Matt Revolter


Matt Revolter is an American film producer and photographer who is best known for producing music videos, short films, and fine art.

Biography

Early life

Revolter was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. He started as a graffiti artist and graphic designer before receiving a formal education in media production. He began his professional career working as an illustrator creating original works for corporate advertising, fashion companies, and musicians. During this time he also ran a successful marketing firm in Los Angeles, and has had success working as a commercial artist and marketer.
His work often deals with such themes as identity, empathy, and death. When he was ten years old his neighbor was attacked and killed by a great white shark. Tragic life experiences have given him creative inspiration.
Revolter has an extensive collection of vintage cameras, and has a preference to acquire items that often have connections to famous filmmakers or movies.

Education

Revolter graduated summa cum laude from Brooks Institute, where he received a Master of Fine Arts in Photography, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, and a Certificate in Cinematography.

Style

Revolter is known for creating empathetic and dark imagery set in high-concept settings. He claims to be "format agnostic" as he typically shoots with Red Digital Cinema Camera Company, Arri Alexa, Hasselblad, Phase One, Leica Camera, and Canon Inc. camera systems. He has incorporated principles derived from traditional cinema while shooting, which includes using film equipment and lighting techniques. Most of his scenes include real subjects in authentic locations, and he uses very little digital post-processing afterwards. Revolter's photographs are usually projected in large spaces, as opposed to being displayed in frames.

Career

Producer

In 2014 Revolter produced a winning short film titled The Way We Were, directed by Ayasylla Ghosn, for the Santa Barbara Film Festival's 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking Competition. He also produced Schoolboy Q's music video for "Hoover Street" that same year. In 2013 he produced the music video for Cali Swag District's "Shake Something".

Photographer

In 2015 Revolter installed a multimedia projection titled "Bodies on the Wall" on various buildings throughout California. The project was part of his graduating thesis and questioned how viewers analyzed, participated, and remembered their experiences regarding artwork in the digital age.
In 2014 Revolter's photography was installed on the Studio Wall at Brooks Institute. The images he displayed questioned the viewers' understanding of both the meaning, and the relationship between the photographs.

Firearm Manufacturer

In 2018 Revolter started manufacturing firearms under the name Revolt Arms in Santa Barbara, CA.

Filmography/exhibits

Notable work Revolter has produced include:

Short films

YearTitleRole
2014The Way We WereProducer
2013The VisitationProducer, production manager
2013FinaleProducer
2013The BURB$Executive producer
2012CHUCK'DDirector, writer, editor

Music videos

YearArtistSong titleRole
2014Kembe X"As I Unfold"Producer
2014Schoolboy Q"Hoover Street"Producer
2014Cali Swag District"Pill Head"Producer
2014Cali Swag District"Love Drug"Producer
2013Cali Swag District"Shake Somethin"Producer

Exhibitions

YearTitleGalleryCityTypeType
2016Deceptive ThoughtsEthos GallerySantorini, GreeceSoloInstallation
2015Bodies on the WallGallery 27 Santa Barbara, CaliforniaGroupInstallation
2015Snap and ReframeBrooks InstituteVentura, CaliforniaGroupPhotography
2014Convergence of ThoughtVenice Art WallVenice Beach, CaliforniaSoloPhotographic paint installation
2014Projected DreamsEthos Gallery Santorini, GreeceSoloInstallation
2014Third EffectBrooks Institute Santa Barbara, CaliforniaGroupPhotography
2012Intangible AssetsStage C Ventura, CaliforniaSoloInstallation
2010PhotosynthesisThe EstateLos Angeles, CaliforniaSoloInstallation