Episode 05: Michael Spiller On Checking Your Ego At The Door

Let's Shoot! with Pete Chatmon

Emmy and DGA award-winning director Michael Spiller shares nothing but the truth on Episode 05 of the pod. From his start as a cinematographer on Hal Hartley's "The Unbelievable Truth", to directing more than 175 episodes of television ("Scrubs", "Modern Family", "Sex and The City", "The Mindy Project"), including many as producing-director, Pete and Spiller talk about how to find yourself in the story, always be learning, and more...
SHOW NOTES:
(00:00:00- 00:00:58) -- Opening Clip
(00:00:58- 00:04:25) -- Pete's Intro
(00:04:25- 00:07:30) -- Growing up in Brooklyn, NY
(00:07:30- 00:09:45) -- Reflecting on childhood as a storyteller
(00:09:45- 00:15:13) -- 1st time picking up a camera
(00:16:00- 00:18:50) -- 1st cinematography job
(00:18:50- 00:20:15) -- Buying the 1st camera
(00:20:15- 00:22:30) -- Shooting on film
(00:22:30- 00:26:35) -- How understanding cinematography helps with directing
(00:26:35- 00:28:15) -- Cinematography big break
(00:28:15- 00:29:10) -- Transitioning from DP to Director
(00:29:10- 00:31:25) -- Directing "Sex and the City"
(00:31:25- 00:34:40) -- Defining what it means to "direct"
(00:34:40- 00:40:55) -- Transitioning from Director to Producing Director
(00:40:55- 00:46:25) -- The role of the Producing Director
(00:46:25- 00:47:17) -- "How To Succeed As A Creative Professional" Book Promo
(00:47:17- 00:51:20) -- Communicating with and understanding the Director
(00:51:20- 00:54:10) -- Why Spiller defends Directors
(00:54:10- 00:56:50) -- Working on "The Mindy Project"
(00:56:50- 01:01:25) -- Most memorable experience
(01:01:25- 01:04:10) -- Characters to have as a storyteller
(01:04:10- 01:11:15) -- The importance of exposure and support
(01:11:15- 01:15:23) -- Pete Chatmon Outro
CHECK OUT THE SCRIPTATION WEBINAR // Be Prepared To Go Paperless On Set
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix-SniF72GY
*** Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/37iekw1
*** Get your Director's merch: https://www.drctr.video/