Cinematographer/Dezo EL

Cinematographer, Director & Editor Dezo El is not only an undeniable force in the film arena, but ultimately a story teller at heart. Hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn - this ingenious cinematographer, director and editor's passion for art was ignited early on as a new art form called hip hop emerged from the New York City underground. Fueled by its grittiness and free expression, in the 80's - Dezo picked up a couple of brushes and cans of paint becoming a graffiti artist by the name of "Pit." In high school, after a run in with another "Pitt" from the 3YB click, Dezo changed his tag name to "ABC 2003." Always looking for the next challenge - he later become president of the student government and a valuable member of Alexander Hamilton's 1981 PSAL Championship Basketball team, which gave rise to future NBA players such as Carry Scurry, Andre Irvin and Jerry 'Ice' Reynolds. Along the way this art connoisseur steadily strived and used his eyes and ears as a lens to the streets. Synonymous to art itself, after graduating high school, Dezo quickly gravitated to the film scene. A mastermind in the making, he received formal training at The School of Visual Arts in New York City where he acquired a bachelor’s degree in film production. Cinematography would prove to be his first love. Once out of school he linked up with hip hop legend Fab Five Freddy where they collaborated on two projects. Dezo was brought on as the cinematographer on "My Philosophy," by KRS-One, and next was EPMD's, "I Shot the Sherriff." This impresario quickly began directing such rap groups as Nice n Smooth, Justice, Young Black Teenagers, Preacher Earl, Fugitive, Two Kings & A Cipher, and Father MC, just to name a few. History was in the making - during that time Dezo worked two seasons on NBC's "The Equalizer" as the parking coordinator. He also worked many jobs as a coordinator, and camera assistant gaining & absorbing as much knowledge and experience as possible. Continuing his climb up the ladder, Dezo worked on television shows such as "Law & Order" for two seasons, one season with veteran director, Earnest Dickerson. He also had the opportunity to work with world famous DPs, Nestor Alemendros, Vilmos Zigmond, Juan Ruiz Anchia, and Bobby Bartkowski. Other famous DPs include Frank Prinzi, Gus Mackris, and Theo Van Desante on "Rooftops," where Robert Wise, director of "Westside Story" directed his last picture. The big break would come while working with The Black Filmmakers Foundation, where he landed the DP Apprenticeship with Woody Omens A.S.C. on "Boomerang," starring Eddie Murphy. He soon joined I.A. Local 644 as a DP in 1991. That same year Dezo penned the article for the Source Magazine called " America 's Most Blunted" in 1991's year end issue. For the past seven years Dezo El has been living in Orlando , now back in New York , he has been busy as a cinematographer on numerous features, commercials, and music videos. With two screenplays ready for production, he is actively seeking a literary agent to help get them made. As his dreams come to fruition, Dezo continues to work relentlessly where he just shot a 90 min horror film called "A Camp Story," and "House Money," a drama where he was the DP and director for Eyes On You Entertainment. Other latest projects include movie, “Deceptional Love,” a love story and a documentary "Brownsville The Hip Hop Bricks," which he is currently editing.