Mathew Cullen, a distinguished figure in the realm of American filmmaking, has carved out a reputation as a masterful director, producer, and co-founder of the prestigious production company Motion Theory, a creative force to be reckoned with in the industry. Alongside the celebrated and acclaimed Guillermo del Toro, Cullen co-founded Mirada, a cutting-edge creative studio that has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment and beyond.
Throughout the extensive and storied trajectory of his professional journey, Cullen has had the distinction of helming and overseeing the production of hundreds of commercials and music videos, resulting in a truly impressive and comprehensive portfolio that boasts an astonishing array of notable achievements, including the direction and production of not one, but two of the most widely viewed videos of all time: Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" and "Roar", both of which have garnered an astonishing number of views exceeding the one billion mark.
Cullen's extensive professional portfolio is replete with an array of notable achievements, with a string of consecutive Grammy Awards being a testament to his exceptional skill and artistry. Specifically, his work on The Black Eyed Peas' groundbreaking single "Boom Boom Pow" and Weezer's innovative music video "Pork and Beans" earned him not one, but two prestigious Grammy Awards. This remarkable feat was further underscored by the fact that "Pork and Beans" held the distinction of being the most blogged-about video of 2008, a testament to its widespread appeal and enduring popularity.
Years later, Cullen continued to demonstrate his impressive range and versatility by partnering with none other than the inimitable Katy Perry in 2014. Their collaborative effort yielded a pair of major awards at the MTV Video Music Awards, where they took home the prize for Best Female Video. This impressive achievement was mirrored at the MTV Europe Music Awards, where they won Best Video. Moreover, the video in question made history by becoming the first to reach a staggering one billion views, a feat that solidified Perry's status as a trailblazing artist and cemented Cullen's reputation as a visionary creative force in the music industry.
Motion Theory was founded by Cullen at the age of 23, and since then, he has overseen the production of more than 500 projects under his direction.
In 2010, Cullen collaborated with Guillermo del Toro to establish Mirada, a studio created for storytellers, where he has been responsible for the creation of various multi-platform experiences.
Some notable projects under his direction include the THINK Installation for IBM, the interactive video Ro.me, and the MirrorWorld app, a living storybook for Cornelia Funke's book series.
These innovative projects have received prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions in Animation, Illustration, and Graphic Design, as well as the Best Visual Design/Aesthetic award.
Cullen's artistic pursuits have not been limited to a single medium, as he has also ventured into the realm of film, his most recent and ambitious project being the feature film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel "LONDON FIELDS" written by the renowned author Martin Amis. This cinematic endeavour boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring the talented Amber Heard, the highly acclaimed Billy Bob Thornton, the versatile Jim Sturgess, the charismatic Theo James, and the iconic Johnny Depp.
Not only has Cullen made a significant impact in the entertainment industry, but he has also ventured into the realm of governance, proudly serving as a member of the esteemed Board of Trustees for Film Independent, a prominent organization dedicated to the advancement of independent filmmaking. Furthermore, his expertise has been sought after by some of the world's most revered educational institutions, where he has graciously shared his insights through guest speaking engagements at Harvard Business School, the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the renowned Sundance Film Festival, a premier platform for showcasing innovative and groundbreaking cinematic works.
