Check Out Chet Brewster’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chet Brewster.

Hi Chet, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since the age of seven, I have been inspired by the dramatic appeal of filmmaking and television production. I got my first professional start with CNN within seven days of graduating Emerson College in Boston, started my own production company DavenStar 1 Entertainment and have been professionally engaged for the last 35 years directing, producing and or editing for film, television, live as well as live to tape events. Credits include The Kings of Comedy Tour and Movie, the first nine Tyler Perry stage play DVDs, Keith Sweat’s first live concert DVD, as well as a 3-time award-winning comedy Showtime, Hulu and Netflix cable and internet special entitled Paul Mooney, The Godfather of Comedy aka A Piece of My Mind. I have also provided both technical and/or directorial contributions towards multiple TV specials, award and television shows for Showtime, BET, TBS, Bounce TV, Gospel Music Channel, Up TV, PBS and TV One. Recently my latest works include directing the Midwest regional Emmy awards from Chicago broadcasted live, Season 2 of The Rickey Smiley TV sitcom, Season 8 of Comic View hosted by Sommore shot at Turner Studios, as well as Seasons 2, 3, and 4 all served as tech manager and technical director as well as multi-cam director for Season 5 and 6 of Verses and Flow filmed in Los Angeles for TVOne.

I also multi-cam directed the 2015 and 2016 McDonald’s 365 Black Awards show filmed in New Orleans that aired on BET as well as directed Centric presents The Bronner Brothers Hair Battle hosted by Tamar Braxton. I also directed and co-executive produced talk shows, directed a reunion show for Bounce TV’s reality show From The Bottom Up and I also technical produced an entire second season of an Obstacle course show for ESPN BattleFrog. Not long ago, I was the show cue caller for The Ron Clark Academy 10th Anniversary Fund Raising Celebration, where Oprah Winfrey hosted and donated $5 Million Dollars towards the building of the new Academy, the largest donation Ms. Winfrey has ever made. I just directed Season 8 of the nationally syndicated Black College Quiz Show hosted by Nephew Tommy, and the David Banner executive produced TV Special for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund entitled #RISE HC2K20 Concert as the Atlanta unit director.

Currently, I am focusing more efforts to directing actors in multiple short and feature films. I have directed a trailer for a full-length feature film entitled Hussie, a film slated for production in the near future. Two films I Executive Produced, a film short entitled Louisiana 1961 and a feature film entitled La Vie Magnifique de Charlie has screened at the Peachtree Village International Film Festival and numerous other film festivals winning awards. I directed a feature length film entitled Tranquil Inferno, A Black Wall Street Story, and a sitcom entitled Them that I directed on Amazon Prime as well as 5 Steps to Get Over Your Ex currently available on Amazon. I have has directed many Live Stream multi-cam events, from Steve Harvey’s Backstage Live at the Neighborhood Awards for three straight years, concerts, and music festivals like the 2018 Lost Lands EDM DJ Music festival with 42,000 in attendance and 500,000 viewers on the live stream for 3 straight days. It included 2 stages, 11 cameras and life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Due to the pandemic, I have directed live stream tv shows and special events that in our past would have been produced in front of a live audience. My skill set, leadership skills and technical versatility has made me a valuable asset to any production project.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always some kind of struggle along the way, but the biggest obstacle is finding that champion that will support your talents. In my case, my focus is on directing film and television. There are politics to battle along the way and sometimes you feel like you constantly have to prove you are capable of doing the job even after years of being in the business and having an extensive resume. Like in most creative businesses there are people who do not want to see you succeed or potentially “take their spot”. But I have felt for years I was born to direct film and television and create content. That has always been my focus and desire. I may experience setbacks like not getting one particular job, but at the same time, there could be five others who believe I am the right person for the job at the same time. I know there are people who support and believe in me and those who don’t know, find out they made the right choice 10 times out of 10 once we work together. Reputation in the industry is key to having the positive word about you flow from one entity or opportunity to the next.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a film, television and live event director and technical producer. I am known for directing stand up comedy, music and award shows. I am most proud of directing a specific red carpet show that aired on a network I used to work for and seeing my name on a single title card screen “Directed By Chet Brewster”. What sets me apart from other directors is my technical knowledge because I started out as a production assistant and went through many departments on my way to directing. That knowledge added to my skillset to be a better director knowing what it takes to get the shots I need or desire. No matter if it is film or television or any live event.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about our city is that we can produce major film and television productions that can be seen from around the world. What I like least is that the film and television community is looked down upon from Los Angeles to New York and a lot of times the decision makers from those cities will bring in their key personnel, which includes the director, rather than hire someone such as myself locally because of the assumption we don’t have a strong talent pool here in Atlanta. Part of the politics we have to deal with.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.davenstar1entertainment.com
• Instagram: @davenstar1ent

Image Credits
#RISE2K20 Concert, Tranquil Inferno: A Black Wall Street Story, Them, Verses and Flow: Season 5, The 56th Annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards