Let's Shoot with Pete Chatmon
A director's perspective on acting, filmmaking, and collaboration on set
Overview
Let's Shoot is hosted by Pete Chatmon, a prolific television director known for his work on shows like Insecure, You, and Silicon Valley. The podcast explores the intersection of directing and acting, offering actors a valuable window into how directors think.
Episodes feature conversations with directors, actors, writers, and producers about the creative process and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Pete's directorial perspective adds a unique dimension rarely found in actor-focused podcasts.
How It Works
Particularly useful for screen actors who want to understand set dynamics and the director-actor relationship. Actors who aspire to direct will also find the behind-the-scenes insights invaluable.
Free on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
Who Uses It
A must-listen for actors who want to understand the bigger picture of production. Knowing how directors approach storytelling makes you a better collaborator and a more bookable actor. Pete Chatmon's experience directing episodic television across multiple genres and networks gives him a comprehensive view of how the director-actor relationship functions in the fast-paced world of television production, where directors often have limited time to work with actors and efficiency in communication is essential. The podcast demystifies the director's thought process in ways that help actors prepare more effectively for their time on set. For actors who aspire to direct, the show provides practical insight into the skills, relationships, and mindset required to make the transition from in front of the camera to behind it.
Pricing & Plans
Let's Shoot is completely free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. There is no premium tier, subscription requirement, or paywall for any content. Pete occasionally references his book and speaking engagements, but the podcast itself is entirely free and provides substantial value without requiring any additional purchases. The show's free availability makes it one of the most accessible resources for actors seeking to understand the director's perspective, which is typically information that requires working on professional sets or attending expensive industry panels to acquire.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The podcast's greatest strength is Pete Chatmon's unique position as both a working television director and a thoughtful communicator who can articulate the director's creative process in terms that actors find genuinely useful. His conversations with fellow directors reveal the specific qualities they look for in actors — preparation, flexibility, ability to take direction efficiently, understanding of blocking and camera awareness — providing a practical blueprint for what makes actors director-friendly. The show's coverage of on-set dynamics, including how directors communicate with actors during limited rehearsal time and how they make decisions about performance during multi-camera setups, gives actors insider knowledge that helps them deliver more effectively in professional settings. Episodes featuring actor guests provide illuminating dual-perspective conversations about the director-actor collaboration that model productive professional relationships.
What Could Be Better
The podcast's directing-centric perspective means it provides limited coverage of acting technique, audition strategy, and the business mechanics of building an acting career — actors need to supplement it with shows that address these topics directly. The show's focus on episodic television production, while valuable for TV actors, provides less relevant insight for actors working primarily in film, theater, or other performance mediums where the director-actor dynamic operates differently. Some episodes may assume a level of familiarity with production terminology and set procedures that less experienced actors do not yet possess. The podcast does not have a dedicated website with supplementary resources, limiting the depth of information available beyond the audio episodes themselves.
Our Recommendation
Screen actors working in or aspiring to work in episodic television should consider Let's Shoot essential listening, as Pete's insider perspective on how directors approach their work provides intelligence that directly improves your on-set effectiveness. The show is also valuable for any actor who wants to eventually direct, as it provides practical understanding of the directing process that supplements formal directing education. Pair Let's Shoot with actor-focused podcasts that cover craft and business topics to maintain a well-rounded professional development diet. If your primary focus is theater acting, the show's television-specific content may be less directly applicable, though the general principles of director-actor collaboration translate across mediums.
Pro Tips
Listen to episodes featuring directors who work in the genres you most frequently audition for, as their specific preferences and working styles directly inform how you should prepare for and behave on those types of sets. When Pete or his guests describe what makes an actor easy and rewarding to direct, take careful notes and honestly evaluate whether you consistently demonstrate those qualities — preparation, flexibility, camera awareness, efficient use of rehearsal time, and professional demeanor. Apply the insights about directing to your self-tape work by thinking about how a director would evaluate your performance choices, framing, and energy level, using the director's perspective to make more intentional creative decisions. If you are interested in directing, use Pete's conversations as a foundation for understanding the skills you need to develop, and begin building directing experience through short films, scenes, and other projects while maintaining your acting career. Recommend this podcast to your scene partners and fellow actors, as a shared understanding of the director's perspective creates more productive collaborative relationships on set.