Spike Lee

Spike Lee

I. Intro

Spike Lee is one of the many directors who in my opinion always want to keep people alert. Lee is a film director, producer, writer and actor. He is with no question a very intelligent man that believes he has a responsibility to try and explain the world of black folks and other minorities in their most genuine form. When it comes to making films, he always fulfils his responsibility to show the behind the scenes black personnel who are underrepresented in an industry dominated by white people. I already in agree with his view on how he makes his films. In a quote from an online source, Spike Lee says, “I've never really thought of myself as a spokesperson for 35 million African Americans.... All my views have been solely my views, and I think that there are African American people who agree with me, but we also have African Americans who don't agree. I feel as though Spike Lee makes movies to capture people eyes and make them think and see what is really going on in a way. My favorite two films by him are 25th Hour and Do the Right Thing. Two very controversial films that have something to say to every race and creed. Spike Lee has made name for himself and a pretty good one at that.

II. Brief Bio

Shelton Jackson Lee aka Spike Lee was born March 20th, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. First of five to be born to Bill Lee, a jazz musician and Mary a school teacher. He moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York as a young child. There he attended John Dewy High School. As well as got his nick name of “Spike” from his mother. Morehouse College in Atlanta is where he earned his bachelors degree in mass communication, and attended Clark Atlanta College and took film classes. After moving back to New York he attended New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. While attending he made his first student film for his thesis called Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads. At NYU he received his Masters degree of Fine Arts in Film & Television. Lee was the first student to have his film shown in Lincoln Center’s New Films Festival. Having the film go on to win NYU’s prestigious Wasserman Award and a Student Academy Award.