Filmmaker Chatmon, CHS '95, Speaks Wednesday at SOMS

It's been 15 years since Pete Chatmon, then a senior, helped Emily Konopinski in her freshman film class. They're still collaborating, producing films for their company Double 7 Film, and today talking about their craft to English classes at Columbia High School.

Chatmon, CHS Class of '95, presented a lecture on the "Power of Language" as part of the Don Hamingson Literary Showcase. The event is presented by the Adult School in cooperation with the CHS English Department. The showcase honors the memory of Don Hamingson, a teacher and former Adult School director, who encouraged CHS alumni to return to school to mentor current students.

Chatmon is president and CEO of Double 7 Film, which produces projects that entertain, push the creative envelope and stretch the boundaries of how race is perceived in America. His first feature film "Premium" debuted in 2007 and is currently playing on Showtime. Last year, he was honored by the Tribeca Film Festival for the screenplay, $Free.99.

Konopinksi, CHS Class of '98 and a teacher at Seth Boyden, introduced Chatmon at the afternoon high school program recalling how the partners met in film class. Over the years they have collaborated on a number of projects. Double 7 short films and documentaries have screened at major film festivals, and Chatmon shared a number of clips while talking about the power on language and storytelling in "making people to feel the way I want them to feel."

Chatmon will present an evening lecture for the community tonight at 7:30 p.m. at South Orange Middle School's Little Theater. The cost is $10 for adults and free to students.

Marilyn Lehren is Communications Director at the Adult School of South Orange-Maplewood.