Gary T. Smith

Gary T. Smith (a native Atlantan) is descended from of a long line of Georgians, dating back before the Civil War. He was raised in a typical middle class family, his father a baking industry executive and his mother a stay-at-home mom. In 1971 (while still a high school student), he was hired by Atlanta's TV46. After working a short time as station courier and film department assistant, he became a studio camera operator and started learning the language of film that he uses on his on productions today. Gary is committed to his home state and its film community. The stories he writes take place in Georgia and his latest project (the feature film "The Engagement Ring") will be lensed entirely in the state. In addition to "The Engagement Ring", Gary is working on a supernatural thriller, "The Dark", as well as a Civil War drama (planned for release in time for the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the conflict). In 1976, Gary married the former Vicki Irene Greer ("the love of my life"). They have 3 children. He was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1993, and is a commissioned officer in Georgia's State Defense Force, which (along with the National Guard and Air National Guard) is the third branch of the Georgia Department of Defense. In 2010, Gary was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. He has undergone two surgeries (one to remove his kidney and one to remove malignant nodules from his left lung). He continues treatment, but (a believer in the miraculous) expects a "real miracle of healing."