Bio / Credits
In Progress
Keith L. Smith / Director of Photography / 2nd unit Dir.
Bio
Born in New Orleans, Smith graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. There, he was a four-year letterman on the University’s “powerhouse” basketball team. During his senior year he interned at a local cable station as a video engineer. Upon graduation he went on to work at WWL-TV, a local CBS affiliate in New Orleans, where he worked as one of eight news photographers on the station’s well-respected news team.
In 1989 Smith was accepted into the prestigious AFI [American Film Institute] in Los Angeles, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. There he received AFI’s 1991 distinguished Remy Martin Student Scholarship Award. This marked the first time in its six-year inception, that the award was given to a cinematography fellow, and the first time the award went to a first year student.
Smith began his film career as a camera assistant working with such well-known filmmakers as Oliver Stone and Robert Richardson, ASC. He worked with the pair on “JFK,” “Heaven and Earth,” “Natural Born Killers,” “Nixon,” and “Any Given Sunday”. He went onto work with Rob Reiner on a “Few Good Men", and Robert Townsend’s comedy, “Meteor Man,” and on Mike Binder’s “Blankman,” starring Damon Wayans. His last project as an assistant was “The Trigger Effect” , a film directed by David Koeppe, who also wrote “Jurassic Park.”
As a cinematographer, Smith has worked on a wide variety of projects including the independent film, “Pastor Brown”, directed by Rockmond Dunbar, [actor; Sons of Anarchy, Soulfood], which is recently slated to air on the Lifetime Channel. The film stars Salli Richardson-Whitmore and Tasha Smith. Another recent short, “The Lift,” directed by Lyndon Barrios, won a “Best Cinematography” award at the Independent Film Showcase - 2012. Smith also shot two feature films; “Hair Show” and “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”, both feature length films directed by Leslie Small. The films starred MoNique and Golden Brooks respectively.
During the fall of 1999 Smith worked as second unit DP/A-Cam Operator on “Fallen”, a film produced by Turner Pictures, which starred Denzel Washington. That same year he worked with his longtime mentor Oliver Stone on “Any Given Sunday” as a Second Unit DP. The film starred, Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx. Smith’s duties were profound - he was responsible for all second unit work, including directing a few small sequences. The film was shot in Miami and Dallas. Smith has also lensed “The Wash” and “Gang Tapes” for Lions Gate.
His most recent projects are “Let the Church Say Amen”, a feature film starring Steve Harris and Lela Rochon. The film was produced by Black Entertainment Television. The film marked the directorial debut of Regina King, [actress; Southland, Ray, Jerry Maquire]. The film is scheduled to be released in October 2013. Last year he shot two films that he is most proud of cinematically - a film starring piano child prodigy Ethan Bortnik entitled “Anything is Possible” and a small indie film noir project called “Mysteria”, which stars Danny Glover. Both films are currently being shopped to hollywood distributors. Smith is currently filming a TV series called, “Saints & Sinners” for Bounce TV. The show received a record breaking 1.6 million viewers for the pilot episode.
Smith is focusing himself on a career in Hollywood as a Director of Photography. His goal is to shoot films that inspire and entertain. Lastly, he is most committed to films that are truthful and authentic in tone.
