ABOUT
Matthew Sato （佐藤真周） is a Japanese Music Editor for Films / Television / Musical Theater and Concert Stage . He goes by Matt Ray as a Record Producer / Song-Writer. Drawn into both music and film industry at a young age, Matthew first started composing music at the age of 13 with his percussion group at Yokohama International School called "5 Days Forever". He then created short films with his fellow friends and led to a big success of producing 2 feature length film at the age of 16, winning a grand prix award at the Waseda Film Festival. He is bilingual in English and Japanese.
Matthew graduated Berklee College of Music as a full-time undergraduate student majoring in Film Scoring. Moving from Boston to LA he quickly started his career writing music for his good friend Rick Kumazawa short film (My Eye’s On You, Starring Chikako Fukuyama), also balancing out his internship with Christopher Young during pandemic times.
Currently based in Los Angeles writing for both feature and short films as a music composer, as well as a full-time Music Editor / Assistant - Operations, to EMMY award winning composer, Nathan Wang.
Fun Fact about Matt, his Great Grandfather (Heihachiro Machii) (Director, Camera-man) and his Great Grandmother (Fumiko Koide) (Script Supervisor) used to work at the Toho Kyoto Studios (formally known: Bando Productions Studios) [equivalent to Hollywood, Kinoscope Studios] back in the 1920s and started to support the entertainment industry in Kyoto, Japan. Toho Kyoto Studios was at the forefront of entertainment were famous actress, actors came to film Jidaigeki (Samurai stories). After his Great Grandfather passed away with cancer during the first world war, Fumiko Koide moved to Nagano (hometown) to raise her only child Kazumi Koide (Matt’s Grandmother) and to become a poet. There she met Chihiro Iwasaki (artist and illustrator). They both shared similar interest and raising her only child as well. They supported each other during the hard times back then. His family heritage still stays strong within the entertainment industry in Kyoto, Japan.
Recognition: Yokohama International School
Appearances: Creative World
Voyage LA: Article
Shoutout LA: Article
Member of the Television Academy’s Sound Editors, Music Editor (Emmys)
“Working with Matthew Sato, the composer for my short psychological horror film "Canary," has been an absolute pleasure. "Canary" premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, an Academy Award qualifying festival, in July 2023 and it has since garnered recognition at six other festivals and counting.
Matt's collaborative nature was truly exceptional. He took my often ambiguous notes and translated them into a hauntingly evocative score that consistently exceeded my expectations.”
Taka Tsubota (Director, Writer, Editor)
“Matt always made the process fun, productive and inspiring. I can confidently say Matt showed a strong technical understanding of music while also aligning with my preference and taste as a director. I highly respect Matt Sato as a creative peer and a vibrant young man. He has so much to offer as an artist, musician, and all around kind-hearted friend.”
Wesley Chan (Director at Wong Fu Productions)
