My
days behind the camera started with filming dogs, and I feel if I only have one more picture in me then this would be it!
(Not that I plan on this being the last, ha.)
Here we have a list of some of the people who I have worked with. We have also included pictures and description
of my background and interests.
Foster V. Corder
I have helped a lot
of filmmakers and other artist get started and for that, I am at peace. Foster V. Corder Foster
Corder lays claim to
many 'firsts' in his long and successful career as an award-winning photographer, filmmaker,
producer and entertainment
executive. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The Chicago Academy of Fine
Arts, Corder opened Fosters Pet
and Animal Photography studio, becoming the first African-American to do so. The
business was an instant success. His
high profile clients included the Kal Kan companies and Carnation. The latter
putting Corder on a nationwide tour to
photograph racehorses and award-winning canines. Seeking new creative
challenges, Corder dissolved his company and created
Blackbird Films. He assembled a team of established and up and
coming directors for such clients as McDonalds and the
California Lottery. His staff included world-renowned
director Gordon Parks as well as then newcomers, Kevin Hooks,
Forrest Whitaker and Bill Duke and others.
Concurrently, Corder began a professional relationship with the legendary
NBA star, Wilt Chamberlain that would
last until Chamberlain's death. Besides co-writing a number of films with
Wilt, Foster co-produced the documentary,
'The Amazing Feats of Wilt Chamberlain" and served as a consultant
on many projects involving 'The Big Dipper'
Never one to pass up an opportunity, Corder was commissioned by
Paramount Pictures to pen a screenplay entitled
'The Cats,' based on his life story. Having forged his birth
certificate at just fifteen-years of age, 'The Cats'
chronicled Foster's 13 months of active duty in Vietnam.
A true survival story. As a member of the WGA, Foster has
written and sold other film screenplays such as, 'The
Paper Boy', 'Smokey', The Sons of Dolemite', 'Heads You
Win/Tails I Lose' (The Ike Turner Story).
Based on the success of Blackbird, Capitol Records made Corder a career
offer he couldn't refuse when he was named
Director of Video Production, becoming the first African-American hired
as a film executive in the record industry.
During his tenure at Capitol, Corder supervised a staff that would
swell to hundreds of cast and crew members relevant
to the production's completion. Corder produced music videos for
Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt and the
highly successful, 'Too Legit to Quit' and 'Addams Groove'
starring M.C. Hammer, as well as many others.
Again feeling the entrepreneur creative spirit, Corder left Capitol
Records to produce, direct, and photograph 'The
Legend of Dolemite,' starring the aforementioned comedic legend.
