Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

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Episode 21: "Wednesday Morning" Discussion with Soledad O'Brien Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

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- 00:04:15) -- Pete’s Intro
(00:04:15- 00:07:50) -- The Creation Of “Wednesday Morning”
(00:07:50- 00:09:10) -- How Did We Get “Here” And Where Are We?
(00:09:10- 00:13:10) -- What Made You Want To Be Apart Of This Project?
(00:13:10- 00:14:00) -- What Are The Goals For This Project?
(00:14:00- 00:16:10) -- Get Out And VOTE
(00:16:10- 00:17:00) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:17:00- 00:19:20) -- Topics, Themes and Tone In “Wednesday Morning”
(00:19:20- 00:23:50) -- Cast Response And Takeaway
(00:23:50- 00:26:50) -- Cautionary Tale Or Hopeful Story?
(00:26:50- 00:29:50) -- GO VOTE
(00:29:50- 00:32:25) -- Who Got Shot?
(00:32:25- 00:34:37) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Official Website: http://www.wednesdaymorningpodcast.com

Episode 20: "Wednesday Morning" -- A 2020 Election Podcast Event Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

*** 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 MORNING" stars Kelly McCreary (Grey's Anatomy), Spencer Garrett (The Frontrunner), Colman Domingo (Fear The Walking Dead), Blake DeLong (When They See Us), Joy Nash (Twin Peaks), Louis Ozawa (Hunters), Elena Campbell-Martinez (Vida), Remy Ortiz (Instant Family), and Monnie Aleahmad (Bosch).
Directed by Pete Chatmon (Silicon Valley, Insecure, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Black-ish)
Written by Pete Chatmon and Candice Sanchez McFarlane
*** Visit the Official Website @ www.wednesdaymorningpodcast.com [Watch The Video Version!]

Episode 19: Anu Valia On Discovering Comedy To Break Into The Industry Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

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's Intro
(00:03:40- 00:09:55) -- Reconnecting
(00:09:55- 00:13:35) -- Community And Growing Up In Indiana
(00:13:35- 00:18:18) -- Getting Into Film And Camera Work
(00:18:18- 00:21:05) -- Diversity In Storytellers And Storytelling
(00:21:05- 00:24:40) -- Attending New York Film Academy In LA
(00:24:40- 00:27:50) -- The Beauty Of Transitions
(00:27:50- 00:35:00) -- Attending NYU And Doing The Work
(00:35:00- 00:37:45) -- Working With Comedians (College Humor)
(00:37:45- 00:41:50) -- Writing ‘Lucia, Before And After’ In Nicaragua
(00:41:50- 00:43:30) -- Getting Into Sundance
(00:43:30- 00:46:20) -- Full Circle Moments
(00:46:20- 00:49:00) -- Being Present In The Moment
(00:49:00- 00:49:50) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:49:50- 00:56:50) -- Transitioning Into Television Directing
(00:56:50- 01:04:05) -- First Time As An Episodic Director Tips
(01:04:05- 01:09:10) -- Working On A Network Show: ‘Mixed-ish’
(01:09:10- 01:14:40) -- Blocking.
(01:14:40- 01:17:05) -- Note To Younger Self
(01:17:05- 01:20:43) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 18: Raamla Mohamed On Learning To Write In Any Environment Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

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 "Little Fires Everywhere" and more.
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:03:50) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:50- 00:09:30) -- Getting Involved With Literature and Writing
(00:09:30- 00:11:50) -- Growing Up In LA
(00:11:50- 00:13:15) -- Getting Into Film
(00:13:15- 00:17:45) -- First Story That Made An Impact
(00:17:45- 00:20:20) -- Target Audience When Writing
(00:20:20- 00:23:10) -- Living And Working In New York
(00:23:10- 00:27:10) -- Acceptance Into The MFA Program
(00:27:10- 00:32:20) -- Leveling Up As A Writer
(00:32:20- 00:35:35) -- Acceptance Into The Disney Writers Program
(00:35:35- 00:37:20) -- Writing For Scandal
(00:37:20- 00:39:00) -- Finding Security In Your Work
(00:39:00- 00:41:10) -- Writing The ‘Scandal’ & ‘HTGAWM” Crossover Ep
(00:41:10- 00:42:00) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:42:00- 00:48:55) -- Building A Career And Navigating Through Rooms
(00:48:55- 00:51:30) -- Nurturing A Relationship With Kerry Washington
(00:51:30- 00:54:40) -- Being A Co-Executive Producer On ‘Little Fires Everywhere’
(00:54:40- 00:58:20) -- Skills Learned From Being A Researcher
(00:58:20- 01:06:10) -- Ideal Environment For Working and Writing
(01:06:10- 01:09:10) -- What To Expect From Raamla’s Writers Room
(01:09:10- 01:11:50) -- Advice For POC Emerging Writers
(01:11:50- 01:13:40) -- Upcoming Projects
(01:13:40- 01:21:55) -- Question For Pete…Scene Descriptions And Blocking
(01:21:55- 01:26:55) -- The Beauty Of Collaboration
(01:26:55- 01:28:52) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 17: Barry Alexander Brown On Avoiding Creative Death Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