************************References for Keith Smith available upon request.****************************
Keith L. Smith / DP / 2nd unit Dir. Credit List
“Saints & Sinners” [Filming] Dir.; Jerry Lamothe, Darren Grant, Swirl Films., Atlanta, GA., [starring, Clifton Powell, Vanessa Bell Calloway]
“Revival” [Post Production] Dir.; Oba Babatunde, Geniais Films., Los Angeles, CA., [starring, Harry Lennix, Wendy Raquel Robinson]
“White Water” [TV Movie] Dir.; Rusty Cundief, TV One., Los Angeles, CA., [starring, Sharon Leal, Larenz Tate]
“The Sin Seer” [Netflix] Dir.; Paul Hannah, Overflow Film Co., Los Angeles, CA., [starring, Isaiah Washington]
“Malboro Man” [Post Production] Dir.; Max Myers, American Independent Film Co., Los Angeles, CA., [starring, Michael Parks, Bai Ling]
“The Last Letter” [Post Production] Dir.; Paul Hannah, Overflow Ent. Los Angeles, CA., July. 2002 [starring, Sharon Leal, Omari Hardwick]
“Any Thing Is Possible” [Completed] Dir.; D. Navarro, D Street Films. Detroit, MI. Aug. 2013 [starring, Ethan Bortnick, Kim Whitley]
“Dreams” Dir.; Joel Kappity, Dreams on Screen Productions. Chicago, Ill. May. 2013 [starring, Syesha Mercado, Tommy Ford]
“White T” Dir.; Lance Frank, Prefect Films & Eleventh Entertainment. Los Angeles, CA. Dec. 2013 [starring, Jamal & Jerod Mixon]
“Woman Thou Art Loosed - On The Seventh Day” Dir.; N. Barnett, Code Black Ent. New Orleans, LA. May. 2012 (Starring; B. Underwood)
“Silent No More” Dir.; Demetrius Navarro, D Street Films. Detroit, MI. Dec. 2012 [starring, Erlinda Orozco, Kym Whitley]
“Mr. Sophistication” Dir.; Danny Green, Mr. Smoothie Entertainment. Los Angeles, CA. Dec. 2012 [starring, Harry Lennix, Tatum OʼNeal]
“Mysteria” Dir.; Lucius C. Kuert, Aramis Films. Los Angeles, CA. Oct. Jan [starring, Danny Glover, Robert Miano]
“Decisions” Dir.; Jensen LeFlore, Zenon Kesik Productions. Los Angeles, CA. Mar. 2011 [starring, Corey Haim, Anthony Vitale]
“Mama I Want To Sing” Dir.; Charles Randolf Wright, Codeblack Ent. Baton Rouge, LA. June. 2011 [starring, Ciara, Lynn Whitfield]
“Nite Tales: The Series” Dir.; Deon Taylor, Deon Taylor Enterprises. Sacramento, CA. Nov. 2009 - 2011 [starring, Flavor Flav]
“The Lift” Dir.; Lyndon Barrios, Lyndon Barrios Productions. Santa Clara, CA. Apr. 2011 [starring, JB Blanc, Meredith Monroe]
“Forgiveness” Dir.; Hakim Khalfani, Picture That Productions. Los Angeles, CA. Sept. 2011 [starring, Richard T. Jones, Robinne Lee]
“The Spiritual Divide” Dir.; Rodney Hooks, Urban Christian Ent. Los Angeles, CA. May. 2011 [starring, Theresa Deveaux, J. Christopher]
“Ije” Dir.; Chineze Anyaene, Xandria Productions. Los Angeles, CA. Jan. 2011 [starring, Genevieve Nnaji, Omatola Ekeinde]
“Blessed And Cursed” Dir.; Joel Kappity, Dreams On Screen Productions. Detroit, MI. Aug. 2010 [starring, Deitrick Haddon]
“Suicide Dolls” Dir.; Keith Shaw, Salsera Productions. Los Angeles, CA. Oct. 2010 [starring, Christie Romano, Heather Tom]
“The Invited” Dir.; Ryan McKinney, Dark Portal, LLC. Sacramento, CA. Nov. 2010 [starring, Ellen Albertini Dow, Pam Grier]
“Pastor Brown” Dir.; Rockmond Dunbar, Rock Capital Films. Atlanta, GA. Feb. 2009 [starring, Salli Richardson-Whitfield]
“Nite Tales: The Movie” Dir.; Deon Taylor, Deon Taylor Enterprises. Sacramento, CA. Jan. 2008 [starring, Flavor Flav]
“The Black Candle - [Documentary]” Dir.; MK Asante, Asante Filmworx. Los Angeles, CA. May. 2008 [starring, Maya Angelou]
“Cruisin For Love” Dir.; Jamie Balthazar, Ruby Red Entertainment. Miami, FL. Nov. 2008 [starring, Kym Whitley]
