R. Michael Givens

R. Michael Givens, born March 19 1958 in Anderson, South Carolina, is an American film director and cinematographer.

Biography

Michael Givens is a Director/Cinematographer with extensive feature film and commercial production experience at both the national and international levels. He was an internationally respected Director of Photography for nine years before beginning his directorial career in 1989. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, Michael began his career as a still photographer. Subsequently, he moved into film, becoming a Director of Photography for such noted directors as Ridley Scott, Steven Friers, Philip Borsos and Peter Smilie. After guiding his career in the camera Department Of numerous feature films and hundreds of commercials he moved to the field of directing.

Recognizing the need for different visual styles to reflect and speak to different cultures, Michael has created successful campaigns for audiences in Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America. While filming in nearly every corner of the globe, Michael’s reputation as a director-cameraman easily adaptable to difficult and hostile locations, earned him the distinction of being the first western director to film in Vietnam since the end of the war.

Michael’s feature film credits include directing and photographing the second unit for Coyote Ugly and Cinematographer on Rebel Private and The Celestine Prophecy. Michael directed and photographed Opposite Day, a feature film starring French Stewart, Pauli Shore and [...] van Patton.

In July 2008, Michael was elected to serve as the Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia at the National Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is a member and former Commander of the South Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

He now lives in Beaufort South Carolina with two children: Olivia and Chandler. He is happily married to Nicole Givens. She works as a principal for Trinity Classical Academy. Both children attend Trinity. This is a wonderful school that provides amazing education on Tuesday and Friday to home-school children providing a "time off" for the parents. This school is appreciated by many.