Ernest Dickerson
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
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.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Cinematography (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Film Production - Unit (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Film Production - Main (Special)
Director (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1980
Shot Spike Lee's student films, beginning with "Sarah" and including "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads"
1984
Shot first major feature, "Brother From Another Planet"
1984
Served as the director of photography for the first season of "Tales From the Darkside", a low-budget syndicated horror series
1985
Worked as a camera operator and 2nd unit director on George A. Romero's "Day of the Dead"
1986
Appeared in Spike Lee's "She's Gotta Have It" (also shot)
1990
TV directing debut, "Spike & Co.: Do It A Capella" ("Great Performances" PBS)
1990
Shot six episodes of cop/legal series "Law & Order"
1991
Directed and co-wrote first feature. "Juice"
1993
Directed the premiere episode of "The Untouchables", the syndicated revival derived from the 1987 feature
1998
Helmed "Blind Faith"; played at various film festivals and aired on Showtime
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