Behind the Lens with Taj Devore-Bey

Behind the Lens of Spirit: A Workshop with Cinematographer and VC member,
Presented by Video Consortium Philadelphia

Spirit is a coming-of-age docu-series that follows the George Washington High School Eagles cheerleading team—the first from a Philadelphia public school to compete at Nationals. Executive produced by Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton, the series captures the drive, joy, and emotional truth of a team balancing ambition with the realities of an underfunded school district.

In this workshop, Philadelphia-based cinematographer Taj DeVore-Bey shares his creative process behind bringing Spirit to life—how he built trust with the Eagles, approached movement and lighting to mirror their energy, and used cinematography to celebrate their spirit both on and off the mat. Taj will unpack the challenges and choices that shaped the series’ visual tone, offering insight into collaborative storytelling, representing community authentically, and finding poetry in documentary realism.

Who it’s for:
Filmmakers, cinematographers, documentarians, and anyone curious about visual storytelling rooted in empathy and craft.

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