Matt, Matt, and the United States of America

I've done a lot of video work over the space of my relatively short career, and this is one of my all time favourites. I worked with the brilliant Unity House to produce this video looking at the strange uncanny nature of the friendship of two International students at Leeds College of Music. 

Before meeting in Leeds, Matt McGraw and Matt Asti (two exceptional jazz musicians) had no idea that they had grown up streets apart back in their native Pennsylvania, that their parents worked in the same office - not even that they had the same name and jazz style glasses. What a place is Leeds if not one that brings the world together, ey? 

I really liked the idea generation part of this project - coming up with a storyboard and edit of a video that represents the truth spirit of the conservatoire, the city, and also the people in the video - their hopes and dreams come across quite honestly through the interview I did with them (a day of wondering round the city eating falafel, drinking tea and then working in the studio), which I think can be sometimes difficult with recruitment videos. 

When two jazz musicians called Matt from Philadelphia, USA, met for the first time at Leeds College of Music -- an almost preordained friendship and collaboration began to take shape. They talk about their experience as international students whilst laying down an original track, 'Deeds and Measures'. Music composed and performed by Matthew McGraw and Matthew Asti, and produced by Al Ross. Film by Unity House.