Biography

William Dickerson is a filmmaker, author, musician and professor.

WilliamDickerson_DETOUR-Hollywood_Headshot_SmallFileHis debut feature film Detour, which he wrote and directed, was hailed as an “Underground Hit” by The Village Voice, an “emotional and psychological roller-coaster ride” by The Examiner, and nothing short of “authentic” by The New York Times. His metafictional satire, The Mirror, opened YoFi Fest’s inaugural film festival, and his film, Don’t Look Back, debuted on television to 1.1 million viewers. His award-winning work has been recognized by film festivals across the country.

His first book, No Alternative, was declared, “a sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in ’90s music” by Kirkus Reviews. His book on filmmaking, DETOUR: Hollywood – How To Direct a Microbudget Film (or any film, for that matter), was called “candidly practical, thoroughly ‘user friendly’, and an essential instruction guide–especially for independent filmmakers working on shoestring budgets” by Midwest Book Review. William is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory, served on their Alumni Executive Board and was selected by The White House and AFI to serve as mentor to winners of the White House Student Film Festival under two Presidents of the United States.

His writing has been published by Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter’s The Wrap, Script Magazine, Film Slate Magazine, Talkhouse, and SaveTheCat.com. He adapted and directed the film version of No Alternative, which was released worldwide through Gravitas Ventures. The film stars Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Chloe Levine, Kathryn Erbe and Harry Hamlin and was selected as Dances With Films’ “Opening Night Feature” in 2018. The Los Angeles Times called the movie as “a remarkably assured and deeply felt grunge-era coming-of-age picture,” and Film Threat said it was “a rare indie gem that delivers solidly on all fronts with no missteps.”

The movie, which was inspired by Dickerson’s band from the 90s, won “Best Soundtrack” at the Paris Art and Movie Awards. His band, Saturday Saints (formerly Latterday Saints), is highlighted on the soundtrack alongside such musical luminaries as: Mudhoney, Lisa Loeb, Superdrag, Moby, sElf, Failure, Sebadoh, and others. The soundtrack was chosen as one of the official releases by Record Store Day 2019. Saturday Saints were recently signed to Rhyme & Reason Records on which they released their debut album entitled Anhedonia.

William is also an experienced educator, having taught masters seminars and lectured on the subject of filmmaking at schools such as The American Film Institute, Boston University, Emerson College, California State University Los Angeles, and New York Film Academy. He is currently a faculty member at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City.