Rich Underwood

headshot of Rich Underwood

Lecturer
Television, Film, and New Media
School of Theatre, Television, and Film
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts

SDSU

Email

Primary Email: [email protected]

Phone/Fax

Primary Phone: 619-594-8861

Building/Location

Communication - 124E

Bio

Rich Underwood’s photographic and directorial career has taken him from Photojournalist to Cinematographer, Documentary Filmmaker, Commercial Director/Cameraman and Feature Film Director of Photography. His current emphasis is in Television Commercial and Branded Content. His cinematic work with lighting led to the development and contract for the Birdcage Lantern manufactured and sold by Chimera Lighting.

Underwood’s work has consistently garnished national and international acclaim. Over 60 festivals around the world have awarded and selected his films. Winning both Best American Director and Best Short Documentary in the London Director Awards as well as taking top prizes in the Sydney International Film Festival, Angeles Documentaries, San Diego International Film Festival, Last Shot Film Festival, World London Festival, New Media Film Festival and the Indie Short Fest.

Underwood is a recipient of the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award. In addition to Cinematography as his primary area of instruction, Rich teaches the thesis production classes in both the BA and MFA degree programs. He is also the curator of both the Howling Film Festival presenting short horror films for Halloween and the Valentine’s Film Festival. Rich created the program curriculum for the University of California San Diego’s Digital Arts Center and has been a faculty member of the world-renowned Maine Media Workshops.

Rich’s storytelling work in short screenplays “AM” and “Exposures” and his feature length script “Bumper Fish” have made Official Selection in 15 national and international screenwriting competitions including winning the H.G. Wells Silver Award for Best Short Film Screenplay. He is also a published author having penned “Roll!” for Focal Press ISBN978-0240808482.

Rich Underwood received a Bachelor’s of Science in Radio and Television from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Television, Film and New Media from San Diego State University.

You can view Rich Underwood’s work at http://www.filmspot.tv.