Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chase. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chase, appreciate you joining us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? We’d love to hear the backstory the illustrates how you grew your brand.

I’m still an individual learning the ins and outs of this crazy industry, and when I first started, I knew almost nothing about filmmaking beyond just a love for movies. Getting to where I am today took a lot of mistakes—working with the wrong people, aligning myself on projects that I wasn’t the right fit for, and doing jobs that wasn’t invested in me or my growth. But the biggest shift in my career happened when I started putting my confidence on the line and reaching out to people who inspired me, helping me recognize my own missteps and grow from them.

Singlehandedly the most pivotal experience was when a producing partner of mine, who I’m still close with today, got me a small gig as a line producer on a paid short film. Just days before production, after hard work on a tight schedule, the writer and director of the short pulled the plug on the entire project for reasons unknown. We quickly realized that our contracts hadn’t been signed, which meant we declined our kill fees for all the work we had already put in. This moment was so devastating that it almost made me walk away from filmmaking entirely. I paid for my own flights too, so I ended up losing money for the work I did. As soon as I got back home, my producing partner and I spent hours together on the phone discussing how are we going to recover from this: if we truly have future in filmmaking, we couldn’t keep representing and blindly trusting filmmakers who put up a facade until things get too real on a production. We simply needed to truly grasp our worth and know that we are hardworking, empathetic, and passionate producers who want what’s best for the team. We needed to breakaway from the debut crowd and align ourselves with directors and writers who were just as experienced in their craft as we were in our’s.

So we made a conscious shift. We had to breakaway from our usual circle and start finding opportunities to produce something where we can really sink our teeth into and give us new and exciting challenges. We wanted to find more genuine partnerships with filmmakers who truly knew how to be a part of a creative unity. Ever since, our work has had better quality for lesser money. We actually started enjoying the rush of filmmaking again and we even won the Russo Brothers’s AGBO Fellowship Award at the Slamdance Film Festival and now I’m even in the middle of starting up my own production company that can be a driving force for prioritizing strong, creative partnerships in the film.

Chase, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Chase McNaughton, I graduated from with a focus and dedication to help those build their films from the ground up. My journey as a producer first started out as having little to no outlets in school. I was one of those awkward kids who did not find themselves in academics, athletics, or even theatrics–Even though I tried. I merely just absolved myself in watching movies and learning more about them as an art, but it was a hobby before it was anything more. By the end of high school, I was told by teachers and the very little professionals I knew at the time that the film industry was not a great life and I should try doing something more traditional. As the aimless and impressionable kid that I was, I attempted doing something more traditional with my future by going to college pursuing a communications degree, but after two years of feeling lost and appreciating movies more and more, I felt obligated to take myself out of college and start pursuing a degree in film productions. After I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), I was so fortunate to have experienced of both the professional and independent film worlds, with jobs over at Searchlight Pictures and Apple TV+ Original. It was a tremendous privilege to collaborate with real industry executives and learn the craft up close and personal whether it was through hands-on production or strategic financing. I finally found a home and began thriving in finding innovative solutions to challenges, and fostering an environment where bold ideas can flourish. I am even in the preliminary stages of starting a production company called, Frigate Filmworks to help champion original, compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and push the boundaries of filmmaking and a keen eye for promising talent. I hope to invest in films that inspire, provoke thought, and leave a lasting impact. So despite being told to not pursue film as a future, it’s been my single greatest decision I’ve ever made.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that all you need to make a film is a camera, a script, and an idea. When I first began, I fully believed that creativity and a great story was enough to break into the industry. I watched countless interviews and podcasts where people in the industry encouraged young aspiring filmmakers to just pick up a camera and start shooting. While there’s value in that mindset–especially when you’re starting out–I eventually learned that if you want to build a sustainable career in filmmaking, there’s much more to it that will require getting out of your comfort zone and putting your confidence on the line. The reality is that filmmaking is just as much a business as it is an art. I had to learn that success isn’t just about making great work–it’s about understanding distribution, marketing, financing, and building a stronger than strong network. The industry isn’t set up to support filmmakers who only focus on being creative; it rewards those who embrace the full spectacle. No one is going to hand you the resources to make your films if you don’t know how to manage them beyond just spending money. The shift in perspective was tough at first, because it made me realize that I can’t put all my eggs in one basket. Even if you’re not a producer, knowledge in this area of the industry will force yourself to work smarter and be creative in the right places. Take a business class, talk to people who have experience in investing in projects, reach out to industry professionals and offer to buy them coffee in exchange for a 10-15min discussion on how to earn what you need to make a film and potentially profit off of it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Like many young filmmakers, I entered film school convinced I was going to be a director. It’s the role that naturally draws the most attention–like being the frontman of a rock band. So, I gave it an honest effort. I directed one short where I poured everything into it, and yet, it didn’t click for me. I struggled with creative blocks and lacked the confidence I knew a director needed in their choices. It was a tough realization, because I felt like I failed in a way. However, it paved the way to where I am now, which is producing. I discovered that what truly excites me is bringing people together–building a team, working alongside creatives with a clear vision, and applying myself to ensure their dreams and stories come to fruition. I truly cared about helping my peers achieve something that I can also play a prominent role in, rather than the other way around. As someone who made C’s in math, I never would’ve thought that producing was ever in the works for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Company website is currently in the works.
• Instagram: @chase-mcnaughton
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-mcnaughton/

Image Credits

Slamdance Red Carpet Image: Margot Budzyna and Christian Tasiopoulos

Photographer: Unknown