27165862
While many fathers and sons use a game of catch to strengthen their rapport, Matty and Johnnie Shantz refer monologues. The family from the 2600 block of South Hicks Street have cast acting as their bonding activity. Determined yet grounded, each is a prototypical thespian, mentally tough and capable of being a cinematic chameleon.
This year has brought the duo a bounty of auditions and roles. For Matty, 36, the windfall began in late 2008, when he had a tryout for "Law Abiding Citizen," a thriller starring Gerard Butler and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, and landed a credited role as a cop. A Philadelphia native, Matty flocked to UCLA in 1990 to pursue screenwriting, but "my roommate developed my interest in acting," he said.
Though he worked on his craft during college, he took a break from the grind to marry Lyndsey, his wife of nearly 16 years, and to complete a 10-year stint in the military as a staff sergeant.
A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, he never sought to desert the silver screen. His persistence enabled him to bag a role as a featured extra in "Cafe," an independent film with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy that had scenes shot in West Philly and Bala Cynwyd.
"I don’t want to give away the ending, but let’s just say I have a big role in it," he said, beaming.
Sooner than the March release of "Citizen" and the December release of "Cafe," in September, moviegoers can catch Matty in the indie "Redemption," in which he has a featured role as gangster Mickey. The film centers on two Iraq War veterans and their return to their North Philly stomping grounds. Matty fondly recalls his audition with writer/director Sean Kirkpatrick, who shot scenes near 19th and Morris.
"I met with Sean, and we just clicked immediately. He told me ‘You’re perfect’ and cast me out of 5,000 guys," he said.
Matty’s recent success has given the Shantz household two accomplished actors. Johnnie, who will turn 13 June 29, has accumulated a list of credits, including his school’s version of "Macbeth." Looking to improve his skills, the soon-to-be seventh-grader asked his dad to provide an acting coach.
Matty matched him with Lisa Regina, who hails from Eighth and Dickinson streets and runs On Camera Film Studies, where the father and son attend classes and workshops.
"I have learned a ton from my son’s work ethic," Matty said, proudly.
And he has had many opportunities to do so. Johnnie recently completed work on student films "Jacob" and "Buddy the Demon Slayer." When not juggling auditions and shoots, Johnnie excels as a shortstop/pitcher in leagues at 18th and Johnston and Seventh and Bigler, and as a running back for the South Philly Hurricanes.
"He’s also a Golden Gloves boxer," Matty said.
Athletic talent runs in the family. Former Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies pitcher Bobby Shantz, the ’52 American League MVP, is Matty’s third cousin.
Academics do not take a backseat. The younger Shantz scored in the 99th percentile in math on the PSSAs.
Matty and Lyndsey work in real estate and the former sees acting as a great way to bring in extra income — and to see the East Coast.
"I travel to New York City two times a week to make connections. The commutes are rough sometimes, but this business is all about timing," Matty said.
Likewise, Johnnie gallops from one potential project to another.
"I am supposed to meet a new agent next week," the student at Greenfield Elementary, 22nd and Chestnut streets, said.
The father and son share a friendly but competitive spirit when it comes to acting.
"Though we don’t compete for roles, even Johnnie and I have a rivalry," Matty said. "When I scored the role in ‘Cafe,’ Johnnie was right there to tell me he would be getting the next big role.
"We’re eager to take our talent to the next level," Matty continued. "People have to try to move on or else they’ll always be thought of as extras. We might eventually move to New York City, but we have a ton to consider before any move happens."
Johnnie’s welfare remains at the top of the list.
"I am letting my son be a kid. I would never force him to do anything that doesn’t appeal to him. I want him to have a great life. I am encouraging him to go to college and to explore whatever strikes him.
Johnnie agrees, adding, "I wouldn’t mind winning an Oscar, but, for now, I like learning about myself."
Like his father, he appreciates every opportunity that comes his way.
"My father has taught me to be patient and to take whatever life brings me," he said.
The two noted the amount of patience acting requires.
"I spent 30 days working on ‘Redemption,’" Matty said, "and sometimes I would practice eight hours to perfect seven lines. A typical day on a set might start at 7 a.m., but the whole day could go by without the director needing the extras. Sometimes the motto of an extra is ‘Hurry up and wait.’"
A typical day for Johnnie involves shooting a scene for 45 minutes so a director can capture every angle.
"We rehearse lines with and without a camera," the youth who also has an interest in becoming a police officer said.
The father and son are well-versed in the difficulty of succeeding in film. Because they look for roles year-round, the duo feeds off each other’s positive energy.
"Actors can’t be scared of rejection. Anyone who is scared of it shouldn’t bother auditioning," the father said.
They agree acting has brought them closer as a family.
"In this business, you have to lean on people. I throw myself against the wall 30 times with the hope of sticking once. I don’t have that pressure as a father. Being Johnnie’s dad is my easiest role," Matty said.
The two have not collaborated on a project yet but have sent materials to Ryan Casting in Atlantic City.
"Our goal is to get roles in a movie called ‘Warrior’ with Nick Nolte," the patriarch whose 21-year-old adopted son Junior will join the troops in Iraq in August said.
"South Philly is all about families," he added. "The Philadelphia acting scene is a mini-New York, but Philly actors, especially ones from South Philly, have an unmatched mental toughness.
"I wouldn’t trade the South Philly lifestyle for anything."
