Speaker BIO – Jesse Vaughan – 30-time Emmy Award Winner
American Filmmaker Jesse Vaughan just completed his film “The Last Punch,” which chronicles Muhammad Ali’s last fight as seen through the eyes of first time promoter James Cornelius.
Before directing his first feature film Juwanna Mann for Warner Bros./Morgan Creek, starring Vivica A. Fox, Miguel Nunez and Tommy Davidson, American film director & producer Jesse Vaughan started his career as a director for WTVR-TV6 in Richmond, Virginia where he directed local news and produced his first television show at the ripe age of 19-years-old. He later moved on to produce nine nationally syndicated educational documentaries distributed to PBS stations all across America entitled “Fourth R: Rights.” NBC took notice of his precocious accomplishments offering him a job at age 22. While there for over ten years he directed The Jesse Jackson Show for Quincy Jones Entertainment and America’s Black Forum with Julian Bond. In addition to his work on Meet The Press, President Reagan’s Inauguration, Reagan’s State of The Union Addresses and major White House Press Conferences, Vaughan also worked on NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, The Charlie Rose Show, The McGlaughlin Group and Headlines on Trial with Arthur Miller. Vaughan also directed WRC-TV News Center 4’s 5pm News to it first number one position in over ten years. Vaughan followed his 10 year career at NBC with a season five stint, directing the sketch comedy series “In Living Color,” starring Jim Carey, Jamie Fox, Tommy Davidson and David Alan Grier. Vaughan then moved on to directing numerous music documentaries for MTV Networks, including music specials on Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Paula Abdul, Melissa Etheridge and Steve Winwood. He has directed music videos for ‘N Sync, featuring Justin Timberlake, Eric Benet, Master P, Mya, Raphael Saadiq, and SWV featuring Missy Elliot. Vaughan won two national Emmys for his work on the “NBC Sports Barcelona Olympics” and “The World Track and Field Games” in Tokyo where the pool of talent included Elton John, Tina Turner, Will Smith, Anita Baker, Rod Stewart, En Vogue, Tevin Campbell, Keith Sweat, and many more. Vaughan also was commissioned and wrote “The Bob Marley Story” for Warner Bros./Island World based on the Timothy White book “Catch a Fire.” He has been nominated for 54 Emmy Awards during his career for which he has garnished 30. He currently serves as Director of Advance Creative Services Group at Virginia State University.
Event is at 6:30 pm on April 30th at METRO PRODUCTIONS (8570 Magellan Pkwy #400 Richmond, VA 23227). Free for VPA members, $5 for guests.