M. David Lee III

Infobox actor
name = M. David Lee III


caption =Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, DP, M. David Lee III
birthplace = Champaign, IL
years active = 1977 - present

M. David Lee III, (1965- ) is an award-winning American film director, producer, writer, editor and director of photography. Lee is noted for his use of a version of the Dogme95 [ [http://www.dogme95.dk/ Dogme95] ] principals originally developed by Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg in his films. His production company, Triple Sticks Productions, has produced four feature films since 1997 and several short films dating back to the late ‘70s. TSP is also distributing their film, "Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!" Lee also is a sports anchor with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Early life and film career:

Lee was born on September 14, 1965, in Champaign, Il. He is the son of E. Ann Whittington, owner of Ambience Custom Flora design, and M. David Lee, FAIA, principal architect and owner of Stull and Lee, Inc. Architect & Planning [ [http://www.stullandlee.com Stull & Lee Incorporated Architect & Planning] ] in Boston, MA. The elder Mr. Lee is also adjunct professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Lee moved with his family to Philadelphia, PA, then to Watertown, MA, before settling in Brookline, MA As a child, his mother nicknamed him "Scooter." In Brookline, “Scooter” attended Pierce Elementary School and Brookline High School. Lee enrolled in the University of Massachusetts where he graduated in three years with a B.A. degree in Filmmaking, Japanese and Advertising. At the age of 21, Lee enrolled in Humboldt State University, but left after one semester . He then moved to Los Angeles where he worked for Love Connection as a production assistant and Larry Flynt Publications in the research department.

In 1988, Lee returned to Humboldt County, Arcata, CA, and worked for KREQ television as a salesman, and eventually as production manager. It was in this capacity he won a Telly Award for a 1989 commercial entitled “In the Mood.” In 1990 Lee moved to Santa Maria, CA, and worked KCOY television, first as a promotions producer and then as weekend sports anchor -- in addition to producing commercials and promotions. In 1991 Lee won his second Telly Award for a promotional spot called “Safe and Sound.” He also wrote, directed and starred in a short film, “My Law/ Your Order” in 1991. That same year, Lee moved to Anaheim, CA, to work for KDOC. He started as a promotional producer and fill -in sports anchor then became the promotional director. During his time at KDOC, Lee shot a film featuring, Regan Burns entitled “Black and White Makes: Grey.”

In 1993, Lee moved to San Jose, CA, and became the weekend sports anchor at KNTV. He was promoted three years later to Sports Director and stayed in that position until December 1998. While at KNTV, Lee made six films, including two features, "1-900" and "3 Days… 3 Hours… 3 Minutes… 3 Seconds…".

Lee then taught drama and radio at Leland High School in San Jose. In 2001, he co-directed with Johnny DePalma [ [http://www.johnnydepalma.com/ Johnny DePalma] ] and produced, “Enamored” for Picture Show Productions in Los Gatos, CA.

The following year, Lee moved to Memphis, TN, to serve as sports director at WHBQ-TV Fox-13. In Memphis, Lee made two films, "Dog Me: Potluck" and "Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!"

"Dog Me: Potluck" followed the Dogme95 Principals laid out by Von Trier and Vinterberg. In his one violation of those rules, Lee used music by such artists as Sofia Sunseri and Aron Ford Lee.

With “Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!” Lee used a modified version of the Dogme95 principals. Lee’s company, Triple Sticks Productions, currently is distributing the completed film, with extras.

Personal Life:

Married once and divorced, Lee has one daughter. His brother, Aron Ford Lee is a musician currently in the band, “House of Echo” and can be heard in two of his brother’s films,“Dog Me: Potluck” and “Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!”

Honors, Awards and Nominations:

1998 Telly Award, “In The Mood”1991 Telly Award, “Safe and Sound”1991 Santa Maria Arts Council Award for best film, “My Law/ Your Order”2004 [http://www.triplestickspro.com/Web.html "Dog Me: Potluck,"] was selected as the “2004 Bare Bones Script-2-Screen Independent Film Festival” Best Feature Film. In addition to the Grand Jury selection as the festivals top film, Producer/Writer/Director/D.P./Editor M. David Lee III was presented with the "Oscar Micheaux Spirit Award" for his work on [http://www.triplestickspro.com/Web.html "Dog Me: Potluck"] The Oscar Micheaux Spirit Award is not given annually, but only when the Grand Jury identifies and chooses to honor an exceptional filmmaker. (Oscar Micheaux web site)

Filmography:

1991, “My Law/ Your Order,” short1993, “Black and White: Makes Grey,” in rough-cut form only1994, “Jessica Knows,” short1994, “Behind the Lens… The Making of Jessica Knows,” documentary1997, [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262193/ “1-900,”] 1997, “1-900: Between The Lines,” documentary1999, [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262193/ “3 Days… 3 Hours… 3 Minutes… 3 Seconds…,”] 1999, “3 Days… 3 Hours… 3 Minutes… 3 seconds…: The Story Behind the Film”, documentary2001, “Enamored,” in rough-cut form only2003, [http://www.triplestickspro.com/Web.html “Dog Me: Potluck] ”2003, “Dog Me: Potluck,” Featurette2006, [http://www.triplestickspro.com/Mainpage.html “Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!"] 2006, “Slow Down… You’re Dating Too Fast!,” Featurette

References:

External links

*imdb name|0496733
*MySpace|filmstsp|Triple Sticks Productions
* [http://www.triplestickspro.com Triple Sticks Productions]
* [http://triplesticksproductions.blogspot.com/ The Inside Skinny Triple Sticks Productions Blogspot]
* [http://www.triplestickspro.com/MemphisMagpress.html Memphis Magazine]
* [http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1997/sep/09-04-97/arts/arts9.html Michigan Daily Story of "3 Days..."]
* [http://www.filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=493 Film Threat review of "3 Days..."]
* [http://www.jackasscritics.com/interview.php?int_key=7 Jackass Critics interview of M. David Lee III]
* [http://diyfilmmaker.blogspot.com/2008/07/hung-out-with-m-david-lee-iii-one-of.html DIY Filmmaker Sujewa Interview of M. David Lee III]
* [http://www.triplestickspro.com/3dayssalt.html Side Show Interview M. David Lee III]