Interview With Shooter TV's Steve Seapker Associate Producer

Interview With Shooter TV's Steve Seapker Associate Producer 

I got the opportunity to interview one of the crew members of Shooter TV, USA Network, and Netflix. 

First of all, Just wanted to thank Steve for taking part in this interview, I know not many interviews with crew members from TV shows happen so I thought it will be a fun one to do. I hope everyone enjoys it. 

(Steve Seapker)

You're a Former Marine, Cop and Homicide Detective. What was it like dealing with such a hands-on job every day?

SS: This is a pretty broad question and I could speak for days on this. I’ve been serving my country in one fashion or another since I was eighteen years old. Obviously, theses jobs have been incredibly demanding both professionally and personally, fraught with challenges, personal sacrifice, and adversity. I’ve seen my fair share of death and destruction and every imaginable way human beings can be horrible to one another. It’s also required me to spend a great deal of time away from my family. Despite these challenges, my work has taught me a great deal of self-discipline that has carried over well into other endeavors. I’m not one for quitting that’s for sure. 

You're the stunt coordinator, Associate producer on Shooter TV what is it like working on such a high Impact show? 

SS: Firstly, I’m not our stunt coordinator. Todd Bryant was our stunt coordinator for Season One. Tierre Turner is our stunt coordinator this season. He handles all our fights, driving, high falls, and anything else crazy the writers come up with (he’s also one helluva guy). Given my background, I have helped Tierre choreograph some fight scenes and have given my opinion on how Marine Special Operations folks would fight. I was first hired on the show as a Technical Consultant. Initially, I was tasked with advising the writers on everything from gear and equipment to how Marines would shoot and move. Over time my role has evolved and I’ve become directly involved in just about every aspect of production to the point that I am now an Associate Producer.

(Steve Seapker onset of Shooter TV)

How did you go from being a Homicide Detective to becoming a Technical Consultant and Producer?

SS: When John Hlavin, our showrunner, was developing the script for the pilot he needed assistance with the skills that Marine Special Operations troops had. For example, what gear they would use? What uniforms would they wear? What weapons are in their arsenal and how would they be employed? John’s happens to be represented by the same firm my good friend Kurt Johnstad is represented by. Kurt is a very successful screenwriter. You may recognize Kurt as he wrote “300” “Act of Valor” and “Atomic Blonde” to name just a few. John spoke with Kurt and asked him if he knew anyone with a Marine sniper background and Kurt put him in touch with me. The rest as they say is history. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

SS: I really enjoy being part of the creative process. Taking a story from an outline all the way to the finished product. It is such a team effort it really reminds me of the Marines, everyone doing his or her bit to achieve a singular goal. 

You get to work with Ryan Phillippe and Josh Stewart a lot throughout season 2, What was it like teaching them both how to use such powerful weapons?

SS: Ryan and Josh are great. Both have has previous firearms experience on other projects and Josh also hunts so it wasn’t a huge deal to get them up to speed. They’re both really enthusiastic about making the weapons and tactics portion of the story authentic.

(Steve Seapker onset of Shooter TV)

As well as being a Stunt Coordinator and Associate producer you also write scripts?

SS: Yes, I’ve been doing quite a bit of writing. I currently have two television pilots and one feature-length script out there so fingers crossed I can generate some interest. 

Is a lot of what Happens in Shooter TV, based on real-life events or close to real events?

SS: Shooter TV is based on the book series authored by Stephen Hunter. The weapons, tactics, and fight scenes are as real as they get.

Do you think there will be a season 3 coming?

SS: I like to think so. I feel pretty confident about it but haven’t heard anything official. We have quite a following so far so like I said…I feel confident. 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, when you aren’t on set?

SS: My days are structured around reading, writing, and family time. When I’m not doing any of those things, I am doing something active and am outdoors. I live a few miles from the beach so I take advantage of that as much as possible. I do some sort of physical training or martial arts/firearms practice daily prior to sitting down to write. Not only does it clear my head but also gets me to focus and keeps my skills sharp

What's next for you?

SS: Shooter is in the offseason at the moment so I’m working on writing and selling scripts I’ve written as ultimately I would like to have my own show. I’m also catching up on family time and only recently returned from visiting family and friends in the UK

You can watch Shooter on USA Network 10/9C on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on Netflix in the UK. 

Thanks for reading.