Seith Mann facts for kids

Seith Mann (born in 1973) is an American director who makes films and TV shows. He directed a short film called Five Deep Breaths. He has also directed episodes for popular TV series like The Wire, Grey's Anatomy, and Fringe.

About Seith Mann

Seith Mann was inspired to become a director after watching the film Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee. Mann went to Morehouse College. Later, he earned a special degree in film from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

His First Film: Five Deep Breaths

While at New York University, Seith Mann made a short film called Five Deep Breaths. This film was his main project for his degree. In 2002, it even received the Spike Lee fellowship, which helped with its creation.

The film is set at a college. It explores difficult situations where characters face tough choices. Mann has said he likes to show situations that aren't simply good or bad. The movie featured actors like Jamie Hector and Anslem Richardson. A jazz musician named Jason Moran created the music for the film.

Five Deep Breaths was shown for the first time at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. It won several awards, including first place at the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Award for Best Short Film. It was also shown at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival and the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. The film won a Gold Plaque at the 2003 Chicago International Film Festival. It also won Best Narrative Short Film at the Los Angeles IFP/West Film Festival.

In 2003, Filmmaker magazine recognized Mann as one of the top 25 new faces in independent film. They praised his "skillful" directing of Five Deep Breaths. After the film's release, the IFP gave Mann the Gordon Parks Awards for new African-American filmmakers.

Directing for Television

A TV producer named Robert F. Colesberry saw Five Deep Breaths. He showed it to the other producers of the HBO show The Wire. They asked Mann to watch their directors work during the third season in 2004. The show's creator, David Simon, remembers that Colesberry wanted Mann to direct an episode. However, Colesberry sadly passed away. The other producers felt it was too risky to let a new director take over without him. Simon said Mann watched director Ernest R. Dickerson very closely. He showed a "careful interest" in how everything was done.

In 2006, Mann joined the directing team for The Wire's fourth season. David Simon felt Mann deserved a chance because of his dedication. Mann directed his first TV episode, "Home Rooms", which was the third episode of that season. Simon was very happy with it, calling it "beautifully covered."

Mann also took part in the ABC DGA Fellow class of 2005. This program helps encourage more diversity in the filmmaking world. In 2007, Mann was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. This was for his excellent directing of the "Home Rooms" episode. Mann said he was "excited" about the nomination. He was also thankful to the NAACP for their important work.

After The Wire, Mann directed episodes for many other TV shows. He directed two episodes of Grey's Anatomy in 2006. In 2007, he was nominated for a DGA Award for his work on one of these episodes, "The Name of the Game." Mann has also directed episodes for shows like Heroes, Cold Case, Friday Night Lights, Fringe, and The Walking Dead.

Future Plans

Seith Mann is currently working on a movie script called Come Sunday. This script has already won two awards for its development. In 2010, it was announced that Mann would direct a film called Miss: Better Living Through Crime. Spike Lee is producing this movie. In 2016, Mann was writing a movie called Black.

Filmography

Director

Editor

• All We Know of Heaven (2004)
• Where to Find God on Sunday (2000)
• Kiss It Up to God (2000)

Writer

• Black (To Be Announced)
• Five Deep Breaths (2003)
• Apology (2001)

Assistant Director

• The Living Silence (2003)