Will McKinley III

PBS

180 Days in an American High School

I consider this project to be the most influential in my entire career. I was initially hired for a few weeks to shoot B-roll. Still, I impressed the Executive Producer so much that I was hired full-time as a Cinematographer/ Associate Producer. I learned so much about the business working with Black Public Media and my peers.



George Foster Peabody Award recipient (2013)

Water’s Edge: Black Watermen of the Chesapeake

In the winter of 2022, I filmed an hour-long documentary on black watermen of the Chesapeake River for Mayland Public Television. Based on previous experience, I love to work on PBS content, and this project was no different. I filmed this project on three different cameras, including the DJI Ronin 4D, Black Magic Pocket 6K, and Canon R5.

Capital Emmy Award recipient (2024)

The District: Inside The Gates

In 2016, I won a local competition to produce a show for WHUT, a local PBS station. The series was my first opportunity to direct, produce, and edit for a television broadcast. I stuck to my NBA roots and filmed a local outdoor basketball league as my second feature story. I should note, this was a passion project of mine that I turned into a realized production.


Capital Emmy Award Nominee (2016)

The District: GoGo Gone

In 2016, I won a local competition to produce a show for WHUT, a local PBS station. The series was my first opportunity to direct, produce, and edit for a television broadcast. I wanted to highlight DC’s rapidly disappearing music genre…GoGo.


Capital Emmy Award Nominee (2016)

The District: Battle for Barry Farm

Before I even had funding or the support of PBS, I would venture into Barry Farm to document the residents' fight against gentrification. Once I was able to receive funding, Barry Farm was my first story to air on TV.



Capital Emmy Award Nominee (2016)

The District: H Street, Main Street

In 2016, I won a local competition to produce a show for WHUT, a local PBS station. The series was my first opportunity to direct, produce, and edit for a television broadcast. At the time, I lived on the H Street corridor, which was rapidly changing. I found one of the men responsible, and I followed his journey.

Capital Emmy Award Nominee (2016)