Andrew Shapter (born 30 December 1966) is a Texas-born filmmaker, writer and photographer.[1] He directed and co-wrote Before the Music Dies, a documentary that examines the homogenization of the American music industry.[2] Shapter has since gone on to direct a follow up film, Happiness Is.[3][4]
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Andrew Shapter was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and he majored from Texas State University in Political Science. In 1992 Shapter graduated from college, and he then went on to work as a professional photographer for 15 years before turning his attention to filmmaking.[5]/[3]
Over the last two decades, Shapter has been a free-lance photographer. He was twice voted "Best Photographer" by the readers of the Austin Chronicle. (Best of Austin: 2001: Readers: Media - AustinChronicle.com + Best of Austin: 1996: Readers: Arts & Entertainment - AustinChronicle.com). In 1998, Shapter began to establish himself as specialist in fashion photography, garnering work in several markets including Barcelona, London, New York and Los Angeles.[2]
The 2006 documentary, Before the Music Dies, was directed and co-written by Andrew Shapter, and produced and co-written by Joel Rasmussen.[2] The documentary was a homage to Shapter's brother, John, who had died shortly before the idea for the film was conceived.[6][7] The cast includes many noteworthy musicians including Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, Branford Marsalis and Questlove.[2] Shapter's follow up film, Happiness Is, was released in 2009, and examines the American "pursuit of happiness".[5]
Shapter is currently working on his first narrative film, The Teller and The Truth.[8]
In 2009, Shapter was invited to write bi-monthly for The Huffington Post.[9]
Shapter currently lives in his adopted home town Austin, Texas with his wife Christina and daughter Faron West.[5]