Although we are busy at Production Attic, we will be continuing our series introducing our team. This week we will be focusing on our Creative Director; Matthew Cowan.
Matt started Production Attic with some of his fellow graduates from University of Glasgow with the mind of creating a collaborative umbrella they could all work under in 2011. Ten years on, Production Attic is a thriving business and is re-emerging from lockdown stronger than ever.
Before starting Production Attic, Matt worked in the industry – in multiple roles. Everything from TV new camera work to manning the clapboard on broadcast television. In this industry, it is easy to wind up on a treadmill, taking one job after the next and Matt was cognisant of this. With his eye on directing, Matt decided to start his own production company.
Matt’s earliest filmmaking memory is borrowing a cam-corder when he was in his early teens and making a rip-off of The Terminator, ingeniously titled ‘The Exterminator’. This adolescent exposure opened his eyes to the world of film making and he has never looked back. Receiving a MA in Film and Television Studies from the University of Glasgow and creating his own production company is something we can be sure would make young Matt burst with pride!
In his role as founder, Matt wears a lot of different hats. An often-unnoticed aspect of his job is one of the most important – steering the direction of the company. He is involved in pitching to clients, deciding what work the company will take on and working out how best to approach a campaign.
Originally with an eye on creating feature films and television shows, Production Attic has found its niche in creating high quality campaigns for their clients. Matt has been able to achieve this by overseeing each campaign we embark on. Production Attic delivers elevated corporate video’s – something Matt credits his love of storytelling with.
When telling the story of a campaign, it is important to structure it the same way you would a film – by following the hero’s journey. Through employing universal storytelling techniques, we are able to engage our client’s audience. Finally, it is important to make sure that all of the text and design match the brand guidelines. Each of these things may seem obvious, but it is important to have someone making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
It is always hard to get any of the Production Attic team member to say what their favourite project is. Under threat of duress, Matt decided to name the feature length documentary ‘A Symphony in Stone’. It documents how Glasgow became known as the second city of the Empire.
Matt has always had a vision of what he would do if filming from a helicopter and this project afforded him the opportunity. He also received a helicopter stress ball from the crew, which is a great memento and an excellent conversation starter.
Outside of Production Attic, Matt has worked on a freelance basis with other production companies. When working as a Producer on the trailer for Magic the Gathering Matt managed a team of roughly 110 people over the course of six months with a budget of over a million pounds.
When asked about his greatest personal achievement, Matt acknowledges that it may sound pandering, but starting Production Attic and keeping it going is at the top of the list. Production Attic turned ten during COVID and through savvy solutions and smart business practices, it is now turning over more work than ever – all while sticking to its mission statement, to create campaigns with heart and story.
Finally, when asked who would play him in a film, Matt cited Andy Serkis doing motion capture.
