Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

Latest Episodes:

Episode 41: Jeff Byrd On How His Directorial Rebirth Landed Him On Season Two of "Yellowjackets" Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Showing up to set as an intern in your Sunday’s Best is not your average story, but the impression certainly impacted his journey. Jeff Byrd is a Director known for "Star Trek: Discovery", "Black Lightning”, and the 7 Emmy award nominated show, “Yellowjackets”. Tune in as Jeff joins the discussion, sharing how he transitioned from music video directing to film and television, guerrilla filmmaking vs. doing the “right” thing, the time he shared a New York alley location with F. Gary Gray, his producing director rebirth, failing up and more…
(00:00:00 - 00:04:35) -- Podcast Intro
(00:04:35 - 00:15:15) -- Getting His Start and Interning With Spike Lee
(00:15:15 - 00:25:05) -- Working as a PA On A Michael Jordan Commercial
(00:25:05 - 00:28:00) -- Moving From North Carolina To New York
(00:28:00 - 00:35:00) -- Transitioning From College Football To Music Video Directing
(00:35:00 - 00:38:10) -- Skills Learned From Music Video Directing
(00:38:10 - 00:45:12) -- Shooting His First Short Film At Union Station
(00:45:12 - 00:50:20) -- Meeting F. Gary Gray and Moving To LA
(00:50:20 - 00:54:40) -- Transitioning From Music Videos To Film
(00:54:40 - 01:01:33) -- The Importance of Community and Failing Up
(01:01:33 - 01:02:33) -- “Transitions: A Director’s Journey and Motivational Handbook” Promo
(01:02:33 - 01:11:00) -- Transitioning From Film To Television
(01:11:00 - 01:17:50) -- The Rebirth and Producing Directing
(01:17:50 - 01:22:00) -- The Challenges of a Producing Director
(01:22:00 - 01:33:00) -- Director Characteristics To Avoid
(01:33:00 - 01:40:00) -- Advice For Transitioning Into Episodic Directing
(01:40:00 - 01:46:30) -- Final Words
(01:46:30 - 01:48:28) -- Podcast Outro

Episode 40: 0 to 100: The Catch Up Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

After almost a year-long hiatus, Pete welcomes you back with Episode 40 of Let's Shoot With Pete Chatmon. Join Pete as he goes from 0-100, revisiting just what he's been up to, diving into some mail bag questions submitted by listeners like you, and sharing a sneek peek of what to expect this "season", including a list of upcoming podcast guests...
(00:00 - 03:40) -- Podcast Intro
(03:40 - 13:05) -- Eleven Things Pete’s Been Up To
(13:05 - 14:50) -- What’s Next For Pete?
(14:50 - 15:50) -- "Transitions: A Director's Journey and Motivational Handbook" Promo
(15:50 - 20:50) -- How Do You Select What Projects You Want To Work On?
(20:50 - 24:40) -- How Do You Maximize Your Relationships With Your Reps?
(24:40 - 32:45) -- Working With Intimacy Coordinators
(32:45 - 36:00) -- Tackling Challenges Respectfully
(36:00 - 37:25) -- Upcoming Podcast Guests
(37:25 - 38:11) -- Podcast Outro

Episode 39: Directing Great Television: A Crossover with the Just Shoot It Podcast! Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

This week we have a special crossover podcast with the good folks over at JUST SHOOT IT.
Pete sat down with Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan for a second time to chat episodic directing television and how he's been bringing his unique vision to projects since they last talked in August of 2020.
When three directors get together things go super in depth, up, down, and sideways. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:03:45) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:45- 00:15:30) — Directing “Mythic Quest” & “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
(00:15:30- 00:23:35) — Blocking and Interpreting The Script
(00:23:35- 00:31:10) — Getting Specific With What You Want
(00:31:10- 00:36:00) — Things Learned As A Producing Director
(00:36:00- 00:39:50) — What Is A Producing Director?
(00:39:50- 00:43:15) — Prepping Directors
(00:43:15- 00:50:00) — Enhancing A Scene With Camera Equipment and Movements
(00:50:00- 00:57:45) — Making The Cut and Testing A New Approach
(00:57:45- 01:01:50) — Preparing The Crew For Your Cut
(01:01:50- 01:08:50) — Prepping Actors and Motivating Performances
(01:08:50- 01:12:35) — Using Questions To Gain Power
(01:12:35- 01:18:30) — The Importance of Collaboration and Giving Credit
(01:18:30- 01:24:45) — Unpaid Endorsements
(01:24:45- 01:25:58) — Pete’s Outro

Episode 38: Kaley Cuoco On Developing And Starring In "The Flight Attendant" May 06, 2022

