S. Torriano Berry
Encyclopedia
Steven Torriano Berry is an award-winning American
film producer
, writer
and director
. He directed Noh Matta Wat!
, the first Belize
an dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.
, Berry was raised in Des Moines, Iowa. After receiving his Bachelor's degree at Arizona State University
, he entered the Master's program at UCLA
's prestigious film school. While at UCLA, Berry worked on numerous film and video projects including an award-winning short, Rich, in which he wrote, produced and directed as well as starred. On October 21, 2011, Rich was screened as part of a major film retrospective, "L.A. Rebellion:Creating a New Black Cinema," part of Pacific Standard Time:Art in L.A. 1945-1980.
Berry is currently an associate professor at Howard University
in Washington, D.C.
, where he directed the Indie
horror film, The Embalmer. It is considered one of the earliest examples of the "urban horror film." He is also the author of two books on black film.
Berry is a member of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. He directed Noh Matta Wat!
Noh Matta Wat!
Noh Matta Wat! is a Belizean dramatic television series. It airs locally on Great Belize Television ; Tropical Vision Limited and Krem Television ....
, the first Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an dramatic television series, which first aired on November 28 2005.
Background and career
A native of Kansas City, KansasKansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, Berry was raised in Des Moines, Iowa. After receiving his Bachelor's degree at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, he entered the Master's program at UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
's prestigious film school. While at UCLA, Berry worked on numerous film and video projects including an award-winning short, Rich, in which he wrote, produced and directed as well as starred. On October 21, 2011, Rich was screened as part of a major film retrospective, "L.A. Rebellion:Creating a New Black Cinema," part of Pacific Standard Time:Art in L.A. 1945-1980.
Berry is currently an associate professor at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he directed the Indie
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
horror film, The Embalmer. It is considered one of the earliest examples of the "urban horror film." He is also the author of two books on black film.
Berry is a member of Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity.
Film credits
- Black Independent Showcase, WHMM-TVWHUT-TVWHUT-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service member Public television station in the Washington, D.C. area. The station is owned and operated by Howard University, a historically black college. The studios are on the Howard University campus.-History:...
32, Washington D.C. - The Black Beyond Anthology Series
- The Light (half-hour TV movie), WPVI-TVWPVI-TVWPVI-TV, channel 6, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. WPVI has its studios located on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, and its transmitter is located in the...
6, Philadelphia - When It's Your Turn, WPVI Philadelphia
- The Embalmer
- Noh Matta Wat!, Belize (Channel 5/7/Krem Television)
Awards and recognition
- 1983: 2nd Place, Black American Cinema Society Award for Rich
- 1985: Honorable Mention, Black American Cinema Society Award for In the Hole
- 1990: First Place, Black American Cinema Society Award for The Light
- Black Horror Movie Hall of Fame