|
World Changers
Other Cool Places |
SPIKE LEE:
The African American Filmmaker
Childhood Years Shelton Jackson Lee was born in Atlanta, GA, on March 20, 1957. He was the oldest of five children. He was nicknamed "Spike," because his mother, Jacquelyn Lee, thought he was a tough baby. When Spike Lee was two years old, his family moved to New York City, so his father, jazz bassist Bill Lee, could better his career as a musician. Lee grew up in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, where he still lives today. His mother Jacquelyn Lee taught art and literature at a private school in Brooklyn. Lee and his younger siblings were fortunate in having an opportunity to attend the school where their mother taught for free. Lee was not always driven to be a filmmaker; when he was younger he wanted to become a professional athlete. He was often very busy organizing games in the neighborhood. However, this dream never came true because of his size. Growing up in the Lee household, the children were all taught to love and have pride in their African-American culture. With their father being a jazz musician and their mother's love for theater and music, the Lee children were exposed to the arts at a very young age. Although both parents loved music and the arts, they didn't try to force their children into this particular field.
College Years After graduating in 1979, Lee enrolled in a master's degree program at New York University's prestigious film school. Lee worked hard to finish graduate school. Following his desire to become a filmmaker, Lee began to prepare himself to one day make his dreams come true. Lee's first project in graduate school seemed to have caused a lot of trouble for him, almost to the point of being kicked out of school. His project made his professors and the school's program director highly upset. Despite all of the trouble, Lee managed to get through this dilemma and stay in the program. In 1982, his final year at school, things turned around for him. Instead of being badly criticized for his work, Lee received a student Academy Award for his final project, Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads. This film was so successful and created such a good impression, that it was broadcast throughout the country on public television during 1983 and 1984. After graduating from graduate school, Lee tried hard to get started on his first professional project. The success of his final project opened many doors for him, and many talent agencies were interested in him. Lee, however, was disappointed because of the lack of work they had given him. This is where he learned to go out and do it alone, and he relied on himself and no one else. The Doomed Project In 1984, Lee finished his script for his first feature film, titled Messenger. This project was doomed from the start, partly because Lee did not have enough money. Lee had his cast and crew all together for the movie; together they all watched Mesenger fall apart. Lee was ashamed and disappointed, because he let down everyone who put their trust in him. Eventually he had the strength to pull himself together. He learned a valuable lesson and he promised to never again make the mistakes he made in Messenger. Spike's First Successful Film In 1986, after Lee's first unsuccessful attempt to make a movie, he begun his new project, She 's Gotta Have It. From the start, he knew money would be a problem. This time around, he was wiser and better equipped to handle this kind of situation. In the end She's Gotta Have It was more successful, despite all the problems he went through to bring this movie out. Lee remained strong-willed and determined.
In his third film, Lee turned the camera into a different perspective. This time he was focusing on color prejudice. Do the Right Thing sparked a lot of controversy among most of Lee's critics. The critics feared that violence and riots would be a result from Lee's movie. This movie caused him so much controversy that he was constantly in the spotlight for over a year. Lee was slightly disappointed that he was not rewarded for this film at the Academy Awards ceremony. Despite all the harsh treatment he received from this film, Lee continued to move on, unshaken.
Conclusion Lee is known for all of his hard work and determination. He has an eye for what he wants and stands his ground. Lee is an outspoken writer and director. He is also known to be one of America's most controversial filmmakers. He earned this title because most of his films attempt to portray African-Americans in a more realistic light rather than the superficial, sterotypical roles often portrayed by the film industry. Lee has worked hard to become a success. He made goals for himself and accomplished them. He did not let anyone or anything stand in his way. Lee has helped open the door for many other inspiring filmmakers. He let the film industry know that African-Americans can be successful at filmmaking.
School Daze (1988) Do the Right Thing (1989) Mo Better Blues (1990) Jungle Fever (1990) Malcolm X (1992) Crooklyn (1994) Clockers (1995) Girl 6 (1996) Get On the Bus (1997) He Got Game (1998)
Further Reading
Haskins, J. Spike Lee: By Any Means Necessary. New York: Walker Publishing Company, Inc., 1997.
Web Sites
|
Controversy
