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A renowned American filmmaker and cinematographer, Ernest Dickerson has mastered the art of "Writing with The Camera," using visuals as a powerful storytelling tool. His groundbreaking work in both film and television has earned him a respected place in the industry. Known for his collaborations with Spike Lee and his distinctive visual style, Dickerson’s films often explore themes of identity, social justice, and human resilience. With a career spanning decades, his influence on storytelling through the lens is undeniable, continuing to inspire new generations of filmmakers.
Also a long-standing member of the Directors Guild of America and the ASC, Dickerson inspires as one of Hollywood's leading creative minds and is bringing his expertise to the Dorothy Hirshon Artist-in-Residence hosted by the School of Media Studies from February 24-26, 2025.
To join us for the residency, please view the three events below and register for each individually.
Please note: Master classes are only open to New School students and alumni.
Presented by School of Media Studies at School of Public Engagement.
An Emmy, Peabody, and two-time Image Award-winning film and television veteran whose signature brand of visual storytelling has been entertaining movie and TV fans for more than thirty years. Dickerson’s extensive work on the silver screen and on television has successfully solidified him as one of Hollywood's top creative talents.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Dickerson earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University, after which he attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where Dickerson met filmmaker Spike Lee. The first film he photographed was Brother From Another Planet, then ultimately collaborated with Lee as Director of Photography on such classics as She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, and Malcolm X.
Dickerson’s 1992 feature directorial debut, which he also co-wrote, was JUICE, an urban drama whose social and cultural resonance continues to this day, and which launched the film careers of Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps. JUICE gave way to other big-screen credits, such as Surviving the Game, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, Bones, and Never Die Alone. Dickerson’s independent feature, Double Play, is based on the internationally acclaimed Frank Martinus Arion novel and was filmed on the island of Curaçao.
His work as a visionary filmmaker and storyteller has been showcased in some of the top television shows of the past decade, including hit series like The Wire, The Walking Dead, Treme, Dexter, Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, The Man in the High Castle, House of Cards, Seven Seconds, the second season premiere of HBO's Raised by Wolves, and FX’s hit series Godfather of Harlem, among many others. Along with directing, Dickerson has served as Executive Producer on DMZ and Interrogation. Some of Dickerson’s most recent television credits include NBC's The Irrational.
Dickerson, who is a long-standing member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
The Dorothy Hirshon Director-in-Residence program was established by the late New School Trustee Dorothy Hirshon, to honor and promote excellence and education of the filmmaking arts at The New School. Previous Hirshon Artists-in-Residence have included Christine Vachon, Mary Harron, Raoul Peck, Sean Baker, Laurie Anderson, John Cameron Mitchell, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, Benh Zeitlin, Ramin Bahrani, and John Waters.
Committed to amplifying diverse voices, The New School offers more than a thousand public programs and events each year, providing fresh perspectives and unique learning opportunities. These lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and performances feature prominent and emerging artists, activists, and thought leaders.
To receive updates about public programs and events at The New School, subscribe to our mailing list. Visit our Livestream and YouTube channels to watch select events live and recorded.
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