We are thrilled to be connecting with Matthew Osborne again. Matthew is the Owner and Head of Production at 19 Production House and is also a content partner. Content partners help Voyage in so many ways from spreading the word about the work that we do, sponsoring our mission and collaborating with us on content like this. Check out our conversation with Matthew below.
Hi Matthew, thank you so much for sitting down with us again. For folks who might have missed our initial interview, can you start by briefly introducing yourself?
My name is Matthew Osborne. I own 19 Production House. I grew up in Ohio, and in 1999, at the age of 19, I started working in media production there. I discovered my love of photography and film that year while working on self-publishing a book. During that process, I began taking photographs for my book cover. It was then I knew I could convey a message through visual media. Since that time, I have filmed numerous artists and businesses in both Ohio and Texas. In addition, I have directed music and promotional videos, documentaries, and short films. I have been able to cultivate a talented team to assist me in capturing our clients’ moments. I’ve been married for 8 years and I’m in an interracial relationship, and have a 4 year old son. I am also a firm believer in civil rights, equal rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights, and in science. I believe that no human is illegal, and I follow the golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. This should be refreshing to our clients because they know they will all be treated equally and are welcome to share their story.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I want to redefine the “American Dream”. The American Dream right now is economic success. Everything we do is driven by money such as retirement, a higher paying job, money for college, acquiring more stuff, more success, more attention, more followers, more money, get a bigger house, nicer car or more cars, or fancy clothes, or more vacations. We seem to always be looking for satisfaction outside of ourselves. I think the “American Dream” should be Mental Health. A journey of life is a journey of self. The more we learn about how our mind works and how we manage our emotions, our expectations, how we feel about what we do, and why we do, the more clarity we can get about what truly makes us content. We can focus on what’s brings us peace and joy rather than what the world tells us is peace and joy. If money or success was the answer, then people with success and money wouldn’t have any problems and we know that’s not true. Maybe I never want to retire, maybe working makes me happy and gives me purpose. I do what I do because I love it. I love being creative. I love figuring out how to tell a story. I love media and tech. I love movies. I love entering someone else’s world. I do it for ownership of my personal projects and creative control. I don’t do it for money or success. I do it because I love it. I’d do it for free and I did for many years.
What sets your business apart from others in your field?
Understanding human emotion. “We like to think we are rational beings who occasionally have an emotion and flick it away,” and carry on being rational. But rather, “We are emotional, feeling beings; who, on rare occasions, think.” – Brené Brown I believe human emotion drives at least 95% of what we do. Think about your political views, or your religious views. Think about why you work with certain people, or shop at certain stores, or with certain brands. It’s the feelings you have towards those things that drives your decision-making process. You may not think that but it’s true. That’s why you love certain movies. That’s why you cry and laugh at those movies or tv shows. People will just say story telling but not truly understand what they’re talking about. You’re talking about connecting with human emotions. We understand that.
Do you feel any added pressure being a black owned business?
I do. I’m 41 years old and the longer I live, the longer the line between your life and work, and family and friends gets blurry because of people’s beliefs. Everything is melting together. You have to take a stand and taking a stand for what you believe in (seeing that it’s a rational belief) has consequences. I say, if that belief is rational because of QAnon for example which is a belief that is violent towards people. I have decided to take a stand with my business being vocal about racism, and white supremacy, about getting vaccinated because of Covid, the Republican party who is attacking our voting rights, gay people, and transgender children. Being silent about these things is something I cannot do. I don’t know how to work with people who want to do me harm and I have to be vocal about that. Because it’s right and for my mental health. So, I feel pressure from myself to be loud and proud about who I am and if that causes you not to work with my company, I am perfectly ok with that.
Why do you think people work with you?
I think people work with because they like me and I’m easy to get along with. I listen. I’ve also been doing video/media production for over 21 years, so I know what I’m talking about.
Where are you from and how did you get here?
I am from Columbus Ohio. I was actually born in Springfield Ohio. My parents are form Tennessee. My mom is from Memphis and my dad is from the Nashville area. So, during the school year we obviously went to school in Columbus and we spent the summers mostly in Memphis. Memphis was where I was introduced to a lot of black culture because back in Ohio, I was the only black kid along with my two brothers and maybe another black guy, so there were 4 of us in my first-grade school. High school was a little more diverse. To really jump ahead, I spent many years in Columbus trying to get my business off the ground and it just never worked. It wasn’t for a lack of trying either. Columbus Ohio is not a very diverse place and there is really no small business community, especially for people of color. I was working on building a 2-million-dollar production studio in Columbus and working with the cities department of economic development who kept putting up road blocks for whatever their reasons were. My now wife and I were tired of Columbus and the small-minded mentality we kept running into there. We decided to leave and go to a bigger and more diverse city. Chicago, DC, New York City, among others were on the table, but we ultimately ended up in Dallas due to my mom’s urging and we loved it. It’s much bigger than Columbus and a lot more diverse, and the weather is amazing. Also, it’s not weird to see black people with money down here. Back in Ohio you get stared at for driving a Jag or Cadillac lol. My business has flourished here and I have a family here.
It was so great to reconnect. One last question – how can our readers connect with you, learn more or support you?
Website: 19ProductionHouse.com
Instagram: 19ProductionHouse
Clubhouse: @19Production
Twitter: @19Productionllc
LinkedIn: Matthew Osborne
Contact Info:
- Website: www.19ProductionHouse.com
- Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/MatthewOsborne19/
- Twitter: @19Productionllc
- Other: Vimeo: 19 Production House
