Matt Uhry is a unique director. He specialises in animal direction. Uhry has just joined Californian production company, Rodeo Show, for US commercial representation. The signing comes on the heels of a collaboration between Rodeo Show and Uhry on a Nestl /Purina Fancy Feast campaign that launched this month.
“It’s about more than liking animals, it’s creating the right conditions in the first place and then adjusting inputs to keep making the shot better,” Uhry stated. “If there’s time for training that opens up a whole world of possibility, but much can be achieved with simply the right approach on set and a bit of patience.”
The Animal Guy, as he is known, has studied extensively under animal trainers and behaviourists, as well as accruing deep experience by observing and training behaviours. The director, DoP and photographer also has an impressibe portfolio of documentary branded content and VFX work for clients such as Ketel One, Lenovo, Sony, and Intel. He has worked worldwide, shooting bees in New Zealand, snakes in Vietnam and cats in Culver City.
Uhry has created films with mammals, birds and reptiles, shooting for top brands. His work includes Clio-winning spots featuring a tree frog for Netflix, Shelter Dogs being groomed for PetSmart, Giant Cat’s for Meow Mix, and a Surfing Dog for Visit California. His animal repertoire includes snakes, cats, leopards, grizzly bears, good dogs of all breeds, horses, dolphins, elephants, whales and bees.
View Uhry’s work here.
Uhry’s nimble approach to production has allowed him to adapt readily to pandemic production. Since restrictions have come into place, he has shot numerous projects, embracing the limitations as a creative challenge across both remote and in-person shoots.
Rodeo Show executive producer, Ryan Wadzinski, commented, “Matt has a unique ability to capture the authentic emotions of human and animal connection. On top of being such a standout Animal Guy, his diverse background as a director and witty demeanour really allows him to bring a fresh approach to every project he works on. We’re thrilled to have him join the Rodeo Show team.”
“The Rodeo Show team has very quickly become like family for me and their attention to detail and level of support really allows me to focus on the creative decisions. I’m excited to grow with them as we continue to find nimble solutions for production in 2021,” Uhry added.
The Californian-born director brings diverse life experience to filmmaking. He has lived in Paris and hitchhiked through Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He cut his teeth as a director of photography on features such as Amat Escalante’s Cannes: Un Certain Regard film, Los Bastardos, and music videos for bands such as the Foo Fighters and the Strokes, before he began shooting and directing his own commercials.
