We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chad Smathers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chad, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is a film based on a true story that I’m actually working on now. It all started back in 2021 when I was connected with a man named Luther Collie. I found out that he had been behind bars for almost twenty years after committing an armed robbery to fund his rap career back in 2002. However, days after his arrest he had a powerful encounter with God that marked him forever. He’s spent the last twenty years behind bars acting as a pastor to hundreds and hundreds of inmates…as an inmate…which is pretty unheard of. That fateful phone call of only 30 minutes back in December of 2021 changed my life. I realized that this incarcerated man was experiencing true freedom and transformation and influencing others to feel the same way, despite their physical location.

We ended up making a short film about a slice of his experience and it reached a lot of people. The short film was acquired by PureFlix and it also ended up on an app available to inmates across the United States. On the app, called Pando, it garnered over 200,000 views and was trending in the top 10 for several months. I’ve heard so many stories of how it’s impacted people all over the world and that continues to blow my mind. My team and I are now in the process of developing his story into a TV series and feature film, which are both gaining some serious traction. I never could have imagined that a 30-minute phone call with Luther would have led to this crazy adventure of discovering and telling this powerful story.

Luther has become one of my best friends and we talk once or twice a week. We are also in the process of helping him get work release early next year, as he finishes his sentence late next year. He is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met and to think he’s accomplished so much behind bars inspires me every day. During his time in prison, he’s gotten his Master’s degree, led hundreds of men to experience true freedom, worked with law enforcement on engaging incoming inmates, and even got married! He’s truly a walking testimony of redemption, perseverance, and grit. As a society, we sometimes write off those who have been incarcerated, but they all have the opportunity to change and find purpose, even behind bars. We can’t forget the forgotten, which is why we are telling Luther’s story.

Chad, 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?

Since the ripe age of five, I’ve been involved in the entertainment industry. It started out with acting in local commercials, and then my “big break” was working with Robert DeNiro in a feature film called “Men of Honor” that was actually shot near my hometown in 2000. My family and I eventually moved down to Los Angeles when I was fourteen to go after the whole acting thing 100%. During that time, I appeared in several feature films, theatrical productions, national commercials, and guest starred in several major TV shows. Throughout my experiences as an actor, I had the privilege of observing some of the most influential artists in their field, which later proved to be a proxy film school for me.

While navigating my acting career, the filmmaking bug bit me in a profound way, and in 2015 I started my own production company called Empyrean Entertainment. I’ve since laid down the acting side of things but am fully invested as the CEO and co-founder of my independent production company. I’ve written, produced, and directed seven short films, as well as a TV comedy pilot. We are currently working with major studios and partners to bring powerful stories to the small screen and the big screen, which include Luther’s story which I mentioned earlier, and a dramatic anthology series about suicide.

My company’s mission is to be at the forefront of bringing stories that carry hope, redemption, laughter, and power to audiences around the world. Our saying is that “we make entertainment that leaves you better than we found you”. We were tired of seeing so many dark TV shows and films that have no meaning or redeeming qualities. Yes, it should be entertaining, but if I’m going to spend two hours in a theatre or several seasons watching a TV show, I would hope I’m a better person for having watched it. Too often that responsibility is forgotten or mishandled and I don’t take it lightly as a filmmaker. So I’d say I’m proud of how we approach storytelling. For me, it’s equally a mission and a profession.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

For a long time, I felt like I was just another tiny cog in the machine that is Hollywood. Based on experience, statistics, and common sense I thought I’d never have a chance to “make it”. I experienced that first as an actor, but then at a whole other level as a filmmaker. The odds are astronomical to get a project funded and actually distributed to where more than your inner circle will see it. The reality is that it is an industry and it can be cutthroat, however, I had to unlearn this idea that I was on the outside looking in or that I was inadequate.

I started building relationships over time and meeting people who had a shared passion for storytelling. I realized I wasn’t alone and that there are genuinely good people out there who want to tell impactful stories that do more than just entertain. It was a hard-fought lesson but this industry is way more about relationships than it is about climbing a ladder. Relational equity, integrity, and just being kind will take you farther than any resume ever could.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I could do a whole Ted Talk on this, but I’ll spare you the dissertation. The mission is simple for me – does what I’m putting out in the world make it a better or worse place? So much of what we see today is divisive, depressing, and honestly draining, whether that’s on TV, in the theatre, or on the news. I’m not saying all media is leaning that way, but it sure feels like it sometimes. My goal is to create stories that bring hope, joy, encouragement, kindness, and love to those who experience them. I only have so much time on earth and I take the responsibility of being a storyteller very seriously. Since the beginning of time, stories have either inspired or broken a generation and I want to be a part of the former. There are too many gold mines of stories out there (like Luther’s) to not want to bring redemption and hope to the screen. That doesn’t mean it’s all tied up perfectly in a bow, but my goodness can we just acknowledge that the human experience is really hard sometimes and we need some uplifting stories to remind us of what’s good? That’s all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.empyreanentertainment.org
• Instagram: @cwsmathers
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmathers/
• Other: If you are interested in hearing more about Luther’s story please go to: tinyurl.com/lutherarticle

Image Credits
Preston Alan DeNunzio Bobby Bennett