Wash, The : About The Filmmakers


D. J. POOH - Slim and Writer, Director, Producer
Slim is a local gang-banger who kidnaps the owner of THE WASH.

Rap music impresario D. J. Pooh made his entrance into the world of filmmaking when he co-wrote and co-starred as Redd in the hit film FRIDAY with Ice Cube. He solidified his role in film when he made his directorial debut with the film 3 STRIKES starring David Alan Grier, Faizon Love and N'Bushe Wright.

Pooh's musical talents provided him with his first film experience when he was brought in during post-production in John Singleton's debut BOYZ 'N THE HOOD to contribute to the film's score and to produce the soundtrack.
Pooh, who has his own 48-track studio and video editing facility in Los Angeles, has musical credits including Tha Dogg Pound's "Dog Food," Tupac Shakur's "All Eyes on Me" and Snoop Doggy Dogg's sophomore LP "The Doggfather. " Pooh also filmed and produced many of these albums' videos.

While he did double-duty on 3 STRIKES, he multi-tasks on THE WASH, serving as the film's writer, director, producer and an ensemble player.

DONNA CHAVOUS - Co-Producer
Donna Chavous is one of the industry's leading talent managers and makes her debut as a producer with THE WASH. A trailblazer in the industry, Chavous in 1984 was the first African American talent agent at Creative Artists Agency where she was first assistant to agent Paula Wagner who then represented actor Tom Cruise. Chavous found her own niche at CAA, signing African American comic talents such as Jamie Foxx, Joe Torry, Pauly Shore and Michael Colyar. She also signed actors including Wesney Snipes and Charles Dutton.

After a hiatus from the industry, Chavous re-emerged as a manager with clients including DJ Pooh, Malik Yoba, Salli Richardson, and Lamont Bentley.

KEITH L. SMITH - Director of Photography
Keith L. Smith began his film career as a camera assistant working with Oliver Stone and Bob Richardson, ASC, on films including JFK, HEAVEN AND EARTH, NATURAL BORN KILLERS and NIXON. Smith went on to work with Rob Reiner on A FEW GOOD MEN and with Robert Townsend on the comedies METEOR MAN, starring Townsend, and BLANKMAN, starring Damon Wayans. Most recently, Smith worked on THE TRIGGER EFFECT, directed by David Koeppe, writer of JURASSIC PARK.

As a cinematographer, Smith's credits include the critically-acclaimed independent film STATISTICALLY SPEAKING, directed by Nandi Bowe, and starring Alfre Woodard; and the short film PSALMS FROM THE UNDERGROUND directed by Eriq La Salle. Smith also recently completed principal photography on FRONTLINE, a feature directed by Quinton Peeples; and SEX MONSTER, a feature starring Mariel Hemingway.

Smith was a second unit Director of Photography and A-Camera Operator on FALLEN, starring Denzel Washington, in addition to working on HARLEM ARIA starring Damon Wayans and Babriek Cassieus and as second unit DP on Oliver Stone's ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.

In 1989, Smith was accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute, where he earned a master of fine arts degree, in addition to earning the AFI's 1991 Rémy Martin Student Scholarship Award. The award marked the first time in the award's six year history a first-year fellow and a cinematography fellow was the award recipient.

STEVE RALPH - Art Director
Steve Ralph is a veteran art director, having contributed his talents to sixteen action films for actor/producer Andrew Stevens. Among Ralph's credits are the Stevens-produced vehicles SUBMERGED, with Coolio and Fred Williamson; SONIC IMPACT, starring Ice-T and James Russo; AGENT RED, with Dolph Lundgren; RANGERS, with Glenn Plummer; SURFACE TO AIR, starring Michael Madsen; and STEEL SHARKS, starring Gary Busey and Billy Dee Williams.

Prior to his work in feature films, Ralph designed sets for commercials and music videos for artists including Janet Jackson's ("What Have You Done For Me Lately"), Blues Traveler ("Run Around"), and Oingo-Boingo ("Weird Science").

Ralph studied at New York University's School of Film and later worked with the Tavel Brothers of the Ridiculous Theatre Company before moving to Los Angeles. He continued his theater work as technical director for the Los Angeles Actors' Theatre.

Ralph and two partners are also the founders of P. C. Sets, which provided construction services for art directors and production designers working on projects for artists including Madonna, Prince, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, and many others.

TRACEY WHITE - Costume Designer
Tracey White previously collaborated with DJ Pooh on the comedy 3 STRIKES starring Brian Hooks, N'Bushe Wright and George Wallace. Her other film credits include the crime drama CAUGHT UP, starring Bokeem Woodbine, Clifton Powell and Snoop Dogg; the sex comedy SPRUNG, starring Tisha Campbell, Paula Jai Parker and Rusty Cundieff; and the critically-acclaimed drama SANKOFA, written and directed by Haile Gerima.

In television, White and Debra McGuire are credited with the costume design for the Robert Townsend-directed "The Little Richard Story," starring Leon, Jenifer Lewis, Carl Lumbly and Tamala Jones. Her other credits include "Carmen," the MTV hip-hop opera starring Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child and Mekhi Phifer.

Author : Lions Gate Films