We recently reconnected with Matthew Michalik (SPC 2018-23) whose film ‘Bloodlust’ premiered and was up for nomination at UK’s largest independent film festival, Raindance, in London’s West End earlier this year.
Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?
Since leaving SPC, I have studied at JMC Academy, a film school in South Melbourne, where I met some great people and furthered my interests in filmmaking. After graduating, I have since started a videography business with a close mate of mine, as well as growing my body of work as a filmmaker, which includes a number of short films and an independent feature film titled Bloodlust. I have also been across to London for an independent film festival which was a really exciting experience.
What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?
I think a lot of my fondest memories from SPC came from the enormous soccer matches at lunch and hanging out with my mates. But I also especially loved when I got the chance to do anything filmmaking related, which happened a few times and I’ll always attribute my career path to those great moments.
Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?
It’s quite hard to say, as there are so many fantastic teachers at SPC. I think my time in English and History with Mr Murphy were really beneficial as I learnt a lot from him about how to engage with and appreciate history and art. I was also impacted by Mr Winfield in Philosophy, who had a fantastic way of teaching and I still think about and apply the values and ideas from his class in my daily life.
How has your education shaped your professional life?
I think my education largely taught me how to best appreciate, respect, and collaborate with other people in the most meaningful way. In filmmaking, it always comes back to relationships and co-operation, and I think my time at SPC only strengthened how I can navigate these relationships.
How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?
My personal values were shaped by SPC in how I approach discipline when dealing with difficult tasks to try the best that I can for the best result. But I also learnt a lot about resilience, it’s something that’s hard to notice until you’re in an industry mostly characterised by setbacks (like the film industry!). So, I’m grateful I could learn early what it means to keep moving forward.
If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?
I think I would say that it’s a great idea to act on your interests, even if it might not align with your idea of a career and so on. Whilst you’re interested in something, it’s best to give it 100% and see what happens. Finding something to be passionate about that you can excel at in your own way is a great way to understand what you’d like to do and where you might like to go after SPC.
