#MediaMonday – Matt Barcellos
Today’s #MediaMonday post comes to us from Matthew Barcellos, PHXTV, Phoenix. Matt is a multimedia specialist at PHXTV with the City of Phoenix. This September he will be inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Rocky Mountain Chapter Silver Circle, recognizing and honoring his four decades of work in the media and community service. Matt and I first connected in the early 1990s when he directed “Protecting The Public,” a monthly informational program I hosted for five years. He also produced and directed college football and hockey TV broadcasts in which I was the play-by-play announcer. Our paths just missed each other in Flagstaff TV.
Matt, time to share:
Before coming to work at PHXTV I worked in local television as a newscast director, master control operator, broadcast technician and news photographer/editor at TV stations in Tempe (KAET-TV PBS) , Flagstaff (KOAI-TV NBC, which became KNAZ-TV) and Tucson (KUED-TV PBS and KOLD-TV CBS). I also have many years of experience as a freelance director of photography/videographer, live event multi camera director and sports production technician for local major league and collegiate sports. In addition, I was a faculty associate at the Arizona State University Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and currently I am teaching video production at Glendale Community College.
In 1984 when the city of Tucson started Tucson Cable 12, I was instrumental in the creation and startup of the channel. Two years later I came to the city of Phoenix to start what was then the Phoenix Channel but is now PHXTV.
I have always been a storyteller and over the years my favorite stories to tell are about the city of Phoenix and the people who live here. Some of my favorite subjects are the performing and visual arts, architecture, history, historic preservation, aviation, innovation, sustainability and science.
I grew up on the west side of Phoenix after moving here from Alaska. I attended Alhambra High School and then Arizona State University. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 1982 with a BFA in Media Arts.
When I’m not working you may find me grilling in my backyard with KJZZ playing in the background, hiking in the Phoenix Mountain Preserves, biking along a canal or enjoying a taco and enchilada combo plate with a local craft beer at one of our many great Mexican food restaurants.
I enjoy watching travel and cooking shows along with documentaries and Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. My favorite movies include science fiction like 2001: A Space Odyssey or Blade Runner; classics such as Citizen Kane and It’s A Wonderful Life; action adventure like Indiana Jones and James Bond; and historical drama like Apollo 13 or All the President’s Men.
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you?
I survived the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 which had a magnitude of 9.2, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America, and the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the world since modern seismography began in 1900.
I lived at Arcosanti working in the foundry casting in bronze the world famous Soleri windbells for three years.
For many years I was an avid windsurfer sailing on the lakes of Arizona and up and down the coast of California.
In my continuing efforts to support and create opportunities in film and media, I would like to mention a new project I’m working on with local jazz musician and promoter, Gabriel Bey of Phoenix Music & Film. Here’s our purpose and mission statement:
Providing knowledge, workforce, and opportunities to the music and film industries and promoting innovation, creativity, and economic growth.
Our mission is to be the center of gravity for everything Music and Film in the Greater Phoenix area. A neutral place for both industries to unite, find resources, collaborate, innovate, and build a sustainable workforce here in Phoenix that will be able to sustain the music and film industries in Phoenix for years to come. We will do this through workshops and training events, gatherings, networking opportunities, and the Music and Film Festival to be held in October 2024!