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 your editor and more...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:03:00) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:00- 00:08:50) -- Editing on ‘Bamboozled’
(00:08:50- 00:11:00) -- First Documentary
(00:11:00- 00:17:00) -- Dealing With Stock Footage
(00:17:00- 00:21:30) -- Story That Inspired Filmmaking
(00:21:30- 00:24:20) -- Meeting Frank Capra
(00:24:20- 00:26:10) -- Teaching In Uganda
(00:26:10- 00:30:10) -- Becoming Friends With Spike Lee
(00:30:10- 00:33:30) -- Becoming Spike Lee’s Film Editor
(00:33:30- 00:35:55) -- Editing ‘Malcolm X’
(00:35:55- 00:36:40) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:36:40- 00:39:20) -- Losing Yourself In Editing
(00:39:20- 00:41:30) -- How Reading Helped With “Rhythm” And Storytelling
(00:41:30- 00:48:40) -- Editing Process
(00:48:40- 00:53:30) -- Taking Control As The Editor
(00:53:30- 01:00:50) -- “Son Of The South” Short Film
(01:00:50- 01:06:05) -- The Current State Of America
(01:06:05- 01:08:50) -- Tips When Working With Editors
(01:08:50- 01:10:30) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 16: Millicent Shelton On Applying Education and Life Skills to the Craft of Directing Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

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 feature film, and more...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00 -00:07:50) -- Pete's Intro
(00:07:50 -00:14:30) -- Job Search: Do What You Love To Do
(00:14:30 -00:18:30) -- Taking Film Courses
(00:18:30 -00:21:30) -- Applying Education and Life Skills To Directing
(00:21:30 -00:24:40) -- Working With Spike Lee
(00:24:40 -00:26:00) -- Do The Work And Be Valuable
(00:26:00 -00:27:35) -- Working On The Cosby Show
(00:27:35 -00:29:40) -- Attending NYU While Working As A PA
(00:29:40 -00:31:10) -- Working With Kid N Play
(00:31:10 -00:32:45) -- Directing Music Videos
(00:32:45 -00:36:00) -- Applying Music Video Skills To TV
(00:36:00 -00:38:25) -- Transitioning From Music Videos To TV/Film
(00:38:25 -00:42:10) -- The Real Life “Ride” From Harlem To Miami
(00:42:10 -00:45:10) -- Working On ‘Ride’ Feature
(00:45:10 -00:47:45) -- What Comes With Being A Director
(00:47:45 -00:48:30) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:48:30 -00:53:40) -- Pivoting From Comedy To Drama To Action
(00:53:40 -00:55:30) -- Award Shows And Getting Nominated
(00:55:30 -00:58:20) -- Transitioning To Pilots
(00:58:20 -01:01:00) -- Seeking Out Leadership In The DGA
(01:01:00 -01:03:00) -- COVID-19 Set Life
(01:03:00 -01:06:00) -- Paper And Pen or Digital?
(01:06:00 -01:10:00) -- Focusing And Moving Up As A Director
(01:10:00 -01:15:20) -- Favorite Directing Moments
(01:15:20 -01:20:30) -- Lightning Round Questions
(01:20:30 -01:23:28) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 15: Molly McGlynn On Rejection Being How You Become A Filmmaker Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

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 artists, and more...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:03:00) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:00- 00:06:15) -- Becoming A Director
(00:06:15- 00:08:55) -- Directing First Short Film: ‘I Am Not A Weirdo’
(00:08:55- 00:13:05) -- Realizing The Power Of Storytelling
(00:13:05- 00:15:10) -- Growing Up In New Jersey
(00:15:10- 00:19:05) -- Being Canadian In The US Film Industry
(00:19:05- 00:23:00) -- Breaking Into The Industry
(00:23:00- 00:25:15) -- Skills Learned From Each Short Film
(00:25:15- 00:27:30) -- Getting Involved With ‘How To Buy A Baby’
(00:27:30- 00:29:15) -- Navigating Through Rejection
(00:29:15- 00:33:10) -- The Importance Of Financial Support
(00:33:10- 00:35:30) -- Working For Deepa Mehta
(00:35:30- 00:40:50) -- Supporting Emerging Filmmakers
(00:40:50- 00:41:40) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:41:40- 00:46:30) -- Creating ‘Mary Goes Round’
(00:46:30- 00:50:00) -- Skills Learned From Feature Films
(00:50:00- 00:57:50) -- Giving Notes To Actors When It’s Not Your Material
(00:57:50- 01:02:00) -- From Episodic Director To Producing Director On ‘Bless This Mess’
(01:02:00- 01:06:20) -- Working With Ken Whittingham
(01:06:20- 01:10:15) -- What Needs To Change In The Industry?
(01:10:15- 01:13:50) -- Being A Leader And Getting Respect On Set
(01:13:50- 01:16:10) -- Attire And Presenting Yourself On Set
(01:16:10- 01:18:30) -- Covid-19 Set Life
(01:18:30- 01:20:15) -- Final Words
(01:20:15- 01:23:01) -- Pete’s Outro
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/

