Spike Lee: Behind The Lens Award,(Vanessa Williams, Roger S)

BlackTree TV Personality, Ameerah Banks, hits the star studded red carpet for the Chrysler Behind The Lens Award, honoring Spike Lee. In this segment she talks to Roger G. Smith and Vanessa A. Williams.

Chrysler LLC Honors Spike Lee
with the Sixth Annual Behind the Lens Award
CNN's Soledad O'Brien to Host
· Spike Lee is one of today's most prolific and respected artists who helped launch the careers of stars including Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro, Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington
· Behind the Lens Award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of individuals working behind the camera in film and television
· Lee joins previous recipients Quincy Jones, John Singleton, Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks and Reuben Cannon

(Auburn Hills, Michigan) -- Spike Lee, one of the most influential figures in contemporary cinema, has been named the Chrysler LLC 2008 Behind the Lens honoree. Lee, a director, producer, screenwriter, author and educator, is to be recognized for his outstanding achievements in film and television at the sixth annual award ceremony. Hosted by CNNs anchor Soledad O'Brien, the private invitation-only event will be held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles on March 26, 2008.

"We are very excited to have Spike Lee as the Behind the Lens Honoree for 2008," said Frank Fountain, Chrysler Senior Vice President - External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills). "Spike Lee is synonymous with thoughtful and provocative filmmaking and activism in Hollywood which has inspired a generation of filmmakers, uplifted actors and expanded the field to include many more African Americans in key roles behind the lens. He fully embodies the spirit behind this award and Chrysler is delighted to celebrate his commitment and passion."

Furthering his commitment to education, Lee visualized and supports the Morehouse College School of Sports Journalism, a program created to expand the very powerful and lucrative field of sports journalism to the small percentage of African Americans currently working in it today. The program, which began with seed money donated by Lee, launched its first course offerings in January 2007. A graduate of Morehouse, class of 1979, Lee is a 3rd generation Morehouse graduate and now serves on the school's Board of Trustees. To date, his efforts have raised over $1,000,000 to benefit the program.
2008 will mark Lee's Broadway debut when he directs a new production of "Stalag 17," the 1951 comedy-drama about American prisoners of war written by two former P.O.W.'s. Lee's next feature film, "Miracle at St. Anna," based on the bestselling author James McBride's novel, will be released in theatres Fall 2008.

http://www.blacktree.tv

A BlackTree Media Production

Produced by Jamaal Finkley of BlackTree TV

Camera Earl Crowe

Hosted by Ms. Ameerah Banks

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• entertainment
• news
• Celebrities
• Red
• carpet
• spike
• lee
• roger
• smith
• vanessa
• williams
• BlackTree
• Media

[AAu99]

Vanessa is hott...

[Cheetah4750]

Great for Spike but he should come and teach her how to hold the mike close to the people she asked questions too so we can hear the answers.

[tanio12]

I meant to say Spike's documentary on New Orleans was absolutely incredible and he is and will be one of the pioneers of filmmaking period not just black filmaking congrats Spike you deserve it.

[tanio12]

Congrats Spike the documentary on New Orleans was absolutely

[PopUpMagnet]

aw sweet im first