Scott W Lee
Each and every photo says something, every exposure and every frame of every shot Scott takes gets him one step closer to the perfection he is looking for, the ability to clearly tell his story.
From a tiny town in Kansas where he learned to swing a bat and entertain himself with little more than a tin can and a tennis ball, Scott would one day travel the globe looking for a reason to live his life. He was interested in little that the small town had to offer and outside of playing pro ball he didn’t have a clear vision for what his future would hold. Growing up on Star Wars, Jaws and the Breakfast Club made its impact and created an unconscious desire to create original stories and tell them through his lens.
After an honorable tour in the Marine Corps Scott landed in North Carolina, fate would put him closer to telling his story aloud. A writing teacher encouraged him to submit an essay to a national writing contest and Scott won a cash prize that would propel him into writing with confidence.
The writing confidence was there but the opportunity was not recognized and Scott turned to another talent he has leaned upon many times, acting. Whether it is just telling a story with character and passion or really understanding what his motivation was, Scott was always an actor. So after signing with a talent agency he began to pick up background extra work. The chance to tryout for a major role or even a minor speaking role would not be found in Charlotte. So, Scott did what any independent minded soul would do, he made his own roles.
He began working with other actors he met while holding down the background parts. He took classes and signed up to be a producer at the Charlotte Public Access Television station. It wasn’t long before he had his first feature length film (shot on VHS) in the can and ready for viewing. But it was a long way from where he wanted it to be and a far cry from the cinematography he remembered in his youth. So, he practiced and fell into an internship at a local film production company.
Scott learned from the best the market had to offer; Joanne Hock, Jeff Smith and Bob Newcomb, all experts in their craft of directing the film. Local producer, Heidi Dove became a friend and mentor as Scott’s editing abilities began to grow. In a very short time Scott would become a freelance editor at the top of his game and in demand throughout the Southeast.
Despite the successful editing career Scott had carved out he had more to say and more to do. Telling his stories had always been his goal so he did what he knew to do, he started shooting again. He would hook up with local bands to help them produce music videos. The quality wasn’t there, but still he would show up and practice his craft. He was beginning to find his way in Charlotte until an opportunity in Wilmington, NC would move him closer to film and onto the lot of the biggest motion picture studio on the East Coast.
Having an office on the Screen Gems lot offered an array of close calls and some opportunity. Scott would actually call upon a talent that had been lying dormant for years, acting. He played an editor in the last season of Dawson’s Creek. After a few jobs working on the set for CBS and in the company of bright young directors, editors and writers he was called again, this time by a small production company in Knoxville, TN. They wanted someone to head up their production and post-production team. Never one to shy away from an adventure he took the part.
For two years Scott would be the Director of Production on the US Poker Championship, Date Plate, Tattoo Masters and over 300 hours of cable programming. His knowledge of production grew, but his insatiable appetite for producing original content was not being satisfied. So, like before, Scott called upon the local musicians to find a creative outlet.
In 2004, Scott shot a video for Knoxville based band 10 Years. The song, “Wasteland” would prove to be a hit and the video would launch Scott into the limelight in a virile music scene.
Scott would go on to shoot more than a dozen videos and be tapped by Universal Music Group and Razor and Tie records to produce videos for their bands. Soon he would have the means, the people and the story to put to film his first narrative story in almost ten years. The road was long, but the goal is still far from met. Static, a short film, written and directed by Scott showcases the experience that he has gathered along the journey his career has taken.
No matter how the film is met or where it might lead, one thing is certain, he will continue to tell his stories, gain knowledge and create original, independent content.