Matty Rich
Encyclopedia
Matty Rich, born Matthew Statisfield Richardson (November 6, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York City), is a film director
and screenwriter
who broke into the film world with the 1991 film Straight Out of Brooklyn
which was financed by credit cards and donation
s. Rich also plays a major character in the film. The low-budget independent film
grossed $2.7 million dollars at the box office
and only cost $450,000 to make. Rich was only 19 years old at the time. The film was critically acclaimed and Rich won many awards including an Independent Spirit Award. The success of the film introduced Rich as another major young African-American talent during a time when new filmmakers like Spike Lee
, John Singleton, Mario Van Peebles
and the Hughes Brothers
were also being hailed for their films about African-American culture.
In interviews, Rich had proudly stated that even though he dropped out of New York University
's (NYU) famed Tisch School of the Arts
after one month (he accused the faculty of racism
), he still made a successful film. This drew criticism from Spike Lee, a Tisch graduate, who accused Rich of being "ignorant". Rich's second film, 1994's The Inkwell
, received mixed reviews but was a commercial failure. He has not made another film since.
In 2005, Rich re-emerged as the director and screenwriter of the video game, 187 Ride or Die
which was not a success.
Today, he serves as CEO of Matty Rich Games, a Los Angeles-based gaming company. Matty Rich Games specializes in family-orientated and Christian-themed video games geared toward the African-American community.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
who broke into the film world with the 1991 film Straight Out of Brooklyn
Straight Out of Brooklyn
Straight Out of Brooklyn is an 1991 independent film directed by Matty Rich in his directorial debut. The film is a gritty story about Dennis , an African-American teen living in a housing project with his sister, mother and abusive, alcoholic father...
which was financed by credit cards and donation
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s. Rich also plays a major character in the film. The low-budget independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
grossed $2.7 million dollars at the box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
and only cost $450,000 to make. Rich was only 19 years old at the time. The film was critically acclaimed and Rich won many awards including an Independent Spirit Award. The success of the film introduced Rich as another major young African-American talent during a time when new filmmakers like Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, John Singleton, Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles
Mario "Chip" Cain Van Peebles is an American director and actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films. He is son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.-Life and career:...
and the Hughes Brothers
Hughes Brothers
Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes , known together professionally as the Hughes brothers, are American film directors, producers and screenwriters...
were also being hailed for their films about African-American culture.
In interviews, Rich had proudly stated that even though he dropped out of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's (NYU) famed Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University ....
after one month (he accused the faculty of racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
), he still made a successful film. This drew criticism from Spike Lee, a Tisch graduate, who accused Rich of being "ignorant". Rich's second film, 1994's The Inkwell
The Inkwell
The Inkwell is a 1994 romantic comedy/drama film, directed by Matty Rich. This movie stars Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglass, Glynn Turman, and Vanessa Bell Calloway...
, received mixed reviews but was a commercial failure. He has not made another film since.
In 2005, Rich re-emerged as the director and screenwriter of the video game, 187 Ride or Die
187 Ride or Die
187 Ride or Die is a video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, developed and published by Ubisoft. In order to become "top dog" of the game the player must race and defeat opponents through a variety of different stages all set in Los Angeles's infamous South Central region.The game's title comes...
which was not a success.
Today, he serves as CEO of Matty Rich Games, a Los Angeles-based gaming company. Matty Rich Games specializes in family-orientated and Christian-themed video games geared toward the African-American community.