Meet Matt de Vries: Focus on Passion, and Work Hard
You’re a Videographer. But what did you dream of becoming as a child?
A skydiver! I actually enrolled to do my FAA licence, but unfortunately wasn’t able to go through with it due to some ongoing issues with my spine — slipped discs are no fun! That said, I’m hoping to finally complete my FAA in the next few years, now that I’ve recovered and am feeling fit again.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve ever worked on, and why?
Working with Honda and Max Verstappen last year was definitely a highlight for me — I’m a huge F1 fan. It was a brilliant shoot, and we got to surprise a group of young kids coming up through karting. It was also fascinating to see Max’s personality up close. He often gets a bad rap online for his aggressive driving style and blunt media presence, but in person, he was genuinely down-to-earth and a pleasure to work with.
Which film or TV show inspired you to join this industry?
I was originally most inspired by Thrasher skate films when I was younger. I used to spend every spare moment at the skatepark filming videos with my mates.
What’s the golden rule you follow as a freelancer?
I wouldn’t call it a golden rule exactly, but I’ve learnt the importance of knowing when to say no to a project — especially if it doesn’t align with your future goals or personal values. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to say yes to everything, but that can lead to being stuck working on things you don’t actually enjoy. Focus on what you’re passionate about, work hard, and the money tends to follow.
What’s one thing you can’t imagine your workday without?
My Apple laptop, without a doubt. Being able to edit and work on the move has been a total game changer. I still remember when you needed a massive desktop tower in the office just to edit 4K video — now I can edit raw footage on a computer that fits in my backpack. It’s been a huge shift.
What skill makes you stand out from other freelancers?
It’s hard to pin down just one thing — there are so many incredibly talented freelancers out there. Some are specialists, others are generalists. If anything, I’d say adaptability is one of my strengths. I’ve taught myself everything I know, either online or by hands-on experience through trial and error. That’s given me quite a broad skill set, and the confidence to say, “Yeah, I can do that,” or “Let’s try it and see how it works.”
One thing I do that you don’t see all that often is using electric skateboards, Onewheels, and other electric vehicles during shoots. I’ve captured loads of automotive tracking shots this way — for cycling, motorbikes, sports, you name it. They’re incredible tools when paired with a skilled camera operator.
Here you can see Matt’s showreel, and if you would like to work with him, please contact a member of the team.