Ernest Dickerson

Gifted African American cinematographer who established himself on financially modest but artistically ambitious independent features before shifting to major motion pictures as a d.p. and genre films as a director. Dickerson became known as the ace director of photography for fellow NYU alumnus Spike Lee. His vibrant painterly camerawork enhanced Lee's student film "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads" (1980) and his subsequent first six features. His first feature credit was John Sayles' "The Brother From Another Planet" (1984), an engaging social parable about a mute alien stranded in Harlem, which benefited greatly from Dickerson's soulful portraits of the faces and places of Black folks. He has achieved great success in conveying the full spectrum of African American coloring by utilizing various tinted lights and colored backdrops. Dickerson has also shot films by Michael Schultz ("Krush Groove" 1985), Robert Townsend ("Eddie Murphy Raw" 1987) and John McNaughton ("Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" 1991).

Dickerson has also worked in TV as a d.p. and director. He lensed the first season of "Tales From the Darkside," a low-budget syndicated horror anthology series from Laurel Entertainment. Dickerson's subsequent cinematography credits on TV include "H.E.L.P." and "Law & Order." He made his directing debut helming a popular musical special, "Spike & Co.: Do It A Cappella," for "Great Performances" (PBS, 1990). Dickerson made his feature debut as a director and screenwriter with the $3 million independent feature, "Juice" (1992) about four young black friends from Harlem whom become involved in a tragic robbery. Inspired by "The Most Dangerous Game," an oft-filmed 20s short story by Ragnar Benson, "Surviving the Game" (1994) was standard action fare for the director. Still it boasted a strong cast including Ice-T, Rutger Hauer and Charles S. Dutton.