Daily Inspiration: Meet Matison Card

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matison Card.

Hi Matison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been performing my whole life, whether that be me first starting out singing with Colorado Children’s Chorale, acting in various plays and musicals, or dancing in many styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, etc. I got my first “big break” starring in the viral YouTube prank series, “Pretty Pranks,” which led to me hosting the TV Show “Fails of the Week.” I continued working my way up from modeling and commercial acting to short films and theatrical performances until I finally started acting in feature films. I have been professionally acting and modeling for a decade now, and I am just scratching the surface of the roles I aspire to play. I dream big, and I have no plans of stopping. I am currently in pre-production for six feature films in 2022. I also dance in the evenings in between acting gigs. I started on stage, so that will always be a thrill I seek. However, the film is where my passion thrives.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road of an artist is never free of obstacles. Only 2% of actively auditioning actors are working full-time. My career world is unique in that we face daily rejection, and are constantly told we are “too much” or “not enough” by casting directors that couldn’t succeed in the spotlight themselves, so they criticize us harshly, and then we are expected to shrug it all off and keep going. When I was 19 years old, my first modeling contract allowed me a “6 lb leeway,” meaning if I gained or lost 3 lbs from my signed weight in a legally binding agreement, I was not allowed to work. I was pressured to partake in a very unhealthy diet and exercise routine, and I was constantly told I was “borderline plus size.” I wear a size 2 in pants. I somehow never took that to heart, but that is a rarity. My industry breeds insecurity and eating disorders. We are treated less than human, or as I like to call it, as “glorified coatracks.” Imagine doing a job interview for every day you wanted to work a shift involving your weight, skin, and overall appearance, not just your talent. And then it’s not just once and you’ve got the job, it’s for every day at work. That is my reality. I have to fight and prove myself worthy for every day I get to work on set. This is why only truly passionate and self-assured people make it in my industry. It takes years of blood, sweat, and tears to “make it,” and nothing is a guarantee even then. If you make it to the top by some miracle, the media paints you as an overnight success. I was invalidating the many years of grinding that got you there. The life of a performer is far from easy, but for me, it’s worth it every day. Being on set or stage is where I feel most free.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actor, singer-songwriter, model, dancer, and screenplay writer. I am a jazz-trained singer, and my specialty is bringing emotionally driven and multifaceted characters to life on screen. I am best known for co-starring in the thriller movie “Safehouse 1618,” which has won over 40 awards globally. I am most proud of my ability to keep going in the face of difficulty. It’s often not the most talented but the most driven and determined people that succeed in my industry, and I am one of those people because I refuse to give up. I am in it for the long haul, and I am forever grateful to my younger self for prioritizing my career over other areas of my life. It took a lot of sacrifices, but I am where I am today because I believed in myself first and foremost. What sets me apart from others is my ability to draw from past traumas and personal experiences to give authenticity and dimension to the characters I bring to life on screen. The tears, smiles, pain, and joy are all sourced from real-life experiences. I have to feel it to be the best it can be. It is complicated, but having “somewhere to put it” has been incredibly cathartic and healing.

What matters most to you?
Human connection. It is the lifeblood of my work and something I fear we are losing sight of as the human race. The slight glances between lovers, the way a child looks at a puppy, these simple moments inspire my characters to have depth and be perceived with authenticity. I have never been a small talk type of person, so finding people to have deep and meaningful conversations keeps me going through the dark times. After all, we all want to feel seen and heard. That connection that we are all seeking is most important to me. Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic in all areas of life, but it’s the little things for me. The way my fiancé holds my hand when I drive, my friends check in randomly to say that they love me when a stranger opens the door for me. These moments matter. They add up to create a beautiful life full of meaning and connection. We are a pack species, and we need each other. I think the biggest mistake we can make is trying and doing it all alone.

Pricing:

• Minimum $1,000 day rate acting
• Minimum $500 day rate modeling
• $100 an hour marketing consultation
• $1,000 private party dance ensemble performance

Contact Info:

• Email: Matisoncard@gmail.com
• Website: Matisoncard.com
• Instagram: @matisoncard
• Twitter: @matisoncard
• Youtube: YouTube.com/matisoncard
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm11605993

Image Credits
Chronological order 1. Bobby Vu 2. Maddie Steele 3. Luke Gottlieb & Alice Radu 4. Beauclair 5. Niki Cram 6. Unknown 7. Rex Yu 8. Luke Gottlieb