Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

DGA Award-winning Dan Attias is one of the most accomplished and respected Directors working in television today. You've likely marveled at his creative choices on episodes of "Homeland", "Billions", "The Wire", "The Americans", "The Sopranos", and more. He's also written the book, "Directing Great Television: Inside TV's Golden Age". On this episode, Dan joins Pete to talk about facing the blank...

Our last episode was in May of 2021 but we're back to update you on a helluva year and just what Pete's been up to. We've also got the complete breakdown on Pete's new book, "Transitions: A Director's Journey + Motivational Handbook." Get Your Copy Of TRANSITIONS: https://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Directors-Journey-Motivational-Handbook/dp/161593331X Season 2 will continue with new episodes comin...

Writing "The Russian Specialist" for Dolph Lundgren was a great break, but it wasn’t until Bryan began writing novels and comics like "7 Days From Hell", "Batman and The Outsiders", and ‘Chariot’ that his career took off. Just this week came the announcement of his "Bitter Root" adaptation, to be directed by Regina King. On this episode, Bryan joins Pete to talk about the challenge that came with...

Spencer Garrett may have “grown up in the green room” but he is still perfecting his craft with each new performance from "Star Trek" and "Insecure" to "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood". On this episode, Spencer joins Pete to discuss his most memorable turning points, the challenge of manufacturing moments when auditioning, why you should always be over-prepared, the “breakdown” process and more… SH...

On this special Craft Episode, Pete reviews a presentation he put together in 2011 that describes the five stages of production and their guiding principals. With commentary based on what he's learned over the past ten years, Pete discusses the demands on Directors, being honest and using motivation driven direction with talent, recommended readings, and more… SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:04:20) -- P...

Originally from Chicago, Carl Seaton learned lessons as an indie filmmaker that have become his biggest superpower as a television Director ("Snowfall", "Batwoman", "The Chi", and more.) On this episode, Carl and Pete get together to discuss their most memorable Murphy’s Law moments, the keys to shadowing a Director on set, the importance of reinvestment, being an eternal student and more… SHOW NO...

In an industry built upon long hours and cramped quarters, one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your career is to become the ultimate “dinner guest.” On this episode, Mike joins Pete to talk about how he got his first credit as a cinematographer (in the days before "Mythic Quest" and "You're The Worst",) the logistics that go into shooting with a crane, the difference between...

Directing may seem like a simple task at first glance, but understanding the behind the scenes work that goes into mastering a creative position is a major step when it comes to success in the craft. In this special Business Episode, Pete Chatmon discusses what Directors make, the expenses Directors incur in order to present themselves professionally, a day in the life of a Director, and more… SHO...

After putting together fun family performances at a young age, it didn’t take long for Nzingha Stewart to realize that she could turn her favorite pastime into a full-time career. On this episode, Nzingha sits down with Pete to discuss how she got her start as a music video director for artists including Jay-Z, the importance of not only branding yourself but also doing the work, going from guest...

After spending three seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, Matthew was able to identify the skills learned, and apply them throughout his journey into the entertainment industry. In this episode, Matthew A. Cherry joins Pete to discuss the time he used his lunch breaks to write over 120 music video treatments, being mentored by three of the biggest Directors in the game, the creation of his Oscar...

On this special episode of the podcast, Pete passes the microphone to journalist Soledad O'Brien to lead a discussion about his latest directorial effort, "Wednesday Morning", a 2020 Election Podcast Event. Join the creators and the stars as Soledad gets into the story behind the story [recorded as part of a private zoom premiere prior to the release of the podcast]. SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:04:1...

*** SPECIAL CRAFT EPISODE! *** After losing a local upstate election, Jeannine Hamilton pays a surprise visit to her father, Wesley's, palatial estate. She unexpectedly finds herself at a celebratory brunch surrounded by his duplicitous comrades as they engage in a dangerous game of political horsetrading, leaving Jeannine to make a life or death decision before dessert can be served. "WEDNESDAY M...

From attending New York University, to winning the Sundance Jury Award for her short film "Lucia, Before And After", becoming a Director was always the objective for Anu Valia. In this episode, Anu joins Pete to discuss how she meshed her love for comedy with drama, why it's important to learn and adjust quickly while on set, the art of blocking and more... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:03:40) -- Pete...

