Joe Chappelle: Playing with Fire

Most episodes of NBC’s Chicago Fire lead up to a fiery climax, complete with impressive explosions. It might look like mayhem, but Joe Chappelle ’86 MFA, an executive producer and director for the Chicago-filmed show, has perfected every detail. It’s his job to ensure that each episode of the TV show has the same “look,” even with 10 or more directors working on the 22-episode season. (The third season premiered in September.) To make the mayhem as authentic as possible, Chappelle consults regularly with the Chicago Fire Department and the series’ technical adviser, a retired CFD fireman with 30 years of experience. Chappelle, who earned an MFA in radio/TV/film at Northwestern, worked in advertising at BBDO Chicago before he and his wife, Colleen Griffen ’88 MFA, collaborated on the 1994 film Thieves Quartet, a kidnapping thriller. Chappelle transitioned to TV and has chronicled the lives of fictional crime stoppers as a director and producer on The Wire, CSI: Miami and Fringe. In 2012 Chappelle jumped at the opportunity to work closer to his Evanston home and joined the crew of Chicago Fire. “I try to give 110 percent every time,” says Chappelle. “Each time I direct something, I’m trying to make Citizen Kane. I come up short, but I haven’t lost that love for the job.”