KIMISHA RENEE DAVIS
ABOUT
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I am Kimisha Renee Davis! I am a Los Angeles based writer, director, and cinematographer and I shoot narrative films and commercials. I am dedicated to telling diverse stories, especially ones that: are female centric, feature BIPOC characters, and explore the developing intersection of African diaspora culture with technology.
I am all about positive vibes and I love creating dynamic visual storytelling through: screenwriting, detailed character development, selecting and manipulating lenses and cameras, composition, color design, and painting with light. Thus bringing beautiful stories to life.
I am a film student. I am majoring in directing with an emphasis in cinematography in the division of Film and Television Production at the University of Southern California. I was awarded the USC Grant and the FAO Scholarship to attend the School of Cinematic Arts.
I was recently awarded the NAACP N-SPIRE Scholarship to attend USC. I was chosen as a Directing Fellow, for the Respectability Entertainment Lab, sponsored by: The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, A&E, Final Draft, The Harnisch Foundation, the Murray/Reese Foundation, and the Pop Culture Collaborative. I was invited to attend American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women: The Interchange. I was awarded a scholarship to attend Directing: Visual Storytelling at Sundance Institute Collab. I received a SLED Grant to attend the Lighting for Film and Television Maine Media Workshop. I was awarded a grant from ZEISS Cinematography Lenses through Women in Media. I was selected to attend Sony EDU. I was sponsored by Panavision and RED Digital Cinema to attend the Cinematography Intensive for Women at American Film Institute. Additionally, I was named ‘A Rising Star in Cinematography’ by Anton Bauer.
I hire at least 50% women, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and disabled cast and crew members on every project. I champion inclusion riders to hire diverse film production employees in leadership positions above and below the line. Additionally, my sets are environmentally friendly to support efforts to end climate change.
I especially enjoy action, adventure, fantasy, science fiction, and super hero films. I am committed to creating ones that have super heroines, BIPOC characters, and Afrofuturistic themes in the forefront. I am in pre production on my short film "Prima" and I am in development on a feature film and television series.
I am committed to telling diverse stories that transform the world. To sum it up, I'm super grateful for my blossoming career, where I'm having opportunities to contribute my creative skills in films, commercials, branded content, and social media. I am looking forward to connecting with other like minded collaborators and making a positive contribution.
P.S.
I designed this site myself. Hope you enjoy!
Gratitude,
KRD
"I am committed to telling diverse stories
that transform the world!"
-Kimisha Renee Davis
eXPERIENCE //
PREMIERE
95%
PRO TOOLS
70%
FINAL DRAFT
95%
AFTER EFFECTS
80%
PHOTOSHOP
70%
ILLUSTRATOR
75%
RESOLVE
80%
WIX
95%
SERATO
90%
Cameras //
DIGITAL
Arri: Alexa, Alexa Mini, Amira,
LF, LF Mini, SXT, and XT
Blackmagic: Cinema
Canon: 5D Mark III
Panasonic: AG-HPX372, EVA1, and VariCam 35
Panavision: DXL2
Red: Epic W, Scarlet, Ranger, and Komodo
Sony: AS7 II, FS5, FS7, and Venice
FILM
Arri: Arriflex 16 and 416, Arriflex 35 BL
Bolex: Super 16
Panavision: Panaflex Millennium XL2
LENSES //
Angenieux
Arri
Atlas
Canon
Cooke Optics
Fujinon
Hawk
Kowas
Leica
Nikon
Panavision
P+S Technik
Service Vision Scorpio
Sigma
Vantage
Zeiss
Stabilizers//
Easyrig
Ready Rig Movi/Ronin (In Training)
Steadicam Flyer LE (In Training)
education //
2021
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Directing Major/Emphasis in Cinematography
Film and Television Production
School of Cinematic Arts
USC African American Cinema Society
(USC Grant , FAO Scholarship, and the
NAACP N-SPIRE Scholarship)
Expected Graduation Date: 05.01.2023
2021
respectability entertainment lab
Directing Fellow
(Sponsored by: The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, A&E, Final Draft, The Harnisch Foundation, the Murray/Reese Foundation, and the Pop Culture Collaborative.)