Show notes

Kaley Cuoco is an actress, best known for her work in "8 Simple Rules", "Charmed", and "The Big Bang Theory". After discovering the unreleased novel while scrolling through Amazon, "The Flight Attendant" became Cuoco’s first project as a producer. In this episode, Kaley joins Pete to discuss the lessons learned from working with John Ritter, landing her role as “Penny Hofstadter” in ‘The Big Bang Theory’, transitioning out of sitcoms, mastering the art of multitasking, and more…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:06:10) — Pete's Intro
(00:06:10- 00:16:05) — Becoming An Actor
(00:16:05- 00:20:45) — Lessons Learned From Working With John Ritter
(00:20:45- 00:25:00) — "Virtuosity" And Her First Big Break
(00:25:00- 00:29:00) — Sitcoms And Comedy
(00:29:00- 00:34:30) — Multicam: From Prep to Shoot
(00:34:30- 00:36:50) — Landing "The Big Bang Theory"
(00:36:50- 00:39:10) — Working With Actors
(00:39:10- 00:41:40) — "8 Simple Rules" vs "The Big Bang Theory"
(00:41:40- 00:43:15) — Transitioning from Sitcom to Film
(00:43:15- 00:44:15) — “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:44:15- 00:46:00) — Becoming A Producer
(00:46:00- 00:54:30) — Developing "The Flight Attendant"
(00:54:30- 00:57:50) — Lessons Learned From Season 1 to Season 2
(00:57:50- 01:04:30) — Multitasking And Working With Directors
(01:04:30- 01:08:30) — Playing Multiple Versions Of A Character
(01:08:30- 01:11:55) — Hopes For "The Flight Attendant’" Season 2
(01:11:55- 01:17:17) — A Question For Pete
(01:17:17- 01:21:50) — Lightning Round Questions
(00:00:00- 00:00:00) - Pete’s Outro

Episode 37: Seven Tips For Blocking Scenes In Television Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

On this special craft episode, Pete highlights the importance of “blocking” when shooting scenes for television. Pete talks in depth about understanding which character has the most important entrance, identifying which angle provides the most meaningful coverage for the characters, how blocking can help communicate the subtext of a scene, doing your research on a show’s “typical” style, and more…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:03:30) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:30- 00:05:35) — What Separates A “Good” Director From A “Great” Director?
(00:05:35- 00:08:45) — Knowing What Projects To Pursue
(00:08:45- 00:10:15) — Directing A TV Show vs Film
(00:10:15- 00:12:20) — Prep, Prep, Prep
(00:12:20- 00:16:20) — Utilizing Your Agents/Managers When Starting Out
(00:16:20- 00:17:45) — “Blocking” Definition…
(00:17:45- 00:19:25) — Which Direction Provides The Most Depth For Master Shot?
(00:19:25- 00:21:30) — Which Character Has The Most Important Entrance?
(00:21:30- 00:23:00) — Which Angle Provides The Most Coverage For The Characters?
(00:23:00- 00:29:30) — What Blocking Helps Communicate The Subtext Of A Scene?
(00:29:30- 00:30:30) — “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:30:30- 00:31:45) — Blocking With The Least Amount Of Camera Angles
(00:31:45- 00:34:45) — How Does The Show Tend To Shoot Scenes Like This?
(00:34:45- 00:35:45) — How Important Is This Scene To The Episode?
(00:35:45- 00:37:50) — The 7 Questions To Consider When Blocking An Episode
(00:37:50- 00:37:00) — Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 36: Sera Gamble On Screenwriting, Showrunning, and Netflix's Hit Series "You" Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Sera Gamble is a writer and producer, best known for her work on "Supernatural", "The Magicians", and Netflix’s hit series "You". In this episode, Sera sits down with Pete to talk about her 10,000 hour long journey from poetry to screenplays, television screenwriting's chain of command, writing a story through the eyes of Joe Goldberg, social media’s influence on storytelling and more…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:05:30) — Pete's Intro
(00:05:30- 00:8:05) — From Cincinnati To California
(00:8:05- 00:10:10) — First Time Being Inspired By A Story
(00:10:10- 00:14:20) — Writing And Story Process
(00:14:20- 00:18:30) — Path To Screenplay Writing
(00:18:30- 00:22:30) — 10,000 Hours
(00:22:30- 00:27:50) — Entering ‘Project Greenlight’
(00:27:50- 00:32:20) — Stepping Into Television Writing
(00:32:20- 00:35:00) — Chain Of Command
(00:35:00- 00:40:25) — Running A Show And Working With Directors
(00:40:25- 00:41:20) — “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:41:20- 00:48:22) — Supporting Characters And Joe Goldberg
(00:48:22- 00:53:00) — Social Media Influence On Storytelling
(00:53:00- 01:02:00) — Lightning Round Questions
(01:02:00- 01:03:15) — Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 35: "The Director's Currency In Television Is Speed..." Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

