theculturalconnect.com | Amin Matalqa

Amin Matalqa, Filmmaker

Amin Matalqa

On occasion you'll come across a dedicated and driven young professional that you know has a 9-5 career by day and works at night and into the early hours of the morning doing something that they are just so very passionate about. It never ceases to amaze you, right? Well, it is our pleasure this week to profile a man that did just that. Amin Matalqa spent his earlier days selling data equipment and software and then would come home to working around the clock writing screenplays and producing movies. His perseverance to become a recognized filmmaker came true when Amin, age 30, was accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute. With two feature length screenplays and over twenty short films in just two years under his belt, its pretty obvious Amin has been able to successfully transition into being able to pursue his dream job full-time. Learn more about this rising star, check out his films on his site and be sure to let him know what you think about his work after reading this week's Young & Professional Profile.

Website

www.QuaProductions.com

Name

Amin Matalqa, 30, Filmmaker

Hometown

Amman, Jordan

Current residence

Los Angeles, California

Education

American film Institute, MA Fine Arts in Directing Ohio State University, Business Marketing

Other jobs / past companies

Inter-Tel Technologies and TelePacific Communications, Business-to-business telecom sales and consulting professional for six years.

Ethnicity

Jordanian

What's your story?

Currently I'm a directing fellow at the American Film Institute. AFI is considered by many as the top graduate film school in the United States. I am the first Jordanian to enter AFI, and was one of only 30 directors accepted this year.

Most notable achievements

Have directed over 20 short films and written two feature screenplays in the less than three years that I've been in Los Angeles. Drama, action, comedy, suspense, Arabic, English...you name it.

What's your niche?

I feel like I have a wonderful opportunity to start something new in Jordan by proving that a real Jordanian feature film can be made. One that will appeal to international audiences.

Unexpected learnings along the way

I learn from everyone everyday. I suppose the biggest lesson would be that if you follow your heart, you will get what you want. I never expected to make it into the AFI. My life has changed since the day I got that phone call. If you put all your heart into what you want, with hard work, you'll get it. I practiced making short films every weekend for my own growth. The next thing I knew, I had a portfolio that showed the AFI that I was a committed individual. You have to take action to create your opportunity for growth.

What's in store for the future?

A Jordanian feature film, to be shot this summer.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Production studios that would be interested in financing my next feature film.

What are your responsibilities?

Discipline in directing.

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Best way to keep a competitive edge

Be honest, work as smart as you work hard, be creative, and let people join you on your journey. Have fun doing anything you do, otherwise what's the point.

Guiding principle in life

Enjoy the journey, and don't miss the experience as you await a certain destination, because the real destination is the journey itself. That, and be creative.

Yardstick of success

AFI. Next step, shooting my Jordanian feature film and prepping for my AFI thesis film for next year.

Goal yet to be achieved

Make my first feature film.

Best practical advice

Just do it.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My mother always told me to create my own opportunity. Nothing will come to me by itself.

Most memorable business experience

Winning my first big sale at Inter-Tel, back in my telecommunications days. It was a $150,000 sale where I beat Lucent Technologies, Nortel, SBC, and a handful of giants. It was a true underdog success story. That was my first evidence that business is, more than anything else, about people connecting with people. People need to trust you before anything else.

Mentor

Jon Pensyl - Inter-Tel Technologies. So much of what I learned in Telecom continues to apply to daily life in the film world.

What motivates you for success?

I've always been self-motivated. Perhaps it was my parent's love growing up. I should also say that I am especially motivated towards making movies because I burnt out on telecommunications. I never want to go back to wearing a suit. I belong in jeans and a baseball hat behind the camera.

Like best about what you do

That I get to tell stories and have fun making them. There's nothing more fulfilling than creating and collaborating. Watching a performance and guiding it to something that captures the human condition, be it through drama, suspense, or my favorite, comedy.

Like least about what you do

That there isn't enough time in the day to do more.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Superman.

Biggest pastimes outside of work

Hiking with my dogs (Cello and Oboe). Also, I am a film-music freak. I have around 3,000 film scores in my collection.

Person most interested in meeting and why?

Film composer, Michael Kamen, God rest his soul. But I did get to meet him. I met him in 1996 for the first time, and we became friends ever since. He was my hero during high school and college. His music is profound and full of pain and joy at the same time. As for his action music, you can feel its excitement in your gut. He composed the music for Robin Hood, Brazil, Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Don Juan de Marco, Band of Brothers, X-Men and dozens of other scores.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?

Steven Spielberg because, well, it's obvious. He's a cinema genius.

Three interesting facts about yourself

I used to play violin.

I'm a hopeless romantic.

I sleep about four hours a night.

Three characteristics that describe you

Introverted. Extroverted. A true Pisces.

Three greatest passions

Movies. Dogs. Film Scores.

Favorite book

The Count of Monte Cristo.

Favorite cause

Brother Andrew, in Jordan in City of Salt for the blind and the mute children.

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Amin Matalqa

Also this week

Don't forget!