Matthys
Pretorius
Founder & Post Production Executive
| AfterDark Post Production
Matthys Pretorius is the Founder of AfterDark Post Production and a globally experienced Post Production Executive, editor, and colorist with over 25 years in film and television.
Before launching AfterDark, Matthys served as Senior Post Production Executive for Unscripted Africa at Amazon MGM Studios, overseeing Prime Video productions across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, he acted as the bridge between international streaming standards and local production partners — navigating complex delivery protocols, evolving technical requirements, and high-volume workflows with precision and calm authority.
Prior to leading the African territory, Matthys worked in the United Kingdom across Europe-based productions, contributing to Amazon’s first Local Originals in emerging territories. His global studio experience continues to inform the workflow design, quality control systems, and finishing standards implemented at AfterDark Post.
What distinguishes Matthys is his dual perspective: executive-level oversight combined with hands-on creative and technical mastery. Having run post facilities and worked extensively as an editor and colorist, he understands both the creative intent behind storytelling and the operational rigor required to deliver at premium international standards.
Recent works
Matthys led the full finishing, color grading, and final deliverables on the animated feature David, guiding the project from final grade through mastering and distribution. Working within a complex animation pipeline, he ensured tonal cohesion, visual depth, and technical precision across every frame. The film’s strong box office performance reflects both its creative impact and the robustness of its finishing and delivery strategy.
He also graded the 1 hour 14 minute hybrid documentary Against All Odds for Bloomberg, an ambitious production combining live-action cinematography with approximately 90% AI-generated visuals. The project required a sophisticated color approach to seamlessly integrate practical photography and generative imagery into a unified cinematic language. Through careful tonal sculpting and visual continuity, Matthys ensured the film achieved broadcast-ready excellence while preserving the distinct character of its AI-driven environments.
In addition, Matthys oversaw post-production finishing on the feature film The Caged, shaping its final cinematic look and ensuring seamless progression from acquisition to delivery. His work reinforced his reputation for balancing creative collaboration with technical excellence.
Expertise
Matthys specializes in:
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Feature film and long-form television finishing
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Advanced color grading & look development
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4K / HDR pipeline design
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Post production supervision
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International streamer delivery & QC
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Workflow design for complex productions
Over the course of his career, Matthys has collaborated with leading studios and broadcasters including Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, TriStar Pictures, BBC, and Sony Pictures. He has worked alongside internationally acclaimed editor Hervé Schneid, known for Amélie, and contributed to productions such as District 9 and 10,000 BC.
Founded in 2016, AfterDark Post Production reflects Matthys’ philosophy: world-class finishing, technically robust workflows, and calm, solution-driven leadership under pressure. With international studio-level experience and boutique-level creative attention, Matthys ensures every project meets the highest creative and technical benchmarks.
When productions face complex post-production challenges, Matthys is known as the person to call, bringing structure, clarity, and results where others see obstacles.
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