Transitions: A Director’s Journey and Motivational Handbook

by Pete Chatmon

Becoming a director is not just about making a film, webseries, commercial, or music video. If that were the case, with today’s access to equipment and free distribution, there’d be thousands more working professionals. Turning your passion into your profession requires the ability to make transitions at the exact moment a pivot is needed, with creativity and confidence. Chatmon’s book helps directors shape their career with targeted anecdotes, worksheets, and other resources, all of which fall into three designated categories: How-To, Self-Help, and Inspiration.

Genres: Film

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 4, 2022

Reviews

[Dankwa Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great charting of what it takes to be an independent filmmaker and to work in Hollywood. From the ground up.

I heard about this book from my friend, filmmaker MICHAEL DENNIS (known as “Reelblack” online). I was on my winter break from teaching at Morgan State University (Multiplatform Production) and didn’t have time to read the book in full. I enjoyed reading sample pages of the book and promised to revisit. In the meantime I started listening to his podcast “Let’s Shoot! with Pete Chatmon” and that was equally informative. When I returned to teaching in the Spring, I shared relevant clips of his podcast with my classes.

This summer I indeed revisited the book and it was great. I’ve studied film on an undergraduate and graduate level and this book not only gives you great advice about maneuvering through Film School, but more importantly what to do AFTER Film School.

As Pete states in the book, he’s been “a Director in every medium — television, film, and commercials” having directed almost 50 episodes of television in all formats and takes you through every single journey, step by step, the ups and the downs. He is at oftentimes candid about how he FELT in the moment which was refreshing. You really get a feeling of what it’s like being an artist trying to find your place in this world called Hollywood.

Through this book you can also tell that he’s a Professor (New York University) as his book is replete with many, many lessons and advice about the process. Each chapter ends with not only a “keyword” for the chapter, but a list of resources and “receipts”. Pete supplies many photos and links to the things he talked about in the previous chapter that can prove to be a valuable resource for anyone that wants it.

Personally I find that many people are not aware of the dedication and overall process it takes to becoming a working director in the industry, myself included having only done corporate and independent film.

I found this book not only reaffirmed a lot of what I knew, but added a lot that I did not know and is a great guide to anyone who wants to know—A Director's Journey.

[Shahed · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this is one of my favorite books on directing. It is one of the few books that take you through what it's like to make a career out of directing. A lot of my film school years and subsequent studies/books were focused on the craft of directing (how to work with actors and the camera), not how to get an actual job, find a network, and important steps you should take on your unique journey.

Now no one path is the same and as a lot of people will tell you, there's no direct path into the job. However from listening to Pete's journey I gained so much insight on what it takes to make in this world and his candid takes on his own experiences were refreshing. I found myself relating to a lot of his experiences especially the moments where you have to transition and start at the bottom of the totem pole. It also allowed me to realize what I should be doing and where to spend my energy. There's always changes in the industry and Pete keeps things positive - focus on the things you can control and what you can do when there are shifts.

Aside from his personal experiences, he also shares how to prepare for a TV directing job, how to prepare for general meetings and what they are, and much more. I listened to the audiobook version that Pete narrates but will be picking up a hard copy to finish the exercises he offers in each chapter.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of his skills and talents as a teacher, director, writer, podcast host, and friend all seemed to collide in the best way possible, creating this gift of a book. Can't wait to buy it and read it again!

Also, very surreal reading a film book featuring photos from sets you’ve worked on by a director you’ve worked with.

[Aysha Wax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book about directing I have ever read. Thank you Pete!