“JC IN The Hood” Dir.; Dale Stelly, Stelly Entertainment. Los Angeles, CA. Dec. 2010 [starring, Sid Burton, Saafir] [K. Smith -- Credit List_pg. 2]
“The Sweep” Dir.; Dale Stelly, Stelly Entertainment. Los Angeles, CA. Feb. 2007 [starring, Kadeem Hardison, Godfrey]
“A God Man Is Hard To Find” Dir.; Leslie Small, Films In Motion. Baton Rouge, LA. Nov. 2008 [starring, Golden Brooks, Deborah Cox]
“American Dream” Dir.; Derrick Dixon, Nexus Films. Houston, TX. May 2006 [starring, Mike Jones, Clifton Powell]
“Only In Your Dreams” - [Short] Dir.; Richard Montgomery, Axe Attractions Ent. Los Angeles, CA. Feb. 2006 [Denise Boutte]
“Tears Of A Clown” Dir.; Tony Spires, Bandwagon Filmworks. Los Angeles, CA. Feb. 2005 [starring, Don “DC” Curry, Tami Roman]
“Virginia” Dir.; Gilbert Le, Topline Urban Films, LLC., Los Angeles, CA. Mar. 2005 [starring, Godfrey, Paige Hurd]
“House Of Grimm” Dir.; Desmond Gumbs, HHouse of Grimm, LLC., Los Angeles, CA. 2005 [starring, Tony Todd]
“Hair Show” Dir.; Leslie Small, Beauty Shop, LLC., Los Angeles, CA., Nov. 2004 [starring, MoʼNique, Kellita Smith]
“Tara” Dir.; Leslie Small, Namor Productions. Atlanta, GA. Oct. 2003 [starring, Isaiah Washington, Guy Torry]
“With Or Without You” Dir.; G. Stubbs, Fellas Productions. Los Angeles, CA., Aug. 2003 [starring, Mushond Lee, Cynda Williams]
“Just Another Story” Dir.; GQ, Hart Sharp Entertainment. New York, NY. Dec. 2003 [starring, Mimi Lieber, GQ]
“Love And A Bullet” Dir.; Ben Ramsey, Ramcity Productions. Los Angeles, CA., Mar. 2002 [starring, Treach, Kent King]
“Vivian” Dir.; Aimee Dixon, Vivian, LLC., Los Angeles, CA., Nov. 2002 [starring, Drew Dixon]
“The Wash” Dir.; DJ Pooh, Lions Gate Films. Los Angeles, CA., Mar. 2001 [starring, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre]
“One Special Moment” Dir.; Nelson George, Arabesque Films. Los Angeles, CA., Apr. 2001 [starring, Kirk Taylor, Tamara Taylor]
“Fire & Ice” Dir.; Bryan Goeres, Arabesque Films /BET Films. Los Angeles, CA., June. 2001 [starring, Lark Voorhies]
“Gang Tapes” Dir.; Adam Ripp, Lions Gate Films. Los Angeles, CA., Nov. 2001 [starring, Darris Love, Trivell]
“Hidden Blessings” Dir.; Timothy Folsome, Arabesque Films /BET Films. Los Angeles, CA., Jan. 2000 [starring, Cynda Williams]
“Luck Of The Draw” Dir.; Luca Bercovici, Kandice King Prod.. Los Angeles, CA., Sept. 2000 [starring, James Marshall, Dennis Hopper]
“Harlem Aria” Dir.; William Jennings, Alive Entertainment. New York, NY. Jan. 1999 [starring, Damon Wayans, Gabriel Casseus]
“The Sex Monster” Dir.; Mike Binder, Greentrees Films. Los Angeles, CA., Feb. 1999 [starring, Mariel Hemingway, Mike Binder]
“Any Given Sunday” [2nd Unit DP & Director] Dir.; Oliver Stone, Warner Bros Pictures. Miami, FL., July. 1999 [starring, Al Pacino]
“Frontline” Dir.; Quinton Peeples, Kingman Films International. Los Angeles, CA.,. July. 1999 [starring, Jason London, Rya Kihlstedt]
“Pur Killjoy” Dir.; Aaron Downing, Retrospect Production. Los Angeles, CA., Mar. 1998 [starring, Gregg Rubin, Christina Gulino]
“Point Blank” Dir.; Matt Earl Beesley, New Cinema Corp. Dallas, TX., June. 1998 [starring, Danny Trejo, Michael Wright]
“Rough Draft” Dir.; Joshua Wallace, Goldbar International. Los Angeles, CA., 1998 [starring, Gary Busey, Arnold Vosloo] K. Smith -- Credit List_pg. 3]
“The Girl Gets Moe” Dir.; James Bruce, Goldbar Entertainment. Los Angeles, CA., May. 1997 [starring, Tony Danza, Elizabeth Barondes]
“Saxʼs Final Orbit” Dir.; Gregory Earls, Department of Cinema & Power Ent. Los Angeles, CA., Sept. 1997 [star, Ricardo Molina]