Stephen Matzke grew up in Estes Park, Colorado, and developed a love for performing and storytelling at an early age. As a child, he often recited laxative commercials to entertain his family. He spent his adolescent years shooting movies with his friends, dabbling frequently in writing, directing, and acting. After high school and a very brief visit to college, he wrote, directed, and starred in his first full-length feature film, The Reunion, a shoestring-budget horror romp that saw several local screenings throughout Colorado. Though the film lacked in production quality, it showed clear signs of promise for many involved, and the ambitious young filmmaker eventually moved to Los Angeles at age twenty-two.