While the conception of I’m Not Matt Damon began in August 2005, it is in 1998 where the true story begins. Says Rothman, “The wide release of Good Will Hunting happened in 1998, the same year I graduated high school. And already, I was being told that I looked this “new actor” named Matt Damon. Which was ironic, since I knew I was moving from Seattle to Los Angeles, having been accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.”

Upon graduating, Rothman set to work creating his career. Though successful in acquiring roles in theater productions, student & independent films, Rothman, like many struggling actors, never quite achieved the level of success he had hoped. Rothman writes, “I did everything an actor is supposed to do. Did my student films, plays, wrote to casting directors, producers, directors, scanned the Hollywood Reporter for new productions to submit to, went to an endless number of casting director workshops, and chased down every lead & audition I could. And each time I was told two things. ‘Come back to us when you have a resume.’ and ‘Has anyone ever told you you look like Matt Damon?’”

Little did Rothman realize, this level of rejection would one day serve him well. Rothman writes, “After about three or four years, feeling like I was banging my head against the wall I did two things: Took a job at a messenger company called Action Messenger Service, and I started reading books. Books like “Adventures in Screenwriting” by William Goldman and “Making Movies” by Sidney Lumet, to name a couple. I spent years learning from these experts, just constantly filling my mind with the knowledge and experience these people had in writing movies, making movies. And with each new book, I gained a little more insight into what Hollywood was looking for, how it operated, and another way to approach it. Over time, I had learned enough to write my own work, create my own films, even though I had no means to finance them.”

Rothman’s mentor, Frank Crim, a busy working actor/producer, suggested that Rothman explore writing about his experiences working as a messenger, combined with him looking like Matt Damon. Soon, I’m Not Matt Damon was born.