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

Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

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
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