Director, “Inside The NFL”
NFL Films director Lisa Smith is living proof that lifelong dreams can be achieved through persistence. That’s why the Miami native has been relentless in pursuing her goals. “I knew I wanted to be a director and I had to make that clear from day one. So, I just did everything that I could to get myself in this position,” says the University of Florida graduate.
After graduation, Smith began working as an archivist at Turner Sports to get her foot in the door. She gained more experience and worked her way up the ranks to become an associate director, eventually becoming the first female staff director at Turner Sports.
“I felt I had to prove myself over [and over] again before I got the chances that other people got. Where others may have catapulted early on before they were truly ready, I feel like by the time I got promoted, especially to become a director, I was ready,” says Smith.
Now, as the director for one of Showtime’s most watched shows, “Inside The NFL,” Smith’s passion and creativity are on full display. Smith commands a set that is home to some of the industry’s greatest commentators, such as James Brown, and former NFL players Warren Sapp, Phil Simms and Cris Collinsworth. “I’m still young, and at this age I never in a million years imagined that I would be directing ‘Inside The NFL.’ But that’s where patience comes in,” she says. -kim smith and roz edward
photo by steed media service
