Imagine growing up in a world where movies were off-limits–no trips to the theater, no Saturday nights browsing Blockbuster, no escape into cinematic dreamscapes. For most, that would steer you far from filmmaking. But for Nick Matthews, it sparked a lifelong fascination. From borrowing a camcorder in high school to shooting Saw X for Lionsgate, Matthews carved a path defined by grit, creativity, and raw talent. This is how a kid from the American South defied convention to become one of Hollywood’s most compelling new voices in cinematography.
Cinematographer Nick Matthews
Cinema Behind Closed Doors
Raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian household, Matthews wasn’t allowed to go to movie theaters. Films were censored at home—yet somehow, that only deepened their allure.
“I wasn’t allowed to go to the movie theater, so my first movie was The Prestige–in college,” Matthews recalls. “Movies were censored at home, but I still grew up watching Lawrence of Arabia, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Shining. That’s how my journey in filmmaking started.”
So, where did his passion for storytelling begin? Books. Inspired by writers like Franz Kafka and Flannery O’Connor, Matthews began writing fiction as a child. That passion took a visual turn when a friend in high school suggested they shoot a movie using a borrowed camcorder.
“We were doing direct-to-tape editing, learning about continuity, shot design, and storytelling structure–without even realizing it.”
The real turning point came when he watched The Elephant Man by David Lynch. Its emotional depth, symbolism, and visual storytelling struck a chord. From that moment, Matthews knew he was destined to tell stories through images.
A scene from the movie “The Elephant Man” by David Lynch
The Big Leap – Without a Safety Net
Unlike many cinematographers who follow a traditional path through film school and structured mentorships, Nick Matthews forged his own way.
“I didn’t go to film school. I studied communications and electronic media, but I was always making shorts, directing, writing–just creating.”
His first experience on a professional set came as an intern on an indie film starring Peter Dinklage and Mark Boone Junior. That’s when he realized cinematography—not directing—was his true calling.
“I loved being behind the camera. Lighting, framing, movement–it all fascinated me. I realized cinematography was how I could bring themes, motifs, and emotions into the visual language.”
Moving to Los Angeles was a leap of faith. With no roadmap, Nick Matthews turned to platforms like Craigslist and Mandy to find his first project.
“I booked my first feature off the internet. The director was funding it with his dad’s oil money. We shot for over 20 days–it was a half-million-dollar film. I learned everything on the fly. I was terrified, but I walked away with a ton of experience.”
Cinematographer Nick Matthews during an exclusive interview for MasterShot
Finding His Voice Behind the Lens
Unlike many chasing the bright lights of Hollywood, Matthews was drawn to stories on the margins–characters shaped by trauma, alienation, and raw emotion. His early work spanned indie films, music videos, and commercials, helping him develop a distinct visual style.
“I shot music videos for Ice Cube and Rise Against. The Ice Cube video was wild–40 scenes in two days with no shot list. I had to shoot like a documentarian, weaving through crowds, capturing what I could. It was pure adrenaline.”
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Major world-famous brands took notice. Nick Matthews shot campaigns for Intel, Nike, New Balance, and Specialized Bikes. Still, narrative film was always the end goal.
“I did six indie films before making one that felt like mine. It was called K, about an alt-right vlogger who goes on a killing spree. That’s when I knew I’d found my voice.”
That voice–dark, tense, emotionally charged–made him a natural fit for horror.
“Since then, I’ve only taken on projects that feel true to me. I’ve been lucky, but I’ve also stayed focused on stories that excite and compel me.”
Shot from the New Balance “Eye Of The Storm” commercial project
Embracing the Horror Genre
Nick Matthews’ moody, atmospheric style caught the attention of genre heavyweights. He collaborated with icons like Dan Myrick (The Blair Witch Project) and Ted Raimi (Evil Dead 2), honing his ability to tell emotional stories through tension and imagery.
“I’ve always been fascinated by stories about the human condition, about life on the fringes,” he says. “The beauty and brutality. The primal elements of who we are.”
His horror debut, A Spoonful of Sugar, was produced by a contact he met years earlier through Kickstarter. That project led to Mob Land, starring John Travolta and Stephen Dorff. Then came the breakout: Saw X.
One of the highest-rated films in the Saw franchise, Saw X earned widespread praise for its cinematography, with Nick Matthews behind the lens.
“I’ve done one of the best slasher films of the last decade. Now I want to explore more–supernatural horror, crime, drama, thrillers. For me, it’s about telling stories that resonate.”
Cinematographer Nick Matthews brought a fresh psychological intensity to Saw X’s iconic traps, adding emotional weight to a franchise known for gore. It’s a rare feat in the Jigsaw actor Tobin Bell’s chilling universe.
Nick Matthews on the set of Saw X
Your Next Step Into the Film Industry
Nick Matthews’ journey is more than a success story–it’s a masterclass in perseverance, resourcefulness, and creative evolution. No film school. No insider connections. Just a deep love of storytelling and relentless drive.
Want to learn how Nick Matthews landed Saw X? Watch the full interview for behind-the-scenes insights, career-defining moments, and lessons from the frontlines of filmmaking.
And if you’re ready to bring your cinematic vision to life, MasterShot is here to help–from pre-production planning to cinematography and multicamera production tools that streamline your workflow. So you can focus on what really matters: telling powerful stories.