Matthew J. Evans is an upcoming actor who will be starring in the highly anticipated film, “Bad Teacher” which will include the likes of Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz. Not only is this young actor great in the movie but he is also a filmmaker. Learn more about Matthew Evans who will be playing “Garrett Tiara” in this exclusive interview.
FTV: We read your bio and it appears you have a passion for both acting and filmmaking. Do you have any filmmakers in your family?
I don’t have any filmmakers in my family, but my mom was an actress and singer on Broadway.
FTV: Where are you from originally?
I was born in San Luis Obispo, CA
FTV: Were you interested in acting and filmmaking from a very early age?
I started acting in musical theater when I was four years old, and have played Winthrop in THE MUSIC MAN, Michael in PETER PAN, and the title role in OLIVER. When I was nine my mom and I started commuting to L.A. to do film and TV work. The more film work I did, the more interested I became in the art of filmmaking. I find the work fascinating and began asking questions of the cinematographers and crewmembers. I really wanted to try making films of my own.
FTV: What are your interests outside of acting and filmmaking?
Music is a passion of mine. I play bass guitar in a jazz group, and I love singing and playing the guitar. I also enjoy playing video games. Some of favorite games are the ASSASSIN’S CREED series and PORTAL 2. I also love to swim.
FTV: Many are very interested in the entire process of going on an audition. Could you tell us what the process is like for you?
After five years, I’ve been on literally hundreds of auditions. It begins with my agent submitting me for a role she thinks I’d be right for. Then we get notified when and where the audition will be held. Often the call will be for the following day. I receive a short breakdown describing the character I’m reading for, and the sides (one or two scenes) which I need to learn and memorize. Sometimes I go to my acting teacher, Amy Lyndon, for coaching on the scenes. When I arrive at the audition, I am prepared with my headshot and resume. The actors are usually scheduled ten or fifteen minutes apart, so sometimes there are quite a few actors in the waiting room. Its important for me to focus on what I need to be doing and not get distracted. I mentally prepare myself and then the casting director calls me in. Usually there is a video camera and someone to read the lines with me. Sometimes I get feedback about how to try it a different way, which is fun and sometimes challenging. Other times they chat with me for a few minutes, and we’re done. If I’m right for the part I will get a callback. Sometimes there are several callbacks before the producers make up their minds.
Sometimes I get nervous, but I try to channel those feelings and focus on turning the fear into positive energy.
FTV: What was the audition like for “Bad Teacher” ?
When I auditioned for BAD TEACHER, I felt as though I had done my best and that it had gone well. A few days later, my agent called and said that the director, Jake Kasdan, wanted to see me that same day at 4:30 p.m. My Mom and I rushed out of the house immediately because we knew it would take us at least three hours to get to L.A. When we arrived at the studio, Jake directed me on my scenes and gave me some really helpful feedback. He then invited me to a table read the following Tuesday with Cameron Diaz, Eric Stonestreet, Phyllis Smith, and a lot of Studio Executives. It was an amazing experience to be there with such talented actors and comedians. The script was really great and there was a lot of laughing at the table. A few days later, I got the great news that I was hired!
FTV: In what capacity are you working with Justin Timberlake?
Justin plays a substitute teacher, Scott Delacorte, and I play Garrett Tiara, a dork who writes really bad poetry, and is totally in love with the hot girl in class. Justin’s character and mine meet in the hall and start talking like robots together. It was really fun.
FTV: Has Justin given you any advice in acting, what did he say?
Justin was really cool to hang out with. He was totally professional, well prepared, and had a great sense of humor. At the end of the robot scene, Justin complimented me and said “Great job, that was a lot of fun.” That made me feel awesome! I really admire him.
FTV: Are there any funny stories from working on “Bad Teacher” ?
In one scene, Cameron and I were sitting on a stairwell eating lunch together. It was about three o’clock in the afternoon, and we still had a few hours left to shoot. All of a sudden Cameron stood up and said “Ok guys, see ya tomorrow!” and just walked out. The whole cast and crew just stood there paralyzed for a moment. We couldn’t believe she actually left the set in the middle of a scene! After about a minute of awkward silence, Cameron came bursting through the door and yelled “APRIL FOOLS!” Everyone was VERY relieved she came back and we all had a good laugh about it. We had all forgotten it was April 1st. Cameron was amazing to work with and has a great sense of humor.
FTV: Who would you love to work with in a movie in the future?
I’d love to work with people like Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, Larry David, and Woody Allen.
FTV: With the summer on the way, any fun plans?
This Summer I plan to go to film camp at UCLA. I will also be working on my next documentary film.
FTV: Are you on Twitter?
Not yet, but I might set one up sometime in the near future.
FTV: Are you a big facebook and twitter fan?
I think Facebook is a great way for me to keep in touch with friends all around the world.
FTV: Why should fans check out “Bad Teacher” ?
Bad Teacher is an amazingly funny film, with a great script, amazing director, and an awesome cast. Everyone had a terrific time making the film and it shows!
FTV: What is next for you in filmmaking? What type of movie do you want to create next?
I’m starting work on my next documentary called “The Woody Duffy Story”, that will tell the story of my best friend Woody who was born with a rare disease and his Mom’s struggle to find a doctor who would work on finding a cure. It’s a great story and I’m really excited to tell it. I want to create movies that will inspire people to find meaning in their lives, and tell amazing stories about everyday heroes.
