Charles M. West

Born 21 May 1972, Naples, Tx, although raised in Dallas, Tx, USA. Filming with such a creative eye and strong direction, Charles' style displays many influences. Some of them come from within the genre of drama and suspense, notably the work of M. Night Shyamalan, while others are external. He customarily uses creative shots with subtle movements, giving it what he likes to calls it as "...that cinematic look and feel. "His range of influences, from drama, suspense, comedy, to action makes him both hard to classify and more accessible to the wider audience for film projects. More commercially successful than most cinematographers in the Atlanta, Ga. Market, West's work consistently appealed to screenplay writers and television producers. By the end of filming his 2nd feature film (2010), starring movie veterans; Robin Givens and Greg Alan Williams, it was clear he was here to stay and that his reputation as a well respected filmmaker by this time was firmly established. West has filmed for The White House, NIKE, The CW Network, AOL, BET, CBS, TV One, Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, and Volkswagen just to name a few. He has filmed 8 episodes of 'Lauren Lake's Paternity Court': The CW Network. West has his first national animation project featuring celebrities such as Elizabeth Daily, Loretta Devine, Lisa Wu, Gary Owen, Angie Stone, and Jasmine Guy. As a child, West would always watch HBO at his grandmother's house in East Texas. It was there, at the age of 12, where he gained inspiration to want to write and produce movies. In May of 1989, West produced a :30 second commercial with his classmates, LaDeitra Adkins, Sonya Jones, Lelalois Hudson-Beard, for New York Seltzer and won first place in the State of Texas out of 400 submissions, under the leadership of Jim Hall. He and his classmates were recognized by the school district (Dallas.I.S.D.), The City Of Dallas, and The State of Texas Legislature. Although West studied still photography and cinematography as teenager at Skyline High School (1986-1990), it was decades later before he decided to make filming his full-time occupation. He attended Cedar Valley Community College for Audio and Recording Technology in 1995 and attended Dallas Baptist University in 1998 for Business and Communications. West has had a love for music since the age of 8. Playing on his sister's toy piano gave him early practice as to what he would be using later in life as a music producer. It runs within his family, like with the late blues legend: Z.Z. Hill. Charles always said that he would be the 2nd in his family to make it in the Music Business. Charles has worked with many local and national recording artists. He has penned hit songs, including songs for national recording artists Myron Williams & MDM and Voices and George "P-Funk" Clinton. He has toured both in the Secular and Gospel Music World. For several years, West has worked as an On-Air Personality, Promotions, and Program Director for KGGR 1040am, a local Gospel Radio Station in Dallas, Texas, where he was instrumental in breaking in new artists that are currently National. During his tenure at the radio station, he established many key relationships with ministers, gospel artists, and record labels. His creativity and marketing skills were very instrumental in the 2002 purchase of his competitor: KHVN 970am. Later that year, West launched his own Radio Station via the internet: KRGM.com Radio. West had just tapped into a new market: The Digital Era. He knew this would be the wave of the future. Radio and record labels were now in unfamiliar territory, but with West's help and direction, they have begun to adapt. West was so successful in his new endeavor that it landed him his own Gospel Television show: Gospel Groovez with Charles West, which aired for 3 seasons on UATV Network. In 2009, West sought outlets for his film creativeness in Atlanta, Ga.