On this special Craft Episode, Pete answers a handful of questions given to him by listeners like you. Pete discusses the importance of blocking a scene in preparation for rehearsals, redefining your expectations when executing a project, the benefits of putting together a web-series, directing actors, and more. The episode concludes with a live reading from the “Introduction” of his new book, “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook”, available now...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:09:45) — Pete's Intro/Updates
(00:09:45- 00:18:00) — Tips For Running Rehearsals
(00:18:00- 00:21:35) — Directors Editing Projects
(00:21:35- 00:24:00) — Teaching At NYU
(00:24:00- 00:28:10) — Benefits Of Making A Web-Series
(00:28:10- 00:30:26) — Director's Cut vs. Delivery
(00:30:26- 00:32:55) — Redefining Your Expectations
(00:32:55- 00:36:00) — Directing Actors
(00:36:00- 00:37:00) — “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:37:00- 00:48:40) — Pete Reads The Introduction
(00:48:40- 00:49:20) — Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 34: Kelly Edwards On Her Journey To The Executive Chair And Beyond Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Kelly Edwards has made her mark at more than a dozen studios and production companies over her 30 year journey. From inside the network ranks to her recent producing deal with HBO, Kelly is currently living out her dream as a writer on Fox's “Our Kind Of People”. On this episode, Kelly joins Pete to talk about the importance of having a support system and fighting fear, overseeing emerging artist diversity programs, developing HBO access, the creation of her book “The Executive Chair: A Writer's Guide To TV Series Development”, and more…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:07:10) — Pete's Intro
(00:07:10- 00:13:00) — What Makes A Good Story?
(00:13:00- 00:15:25) — First Story That Made An Impact
(00:15:25- 00:18:30) — Film Education
(00:18:30- 00:23:15) — Early Stages Of Career
(00:23:15- 00:35:50) — Having A Support System And The Desire
(00:35:50- 00:44:00) — Path To Executive Chair
(00:44:00- 00:56:25) -- Diversity Initiative And Hiring POC
(00:56:25- 00:57:20) -- “Transitions: A Director's Journey + Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:57:20- 01:11:00) — Working With “HBO Access”
(01:11:00- 01:18:55) — Landing Her HBO Deal
(01:18:55- 01:22:20) — Writing “The Executive Chair”
(01:22:20- 01:30:55) — Hardest Chapter To Write
(01:30:55- 01:43:10) — Lightning Round Questions
(01:43:10- 01:45:00) — Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 33: Crystle C. Roberson On Carving Her Own Path Into Directing Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Crystle C. Roberson is best known for her work on OWN’s ‘Greenleaf’, ‘All American’ on the CW, and ABC’s ‘Queens’. Inspired by a scene from Spielberg’s ‘The Color Purple’, Crystle went from photography to producing director. On this episode, Crystle joins Pete to talk about merging photography with motion picture, shooting short films over the weekends, the do’s and don'ts of directing television, a day in the life as a producing director, and more…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:05:16) -- Pete's Intro
(00:05:16- 00:9:50) -- Introduction To Photography & Film
(00:9:50- 00:13:30) — Growing Up In Macon
(00:13:30- 00:17:00) — Carving Your Own Path
(00:17:00- 00:21:45) — Merging Photography With Motion Pictures
(00:21:45- 00:27:55) — How Much Should You Really Know?
(00:27:55- 00:31:00) — Shooting Shorts On The Weekends
(00:31:00- 00:34:35) -- Being An Assistant
(00:34:35- 00:38:44) -- Getting Into The DGA & Director’s Journey
(00:38:44- 00:39:40) — “Transitions: A Director's Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:39:40- 00:46:30) — Do’s & Don’ts Of Television Directing
(00:46:30- 00:54:00) — Being A Producing Director
(00:54:00- 01:03:40) — Directing Directors
(01:03:40- 01:13:35) — Day In The Life On Set
(01:13:35- 01:18:40) — Maintaining The Tone Of The Show
(01:18:40- 01:20:55) -- Giving Input During Post
(01:20:55- 01:25:30) -- What’s Next For You?
(01:25:30- 01:30:50) -- Lightning Round Questions
(01:30:50- 01:16:52) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 32: Geeta Gandbhir On How Narrative Film Created A Foundation For Her Approach As A Documentarian Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

Geeta Gandbhir got her start working as an Assistant Editor for Spike Lee films like “Malcolm X”, “Clockers”, and “Bamboozled”. It wasn’t until post 9/11 that she transitioned from narrative films to documentaries. On this episode, Geeta joins Pete to talk about the role of an editor and what makes them good, her process when it comes to selecting scenes in post, her transition into directing, and the making of her HBO miniseries “Black and Missing”…
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:05:11) -- Petes Intro
(00:05:11- 00:08:00) -- What Makes A Good Story?
(00:08:00- 00:10:50) —Three Acts Vs. Five Acts
(00:10:50- 00:15:45) —Getting Into Filmmaking
(00:15:45- 00:18:15) —What Does An Editor Do?
(00:18:15- 00:23:55) —What Makes A Good Editor?
(00:23:55- 00:27:00) —Working On “Malcolm X”
(00:27:00- 00:34:20) -- Pivotal Moments And Switching To AVID
(00:34:20- 00:36:35) -- Screening And Selecting Takes
(00:36:35- 00:37:33) — “Transitions: A Directors Journey And Motivational Handbook” Promo
(00:37:33- 00:42:30) — Transitioning From Narrative To Documentary
(00:42:30- 00:47:55) — Approaching Documentaries As Narratives
(00:47:55- 00:52:10) — Transitioning Into Directing
(00:52:10- 00:58:20) — The Making Of “Black and Missing”
(00:58:20- 01:03:20) — What is “Black and Missing”?
(01:03:20- 01:14:40) - Lightning Round Questions
(01:14:40- 01:16:52) - Petes Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

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