her town - and our world from rising darkness.
(Based on the comic book by Matthew Dow Smith)
November 2017 - March 2018
HENCHMEN -
Television Pilot, 2 Episodes, 30 Minute, Comedy, Action/Adventure
Logline: After being rejected from the world of super heroes, Ashley Graves find herself thrusts into the ranks of super villain henchmen! When the world's most notorious super villain is brutally assassinated, Ashley and her crew of henchmen unravel a despicable plot of the "heroes" to upend the balance of power in our world and install themselves as rulers over mankind!
January 2021 - June 2024
GHOSTS OF THE OUTER RIM -
Feature Film Screenplay, Science-Fiction, Action/Adventure
Logline: A grizzled, veteran bounty hunter takes one last job to find the long lost sister of a young villager as their journey leads them to the twisted edge of space and the front lines of long-fought interstellar conflict.
(Part 1 of the Outer Rim Trilogy. Based on characters created by Matt Zunich)
August 2019 - August 2022
INFERNO: A MOTOWN MONSTER MOVIE -
Feature Film Screenplay, Horror, Comedy, Action/Adventure
Logline: When Lucifer slacks on the job, the demonic forces of Hell rise up to overrun the Earth! Humanity's salvation lies with a teenage girl, her friends, and her Holy-blessed shotgun.
(Collaboration with co-writer Michael Schatz)
July 2018 - April 2020
WEST OF MEMPHIS -
Feature Film Screenplay, Musical, Drama, Comedy
Logline: After hitting rock bottom, musician Rowdy Howlett embarks on a journey to reinvent himself as an artist and discover who he really is.
(Collaboration with co-writer John Armitage)
June 2018
PKDK -
Television Animation Pitch & Pilot, Action/Adventure, Ages 10 - 14
Logline: A young group of parkour athletes come together as a team and as a family as they support one another through the highs and lows of training, tricks and growing up.
(Collaboration with co-writer Christina Crocker)
April 2015 - November 2015
GIFTED -
Feature Film Screenplay, Action/Adventure, Science-Fiction, Fantasy
Logline: Super-powered teenager, Chloe Kovacs is sent to live with her estranged father while grappling with her unique abilities as society's anti-super sentiment boils over, turning city streets into warzones.
Currently In Progress
SOCIETY OF THE MOON -
Feature Film Screenplay, Action/Adventure, Comedy, Horror
Logline: A group of teens must adapt or die as they discover their small town is controlled by a secret society of werewolves!
October 2022 - Present
SUPER SALAMANDER SAMURAI -
Pilot, Television Animation Pitch, Action/Adventure/All Ages
Logline: Bred to be adaptable instruments of evil, three warriors turn against their creators and lead a war against oppression across the galaxy!
(Based on characters from the screenplay, "Con Van")
.png)
Education
2012 - 2015
Masters
University of Southern California
School of Cinematic Arts
2005 - 2009
Bachelors
California State University
Long Beach
Studied production and cinema theory at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Graduated with a 3.9 GPA after completing my thesis as an editor on the film Olde E and sound design on the short documentary Deeper Than Black. Awarded the Dean's Scholarship and the Jack Oakie Scholarship for Achievement in Comedy Writing.
Graduated with a 4.0 GPA, completing my 4 year degree in Film and Electronic Arts. Completed my comedy thesis film, Lightlight with a grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Phone
(626) 639-8518
Follow Me
© 2024
Matt Zunich
