Smitha Lee, a filmmaker hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, has come a long way since he started out as a dancer and actor for small productions around Greenville. His love for storytelling eventually led him to film, where he fell in love with both photography and filmmaking. Today, Smitha Lee is the owner of Smithalee.com, a company that empowers creatives in South Carolina by giving them opportunities to work behind the camera.
One of Smitha Lee’s primary goals in the industry is to have a production company that hires 50% of South Carolina talent behind the camera. He believes that there is an abundance of untapped talent in his state, and he wants to give them a chance to showcase their skills.
Despite working in a small market, Smitha Lee’s dedication to his craft and his passion for empowering others has enabled him to overcome the challenges of being overlooked by larger markets such as Atlanta. Smitha Lee is proud of paying creatives to work full-time in their arts, and he has two full-time workers who are living examples of his commitment to supporting South Carolina talent.
One of Smitha Lee’s biggest inspirations is Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, whose dedication to finding a “yes” instead of a “no” has inspired him to push himself further. Smitha Lee wants his clients to take away from his business the assurance that their brand or idea was taken care of to the best of his ability.
Currently, Smitha Lee is working on a short film dealing with an older couple separated by love. He has collaborated with Javon Johnson from Tyler Perry’s Oval in the past, and if he could collaborate with anyone in the industry, it would be YC Imaging, a creative from YouTube.
Aside from his business, Smitha Lee loves telling the stories of undiscovered talents, and he enjoys meeting people who are still climbing the ladder in the creative industry. His passion for storytelling fuels his love for both filmmaking and photography, and he believes that the power of storytelling is what drives him to create.
In conclusion, Smitha Lee’s journey in the creative industry has been one of passion, dedication, and empowerment. His goal to empower South Carolina talent is not only admirable but also inspiring. Smitha Lee’s commitment to his craft and his desire to make a difference in his community make him a role model for aspiring filmmakers and creatives alike.
