Meet Dan Cheatham II

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Cheatham II.

Hi Dan, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Overview in brief:  

-Theatrical work 1984-1990 (University and Post-University) 

-Corporate work Pre-Press Worldwide and Domestic located in Europe 1990-1997 

-Stunt work public performances 1993-2004 

-Stunt work TV and Film Germany 1998-2006 

-Return to film Acting and Stunt 2012 (Colorado) 

-Move to CA 2014 and continuing Acting 2015 

-Film Production Crew 2017-today 

Specifically, Producer, Assistant Director, Stunt Coordinator, CA Licensed Armorer 

Founder of Southern California Stunt Crew together with Shane Alexander, April 2021 

I am currently developing my own production office for Film and Commercial Production

-Action shoots 

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?
-Leaving Corporate to commit to self-employment in 1997 was a big step. Germany fell into a recession in 1999-2000.  

-Separation and Divorce in 2001-2004 crippled company development and finances. I remarried in 2006, which was a good thing. 

-Decision to move to the United States resulted in full reset of career. Maintaining Germany company from another continent proved not possible, and I closed my Germany company while establishing myself in the Coloradan business world in Denver while bringing up two new babies. 

-The move to Southern California following my wife’s career put me closer to the center of film production, but accessing that has been an arduous journey. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am now a producer in the film business. From my background, I work a lot of action scenes and handle safety on some of the more difficult and dangerous sets. I am a California-certified entertainment Armorer for film and TV as well as a Stunt Coordinator. I work sword fights, equestrian scenes, fist, knife, and firearm-oriented scenes and supervise the safety of the filming. When I am working as the 1st Assistant Director, I am in charge of making sure everything is in place when the Director and Camera need it to be, including cast and crew. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Never stop. Never stop moving, never stop training, never rest on laurels, never make the assumption that you know everything needed for any part of one’s life or work. Look to the future and pass you experiences on to your children as best you can. Train you mind and body as if you are beginning again every day in order to stay young and healthy as you age. Never stop. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dancheatham_director
• Facebook: Dan Cheatham II
• Linkedin: Dan Cheatham II
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5176872/?ref_=fn_al_nm_12