Denn Pietro – Producer | Director | Storyteller

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Denn Pietro has spent a career chasing stories across the country—and the world—for major broadcast and cable networks. From breaking news to unforgettable human moments, his camera has captured it all: the execution of Timothy McVeigh, the VH1 Fashion Awards, a father-son kidney transplant for Discovery Channel, and everything in between.

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His work has taken him from the incredible moments—dueting with Celine Dion on “Barbara Ann” while on assignment for Entertainment Tonight—to the dangerous, flying with the U.S. Coast Guard in hovering helicopters for cold water rescues for National Geographic, and racing into NYC on 9/11 to cover the tragedy for CBS News.

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He’s been soaked in champagne with the Detroit Red Wings after winning the Stanley Cup for CBC Sports and filmed Quiet Riot performing for a sea of naked fans at Nudestock for VH1. His camera has rolled through riots, rallies, hostage standoffs, police patrols, and even war zones.

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In one surreal twist, Denn even found himself caught in an airsoft gun battle in Japan—with none other than Eminem and 50 Cent. (Alas, they still haven’t dropped a track about him.)

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Denn’s career began at just 18, interning at a major public access TV studio. By 20, he was running it—disrupting the traditional model with fresh taped and live show concepts and professional production standards, including launching an eight-week production course that raised the bar for local TV across the country. His positive, fun vibe caught the attention of the U.S. Marine Corps, leading at that time to the creation of the only Marine Corps-produced television show in the country—a model the Corps later replicated nationwide.

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After a stint in advertising, Denn joined KDN Videoworks—known as the "Harvard of production companies"—where he quickly moved from audio ops to overseeing 70-person crews. His work on Court TV and 48 Hours led to one of his most significant roles: one of three directors of the Saddam Hussein War Crimes Trial media feed in Baghdad from 2006 to 2007. For 15 months, Denn lived at the U.S. Embassy and juggled camera switching, directing, graphics, robotics, and managing crew—while navigating the very real danger that a misplaced camera shot could cost someone their life. Under his watch, no one was harmed.

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Denn’s extensive list of field producing/directing credits includes work with:

ABC’s Good Morning America, World News Tonight, Nightline, CBS’s Early Show, Evening News, 48 Hours, Court TV, TruTV
BET, VH1, Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Extra, E! Entertainment, Inside Edition, Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus Show, ESPN’s SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, and many more.

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In addition to broadcast work, Denn has a deep passion for film and documentaries. He has collaborated with Oscar-winning directors Errol Morris and Barbara Kopple, and his first short film Whippersnapper was considered for an Academy Award after qualifying through a top festival. His later work continued to earn acclaim, collecting awards such as Best in Show and Audience Choice across the festival circuit.

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Select Film & Documentary Credits:

• James Dean: Born Cool (2000) – Documentary

• Whippersnapper (2001) – Short Film

• Horace H.B. Sanders: Funny To Me (2006) - DVD

• Be Funny (2007) – Documentary

• Freezer Geezers (2010) – Documentary

• Mike Green: Holy Sh!t I'm Funny (2010) - DVD

• Being Custer (2012) – Short Film

• Static (2013) - Short Film

• Till We’re Free (2015) – Short Film

• Wolf Boy (2016) - Short Film

• Killing of Emmett Till (2020) – Short Film

• Ninja Killer - Untitled Temujin Kensu Project (2026) - Docuseries

• Freeman: The Impossibly True Trial of a Ninja Killer (2026) - Feature Film

 

Above all, Denn is most proud of his role as a full-time single father to his son, Canyon.

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