Amy Vincent

Amy Vincent was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied Theatre Arts and Film at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a BA in 1982. Her interest in lighting began with her work in the theatre, including lighting design for everything from Shakespeare to modern dance. Her studies also included extensive courses in Film History, Theory and Criticism, where she was introduced to the work of the German Expressionists F.W. Murnau, Fritz Lang and Karl Freund. It was the work of Freund that inspired Vincent to start shooting her own films. She also studied Photography, working predominantly in black and white for several years, shooting stills and working in the darkroom.

Vincent''''s first job in the movie business was winding through old silver nitrate prints in the Warner Bros. archives and cutting out deteriorated footage. That lead to a job as an Assistant Editor. Vincent remained in the post-production world for four years, becoming a member of the Editor''''s Guild. In 1987, she managed to get an internship in the Camera Department, eventually becoming a loader, becoming a Member of the International Cinematographer''''s Guild in 1988, and moving her way up through the ranks of the Union System. Vincent worked as an assistant for many years under such great cameramen as Robert Richardson, ASC; John Lindley, ASC; Darius Wolski, ASC; and Bill Pope. Her Camera Assistant credits include LITTLE MAN TATE, directed by Jodie Foster, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, directed by Oliver Stone, FIRE IN THE SKY, DYING YOUNG and FATHER OF THE BRIDE.

Vincent received an MFA in Cinematography from the AFI Conservatory in 1993. She worked as a Camera Operator on GRIDLOCK''''D, CLUELESS and FEELING MINNESOTA.

Vincent shot numerous short films after AFI, including TUESDAY MORNING RIDE which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1995. She shot her first feature film in 1996 (released 1997). It was EVE''''S BAYOU for director Kasi Lemmons. EVE''''S BAYOU went on to become the highest grossing independent film of the year in 1997.

Amy Vincent recently completed principal photography on THE CAVEMAN''''S VALENTINE starring Samuel L. Jackson, marking her second collaboration with EVE''''S BAYOU director Kasi Lemmons. THE CAVEMAN''''S VALENTINE was the Gala Opening Night Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2001 and is now in theatres.

Vincent teamed up with director Phil Alden Robinson to shoot TNT''''s FREEDOM SONG, starring Danny Glover and Vondie Curtis-Hall. She photographed her first anamorphic feature film in Africa last year. KIN, a love story set amidst the indigenous people of the remote deserts of Namibia, was directed by Elaine Proctor and stars Isaiah Washington, Miranda Otto and eight magnificent elephants. The film premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival this year and awaits American distribution. Ms. Vincent received a Golden Satellite nomination for her work on EVE''''S BAYOU and she was a two-time winner at the International Cinematographer''''s Guild Film Showcase. Her other credits include JAWBREAKER, SOME GIRLS, WAY PAST COOL and WALKING ACROSS EGYPT.

In addition to her feature work, Vincent has shot numerous commercials and music videos and remains active in the independent filmmaking community by participating in various workshops and seminars for new and young filmmakers.