From working as a researcher for Shonda Rhimes to writing the "Scandal" and "How To Get Away With Murder" crossover episode, Raamla has found success at all levels of writing in Hollywood. On this episode, Raamla joins Pete to talk about the hierarchy in a writer's room, the importance of finding your strength and being dedicated to the hustle, how Kerry Washington prepared a place for her on "Lit...

After cutting films like "School Daze", "Do The Right Thing" and even Madonna's "Truth or Dare" documentary, it wasn't until "Malcolm X" that Barry finally considered himself a film editor. In this episode, Barry sits down with Pete to talk about his editing process, how his new film "Son Of The South" tackles the importance of being part of the solution, tips on how to communicate properly with y...

She's directed hundreds of music videos and episodes of television, including "P-Valley", "30 Rock", "Insecure", and "The Flash", but before things took off she was a passionate, hard worker trying to find her path in a male-dominated industry. Pete and Millicent talk about the importance of trusting your gut as a director, transitioning to a digital workflow, the crazy backstory behind her first...

After bursting onto the scene with multiple short films in Canada, Molly directed the feature film "Mary Goes Round" before transitioning into television and landing a role as Producing Director on ABC's "Bless This Mess". Pete and Molly discuss the delicate process of delivering notes from video village, the do's and dont's when reaching out for advice, the importance of financial support for art...

Today, he's directed countless episodes of television including "Homeland", "Entourage", "Raising Dion", and "#FreeRayshawn", but there was a moment in time when Seith didn't know what he wanted to do. In this week's episode, Seith sits down with Pete to discuss attending an historically black college, navigating network television to premium cable, making time to create your own personal projects...

Actress Aya Cash (like many) got her start on "Law & Order" which led her to roles in shows like FX's, "You're The Worst" and Amazon's, "The Boys" (season two coming Friday). Pete and Aya sit down to discuss the battle between control and vulnerability, why she prefers TV roles over film, her experiences behind the curtain as it relates to the BLM movement, and more... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:03...

Cinematographer Paula Huidobro has made your favorite films and tv shows look awesome, including “Grownish", "Insecure", "Little America", and "Barry". Pete and Paula discuss the importance of being driven by story and character, emotionally connecting to material, shot listing, and more... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:04:40) -- Pete's Intro (00:04:40- 00:06:50) -- Early years and getting into cinema...

In a special crossover episode, Pete Chatmon joined the "Just Shoot It" podcast with Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan for a conversation about the technical aspects of directing TV shows like HBO's "Silicon Valley", ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", and "Black-ish". Pete also shares his approach to nurturing relationships without being a burden, and how that could turn into some pretty incredible opportunities. S...

You've asked for it and we have answered! In our first ever fully focused Craft Episode, we've dedicated the entire podcast to a conversation around directing television. Pete is joined by fellow directors Erica Watson and Tahir Jetter for a lively discussion centered around Pete's personal principles for success in episodic television... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:02:35) -- Pete's Intro (00:02:35-...

You may know Keith as an actor from NBC's "30 Rock," but as Creative Professionals are prone to do, he wears many hats and is best described as a Storyteller. Pete and Keith discuss the journey from Wendy's and Starburst commercials to television, graduating from "Lynn Redgrave University," how growing up with 4 Black women made him a well-rounded storyteller, and more... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00...

Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director Romany Malco joins Pete for Episode 08 of the podcast. As Romany shares his non-linear journey from rapper to jingle writer to actor, the two discuss the benefits of "wearing multiple hats", accepting your own identity, the making of "Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison," and more... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:03:50) -- Pete's Intro (00:03:50- 00:06:05) -- Who...

Netflix's "Atypical" may be in the season four writer's room, but Robia Rashid, creator, and Mary Rohlich, executive producer put the plot aside for a few to chat with Pete. They navigated a three-person Zoom call to discuss why Mary is the first person Robia sends scripts, the beauty of working with people you love, the value of empowering your assistant, and more.... SHOW NOTES: (00:00:00- 00:03...