SAE Film Production student Gary Matthews began his journey in acting before taking on the challenge of producing his own film after being let down by a production company.
It was his experiences on set that led him to study with SAE – and this saw him create the short film, Tides of Regret, for his first assignment. This focuses on the impact of spiking – which is when someone secretly puts drugs in another person’s drink – and has been used by charity Spike Aware UK and reported on by the Liverpool Echo.
We caught up with Gary to learn more about his early experiences in film, the making of Tides of Regret and how his course at SAE is helping him achieve his aspirations…
How did you get started in film?
In 2020, I started doing extra work in film and TV because I’ve always loved drama. I enjoyed it in school, but didn’t continue pursuing it.
I wanted to try acting, so I thought doing extra work first would help me understand the industry better. Over three years, I had limited opportunities due to lockdown but I still participated in a few projects I am proud of.
In September 2022, I received a phone call inviting me to join Anneka Rice’s team. We built a fake memory village for people living with dementia, working with Age UK charity in Birkenhead, Wirral. I have always enjoyed shows like Grand Designs, DIY SOS, and Ground Force, and it has been a dream of mine to be on TV building things myself. While on the show, the camera operators asked us questions. I was nervous at first, but I quickly got used to the cameras.
After the show finished, I realised I was ready to start my acting journey. In February 2023, I signed up for Michael Jackson’s Act4TV classes in Liverpool. I completed several acting classes and workshops, gaining experience while training with TV Cops. They teach actors to handle firearms safely on set and give script advice.
How did you end up joining our SAE course?
I was interested in scriptwriting and talked to my acting tutor, Ciaran Kellgren, at Act4TV. He suggested that I attend a scriptwriting workshop. Afterwards, I was inspired to write a short film about a zombie apocalypse in Liverpool. Later that year, a director from a production company where I had recently landed a speaking role showed interest in my script after I shared it with him.
He liked it and wanted to film it for me. By January 2024, I was filming my own production with a cast and crew of over eighty people. I invested my own money, but was disappointed by the production company’s poor management. They made many mistakes and should not have taken on my project or let me spend what I did. When I raised concerns, they eventually dropped my project and ignored my messages and calls.
This experience made me step away from acting and the film industry. However, I eventually realised I had worked too hard for it to be for nothing and this led me to SAE. One reason I am here today is because of how I felt on the set of my production. It was great to see everyone enjoy the shoot, and I find it fulfilling to create opportunities for others.
Congratulations on your film Tides of Regret – how did it come about?
I created Tides of Regret for my first university assignment and I produced, directed, and wrote the script. The film focuses on spiking, which is something I wanted to raise awareness about as it has impacted people I care about. I was passionate about making this film as professional as possible. To get it right, I contacted Colin Mackie, the founder of Spike Aware UK, for advice on what to include in my film. He watched the final version and liked it a lot. Colin then decided to feature the film on the organisation’s website and supports using it for a wider audience such as secondary school pupils. My goal is to make the audience uncomfortable by showing how serious this issue is and stressing that it happens more often than many think. I believe we need to talk about this topic far more than we currently do.
You acted and directed in the film – what were the challenges of putting this together?
I had a lot of work to do and it was my first solo project. I wanted to push myself by finding locations and working with actors and extras without relying on my contacts. I believe challenging myself early on will help me in the future. Before filming, I planned everything thoroughly. I had everything ready, but I also arranged to work on a feature film in Ibiza, Spain, for five days.
I am proud that I had the chance to be part of Rise of the Footsoldier: Ibiza, a franchise I have always loved. I never thought I would get to be part of it. I ended up staying longer than planned because the filming schedule changed and the director asked me to stay. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I was nervous about making a good impression, as I hope to work with them again. However, my time there was worth it. I didn’t have any lines, but I showcased my firearms skills as a special agent. After returning, I found myself behind schedule for my film because I had been away for two weeks. I filmed my project with help from my peers, and I want to thank them. Without their support, I could not have completed the project in time. Two days before my deadline, I lost all my work on my hard drive, which forced me to ask for an extension to redo my written work. Despite these challenges, I am happy with how my film turned out and the positive feedback it received.
Who worked on the film with you?
How have your studies at SAE helped you make the film? Were there any skills that you acquired through studying that you called on?
SAE has taught me how to manage my projects better. I often feel anxious, especially when I lack experience. As a beginner in filmmaking and photography, coming to SAE has opened my eyes. I have learned that when I feel overwhelmed, I should not panic. Instead, I focus on one task at a time. This helps me avoid being overwhelmed by everything at once. I use this approach on set when I feel stressed while managing the crew and talent. Being organised is essential, and it is something I have struggled with in the past.
What’s next for you and your film work? Are you now working with a charity on a new film?
We are currently working with a national charity that reached out to me after they saw my short film, VNF.
They were very impressed and found the story impactful and would like me to create a film for their charity. This is an exciting time for both us and the charity. I care about this project because of its narrative, just like the Tides of Regret story.
If we handle it correctly, we can bring the stories of individuals we work with to life visually. We want to raise awareness for the charity, as not many people know it exists. We aim to change this and give the charity the attention it deserves. I hope that this will help more individuals get the support they need sooner rather than later. I understand that anything can happen at this stage of collaborating with the charity. We are taking it day by day and hope to create something powerful in the future.
Connect with Gary on social media
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
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