African American Directors of Photography Assignment | Custom Essay Services
Nigel McWilliams
Dr. Kristen Warner
TCF-433
13 September 2020
African American Independent DP’s
African american’s have been in the film world for many years, but there is clearly a lack of african americans presence in notable film festivals. I want to take a look into two african american directors of photography what it is to be an african american cinematographer/director of photography in the world of film and the paths that both of these individuals take. Athur Jaja is an independent cinematographer/director of photography and has had success in being independent. Bradford Young is also another cinematographer/director of photography that I would like to look at as well. Both of these african american men have presented numerous amounts of digital media and have shown creative eye in which it takes to be recognized in hollywood. Hollywood is whitewashed but there are many hidden gems amongst the visual representation of independent and mainstream cinematographers/directors of photography.
Bradford Young is the only the second nominated black cinematographer in academy award history. In an article by website theverge.com called “’Selma’ cinematographer Bradford Young accidentally fell into filmmaking, and fell in love with it”. Bradford didn’t actually know what he wanted to do with his career at first. He started out on super 8 and then ended up on 16 following his second semester. Bradford comments on the role of a cinematographer “ A cinematographer’s job is to see things that nobody else is seeing within the confines of the space in which we construct scenarios” (theverge.com). Young uses each element of his first experiences in film school to mold his career. He takes full advantage of his learning and applies it in the passion for cinematography. Young uses his platform to also create change within the film industry. In an article by indiewire bradford young calls for a cultural shift in the industry and freedom to express your ethnicity through cinematography. These are all the struggles of being a african american cinematographer as well, but I think these struggles make Bradford young an award winning cinematographer. Young says in this article “We’re in a time where we can be unapologetic about who we are. So if we’re black, queer, trans, Chicano, European-American, Southeast Asian, we should know that what we can bring to the table is important. And it is something that should be embedded in the films that we make.”(indieware.com)
Arthur Jafa and Bradford Young both attended Howard University, the education platform they both have a key paths in the direct success that have in the industry of independent film. Arthur Jafa is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi and he started his visual creative passion at an early age. Both individuals have also won awards at sundance throughout their career in independent cinema. The two share common uses of digital media as well to address social and political issues. Jafa, uses his seven minute video Love Is the Message as a lens in which we see death in a loop. In a article by artnews.com Jafa’s lyrics “We on a ultralight beam, we on a ultralight beam, this is a god dream, this is a god dream, this is everything,” can be heard throughout the museum. He captures a large audience with his video and it ties home that both African American’s use their platform for black culture and giving it more of a positive visual representation in the independent film industry.
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