Episode 14: Seith Mann On Being A Complete Filmmaker and How Timing Led To "The Wire" Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

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, and more...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:04:25) -- Pete's Intro
(00:04:25- 00:08:40) -- Early Years and Filmmaker Inspiration
(00:08:40- 00:10:20) -- Influence From Spike Lee Films
(00:10:20- 00:17:40) -- Attending Morehouse And Getting Into School
(00:17:40- 00:20:50) -- The Moment Seith Realized He Wanted To Be A Director
(00:20:50- 00:24:25) -- Attending NYU And Dealing With Constructive Criticism
(00:24:25- 00:31:20) -- Working On His First Short Film:m "Five Deep Breaths"
(00:31:20- 00:35:40) -- Getting Involved With "The Wire"
(00:35:40- 00:40:10) -- Being Someone People Want To Have Around
(00:40:10- 00:41:05) -- "How To Succeed As A Creative Professional" Book Promo
(00:41:05- 00:45:33) -- That Time Pete Ran Into Seith Directing “Entourage” On Melrose
(00:45:33- 00:49:05) -- Transitioning To Premium Cable From Network TV
(00:49:05- 00:54:00) -- Making Time To Create Your Own Projects And Giving Back
(00:54:00- 01:00:00) -- Best Director Moments
(01:00:00- 01:03:00) -- Growth From First Film To Present As A Director
(01:03:00- 01:05:05) -- Lightning Round
(01:05:05- 01:07:42) -- Pete’s Outro

Episode 13: Aya Cash On Becoming Comfortable With Discomfort Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

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- 00:03:30) -- Pete's Intro
(00:03:30- 00:07:10) -- Getting Cast On “Law and Order”
(00:07:10- 00:09:40) -- Dealing With Self Deprecation
(00:09:40- 00:13:40) -- The Performance Of “Self”: Interviewing
(00:13:40- 00:17:10) -- The Importance Of Having Fun When Acting
(00:17:10- 00:19:00) -- Recognizing The Power Of Storytelling
(00:19:00- 00:21:00) -- Growing Up In A Creative Family
(00:21:00- 00:24:00) -- Discovering Answers Via Shakespeare
(00:24:00- 00:28:00) -- Getting Notes From Directors
(00:28:00- 00:32:00) -- Dealing With Multiple Opinions & Takes On Set
(00:32:00- 00:34:05) -- Preferring Television Roles Over Movie Roles
(00:34:05- 00:36:35) -- Preparing For Roles
(00:36:35- 00:39:30) -- Dealing With Egos On Set
(00:39:30- 00:40:20) -- “How To Succeed As A Creative Professional” Book Promo
(00:40:20- 00:44:15) -- "Getting Cast As “Gretchen Cutler” In You’re The Worst"
(00:44:15- 00:50:15) -- Behind The Curtain: Representation On Screen
(00:50:15- 00:58:35) -- Asking Questions & Creating Opportunity: BLM Movement
(00:58:35- 01:02:10) -- What Would You Change About The Industry?
(01:02:10- 01:05:15) -- Beauty Standards And Being More Realistic
(01:05:15- 01:08:30) -- Getting Cast On “The Boys”
(01:08:30- 01:17:30) -- Lightning Round
(01:17:30- 01:19:50) -- Pete's Outro

Episode 12: Paula Huidobro on Learning How To See And Pay Attention To The World Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

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 cinematography
(00:06:50- 00:10:45) -- Learning the craft: shooting on film
(00:10:45- 00:13:00) -- From London to America
(00:13:00- 00:14:05) -- Attending AFI
(00:14:05- 00:15:50) -- How would you define your style?
(00:15:50- 00:17:05) -- Cinematography process
(00:17:05- 00:18:40) -- Shotlisting with Directors
(00:18:40- 00:20:10) -- Film vs. TV preferences
(00:20:10- 00:21:05) -- Getting hired
(00:21:05- 00:22:50) -- What Paula looks for in a Director
(00:22:50- 00:24:05) -- What to avoid as a Director
(00:24:05- 00:25:10) -- Would you pursue Directing?
(00:25:10- 00:26:00) -- "How To Succeed As A Creative Professional" Book Promo
(00:26:00- 00:28:30) -- "Barry" Episode 5, Season 2
(00:28:30- 00:30:10) -- Most challenging character to bring to life visually
(00:30:10- 00:32:20) -- Balancing creativity and requirements when shooting
(00:32:20- 00:33:30) -- Biggest learning experience
(00:33:30- 00:35:55) -- Thoughts on Covid-19 protocols
(00:35:55- 00:38:25) -- Upcoming projects and working on "Million Dollar Arm"
(00:38:25- 00:41:50) -- What would you change about the industry?
(00:41:50- 00:45:00) -- Lightning round
(00:45:00- 00:47:22) -- Pete's Outro

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