Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Allen Barton.
Hi Chad, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I write, direct, and produce films out of Memphis, TN. Along with Shelby Baldock, I started a production company in 2010 called Piano Man Pictures, which operates as an incubator for a dozen local filmmakers and artists.
My first feature, Lights Camera Bullshit, was a semi-autobiographical romp through the Memphis filmmaking landscape. I have a son, Mason Fox Barton, who had a part in both Lights Camera Bullshit and in Sam Bahre’s feature film I Filmed Your Death.
After a break from filmmaking, I’ve come back into the fold, now working for The Library Channel in Memphis, where I produce educational TV shows and documentaries. I’m continuing to make narrative films under the banner of Piano Man Pictures, including two new shorts I’ll be releasing in the coming months. My son, who I mentioned earlier, is helping me on those projects and my future ones. We’ll be moving forward as a Father-Son filmmaking duo.
I also do an episode-by-episode review of the tv show Star Trek: Deep Space 9 with fellow filmmaker Ben Siler, who actually helps produce on the new puppet show we’re releasing this year for The Library Channel. In case you’re looking for a good role playing adventure, catch me and several of my friends playing a pirate themed game called Pirate Borg. We live stream it a few times a month. You can check chadallenbarton.com for more info about all of my projects and content I release.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been very challenging. Many, many hurdles along the way, but these days I try to stay positive, and enjoy what life has to offer. We’re given so little time here, so why fret over the negative?
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do a vast amount of creative projects. While I mainly do film and tv, I also dabble in podcasting. I’ve already reviewed the entire show Deadwood before with my friends, but also I released an audio play version of a script I wrote with Charlotte Metz called Dumb County. I’ll be re-releasing that this year. I’m also going to finally release Lights Camera Bullshit on YouTube as well. I’ve decided to make my work as accessible as possible from now on.
I’m most proud right now of honestly everything I’m doing. The Library Channel is a job I take very seriously. We capture, preserve, and tell many stories that would otherwise never have been told. This year we’ll be releasing a documentary on the Memphis Library system and another full length doc about Memphis’s connections to the show Star Trek. You’d be surprised just how many there are. Also on the docket is a new puppet show that promotes reading and local authors, called Storytime. We’ve already launched a new music show that promotes local band and musicians, called Second Editions Presents. We also relaunched a show called Memphis Makers, which tells the stories of non-profits in Memphis and what they do for the community. Check out the Memphis Library’s YouTube page for everything we have going on and make sure you subscribe.
Personally, I have two new shorts to be released soon. One I co-directed with Chad Irwin, a longtime collaborator. It’s about a private investigator who ends up stalking the person he was meant to help. My other film I shot almost entirely with just the help of my financé Rachel Monique Taylor and my son Mason Fox Barton. Mason will be helping me edit it and this will start a new trend where I try to put out 2-3 simple shorts a year with him. I’ll also be helping him on whatever projects he has going on. He’s launching his own YouTube channel here soon.
I think at this point what sets me apart from most anyone else is my need to enjoy the creative process and life. The stories I tell aren’t always cheery, but I’m working on that too. There’s a lot of darkness in the world right now and we need more positivity. My work at The Library Channel is definitely rooted in that.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Every so often I listen to the audiobook memoirs of both Robert Evan’s and William Friedkin. Both of them were not afraid, creatively. Doesn’t hurt that they’re both hilarious. Other than that, just reading. I’ve been reading a lot more lately and it really does wonders for your brain. Also, go see movies in the theater. It’s not the same at home. It’s too comfortable. You can’t beat the feeling of seeing a movie in a theater. It’s inspiring. Locally in Memphis there are cheap days on Tuesdays. Take advantage of that. Go see something you’ve never heard of and don’t watch the trailer. Just try things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chadallenbarton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadallenbarton/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadallenbartondirector/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-allen-barton-93445623
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chadallenbarton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Pianomanpictures
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4209761/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