FTV: We read your bio and it appears you have a passion for both acting and filmmaking. Do you have any filmmakers in your family?
I don’t have any filmmakers in my family, but my mom was an actress and singer on Broadway.
FTV: Where are you from originally?
I was born in San Luis Obispo, CA
FTV: Were you interested in acting and filmmaking from a very early age?
I started acting in musical theater when I was four years old, and have played Winthrop in THE MUSIC MAN, Michael in PETER PAN, and the title role in OLIVER. When I was nine my mom and I started commuting to L.A. to do film and TV work. The more film work I did, the more interested I became in the art of filmmaking. I find the work fascinating and began asking questions of the cinematographers and crewmembers. I really wanted to try making films of my own.
FTV: What are your interests outside of acting and filmmaking?
Music is a passion of mine. I play bass guitar in a jazz group, and I love singing and playing the guitar. I also enjoy playing video games. Some of favorite games are the ASSASSIN’S CREED series and PORTAL 2. I also love to swim.
FTV: Many are very interested in the entire process of going on an audition. Could you tell us what the process is like for you?
After five years, I’ve been on literally hundreds of auditions. It begins with my agent submitting me for a role she thinks I’d be right for. Then we get notified when and where the audition will be held. Often the call will be for the following day. I receive a short breakdown describing the character I’m reading for, and the sides (one or two scenes) which I need to learn and memorize. Sometimes I go to my acting teacher, Amy Lyndon, for coaching on the scenes. When I arrive at the audition, I am prepared with my headshot and resume. The actors are usually scheduled ten or fifteen minutes apart, so sometimes there are quite a few actors in the waiting room. Its important for me to focus on what I need to be doing and not get distracted. I mentally prepare myself and then the casting director calls me in. Usually there is a video camera and someone to read the lines with me. Sometimes I get feedback about how to try it a different way, which is fun and sometimes challenging. Other times they chat with me for a few minutes, and we’re done. If I’m right for the part I will get a callback. Sometimes there are several callbacks before the producers make up their minds.
Sometimes I get nervous, but I try to channel those feelings and focus on turning the fear into positive energy.
FTV: What was the audition like for “Bad Teacher” ?
When I auditioned for BAD TEACHER, I felt as though I had done my best and that it had gone well. A few days later, my agent called and said that the director, Jake Kasdan, wanted to see me that same day at 4:30 p.m. My Mom and I rushed out of the house immediately because we knew it would take us at least three hours to get to L.A. When we arrived at the studio, Jake directed me on my scenes and gave me some really helpful feedback. He then invited me to a table read the following Tuesday with Cameron Diaz, Eric Stonestreet, Phyllis Smith, and a lot of Studio Executives. It was an amazing experience to be there with such talented actors and comedians. The script was really great and there was a lot of laughing at the table. A few days later, I got the great news that I was hired!
FTV: In what capacity are you working with Justin Timberlake?
Justin plays a substitute teacher, Scott Delacorte, and I play Garrett Tiara, a dork who writes really bad poetry, and is totally in love with the hot girl in class. Justin’s character and mine meet in the hall and start talking like robots together. It was really fun.
FTV: Has Justin given you any advice in acting, what did he say?
Justin was really cool to hang out with. He was totally professional, well prepared, and had a great sense of humor. At the end of the robot scene, Justin complimented me and said “Great job, that was a lot of fun.” That made me feel awesome! I really admire him.
FTV: Are there any funny stories from working on “Bad Teacher” ?
In one scene, Cameron and I were sitting on a stairwell eating lunch together. It was about three o’clock in the afternoon, and we still had a few hours left to shoot. All of a sudden Cameron stood up and said “Ok guys, see ya tomorrow!” and just walked out. The whole cast and crew just stood there paralyzed for a moment. We couldn’t believe she actually left the set in the middle of a scene! After about a minute of awkward silence, Cameron came bursting through the door and yelled “APRIL FOOLS!” Everyone was VERY relieved she came back and we all had a good laugh about it. We had all forgotten it was April 1st. Cameron was amazing to work with and has a great sense of humor.
FTV: Who would you love to work with in a movie in the future?
I’d love to work with people like Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Tom Hanks, Larry David, and Woody Allen.
FTV: With the summer on the way, any fun plans?
This Summer I plan to go to film camp at UCLA. I will also be working on my next documentary film.
FTV: Are you on Twitter?
Not yet, but I might set one up sometime in the near future.
FTV: Are you a big facebook and twitter fan?
I think Facebook is a great way for me to keep in touch with friends all around the world.
FTV: Why should fans check out “Bad Teacher” ?
Bad Teacher is an amazingly funny film, with a great script, amazing director, and an awesome cast. Everyone had a terrific time making the film and it shows!
FTV: What is next for you in filmmaking? What type of movie do you want to create next?
I’m starting work on my next documentary called “The Woody Duffy Story”, that will tell the story of my best friend Woody who was born with a rare disease and his Mom’s struggle to find a doctor who would work on finding a cure. It’s a great story and I’m really excited to tell it. I want to create movies that will inspire people to find meaning in their lives, and tell amazing stories about everyday heroes.
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