JON MATTHEWS -- BIO Jon grew up in Alum Creek, West Virginia. He practiced civil rights law for seven years and was legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut, before deciding to follow his dream of becoming a filmmaker. In 2009, Jon was acceptedwith a full scholarshipinto NYUs graduate film program. At NYU, Jon studied under Todd Solondz, Ira Sachs, James Franco, and Spike Lee. In 2012, Jon worked as Spike Lees assistant at NYU and was awarded a film production grant from Mr. Lee. Jons thesis film, Surviving Cliffside, premiered at the 2014 South by Southwest Film Festival and screened in a dozen festivals around the world. Jons next film, a narrative feature called Black Dog, Red Dog, was co-directed and produced by James Franco and stars Mr. Franco, Olivia Wilde, and Whoopi Goldberg. It will premier in festivals in 2015. Jon currently lives in Los Angeles, where he writes and directs TV, films, and commercials. He also teaches part time at Columbia College Hollywood.