Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott “CHIP” Selstad.
Hi Scott “CHIP”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I primarily work on the graveyard shift as a security supervisor for a somewhat small to medium sized local firm, MPS Security and Protection in Murrieta, California. I have a great passion for what I do and because of that, I pay very close attention to detail, and make sure that all my work is meticulously crafted. This is where I attained my skill at writing as I have a verbose vocabulary with a good grasp of syntax and like to utilize uncommon words that many would find superfluous. One night while on duty, I had the dubious distinction of training a new officer. His name was Bryan Kreutz. over the course of our talking, I found out that we had many things in common: Security, St. Louis Hockey, ’80’s Video Games and Star Trek. It was this last topic that propelled me into the glitz and glamour as it were of Hollywood. Well maybe not Hollywood per se but show business for sure! During one training night, we were walking around a post and as I was explaining something I made a comment using a very obscure reference to Star Trek. I wish I could remember what it was now, but it was, I live of dialogue or what have you. Definitely something that not anyone would have picked up on except the most dedicated fan. After I said this line, Bryan immediately picked up on it and responded with the correct reply which told me I found a great friend. In the next few days or weeks that followed, Bryan introduced me to this little television show he created,. A Captain’s Log and was executive producer of, based on our love of this popular sci-fi franchise and right away we were engrossed in hours long conversations about all aspects of the show, and we became each other’s sounding board for ideas. One day he convinced me to write an episode for his show, which was now in pre-production for its second season. I was very reticent to the idea, because I had never done anything like this before. Yeah, sure I had written many memos and policies and other documents for my security job, but this was something that I was good at. I had been in the security business for over 20 years at this point and I knew what I was doing. Writing for a television show – a talk show, really kind of intimidated me. Bryan was very gracious and gave me so much encouragement. We met at a local restaurant to discuss the kind of episode he wanted me to write. It was a top 10 list that epitomized the ideals of Star Trek. This was my very first taste of what a “Writing Room” meeting is all about in the business. I’ve heard the term many times, but this was the first time I actually got to experience it. We came up with the plan, out of over 800 episodes of Star Trek, we would whittle it down to the very 10 best episodes, this is a very monumental task, and of course very objective worthy of debate from even the most seasoned fans. Even Bryan and I didn’t 100% agree with each other, but we had a set of criteria I developed that we used to create this list. once the list was made, we divided the episodes up and I would take half and write the dialogue, and Bryan would write the other half. I got mine done in record time. I think it was a matter of 4 or 5 days, but I wasn’t writing all day, Because of my job and working all night, I need to get my sleep in during the day, And I have a family I want to spend time with, I had only a very small window of time to get this done, What I would do is come home from work at about 7am, and immediately have to take my youngest son to school. Upon returning home, I would crack open my laptop and start to write. once I got to writing, the words just flowed so easily, and I got in a groove of writing. the problem was that at about 30-40 minutes later I would have to then take my eldest son to school so I would have to stop writing and go., by the time I got back home I had to get to bed so my writing day would be over and I would have to wait to continue the next day in the same pattern. this continued for one school week, 5 days, which was good because it gave me apace of 1 episodic review a day from my list. After what I would estimate to be a grand total of no more than 90 minutes of total writing time, I finished my script, at which point I turned it in to Bryan for his critique, expecting to be blasted by how bad it was. I was not prepared for his response. He was amazed by the quality and detail of my work and the time frame in which I completed it. Bryan then subsequently asked if I would take over the remaining part of the script that he intended to write, I was able to accomplish this within three more days and I was given my very first screen writing credit for a nationally broadcast television show! It was originally intended for me to be co-writer of that episode but I was given full credit alone. Not only that, but as is the process with any writing endeavor, there are always multiple drafts, revisions and edits that need to be made. My first script received none of that. Sure, there may have been a bit of spelling and a few grammatical snuffs to correct, but for the most part, that first draft I wrote became the teleplay we used and filmed. From then on, I only wrote one other episode for our second season of the show, and it again was a top 10 list. I had become the go-to guy for these lists. Our show’s bread and butter as to focus on guest interviews with only 2 of our scheduled 13 episodes being Top 10 list discussions. Because of the success of my writing, Bryan asked me to take on a heavier role in the upcoming third season, and I then challenged him to expand the shows season episode total to produce a full slate of 26 episodes. We were able to accomplish this feat and more! Although strenuous at times, we pulled it of masterfully. I believe I had 5 or 7 more episode writing credits for this season, including my first guest interview. After the 3rd season wrapped, it became evident that we were outgrowing the small little studio that we were filming out of. I took the initiative to find us a new studio at a much more economical rate. Because of my efforts, Bryan graciously bestowed upon me the position of Consulting Producer. My role heavily increased as I became more involved with writing and even casting the talent appearing on our show. I even got my son into “A Piece Of The Action” to parlay a trek reference. He developed a new logo for the show as he is a very promising artist, if I may brag a bit about my high schooler. One of the perks about writing and now producing, was that I could get myself on screen, and as of now I have three screen acting credits in addition to all my writing and producing credits. We are now fully entrenched in the production of season 5 of A Captain’s Log and still going strong! We just recently had our very first In-Studio guest interview, featuring a trio of stunt superstars. You can check that episode out on YouTube when it drops, slated for some time in July as a two-part episode (#s 12 and 13) titled Stunt Superlative.
