Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Chatman
Justin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Inside Thoughts Productions started as just a thought. During college, my friends and I often shared our wildest ideas, dreaming of a day when we could bring them to life. We tried to act on these ideas but overthought the outcomes, causing them to never come to fruition. One day, I told them, “I’ve been thinking about starting a production company. I think it would be dope to call it Inside Thoughts Productions that focuses on helping people follow their dreams?” As someone who was bullied as a child, I know the pain of feeling unheard. I never want anyone to wonder if their ideas are good enough. Every idea deserves a chance to be heard. Even the “impossible” can find a way to become real with the right people involved. That’s why Inside Thoughts Productions was born: to transform dreams into action and silence into expression.
It was just a spoken thought when I was with my friends, and it wasn’t until a few years after college that we began our creative journey. My college friends and I had all moved on to nine-to-five jobs, but the creative spark within me turned into a wildfire instead of just a spark. By day, I worked my regular job; by night, I was performing on stages, writing scripts, writing and releasing music, and entertaining. It’s a true joy to see I was able to evoke an emotion in someone to take a break from life – that’s my true passion. After a few years, I wondered how I could expand this passion on a larger scale. So, I tried to think of ways I can achieve this goal.
One friend had always wanted to release a song, so we wrote one, and it was released on all major music platforms. Thrilled by the experience, he caught some of that fire. Wildfires spread fast haha. That’s when I introduced him to Inside Thoughts Productions. We started a team, and since then, have achieved remarkable milestones. We filmed a season of a web series set to premiere on Amazon Prime and Tubi next year, established a monthly open mic night for local artists to express their inner thoughts, created and released music, and organized a concert featuring local dancers, poets, and singers.
All of this was accomplished in just five years, and we’re only getting started. Every dream starts as a thought—but it’s what we do with those thoughts that makes all the difference.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our journey to where we are today has been far from smooth, filled with challenges that have tested our resilience. One of the biggest obstacles we faced was getting people to take us seriously as creators. In the beginning, we had the ideas and the passion, but we lacked the experience and connections that many people look for when collaborating on projects.
Filming our web series was a steep learning curve with a lot of trial and error. During the first episode, it felt like everything that could go wrong did. Locations we had booked for filming canceled last minute, actors pulled out because they didn’t see the project as a priority, and our small team struggled to juggle all the moving parts of production.
Without a huge Hollywood budget but driven by an ambitious dream, we had to get creative. Each new challenge forced us to learn new skills in a matter of weeks, wearing multiple hats to make sure every task was completed. Whether it was learning technical filming techniques or managing logistics on the fly, we adapted and found ways to make it work.
Our success has truly been built on the foundation of our failures. Each setback taught us invaluable lessons, like how to pivot quickly and focus on solutions instead of dwelling on the problems. Over time, our losses turned into lessons that made us a stronger, and created a more adaptable team, capable of achieving more than we ever thought possible.
Today, we’re proud to say we’ve successfully launched a concert and a web series. Our two biggest projects, with small projects in between for all the creatives out there. The entire journey has shaped us into a team ready to take on new opportunities and collaborate with like-minded individuals. We’re excited for what lies ahead and eager to keep turning our ideas into reality.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an entertainer at heart. Everything I do revolves around making sure my audience feels something—whether it’s joy, inspiration, or even a moment to reflect. I’ve faced many emotional challenges throughout my life, and I’ll never forget how impactful it was when someone made me laugh and gave me a much-needed escape from the real world. No matter what someone’s life looks like, we all face struggles that can weigh us down. I love giving people a break from that—helping them laugh, cry, or simply be in the moment.
My title for Inside Thoughts Productions is Executive Director. I’m the one who brings creative ideas to life. Sometimes I create the concepts, and other times, I help shape ideas from others. From building the team, scheduling rehearsals, scouting locations, brainstorming fundraising strategies, and everything in between, I oversee the details to ensure every project is a success. What I love most is that our work makes everyone involved feel seen and heard—just as they deserve.
As an entertainer, I wear many hats: I’m a writer, dancer, singer, spoken word poet, stilt walker, actor, illusionist, and choreographer. These skills allow me to create events that resonate deeply with the community and support the talented individuals we collaborate with. What sets me apart isn’t just the variety of skills I’ve learned, it’s the way I approach my craft. I focus on one talent at a time, giving my full attention to that particular skill instead of juggling everything at once. For example, when we planned our concert, I focused solely on music, setting aside acting and scriptwriting. This method ensures our projects run smoothly and that I’m able to become better in all my abilities/talents with each endeavor. While we’re not at an ultra-professional level just yet, every project we produce exceeds expectations and is far from average.
Before Inside Thoughts started, there was a time of my entertainment career that confirmed this is what I was meant to do. Of all my experiences, I’m most proud of my time as an elf on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express. It’s a magical Christmas train ride where kids are entertained by elves, meet Mrs. Claus, enjoy milk and cookies, and celebrate the magic of the season. My character, Elfy, was full of energy—a high-pitched voice, a ridiculously long hat, magic tricks, and endless dancing. He became so popular that families started taking yearly pictures with me, and I was often assigned to the VIP train cars for special guests, like the mayor or children celebrating milestones.
There is one moment during that time that stands out as my proudest achievement as an entertainer. There was a boy on the VIP train who had cancer and was not expected to live past Christmas. Despite his illness, he laughed, sang, and danced with me that day. Watching him embrace joy in the face of pain was unforgettable, and it reminded me why I do what I do. I still keep a picture from that day on my phone to remind myself that even in hard times, there’s always room for laughter and happiness if we let it in.
I’m most known for my sense of humor. I’m always finding the funny side of things. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t make people laugh. It’s nonstop! My humor has also helped me create amazing teams where everyone feels uplifted, and we can get work done while genuinely enjoying ourselves. I love what I do, and I’m grateful every day to bring joy and connection to others.
How do you define success?
Happiness and surrounding yourself with people you love is my definition of success. I’ve had opportunities to chase money and acquire many of the material things I desire. But at the end of the day, I’m not sure that truly satisfies me.
Growing up, I was very fortunate and often received the things I wanted—and sometimes even the things I didn’t want but was useful. While it was great to have nice things, I often found myself alone with no one to share them with. On the other hand, when I was surrounded by people I loved, it felt amazing!
For me, success is not about possessions. It’s about the authentic relationships I’ve built and the joy of being able to actively pursue what I love every day. That’s what truly fulfills me.
Pricing:
- Call to ask for quotes!
Contact Info:
- Website: Under Construction
- Instagram: @inside.thoughts.productions
- Facebook: Inside Thoughts Productions
- Youtube: @Inside.Thoughts.Productions
Image Credits
Credits to:
Melvin Bullock, A-List Photography
Diffley Photography
Justin Chatman, Inside Thoughts Productions
Miguel Lewis, Inside Thoughts Productions
Austin Landers, Franchise Media Experts
Lilli Erickson, Lillipop Productions
Jerry Reynolds
