Check Out Lamont Pete’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lamont Pete.

Hi Lamont, 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?
I am an executive producer for unscripted television as well as an event producer for UCLA

My life was always surrounded in entertainment. Growing up in San Diego, some of my friends, colleagues and associates became very successful in entertainment such as Mario Lopez, Nick Cannon, Ananda Lewis and Norman Vance Jr, just to name a few. So it wasn’t a surprise that eventually, I began to take an interest in the entertainment industry myself.

I actually got my start in entertainment in the radio. Shortly after college, I spent five years as an on-air broadcaster in the Miami, Atlanta and San Diego market. Afterward, I decided to become more involved in the music industry and since I was already an accomplished musician, I thought this would be a perfect transition. So I spent some time first touring with some notable acts and bands and eventually worked with a few record labels. But my true calling happened when I was introduced to television. So I pursued a career working behind the scenes.

Back then during the 90s, Hollywood was a very hard industry to break into, because you had to know someone in order to get that big break. My moment happened during the historic Hollywood writer’s strike. At that time, more than 60 TV shows had to be shut down, causing a drop in ratings and the loss of tens of millions of dollars in ad revenue for the networks. This brought about the birth of reality tv. In theory, this was a temporary solution to keep content on television while everyone waited for the Writers Guild of America (WGA) vote to go back to work.

So I was hired as a casting recruiter to work on a first-run show called Blind Date. The success of that show landed me a job at MTV where I help cast more shows that became a big hits such as The Real World, Date My Mom and Wild N Out, just to name a few. I spent almost 15 years working for MTV and eventually began working with other networks such as BET, VH1 and The CW. Currently, I am an Executive Producer currently developing a show for NBCUniversal. I also currently produce annual conference events for UCLA’s such Pulse and the UCLA Global Sports Forum.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are a number of challenges that people like myself in the entertainment industry face. One of the biggest is the high level of competition. There are many talented individuals vying for limited opportunities, which can make it difficult to break into the industry or advance your career. This can create a lot of pressure to constantly perform at your best and make valuable connections.

Another challenge is the fast-paced nature of the industry. Projects often have tight deadlines and require long hours to complete, which can be stressful and tiring. You may have to work on multiple projects simultaneously and juggle different priorities, which can be challenging.

Also, instability and uncertainty are also challenges that many people face. Many jobs in the industry are project-based and temporary, so it can be difficult to plan your career trajectory or rely on a steady income. Even if you’re working on a successful project, there’s always the risk that it could get cancelled or delayed, which can have financial and career consequences.

And finally navigating the complex industry politics can also be a challenge. There are many power structures and politics to navigate, and building relationships and networking can be key to success. But it can also be time-consuming and difficult to establish yourself if you’re not already connected.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently a television producer who specializes in unscripted television as well as produce major annual conferences for UCLA which are Ted Talk type of events for entertainment industry professionals and UCLA alumni.

The Tv shows I am best known are the following:

The Real World (MTV)
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (The CW)
Sunday Best (BET)
Wild ‘N Out (MTV)
The Simple Life (FOX)
Date My Mom (MTV)

I think one of the things that set me apart is my passion for storytelling. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of storytelling and how it can bring people together and create emotional connections. I believe that my enthusiasm and dedication to telling great stories help me to stand out.

I also think that my experience in different areas of the industry gives me a unique perspective. I’ve worked as a producer, a casting director, and in other roles, which has allowed me to see the industry from different angles. I think this gives me a well-rounded perspective that helps me to make more informed decisions and to understand the needs of different stakeholders

Finally, my commitment to staying up-to-date on industry trends and technologies is something that sets me apart. The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and it’s important to be able to adapt and evolve in order to stay ahead. I make it a priority to stay informed about the latest developments and to incorporate them into my work whenever possible.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of perseverance. The entertainment industry is notoriously competitive and difficult to break into, but I’ve learned that if you’re willing to work hard and keep pushing, you can eventually achieve your goals.

When I was first starting out in the industry, I faced a lot of rejection and struggled to find steady work. It was discouraging at times, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry, so I kept applying for jobs, honing my skills, and networking with people in the industry. It took a while, but eventually, I was able to land a job as a casting assistant, which led to other opportunities.

I would also say the best lesson of all is the importance of being flexible and adaptable. The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and it’s important to be able to adapt to new trends and technologies. It’s also important to be able to pivot and change direction when things aren’t working out as planned. By being open-minded and flexible, you can stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow in your career

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.w2dprod.com/
• Instagram: @iamlamontpete
• Facebook: lamontpete
• Twitter: @lamontpetecomm
• Youtube: @iamlamontpete

Image Credits
Lamont Pete and CEELEO GREENE (4) Master P and Lamont Pete (5) Lamont Pete w/ Digital Underground @ Kday 93.5 (6) Bishop Moore & Lamont Pete (7) Ray J & Lamont Pete (8) Sheena & Lamont Pete (9) Lamont Pete Grammy Red Carpet (10 Matt Barnes & Lamont Pete (11) Lamont Pete & Baron Davis (12) On set @ Ucla (13) Lamont Pete on stage in Pasadena (14) KDAY group shot w/ Digital Underground (15)Red Carpet BET Awards (15) Crew shoot (Jazmin Lewis, Sticky Fingers) (16) Shabba Doo, Sheena & Lamont Pete (17) Grammy Party w Ceelo, Larry Baron and Mike Jackson (18) Andy Campion and Lamont Pete (Coo of Nike) (19) Lamont Pete @ Manhattan Beach Studios (20) Lamont Pete and daughter Dasji (21) Angie Buenaventura- Creative Talent Development Manager @ Netflix (22) Jay Tucker Exec Director @ UCLA Anderson (26)