Chicago native Timothy L. Mathews has always been a go-getter who isn’t afraid to start from the bottom and work his way up to master every level of any given game.
The born and bred west sider graduated from Columbia College Chicago and has worked in a number of capacities for companies such as music industry titan Warner Elektra Atlantic distribution (now Warner Music Group) and Bacardi USA before branching out to start his own company, Executive Level Entertainment. Since 2021, Mathews has worked in the locations Department for Showtime Networks on a number of film and television projects, including Lena Waithe‘s critically acclaimed drama. The Chi.
N’DIGO recently sat down with Mathews to discuss his start in the entertainment industry, his current role in Locations with the Showtime network, and his various other endeavors across the board.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Timothy L. Mathews?
Timothy L. Mathews: Timothy L. Mathews is a past pessimist, present perfectionist, and, if God willing, a future legend of some sort. He’s charming, charismatic, caring, diplomatic, and has a hardened political attitude. He’s an Uncle, a friend, an optimist, a creative being, and a lover of life. Most of all, he’s a good man and wishes only to be a great contributor to this wonderful place called Earth.
Did you always know you’d work in entertainment?
Absolutely. The entertainment bug started early when I went into acting in plays and writing poetry in junior high. Then, in high school, it turned to being in a singing group. In college, I went from wanting a solo singing career and to writing like my early idol, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, to having an appetite for being behind the scenes from a management perspective as well as a brush with Journalism. College was full of great internships that helped shape me. In my senior year, I worked for Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and the legendary George Daniels. Over the years, I’ve had many interests in many fields, but everything has always come back to entertainment for me.
What, if anything, else did you dream of doing for a living?
I actually thought my calling was in Politics or the CIA. *laughs* I remember telling my mother I was gonna be President of the United States and have $40 million dollars to spend on her during my single-digit years. I still don’t remember why I came up with that number. I learned early on that information and how you use it is real power. Still have thoughts of running for office or being a right-hand man behind a person who is meant to lead. Now, my dreams consist of being a TV/Film studio boss, running my own multi-leveled global talent agency like WME, and being a voice for the less fortunate in every way on a global stage.
Can you tell us about the work you do in the Locations Department at Showtime Networks?
As the location scout on season 5 of The Chi, I would thoroughly go over a draft of the episode’s script given to me by the Location Manager and/or the Location Coordinator. Sometimes, I’ll go over it twice because I want to paint the best picture in my head of how it would look, breaking down every scene, its background being described, and the actions of the scene’s actors. I’d then find out which scenes are being shot in-house/built onstage vs on location. As a scout, I’m looking for locations that will fit the script’s scenes. I would bring maybe five to ten options for each scene via pics and videos. It could be anything – Houses, Condos, Parks, Event Spaces, Airports, Hospitals, etc.
For season 6, Showtime Television assigned me as the Key Location Assistant. With that, after a location has been confirmed to be used by the show, the Assistant Location Manager will introduce me to that contact as a backup for him/her leading up to the date we’re filming there. I’m in charge of three Location Assistants, and we all work very well as a team. 24-48 hours before we film at a location, we work with the Chicago Film Office and create a Film Notice, which goes up in the neighborhood and is given to neighboring businesses, alerting them of our presence. Day of filming, I’m the first person at the scene working with other departments regarding parking, where they can set up at the location, dos/don’ts of what they can do at the location, etc.
In addition to The Chi, what are some of the other projects you’ve worked on?
Since getting started in this relatively new lane for me in January 2021, I’ve also worked on 61st Street starring Courtney B. Vance (airing on CW, stream on AMC+) and the motion picture Heist 88 (Showtime and Paramount+).
Additionally, I’ve worked on some commercials as well in between projects. Currently, while SAG-AFTRA is on strike, I’ve been working on the 15th annual Surround Sound of Fashion event taking place October 29th at CineCity event space in Chicago. The fashion show is from 4 pm-9 pm & is hosted by Comedian Calvin Evans with a live performance from Malcolm Mays. The event will be sponsored by Chicago’s own Power 92 radio.
In addition to your work in Locations, you’ve also long been a part of the music business and entertainment scene in Chicago with your company, Executive Level Entertainment. Please tell us more about it.
I’ve been active in the Chicago music and entertainment scene for more than two decades now. During my management courses I was fascinated by the stories I would hear about successful black male entrepreneurs in the music industry. I wanted to be them – Puffy, Berry Gordy, Clarence Avant, World Wide Wes, Raymond Lambert. I started Executive Level Entertainment focusing initially on events in addition to managing artists such as Gritz, Jameisha Trice, and Statik in addition to producers Octane and J Hush, all in their early beginnings. It’s been shelved the last few years as I look to rebrand the company and make it more focused on actors & social media influencers.
Who are a few of your mentors who taught you the business?
First, George Daniels taught me how to love the business of music and never stop learning from the past. Natasha Parker taught or rather reinforced to me that Black women are everything at home and just as brilliant while commanding a room full of men in their field of work. Brian ” B. Fair ” Fairley is always educating me on the TV/Film business, even while making jokes. *laughs* I would not be where I am without Natasha and Brian. William Woods has been the big brother/neighbor off the block that made it like me. He has thirty years on CPD and now runs his own successful business in Atlanta. Finally, my spiritual advisor of almost a decade, Willie States. He, along with prayer and God, has picked me up at my lowest points. I love each of these incredible individuals.
What are three business principles you try to abide by always?
1. Knowing your Industry and being well-versed when it comes to your peers as well as your competitors.
2. Clearly define your goals and adjust them as you evolve.
3. Always be willing to embrace Innovation in your Industry.
Can you name a book that changed or really impacted your life?
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli. Both of these books are must-reads or audiobooks that have to be listened to. Their teachings, along with the Bible, allow me to stay grounded in my decision-making when dealing with people and myself.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a complete nerd when it comes to both Marvel & DC Comics.
Best advice to young people?
Always be willing to learn from and listen to the world around you. Never give up on your dreams, for dreams are what push us to be better than what we are today.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Your network is your net worth.”
What’s next for Timothy L. Mathews?
More than likely, I will be coming back to season 7 of The Chi in some capacity. Outside of that, I’m working on getting ELE back on track in 2024. I plan to move up into management within this industry on other projects. I haven’t had to look for employment since I started in this industry because I have a hard-working image. That is something that I will always work very hard on, making sure it never changes.
For more information on Timothy L. Mathews, feel free to connect with him on Instagram at @executivele1
Season 6 of The Chi can currently be seen on Showtime, Paramount+, and Prime Video.