2020
Sundance institute
Sundance Collab
Directing: Visual Storytelling
(Sundance Institute Collab Scholarship)
2018-2020
ART CENTER
COLLEGE OF DESIGN
Cinematography Major/Directing Minor
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Creativist
(Dean's List, Mentorship Program,
Art Center Scholarship, H B Edwards Endowed Scholarship, Joseph and Rebecca Lacko Scholarship, and Ray Charles Fund Minority Scholarship)
2019
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE
Cinematography Intensive for Women
(Sponsored by Panavision and RED)
(Certificate)
2019
ASC
crane & remote head workshop
(Sponsored by Women in Media,
Cinemoves, Panavision, and the ASC)
2017
Garnish Music Production School
Electronic Music DJ Major
(Certificate)
2008-2009
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Fashion Design Major
(1st Place Cotton Inc. Scholarship)
2021
american film
institute
Directing Workshop for Women: The Interchange
2020
main media workshops
Lighting for Film and Television
(SLED Grant)
2019
SONY EDU
Commercial Workshop
(Sponsored by Sony)
2019
ARRI LIGHTing
CLASS SEMINAR
(Sponsored by Cinegear, the ASC, and ARRI)
2016-2017
Cincinnati State
Audio/Video Production Major
(Summa Cum Laude, 4.0 GPA, Dean’s List, Runner Up College Movie Festival, Associate’s Diploma)
2014
Landmark Education
The Forum, Advanced Course,
Self ExpressionLeadership Program,
and Causing the Miraculous Seminar Series
2004-2007
Carnegie Mellon University
Acting Major
(Spokesmodel, Admissions Assistant, and Residential Assistant)
2001-2004
School for
Creative &
Performing Arts
Acting/Vocal Music/Musical Theatre Major
(High School Diploma)
ORGANIZATIONS //
USC AFRICAN AMERICAN CINEMA SOCIETY
MEMBER
Founded by reknown writer/director, John Singleton, the mission of the African-American Cinema Society is to highlight and promote art and artists who are invested in showcasing complex and sophisticated representations of blackness and the black diaspora.
sundance
Institute
MEMBER
Sundance Institute Collab Scholarship recipient.
Sundance Institute supports and champions independent artists because they believe their stories and perspectives are essential to a thriving, informed and connected society. They provide safe and nurturing spaces where artists can develop and share new work while building networks and community with one another.
film
independant
MEMBER
Film Independant is a non-profit arts organization that champions the independent filmmaker.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMA-
TOGRaPHERS
FRIEND
The American Society of Cinematographers, founded in Hollywood in 1919, is a cultural, educational, and professional organization for cinematographers.
society of
camera
operators
MEMBER
The Society Of Camera Operators was founded in 1979 under the name Society of Operating Cameramen. Its primary mission is to advance the art, craft and creative contribution of the camera operator in the motion picture and television industries.
sporas
MEMBER
Sporas is a platform for cinematographers, directors, and film technicians of color.
WOMEN
IN
FILM
MEMBER
Women In Film (WIF) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries – to achieve parity and transform culture. Founded in 1973, WIF provides members with camaraderie, networking opportunities, educational programs, scholarships, grants, film finishing funds, access to employment opportunities and mentorships.
WOMEN
IN
MEDIA
MEMBER
ZEISS Cinematography Lenses grant winner.
Women In Media encourages gender balance in film and entertainment industries by providing networking, professional development, and advocacy for above and below the line women and the people who love making movies with them.
primetime
MEMBER
Primetime is a vetted visibility platform for all women working above and below the line behind the camera, campaigning for gender equality across every department in the Entertainment Industry.