Today we’d like to introduce you to Mathew Tretola.
Hi, Matthew. I’m so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My creative journey began somewhere around 2005 or so. That was when I first started watching cartoons like South Park, which inspired me to create my animated series. I also had yet to learn how difficult it was to do it. I created some characters, drew some sketches, and wrote a few short scripts and all of it ended up living on an 8GB USB drive for many years before I came back to it and decided to learn how to do animation myself in 2016. In late 2016, I made 3 animated shorts and stopped until 2020, when I took it more seriously, consistently learned new skills, and improved my abilities. From 2020 to 2023, I wrote, directed, and produced 7 animated short films. After winning 80 film and script awards, three animated short films are IMDb accredited, and one has recently been distributed through Filmhub.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, I guess it has been pretty “smooth”. After making around a dozen short films and all I’ve learned, making cartoons will never not be a struggle. It’s a lot of work.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do a little bit of everything as far as making cartoons, but my strongest attribute is creative writing, so I focus a lot on that. I have far more ideas and scripts than I’ll ever be able to produce myself. I’m most known for my animated short film, Brownies. It did well on the film festival competition circuit. I’m proud of that short. That project started as just a practice exercise and ended up turning into a successful short film.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I take risks, but that also depends on the potential consequences of said risk. I likely wouldn’t take any risks that might potentially put me in danger or leave me homeless or something. But I take risks that might get me laughed at or make me embarrassed or something. If there are no severe consequences, there isn’t any good excuse not to take that risk. If it doesn’t work out, move on to the next thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tolacraftproducts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathewtretola/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TolacraftProducts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-tretola-5a704621a/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MathewTretola
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPtC69yqRCNWeU7-m2oi7A
- Other: https://www.tolacraftproducts.com/brownies-password-protect
Image Credits
Mathew Tretola