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?
I would say overall it was a smooth road. Definitely unexpected, but when you have a love of the topic material as I and Bryan do, it becomes a labor of love. I do this for the fun of it. Kinda like a Hobby, but it’s an actual real working professional business. Mr beautiful Wife Brandy has been so very supportive of me in this venture and has given me so much help and inspiration. I even ask for her ideas for questions that she would like answers too from actors we’ve interviewed. Without the magnificent Brandy in my life, I would be totally lost because she has helped me overcome so many challenges in my life. When I started, I didn’t expect to be paid, because this is something I was doing for fun, but low and behold, I was surprised by a check at the end of my first season’s work. I think I challenged Bryan more than he has challenged me, One of my struggles is with trying to procure new sponsors and advertising to support our show. Mainly I don’t feel like I’m a particularly good salesman, and I’m very nervous when it comes to cold calling someone.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a professional Security Officer for nearly 25 years. Entering the business in October of 2001, I am now a Field Supervisor for MPS Security and Protection with the rank of captain. Prior to that I was in the hospitality industry working as a cook in a small business restaurant, and locally very popular in Murrieta, I have a passion for cooking and still dabble in it as a hobby, mostly for my family. I took a year of cooking and nutrition classes when I was in high school for fun and after I graduated, found employment at the restaurant. I would describe myself as a self-taught gourmet chef but never felt that I was getting anywhere meaningful in that industry. Then 9-11 happened. I remember watching the events unfold at the counter of my restaurant and knowing that there was an opportunity to make money. That’s when a friend of mine got me into the security business. His uncle had been the branch manager of a national security firm. My perceptions of the industry at the time were not the best. Basically, my attitude was I get paid to do what? Nothing? Sign me up!
I was sorely mistaken; I wasn’t the best guard by any stretch of the imagination and I could tell you I did some really stupid things because I thought I could get away with it. But as I continued to work and observe things around me, I got an education that has stuck with me and formed my professionalism and the way I conduct myself to this day. It is my passion to make a positive difference in not just my life, but to instill a sense of pride in the officers I train and teach. I want to make a positive impact for my company and the clients we serve as well as the communities I work in. I work hard to break the stigma and perceptions the general public have about the security industry. I teach guards the reasons for why we do certain things, it is not just all about “Observe and Report” although it is a major part of what we do, but there are other protocols and duties that are required to ensure that a client who is paying for our services gets what they want and what they need. I am never one to think that because I have done this for 25 years, that I know everything. Quite the contrary! I am still a student and open to learning as much as I possibly can. Even a new guard can surprise me by teaching me something or giving me a new perspective on an issue. It’s funny, and even hard for me to imagine sometimes, but the more I keep doing this, the more I come across young guards who weren’t even born when I started doing this job. These kids can be real fun to teach as they are malleable, and I am able to impress upon them the importance of what our industry is all about. Not just getting to go sit somewhere in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night and fall asleep.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
You know this might sound a bit simplistic, but really, most of the mentors in my life are old guys. Aside from my Executive Producer, who still is 4 years my senior, and has really guided me in my journey in the entertainment industry, All the mentors in my life have been much older than I, even still to this day. When I got married, my boss at the time, a retired Alaska State Trooper, was such an inspiration to me, he taught me a lot about the business of security and gave me a lot of training “police style”, He honored my request that he become my Best Man at my wedding. How cool is that to have a boss that amazing? Another one of my Mentors also was a former boss of mine, Grant Madden, with whom I still regularly correspond. He has helped me in some pretty tough situations whether it be a tough case that got me rattled at work or a simple inquiry about what to do in a particular situation. He’s Australian and the funniest thing about him is I got him hooked on Ice Hockey! Can you imagine that? Funny story about how I got him into the sport, it was a few years ago and I invited him into the playoff bracket prediction challenge. He actually beat me, a seasoned professional fan! He has never let me live it down. Now he gives me regular updates on all games being played every day! I love you Grant, you’re amazing!
My advise for you, Stay away from Google! Go out and find someone who has real life experience in whatever field you want to enter. Ask questions, lots of them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, chances are your mentor will relish the opportunity to tell you a story about something meaningful that will help you out. One of the things I always tell my guards, “It is my job to help you succeed, your success is my success. Never feel like you are bothering me, I can’t help you if I don’t know there is something wrong and there is no such thing as a stupid question, so don’t hesitate to give me a call at any time.” This is one of the reasons why I love working on our television show, we get to interview actors and stunt people and all sorts of industry insiders, and they absolutely love telling their stories and get a kick seeing the happy reactions by their fans listening to those stories!
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ACaptainsLog
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Credit Noah Selstad for the drawing of A Captain’s Log Logo both the hand drawn draft and final digital color rendition.
