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Charles M. West is an Emmy-nominated Director of Photography, director, writer, producer, and filmmaker whose work spans film, television, animation, and original content. In 2024, West earned an Emmy nomination for his work as Director of Photography on the long-form television series My Real Life, which aired on Peachtree TV and The CW Network.
Known for emotionally driven visual storytelling and a cinematic approach to character, West has built a career working across scripted and unscripted television, commercial production, and animation. His professional experience includes work associated with HBO, Showtime, BET, CBS, NBC, The CW, TV One, PBS, Hulu, and Georgia Public Broadcasting, as well as projects for major brands and institutions including NIKE, Volkswagen, Ford, AT&T, AOL, YouTube Kids, and the White House.
One of the most significant relationships of West's career was his close friendship and business partnership with legendary actor John Amos. Their relationship extended far beyond the entertainment business, developing into a meaningful personal friendship, creative collaboration, and mentorship. Amos served as an executive producer and voice performer on West's animated project Nubbin & Friends, and the two collaborated on developing an animated adaptation of Amos' children's book, A World Without Color. Their relationship was profiled by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which compared their mentor-protege dynamic to the relationship between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel in The Karate Kid.
As a filmmaker, West brings the visual instincts of an Emmy-nominated cinematographer and the emotional perspective of a storyteller to his work as a director and creator. His projects have involved acclaimed actors, comedians, recording artists, and voice performers including John Amos, E.G. Daily, Loretta Devine, Jasmine Guy, Gary Owen, Angie Stone, and Lisa Wu.
West is the founder of CW Studios, an Atlanta-based production company where he develops original film, television, and animated properties. His creative work is increasingly centered on cinematic storytelling that combines entertainment with emotional depth, family, imagination, and meaningful social impact.
His latest project, The Empty Chair, is a deeply personal animated story about a child searching for answers surrounding the absence of his father. The project has grown beyond the screen, inspiring The Empty Chair Initiative, a mission-driven effort created to help children and families navigate separation, divorce, and family transition through storytelling, education, advocacy, creative expression, and community support.
Born in Naples, Texas, and raised in Dallas, West's passion for storytelling began as a child watching movies at his grandmother's home in East Texas. At 12 years old, he decided he wanted to make films. As a teenager at Skyline High School, West studied still photography and cinematography. In 1989, he and his classmates produced a 30-second commercial for New York Seltzer that won first place in the State of Texas among approximately 400 submissions.
Before establishing himself in film and television, West built a career in music, radio, and broadcasting. Those experiences helped shape the multidisciplinary approach he brings to filmmaking today.
Throughout his career, Charles M. West has moved between cinematography, directing, producing, writing, editing, music, broadcasting, and animation. His work is united by a singular purpose: creating cinematic stories that connect emotionally, entertain audiences, start meaningful conversations, and leave an impact beyond the screen.
