Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Shelly.
Hi Matt, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In early 2002, I started the film program at Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina. Through that, I met a man named Butch Kaplan, who ended up hiring me on the notebook. After that production, I chose to move to New York to pursue a career as a Camera Operator, Butch was generous enough to set up an interview, and that’s when I started my journey in reality television. From 2004 to 2017, I worked on various shows, from housewives to cooking, renovation, survival, and anything I could get on. With the birth of our son in 2016, New York started to feel a little small, and we looked to relocate back to Charleston, South Carolina. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel for work and live in one of the best cities to raise a family. In 2023, My partner, Shannon Shelly, and I had the opportunity to take over Pixel Studios in West Ashley. The previous owner, Leroy Mazyck, did a fantastic job setting up the infrastructure for a great studio space; Shannon and I dove headfirst in August to make the studio our own. We are about seven months into our ownership of Pixel Studios. I love this space; I love the idea that people of all backgrounds can come and create. I’ve also been able to dive back into photography, which was my first passion when my dad taught me when I was about 10 years old; having a studio at my disposal has been invaluable in allowing the creative process to flow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The film and television industry is not for the faint of heart; freelance work can be very stressful; some months, you’re too busy to see your family and others, you have all the time in the world. But the pace and the excitement of creating art for other people’s enjoyment is what I love the most about it. New York City was a tough place to start your career. There was a lot of downtime in the first year of living there; I worked various odd jobs to get by, including a New York water taxi, cleaning houses, basically anything, while I pushed to get into the TV industry full-time. I am taking over Pixel Studios in 2023 with my wife and partner. Shannon Shelly was a considerable challenge. A family-run business is exactly what we wanted. We worked hard the first few months, making it our own. Now, getting the word out to the creatives of Charleston has been our most significant effort.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Here is a list of work.
DIRECTOR
Hot Yachts S1 – Paramount+/Curve Media Oct ’22- Feb “23
Winter House Season 2 – Bravo/TrulyOrig Feb 2022
Fixer to Fabulous “Welcome Inn” – July-‘21- Jan ‘22
Conde Nast Traveler “Walking around in Hilton Head, SC – July 2021 Conde Nast Traveler “Walking around in Greenville, SC – May 2021 Watch What Happens Live Ad tape – Endemal Ent Jan 2018
Model Squad, Season 1 – E! Network/Trooper Ent July/Dec 2017
Ink Master Angels, Episodes 1 & 2 – Spike TV/Original Media July 2017 WAGS Miami, Season 1- E! Network May/Oct 2016
Follow the Rules – MTV/51Minds- November/February 2015
Game of Crowns – Bravo/Shed- August/September 2013
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Southern Hospitality, S2 – Bravo
Southern Charm, Season 9 – Bravo
Southern Hospitality, S1 – Bravo/Haymaker March/July 2022
Southern Charm, Season 8 – Bravo/Haymaker Oct/Dec 2021
Fixer to Fabulous “Welcome Inn” – July 2021
Conde Nast Traveler “Walking around in Greenville, SC – May 2021
Breaking Bland, Season 1 – HGTV/Rivr Media Aug/Dec 2020
1986 Mets, Doc – ESPN Oct 2020
Southern Charm, Season 7 – Bravo/Haymaker Feb/May 2020
Camp Getaway, Season 1 – Bravo/Haymaker June/September 2019
Southern Charm, Season 6 – Bravo/Haymaker September/Dec 2018
Backyard Envy, Season 1 – Bravo/ World of Wonder May-Aug 2018
Model Squad, Season 1 – E! Network/Trooper Ent July/Oct 2017
Model Games, Season 1 – Hudson/Lifetime March/May 2017
Real Housewives of New York, Season 9 – Sheid Media/Bravo Oct/February 2017 WAGS Miami, Season 1- E! Network May/Oct 2016
Manzo’d With Children, Season 3 – Leftfield/Bravo February/May 2016
Real Housewives of New York, Season 8 – Sheid Media/Bravo Oct/February 2016 Follow the Rules – MTV/51Minds- November/February 2015
Blood, Sweat, and Heels – Bravo/Leftfield – August/November 2014
Real Housewives of NJ – Bravo/Sirens Media – February/April 2014
The Diary Project – MTV/Lock and Key – January 2014
Game of Crowns – Bravo/Shed- August/September 2013
Blood, Sweat, and Heels – Bravo/Leftfield- April/July 2013
Restaurant Stakeout 3 – Food Network/Longpond media- November 2012/April 2013
CAMERA OPERATOR
BBQ Brawl, Season 2&3- Food Network/Rock Shrimp
First Responders Live – Fox/44 Blue Productions 2018
Beat Bobby Flay – Food Network/Rock Shrimp 2018
Worst Cooks of America, Season 10-15 – Food Network
Ink Master Season 4-6 – Spike TV/ Original Media October/December 2013-15
The Apprentice, Season 13 – Burnett/NBC
Top Chef: Seattle – Magical Elves/Bravo season June 10/August 2012
The Real World: St Thomas – Bunim-Murray/MTV February 2012/June 2012
Next Food Network Star, Season 8 – CBS Eye Two – January 2012
The Apprentice, Season 12 – Burnett/NBC
Top Chef: Texas – Magical Elves/Bravo
Design Star – CBS eye two/HGTV – March 2011/April 2011
Real Housewives of New York – Sheid Media/Bravo – January 2011
The Celebrity Apprentice – Mark Burnett/NBC – October/November 2010
Top Chef All-Stars – Magical Elves/Bravo – August 2010
The Apprentice, Season 10 – Burnett/NBC June – July 2010
The Real World: New Orleans, Season 24 – Bunim-Murray/MTV January 10 – April 10 Real World: Brooklyn, Season 21 – Bunim-Murray/MTV August 08 – November 08 Project Runway, Season 5 – Magical Elves/Bravo June 08 – July 08
Survivor: Cook Islands – Mark Burnett/CBS June 06
Run’s House, Season 2-6 – Good Clean Fun/MTV February 06 – March 09
The Apprentice, Season 5 – [Add’l Camera] Burnett/NBC September 05
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
We definitely cannot be where we are today without the support of our family and friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pixelstudioscharleston.com
- Instagram: @pixel_studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064706467273
- Other: MattShelly.com
