Wayne Smith III attended Undergraduate Studies at Syracuse University - SI Newhouse School. After graduating in 2015, he founded Liaison Media LLC, a strategy-driven video production agency with a nine year tenure. Clients include Americans for the Arts, Cleveland Cavaliers, and The Scratch Foundation. In 2021, Wayne launched Narrative Roux to focus on immersive cinema and narrative storytelling. His 2023 documentary ‘Where We Overlap’, premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. His 2024 immersive documentary ‘No Two Flowers’ premiered at BorderLight Fringe Festival & Ingenuity Fringe Fest. In 2025, Wayne was DP on the NASA commissioned Film ‘Gathered in Darkness’. He has also worked with directors such as H Spencer Young, Daniel Zietlow, Robert Banks, & Shawn Rech. He completed the ARRI Film Workshop in NYC, trained with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, and studied film production abroad at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai, India. In 2025, he explored theatrical directing at Cleveland Public Theater and DOBAMA Theater. He provided projection mapping and video based scenic design services. These experiences have rendered him a diverse, well versed, and competent cinematographer. I’m passionate about storytelling, providing impactful & engaging post-production services, social media, and exploring new forms like immersive cinema and projection design.

Wayne Smith III

Wayne Smith III attended Undergraduate Studies at Syracuse University - SI Newhouse School. After graduating in 2015, he founded Liaison Media LLC, a strategy-driven video production agency with a nine year tenure. Clients include Americans for the Arts, Cleveland Cavaliers, and The Scratch Foundation. In 2021, Wayne launched Narrative Roux to focus on immersive cinema and narrative storytelling. His 2023 documentary ‘Where We Overlap’, premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. His 2024 immersive documentary ‘No Two Flowers’ premiered at BorderLight Fringe Festival & Ingenuity Fringe Fest. In 2025, Wayne was DP on the NASA commissioned Film ‘Gathered in Darkness’. He has also worked with directors such as H Spencer Young, Daniel Zietlow, Robert Banks, & Shawn Rech. He completed the ARRI Film Workshop in NYC, trained with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, and studied film production abroad at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai, India. In 2025, he explored theatrical directing at Cleveland Public Theater and DOBAMA Theater. He provided projection mapping and video based scenic design services. These experiences have rendered him a diverse, well versed, and competent cinematographer. I’m passionate about storytelling, providing impactful & engaging post-production services, social media, and exploring new forms like immersive cinema and projection design.

Available to hire

Wayne Smith III attended Undergraduate Studies at Syracuse University - SI Newhouse School.

After graduating in 2015, he founded Liaison Media LLC, a strategy-driven video production agency with a nine year tenure. Clients include Americans for the Arts, Cleveland Cavaliers, and The Scratch Foundation.

In 2021, Wayne launched Narrative Roux to focus on immersive cinema and narrative storytelling. His 2023 documentary ‘Where We Overlap’, premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival. His 2024 immersive documentary ‘No Two Flowers’ premiered at BorderLight Fringe Festival & Ingenuity Fringe Fest.

In 2025, Wayne was DP on the NASA commissioned Film ‘Gathered in Darkness’. He has also worked with directors such as H Spencer Young, Daniel Zietlow, Robert Banks, & Shawn Rech.

He completed the ARRI Film Workshop in NYC, trained with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, and studied film production abroad at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai, India.

In 2025, he explored theatrical directing at Cleveland Public Theater and DOBAMA Theater. He provided projection mapping and video based scenic design services.

These experiences have rendered him a diverse, well versed, and competent cinematographer.

I’m passionate about storytelling, providing impactful & engaging post-production services, social media, and exploring new forms like immersive cinema and projection design.

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Work Experience

Video Production Manager at Progressive Arts Alliance
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2018
Built a video platform to grow engagement and donations; generated 90% of targeted outcomes; fostered partnerships with MIT, SXSW EDU, and Ohio-area schools through video content; developed, taught, and supported filmmaking and educational media courses for K-12 students.
Producer, Manager, & Editor at Liaison Media LLC
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2026
Managed 80+ client relationships, generating over $325K in sales; led directing, event video production, cinematography, and post-production duties; oversaw 10 contractors & staff; produced 200+ promotional videos, commercials, episodic series, training videos, and localized tutorials; helped clients win 40+ grants and reach 100,000+ viewers.
Grip, Gaffer, & Production Assistant at Cine Hypo Films
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Papers Shadows & Color Me Boneface — supported lighting, grip, and production; led an interdisciplinary studio producing indie-film, immersive cinema, and theatrical projects.
Director, Cinematographer, & Auteur at Narrative Roux
January 1, 2023 - Present
Directed and photographed projects exploring artistic craft, collaboration, and community; roles included director and cinematographer; ongoing since 2023.
Cinematographer, Director, Editor, & Producer at No Two Flowers
January 1, 2024 - Present
Expanded cinema work exploring masculinity and disability; projects presented at Ingenuity Fringe Festival and Borderlight Fringe Festival; engaged audiences across events.
Production Assistant & Assistant Camera at Where We Overlap
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Documentary project involvement; camera and production support for Cleveland International Film Festival and Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival.
Director of Photography at Gathered in Darkness
January 1, 2025 - Present
Documentary project; Director of Photography for Unit A; collaboration with Daniel Zietlow (National Science Foundation).

Education

Bachelor of Science in Information Management & Technology at Syracuse University
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2015

Qualifications

Projection Design Fellow
January 1, 2024 - April 27, 2026
Directing Creation Course
January 1, 2024 - April 27, 2026
Production Assistant Workshop
January 1, 2024 - April 27, 2026
Camera Department Bootcamp
January 1, 2023 - April 27, 2026
Film Production Program
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2013

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education