Andrew Shapter
Encyclopedia
Andrew Shapter is a Texas
-born filmmaker, writer and photographer. He directed and co-wrote Before the Music Dies
, a documentary that examines the homogenization of the American music industry. Shapter has since gone on to direct a follow up film, Happiness Is
.
, and he majored from Texas State University in Political Science. In 1992 Shapter graduated from college, and he then went on to work as a professional photographer for 15 years before turning his attention to filmmaking./
, was directed and co-written by Andrew Shapter, and produced and co-written by Joel Rasmussen. The documentary was a homage to Shapter's brother, John, who had died shortly before the idea for the film was conceived. The cast includes many noteworthy musicians including Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, Branford Marsalis and Questlove. Shapter's follow up film, Happiness Is
, was released in 2009, and examines the American "pursuit of happiness
".
, Texas
with his wife Christina and daughter Faron West.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-born filmmaker, writer and photographer. He directed and co-wrote Before the Music Dies
Before the Music Dies
Before the Music Dies is a 2006 documentary film that criticizes the American music industry and the increasing commercialization of the art of music over the past thirty years...
, a documentary that examines the homogenization of the American music industry. Shapter has since gone on to direct a follow up film, Happiness Is
Happiness Is
Happiness Is is a 2009 documentary film that the examines the different interpretations of the "pursuit of happiness" in America. The film features interviews with notable personalities such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp as well has happiness authors Daniel...
.
Early work
Andrew Shapter was born in Fort Worth, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and he majored from Texas State University in Political Science. In 1992 Shapter graduated from college, and he then went on to work as a professional photographer for 15 years before turning his attention to filmmaking./
Photography
Over the last two decades, Shapter has been a free-lance photographer. He was twice voted "Best Photographer" by the readers of the Austin Chronicle. (Best of Austin: 2001: Readers: Media - AustinChronicle.com + Best of Austin: 1996: Readers: Arts & Entertainment - AustinChronicle.com). In 1998, Shapter began to establish himself as specialist in fashion photography, garnering work in several markets including Barcelona, London, New York and Los Angeles.Filmmaking
The 2006 documentary, Before the Music DiesBefore the Music Dies
Before the Music Dies is a 2006 documentary film that criticizes the American music industry and the increasing commercialization of the art of music over the past thirty years...
, was directed and co-written by Andrew Shapter, and produced and co-written by Joel Rasmussen. The documentary was a homage to Shapter's brother, John, who had died shortly before the idea for the film was conceived. The cast includes many noteworthy musicians including Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, Branford Marsalis and Questlove. Shapter's follow up film, Happiness Is
Happiness Is
Happiness Is is a 2009 documentary film that the examines the different interpretations of the "pursuit of happiness" in America. The film features interviews with notable personalities such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp as well has happiness authors Daniel...
, was released in 2009, and examines the American "pursuit of happiness
Pursuit of Happiness
Pursuit of Happiness is the thirteenth album from Arthur Loves Plastic and was released in 2006.- Awards :Pursuit of Happiness won the 2006 Wammie for Best Recording in the Electronica Category.- Release notes :...
".
Future films
Shapter is currently working on his first narrative film, The Teller and The Truth.Personal life
Shapter currently lives in his adopted home town AustinAustin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
with his wife Christina and daughter Faron West.