Curtis Matzke

Unfurnished Films
Director, Screenwriter and Cinematographer

Chicago, Illinois

Member Since:
May 2015

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

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About Curtis

Curtis Matzke is an independent filmmaker from central Michigan and founder of the media production company Unfurnished Films. Focusing primarily on writing and directing, he aims to contribute creatively and technically to the film arts through all phases of the production process. Curtis works as a freelance editor and videographer in Chicago, Illinois and is the Video Production Manager at The Foxhole Chicago. In 2012, Curtis wrote and directed his first feature-length fiction film, Complex, which was shot with a micro-budget and recognized by several awards, including Best Narrative Feature at the Made-in-Michigan Film Festival. Curtis’s work has screened at various venues nationally and internationally and he was named as Outstanding Lansing Filmmaker in 2011. In addition to his own productions, Curtis has worked independently and as part of a team on a variety of other fiction, nonfiction, and commercial film and video projects. Curtis has worked with various Chicago institutions, including Second City, Columbia College, and the Midwest Independent Film Festival. He is a member of IFP Chicago and the Sundance Institute. Curtis is in post-production work on a full-length documentary (First Feature), which he directed. He is currently working on a new fiction feature film and several shorts. Curtis has a B.A. and an M.A. in Media Arts and Technology from Michigan State University with a concentration in Television, Cinema, and Radio, a minor in Film Studies, and a Specialization in Design.

Unique traits: Once described as a "swiss army knife of filmmaking."

Gender:
Male

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Credits

Limited Time Offer Act Now (2020)
Film Cinematographer
An Exquisite Meal (2020)
Film Producer
Sexual Animals (2018 - 2020)
Film (Comedy) Cinematographer A film about a young man unwittingly thrust into the raucous world of college mating rituals, finding striking similarities to those of lower lifeforms.
The Orchestra (2019)
Film Producer
Vendors (2019)
TV Movie Camera and Electrical Department
Assembly (2018)
Film Cinematographer
King, Hereafter (2018)
Film Cinematographer
Splinter (2017)
Film (Horror and Short) Writer A centuries-old vampire craves the company of loved ones and contemplates immortality in a world where healthcare has progressed to the point where even the darkest outsiders are cared for.
A Wake (2016)
Film (Short and Drama) Director Three friends meet at a bar the night before their friend's funeral.
Complex (2013)
Film by Curtis Matzke (Comedy, Drama and Romance) Writer/Director Complex follows Jeremy, a twenty-something who moves into his first apartment after being kicked out of his parent's house. Jeremy struggles with independence through relationships with new and old friends. All dialogue was improvised by the actors. Written by Anonymous
American Terrorist (2011)
Film by 435 Productions / Ben Sherman (Drama and Short) Writer/Director of Photography 'American Terrorist' recounts the final days of a university plant biology professor, who, overwhelmed by societal flaws and personal heartbreak, reaches his breaking point and does the unimaginable.
Appleville (2011)
Film by Bhanu Chundu (Action, Comedy, Drama and Short) Production designer It looks like the world's easiest score when Donny and Frank try to rob senior citizens on a bus outing to the Appleville Mall. What follows is a funny and action-packed ride as this unlikely crew must band together against the pursuing police before their options run out. Written by Anonymous
Salvation Boulevard (2011)
Film (Action, Comedy, Drama and Thriller) Actor Set in the world of mega-churches in which a former Deadhead-turned-born again-Christian finds himself on the run from fundamentalist members of his mega-church who will do anything to protect their larger-than-life pastor.
Scream 4 (2011)
Film by Wes Craven (Horror and Mystery) Stand-in Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately, Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger. Written by Joey
Parked (2010)
Film by Curtis Matzke (Drama, Fantasy, Mystery and Short) Writer/Director A man finds himself alone on the roof of a parking garage with his car unable to start. When he turns on the radio, he discovers more than meets the eye.
The Magician (2010)
Film by Curtis Matzke (Comedy, Drama, Fantasy and Short) Writer/Director An old magician gives a tired performance to an uninterested audience while secretly being more than meets the eye.
The Other Side of the Mirror (2010)
Film (Short, Horror and Thriller) Writer A short horror film about a lonely man who plays the piano and is haunted by his own dark side that is whispering to him from the other side of the mirror.
The Peanut Shop (2010)
Film by Curtis Matzke (Comedy, Documentary, Family, News and 1 More) Cinematographer The Peanut Shop is a short documentary about a small store in Lansing, Michigan. The family-owned store has sold peanuts and nuts for over 50 years and is still booming. The film explores the history, operations, and importance of this local shop. Written by Anonymous
High School (2010)
Film (Comedy) Actor A random drug test coincides with a high school valedictorian's first hit of pot. With his college scholarship at stake, he enlists the school's biggest stoner to help nullify the results of the screening - by getting the entire student body high. Written by John Stalberg, Jr.
Whip It (2009)
Film (Drama and Sport) Actor In a town near Austin, Bliss Cavendar's strong-willed mom believes Bliss, at 17, can win pageants - the key to a happy life. Bliss isn't the beauty pageant type: she's shy, quiet, and has just one friend, Pash, her fellow waitress at a diner. Things change for Bliss when she discovers a women's roller derby league in Austin, tries out, proves to be whip fast, and makes a team. Now she needs to become someone tough on the rink, keep her parents from finding out where she goes twice a week, and do something about a first crush, on a musician she meets at the derby. Meanwhile, mom still sees Bliss as Miss Bluebonnet. Things are on a collision course; will everyone get banged up? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)
TV Movie (Biography and Drama) Actor Biography of Ben Carson who grew up to be Dr. Ben Carson, a world famous neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins.
First Feature
Producer

View all 22 credits

Awards

Winner Best Off-Kilter Short Film, "The Orchestra" Cindependent Film Festival
(2019)
Film Fund Quarterfinalist, "Lipstick Sunday" Screencraft
(2019)
Grant Recipient, Illinois Arts Council Agency
(2018)
Finalist, "Cicada" Cinequest Film & VR Festival
(2018)
Second Rounder, "Spine" Austin Film Festival Writer's Competition
(2018)
Award Winning Film, "Complex" The Indie Gathering Film Festival and Convention
(2014)
Honorable Mention Winner, "Complex" International Independent Film Awards
(2014)
Winner Best Narrative Feature, "Complex" Made-in-Michigan Film Festival
(2013)
Winner Best Student Film, "American Terrorist" Uptown Film Festival - MI Film Awards
(2012)
Winner Best Student Narrative Film, "American Terrorist" East Lansing - Lake Michigan Film Festival
(2011)
Winner Best College Film, "American Terrorist" Flint Film Festival
(2011)
Winner Community Media Center Lansing Filmmaker Award Capital City Film Festival
(2011)
Nominated Best Documentary Film, "The Peanut Shop" Detroit Independent Film Festival
(2011)
Nominated Best Academic Film, "The Magician" Detroit Independent Film Festival
(2011)