The Martelli Brothers Explained

Matt Martelli (born December 10, 1972) and Joshua Martelli (born November 9, 1974), known together professionally as The Martelli Brothers, are American filmmakers and commercial producers and directors. The brothers write, direct, and produce their films and commercial projects together, and engage in other aspects of filmmaking in their projects. Joshua has won multiple awards for film editing, and typically retains "final cut" control of their films and commercial projects.

Background

Early life

Matt and Joshua Martelli were born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Frank and Mary Martelli. Their sister Margaret Martelli was born in 1979. The Martelli family lived in Kalamazoo for most of the brothers early childhood. In 1984, at the age of ten and twelve, Joshua and Matt moved with their family to San Diego where they remain today. Both brothers graduated from Helix High School and enrolled at Palomar College in North San Diego.

Professional education

The Martelli Brothers studied at the Palomar College graphics arts program. In the fall of 1996, Joshua attended the Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, Ohio – where he learned studio recording and production techniques. He returned to San Diego and began an internship at Studio West, later working at Network Music as a sound designer. Matthew meanwhile, worked at several advertising agencies in San Diego. In 1997 Joshua enrolled in the "Recording Arts" and "Music Industry" programs at Chico State University. He then returned to San Diego and began working with Matt as the Director of TV/Film Production at Mad Media.

Mad Media

In the summer of 1995, while attending Palomar College and working for a digital film lab, Matt began to acquire freelance clients in the action sports industry. Later, he formed Mad Media to continue this work. Mad Media began marketing campaigns with skateboarding companies Osiris Shoes and Expedition Skateboards. They produced a advertising campaign for Osiris Shoes for example, that included a "branded video campaign" online and a sixteen-episode TV show for FUEL TV. Dubbed "The Aftermath Tour" – it was the largest skateboard tour in history[1] with over fifty U.S. stops and nearly forty stops in Europe.

In 2000 Joshua Martelli joined Matt at Mad Media as Director of TV/Film Production, and began to build a in-house video and film production department. Mad Media began to routinely produce television commercials, web videos, trade show videos, and DVD projects.

The Martelli Brothers are best known for their work directing and producing a series automotive YouTube videos,[2] Ken Block's Gymkhana series. The trilogy of Gymkhana clips and ancillary supporting videos created for professional rally racer and former DC Shoes owner Ken Block, have been viewed collectively over 100 million times. The Brothers produced and directed Ken Block Gymkhana Practice, Ken Block’s Gymkhana Two: The Infomercial, and Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Playground; l’Autodrome, France.

Filmography

Awards

Official Honoree: 13th Annual Webby Awards for Ken Block: Gymkhana Practice

Viral Video :# 2 on the "Top 20 Viral Global Video Ads of 2010"

Ad Age: # 6 on Top Viral Videos list for 2010

2011 People’s Telly Awards – Three Nominations

2011 Communicator Awards

2011 ONE Show Awards

2011 IAC – Internet Advertising Competition: Best Entertainment Online Video

2011 Shorty Award: Best Use of a Video for a Social Media Campaign

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Biggest Skateboard Tour in History. PRNewswire. January 21, 2012.
  2. Web site: DC Announces the making of Gymkhana FOUR. DC Shoes.