Epoch Films' Matt Swanson Talks Favorite Pulp Reads, Salad Calendars, & the Art of Creative Distraction

One glance at the list of Epoch Films director Matt Swanson's list of 'Favourite Things' makes something very clear: his curiosity for curios runs deep.

Since being fired from an amateur production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, leading to his pivot to directing, Swanson’s bold commercial work has been recognised by the Cannes Lions, the One Show, the British Arrows, Ciclope Berlin, D&AD, and the shots Awards... with the production team of his ill-fated Shakespeare performance presumably recognising him, as well.

Here he talks kitsch, calendars, and crack-smoking councillors - and why a little absurdity is essential to staying inspired.

The Pulp Reading Material

None of us can read anymore, but even the most battered frontal lobe can handle pulp.

If I need a break from work and don’t want to look at a screen, reading pulp gives me a nice reset.

I’m into classic pulp, but maybe nothing beats Heat 2, which is basically a novelisation of a movie that doesn’t exist.I love Michael Mann, and this book is extremely cinematic but also kind of terrible.

I accidentally ordered the 'Large Print Edition', which means all the text is twice as big as it should be.

It’s great, because it feels like Michael Mann is yelling at you the whole time.

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