OCTFME Recognizes Chuck West as the January 2020 Filmmaker of the Month

Tuesday, January 14, 2020
This super producer’s most recent film, “’Twas The Chaos Before Christmas” premiered on BET Networks and became the highest-rated holiday film in the last two years on the network.

The District of Columbia Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) is pleased to recognize Chuck West as the January 2020 Filmmaker of the Month.

“This is special…to be named the January 2020 Filmmaker of the Month by the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. I'm just a guy from the DMV trying to make some things happen and really bring some entertainment back to the city and make us look good,” said Chuck. He continued, “Thank you to Mayor Bowser and Director Angie Gates and her team for their support. I am proud I can show what we’re doing on the producing level, then maybe we can bring more filmmakers to DC and also raise up more filmmakers from the DMV to get to the level where we're doing more films for television networks and also taking films to the theater.”

Chuck is a nationally accomplished producer in the worlds of Broadway and urban theater as well as the film industry. A former college basketball star who had the foresight to earn his degree in Finance with a concentration in Accounting from American University, West started his career as a financier and partner, producing the landmark plays of the acclaimed playwright, film writer and director, David E. Talbert. This partnership catapulted the duo into the forefront of mainstream urban theater, where the young producer quickly became the industry’s standout leader specializing in the urban market. Chuck is responsible for producing productions such as David E. Talbert’s, “He Say, She Say… But What Does God Say?” starring Kirk Franklin; Ntozake Shange’s Tony Award-winning play, and “For Colored Girls Who Consider Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” starring Jackee Harry. 

Chuck is the President and CEO of Octet Productions.  Founded in 2015, Octet Productions is a full-service production company based in the District of Columbia. Octet’s first projects were theatrical productions entitled, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, starring LaTarsha Rose, Essence Atkins, Richard Brooks and Victoria Rowell and “Addicted To You” starring Letoya Luckett, Brely Evans and Thomas Q. Jones. “Couples’ Night” starring Charles Malik Whitfield, Regan Gomez, Denise Boutte, Tony Rock and Clifton Powell was Chuck’s first feature film project which premiered on Urban Movie Channel and was distributed in the United Kingdom as well as the continent of Africa. Octet went on to produce “The Lost Soul’s Café” for TVOne starring Loretta Devine, Christian Keyes, Kiki Haynes, Ernest Thomas and Major. 

In September 2019, Octet’s romantic comedy, “Angrily Ever After” starring Jasmine Burke, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Tyrone Marshall Brown, Terayle Hill, Todd Anthony, Ernestine Johnson Morrison, Robin Dyke, Rhonda Mormon and directed by Terri J. Vaughn, premiered on BET and BETHer. On December 7, 2019, Octet’s most recent film, “’Twas The Chaos Before Christmas” starring Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Sherri Shepherd, Affion Crockett and Victoria Rowell, premiered on BET and BETHer and was viewed by 1.2 million homes on premiere night, which made it the highest-rated holiday film in the last two years on the network. 

Chuck West has over twenty film credits and pledges a commitment to educating students in the DC area. In fact, with each production, OCTET ensures that students can shadow the company heads as well as work with different line items of the production. 

“As a student, you learn a lot in class, but you can learn more when you are able to get hands on experience and get exposed to various obstacles that you have to overcome during a live performance on the other side of the camera. We’ve worked with Duke Ellington, Howard University, and Covenant House just to name a few,” said Chuck. 

To learn more about Chuck, his projects and Octet productions, visit https://octetproductions.com.

Chuck's Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/OctetProductions/
twitter: @octetfilms
instagram: @octetproductions

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CHUCK WEST DC RADIO INTERVIEW

Want to learn more about Chuck West and his work? Click HERE to listen to his DC Radio interview.

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OCTFME launched the “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative as a vehicle for highlighting the talents and creative contributions of filmmakers that make the District of Columbia their home. The “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative is part of OCTFME’s mission to elevate the national and international profile of the District’s talented filmmakers.
 
***If you know of a filmmaker that would make a great future “Filmmaker of the Month,” you can send OCTFME your recommendations using this nomination form

About OCTFME 
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) produces and broadcasts programming for the District of Columbia’s public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television channels and digital radio station; regulates the District of Columbia’s cable television service providers; provides customer service for cable subscribers; and supports a sustainable film, music, and entertainment creative economy and labor market in the District of Columbia.

OCTFME operates and manages the  District’s government television access channels: the District Council Channel (DCC), the District of Columbia Network (DCN), and the District Knowledge Network (DKN). OCTFME’s award-winning content provides resourceful information on government activity, education, current events, history, music, arts and entertainment. OCTFME manages and programs DC Radio 96.3 HD4 digital radio station, the District of Columbia’s first government radio station in partnership with Howard University’s WHUR. It is one of only two full-power, city-managed and programmed radio stations in the country.

OCTFME provides production support services that advance film, television, video, entertainment, interactive, multimedia, and digital media content creators. These services include: permitting; location scouting; production support; job placement assistance; workforce development; and the DC Film, Television and Entertainment Rebate Fund.

OCTFME supports the creative economy through the Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 202Creates initiative, administering programs supporting the growth and sustainability of the creative industries in all 8 Wards of the District.

For more information, contact the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment at (202) 671-0066, visit us online at: entertainment.dc.gov, and follow us on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.