Matt began his filmmaking career at the age of 8, using a hand-me-down Sony Hi8 Camcorder, friends, toys and miniatures to capture his imagination. Growing up in the heart of Silicon Valley, Matt was always passionate for art and technology - especially where the two intersected with respect to film and television. In high school, his short film won top prize at Apple, Inc. for showcasing the iMovie and iWork software potential for low-budget filmmaking and animation.
Pressured to pursue an engineering or software-based profession, he instead pursued cinema in both his undergrad and graduate studies at Cal State Long Beach and USC School of Cinematic Arts respectively. His thesis project Deeper Than Black, where he served as sound designer, explored the complexity of black identity in the United States. He also edited the film Olde E, examining generational trauma experienced within the black community. Since earning his MFA in 2015, Matt has specialized in post-production at studios like CBS Television, DreamWorks Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, 20th Century Television and Netflix.
All the while, Matt continued his growth as a storyteller and screenwriter. His feature screenplay, Gifted, about young people exploring a complicated geo-political climate while grappling with their own identity and superpowers, allowed Matt to pitch several Spider-Man based projects at Sony Pictures. Since then, Matt has written eight feature screenplays, and three series pilots spanning multiple styles and genres. His most recent feature comedy, Con Van was awarded as a Second Rounder at Austin Film Festival in 2024.
What you need to know.
Projects & Timeline
HENCH
TV Pilot
June 2025
SUPER SALAMANDER SAMURAI
TV Pilot
February 2025
ISLA MONSTRO: IRIS
Comic Book
June 2024
CON VAN
Feature Film
June 2024
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GHOSTS OF THE OUTER RIM
Feature Film
March 2024
INFERNO: A MOTOWN MONSTER MOVIE
Feature Film
August 2022
WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feature Film
April 2020
PKDK
TV Pilot / Deck
DreamWorks Animation
June 2018
THE OCTOBER GIRL
Feature Film
Automatik Entertainment
October 2017
KRAVEN THE HUNTER
Feature Film
Sony Pictures
February 2017
MYSTERIO
Feature Film
Sony Pictures
November 2016
GIFTED
Feature Film
April 2015
LOGLINE: A workplace comedy exploring the intricate and hilarious world of super-villain henchmen. When a doomsday prophecy heralds the reign of a new world order, the henchmen must ensure their Supreme Leader is the one at the top!
GENRE: Comedy/Single Cam
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.
GENRE: Action/Adventure/Comedy/All Ages
LOGLINE: A mutated mass of organic matter ponders the meaning of life as it finds true love in the most horrific of places.
GENRE: Horror/Comedy
LOGLINE: Aging con man, Billy Case, must reconnect with his adult son while on the run from the law in a full scale replica of an 80’s cartoon icon. Second Rounder at Austin Film Festival 2024.
GENRE: Comedy
LOGLINE: A grizzled, veteran bounty hunter takes one last job to find the long lost sister of a young villager. Their journey leads them to the twisted, dark edges of space and the front lines of long-fought interstellar conflict. Part 1 of 3.
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
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 a Holy-blessed shotgun. Co-written with Michael Schatz.
GENRE: Horror, 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. Co-written with John Armitage.
GENRE: Drama, Comedy, Musical
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. Co-written with Christina Crocker.
GENRE: Action/Adventure/All Ages
LOGLINE: Teenager Autumn Ackerman's world is torn apart as she discovers her ability to wield an ancient magic. Now, she must save her family, her town - and our world from a rising darkness. Based on the comic book by Matthew Dow Smith.
GENRE: 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 Marvel comic books.
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Science-Fiction
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 Marvel comic books.
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Science-Fiction
LOGLINE: Super-powered teenager, Chloe Kovacs is sent to live with her estranged father while society's anti-super sentiment boils over, turning San Francisco into a war zone.
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
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
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© 2024
Matt Zunich
