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About That Popular 'Black Films Don't Sell ...Interview: Award-Winning Cinematographer, Writer & Director Ernest Dickerson, Reintroduced
For the distant observer, theirs seemed like a kind of symbiotic pairing that some of us believed would continue through much of their careers. What some of us didn't already realize was that directing was in Dickerson's future all along, supplanting any notions that he was a cinematographer first, and directing was something of a diversion, or a happy accident.
It was neither. He always intended to become a director in his own right. Consider that he'd written the screenplay for Juice, what would become his directorial debut in 1992, some 8 years prior, before he'd begun to cement his reputation as a talented DP, who went on to shoot a number of films that aren't just black cinema classics, but cinema classics: John Sayles' The Brother From Another Planet, Krush Groove, and of course his collaborations with Spike Lee, including the seminal 1989 incendiary drama Do The Right Thing.
It was the same year (1992) that his last director/DP collaboration with Lee (Malcolm X) was released, that Dickerson saw his directorial debut, 8 years in the making (the hip-hop film noir, Juice), also open in theaters - a film that, while not what would qualify as a blockbuster hit, did well enough (relative to budget) and went on to achieve cult appeal.
And it was then that Dickerson's career as a director was launched.
Following Juice, he'd go on to helm several projects, not necessarily in the same vein as Juice, but a number of them delivering some seemingly deliberate, although not always obvious, social commentary/critique - from Surviving The Game, to Futuresport, to Good Fences, and even horror films like Tales From The Crypt: Demon knight and Bones.
As Dickerson told me during our interview, he's always been aware of cinema's power to teach, enlighten, and inspire, all the while still being a source of entertainment - something that was instilled in him while he studied under activist filmmaker (and member of the LA Rebellion movement) Haile Gerima, as an undergrad student at Howard University, before he would go on to NYU's Tisch School for his MFA, and become part of something of an east coast film movement all of its own.
Almost 30 years, and 14 feature films later, Dickerson resides on the west coast, in Los Angeles, the cinema Mecca of America; although it's been almost 10 years since he last directed a theatrically-released feature length film - 2004's Never Die Alone - much to his chagrin. It's certainly not due to a lack of ideas (he has several), but rather the age-old lack of financing dilemma that challenges many-a-filmmaker's dream.
Although Dickerson is certainly not deterred.
Directing for TV has provided him with all his employment opportunities over the last decade, helming episodes of countless hit serials like The Wire, CSI: Miami, ER, Dexter, Treme, and, of course, most recently, AMC's zombie blockbuster, The Walking Dead, as well as the pilot for a new AMC series, Low Winter Sun, bringing Dickerson back to working within his favorite genres: horror, thriller, along with science fiction, and action - all genres that, as he expressed, he'd love to see more black filmmakers explore more often.
But the unassuming Dickerson isn't exactly one for stump speeches or rallying cries, nor does he crave the spotlight. Ultimately it's all about the work and family for him. And at 61 years old, with roughly 30 years of industry experience, he's certainly assured of his abilities, and seems relatively comfortable with his accomplishments, and general station in life.
However, from our conversation, I got the impression that he's on the verge of a rebirth of sorts, as awareness of and appreciation for his abilities and accomplishments grow (in part due to the success of The Walking Dead, which he directed some of the most memorable episodes of), bringing him even closer to seeing a handful of intriguing completed screenplays realized on film.
It was about a month ago, that I spoke with Ernest Dickerson in a conversation that lasted about an hour, addressing a wide range of topics, from his years as an undergrad under Haile Gerima's tutelage, to his years working with Spike Lee, his transition to directing, being taken seriously as a director, the age of digital cinema, industry challenges faced, and much more.
A summary of that interview follows on the next page:
13 Comments
Temi Olutunmbi | March 7, 2013 1:37 PM
Great interview, very interesting responses from an exceptional talent in the film industry. Like others I hope he can achieve more recognition as well as funding for Octavia Butler adaptation.
Jason Gilmore | March 6, 2013 9:29 PM
Great interview Tambay! Ernest's work as a DP & director is exceptional and it's great to hear him assess his career & process.
Teofilo Colon Jr | March 6, 2013 8:13 PM
Ernest Dickerson's warning about the digital format not lasting very long (relatively speaking) is something I wish more people would consider.
Teofilo Colon Jr.
Being Garifuna
Joe Doughrity | March 6, 2013 6:07 PM
Thank you sooooo much for this great piece Tambay! An amazing, revealing chat with one of my idols. Your work is appreciated and I look forward to more work by Ernest Dickerson in film and TV.
Julius | March 6, 2013 2:02 PM
Chameleon Street!!!
Dankwa Brooks | March 5, 2013 3:23 PM
Another great interview Mr. Obenson! Excellent as matter of fact!
Mr. Dickerson kicks realities on what if really means to be a known filmmaker and still trying to get films made. He also echoes what I feel that black filmmakers should propagate diverse images through ALL genres. Just make it good!
Donella | March 5, 2013 1:00 PM
Dickerson pretty much defined the 90s. Juice is very much overlooked. Anyone who can handle the blaze off Tupac's fire knows what he's doing.
urbanauteur | March 5, 2013 12:49 PM
GOLDEN EYE TITAN!!! who stands right along side SVEN NYKVIST-GORDON WILLIS-CONRAD HALL-JAMES WONG HOWE etc... ..;-)
Arch | March 5, 2013 11:49 AM
I really was looking forward to read this since you teased it last month or so ... thanks.
Sergio | March 5, 2013 10:10 AM
Terrific interview!
Micah | March 5, 2013 4:11 AM
Did anyone else notice the episodes that Michonne gets the best treatment in the Walking Dead are the episodes he directed? Just saying. This man has an enviable career. I hope that he gets the recognition and platform he deserves. He's definitely a hero of mine.
gate | March 4, 2013 11:31 PM
Ernest is the man. Period.
lamontpierre | March 4, 2013 10:45 PM
insightful and educational interview. much appreciation for his thoughts on us filmmakers diversifying and widening our approach to telling stories and crafting good cinema that is timeless. very interesting thoughts about digital as well.