By Benjamin Pola

After winning a Student Academy Award for her compelling film "The Dope Years: The Story of Latasha Harlins," SCA graduate Allison A. Waite remained committed to crafting authentic narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Diversifying her storytelling prowess, she ventured into the realm of commercial directing, embarking on an enriching creative journey.

In 2023, Waite was handpicked as one of five directors to join the esteemed Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP), a joint initiative between the AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers) and the DGA (Directors Guild of America), aimed at fostering inclusivity and amplifying the voices of minority and women directors in the realm of commercials and marketing communications.

Reflecting on her experience in the fellowship, Waite shared, “Rarely do you ever have a step by step run through of how commercials are directed. It’s a very gate-kept industry to me and also something we don’t really study at USC, but I think there is so much beauty in short form work and being able to impact somebody in a few minutes. And the program did a great job of simplifying what you need to know if you are going to get into this industry.”

 

Through the CDDP fellowship, Waite was paired with the Wieden + Kennedy Ad Agency in New York and a mentoring firm, Florence, based in Los Angeles. Determined to push herself creatively, Waite presented an innovative concept focused on Black experiences globally to Delta Airlines, a flagship client of Wieden + Kennedy, aiming to create a significant impact through her craft.

“My entrance into film was growing up Black. So, I make stories about growing up Black in various parts of the world. I like telling international stories and how people understand their race and place in the world,” says Waite. This sentiment reverberates in Waite’s Delta commercial, narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis. 

Continuously seeking fresh avenues for creative expression, Waite is presently developing a feature script set in Senegal. Waite’s guidance for aspiring filmmakers is to, “cultivate specificity in your work.” Discovering a distinctive style or perspective that resonates personally is key to longevity and success in the industry.
  
Explore the CDDP Fellowship and delve deeper into Allison A. Waite’s journey: http://www.cddprogram.org/

About Allison A. Waite:



Allison A. Waite is an award-winning director and cinematographer. She obtained her MFA from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in Film & Television Production with a cinematography concentration as a George Lucas Foundation Scholar. Allison studied cinematography at AFI’s inaugural Women in Cinematography Intensive. She also obtained a B.A. from Hampshire College where she maintained an interdisciplinary major of Film/Video production and Africana Studies. Allison has most recently received recognition such as the DGA Directorial Achievement Award and a Student Academy Award for her film The Dope Years: The Story of Latasha Harlins. Filmmaking is her activism tool of choice; she aims to give unresolved stories a voice and spark connections within her community.