Unless you read the credits on the film 'When Voices Rise...', or just happen to know her or her work, the name Leslie H. Saltus probably would not ring a bell.

But for 20 years the America-born, second generation Bermudian has been making a name for herself in the film industry ? first as a camera operator and now, for the last decade, as a producer/director of photography (DP) at her own production company ? Camera Goddess Productions Inc.

Despite the uncertainty of freelance work, Ms Saltus has been keeping busy, spending time between the east and west coasts and travelling abroad for 'When Voices Rise...'

It is only one of many challenging projects Ms Saltus has managed to bring to life with her skills behind the camera.

Kingsley Tweed's personality in 'When Voices Rise...' was a main feature of the film, so much so that when he came to Bermuda last July ? his first visit home in over 40 years ? as a guest of the Progressive Labour Party during the General Election, he was already something of a star.

"A wonderful, wonderful man," is how Ms Saltus describes him. "He's a really multifaceted complex man."

The movie won the People's Choice Award during the Bermuda International Film Festival in 2002, one of Ms Saltus' two films in the festival that year.

The other, a short film entitled 'Royal Flush', directed by Betsy Mulderig, received accolades from juror and film critic, Rex Reed.

Not content to sit back and soak up the praise, Ms Saltus has moved onto other projects, including filming a documentary on the life of Kingsley Tweed.

She shadowed Mr. Tweed during his visit home last year, went to his home city, London, for more footage and was recently back in Bermuda again, doing more shooting for the project which is filmmaker Errol Williams' more in-depth look at the complex life of Mr. Tweed.

"Yeah, I was there (during the election), that's all a part of the documentary and his coming back home," said Ms Saltus.

"I am really blessed and honoured to come once again and work on a project dealing with Bermudian history.

"It is going to be the film to watch. My hope is that people will get to know who he is, he is an amazing man."

Born in New Jersey of Bermudian parents, Nessie and Ivan (Kitch) Saltus, Ms Saltus has strong Bermuda ties and did not hesitate when the project was offered.

"I spent all my childhood summers here and I think this was my third Christmas here," said Ms Saltus before returning to the States last week.

She is not certain when her latest project will hit theatre sceens at this time.

"That's an Errol Williams question, I just show up," she said. "We're still working on it, that's why I'm here."

After two decades in the business, Ms Saltus has an impressive resume.

While attending New York University's Tisch School of the Arts she began her DP career, shooting student films and low budget projects.

The first feature film she worked on was Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing', where she served as a camera intern.

In 1990 she joined IATSE Local 644 as a camera assistant and worked on a host of feature films, commercials, music videos and documentaries for cinematographers such as Ernest Dickerson, Fred Elmes, Robert Wagner, Bobby Shepard, Lisa Renzler and Woody Omens.

In 1993, Ms Saltus established her production company and forged full steam ahead as producer/DP

The company has produced projects for clients such as UrbanWorks Entertainment/Ventura Distribution, Lifetime Television, Motown Records, Warner Bros. Records and No Limit Films.

Her work has been awarded by the Broadcast Designers Association and has graced numerous film festivals all over Europe and in the United States at venues such as Slamdance and Boston Film Festival.

In 2000 Ms Saltus was the producer/director of photography on the short film 'Next Afternoon', starring rapper/actor Heavy D.

The film aired on Showtime's eighth Annual Black Filmmakers Showcase where it won the 'Pick a Flick Contest'.

Currently the Bermudian is producing a behind-the-scenes documentary for 'Beauty Shop: The Movie', starring Mo'Nique from the hit UPN television series, 'The Parkers'.

As well as the Kingsley Tweed project Ms Saltus is producing 'Dancing Like Home', a feature documentary.

"We did 'Beauty Shop: The Movie' this past summer and that will hopefully be out in the spring," Ms Saltus said.

"'Dancing Like Home' takes places in Senegal and the States. We are tracing the origin of traditional African dance. The dance from the region of the Casamance in Senegal has influenced dances in the US. We are doing some fundraising for that."

While times have been occasionally been tough, Ms Saltus cannot imagine doing anything else.

"I've been in the business 20 years this year, starting in 1984, so I've done nothing but eat, drink and sleep this business," she said.

"There were times in my career where I thought 'oh, maybe I'm doing the wrong thing', that's the disadvantage of being a freelancer. You have your good days and your bad days, your hot times and cold times.

"Every time I've tried to get a staff position it has never worked, so I know that's not what I'm supposed to be doing. It's (freelance) not easy but this is what I've been doing and it has sustained me.

"When I was in high school... I knew I had to do something I liked and at least had the potential of a good living. Life isn't always about money, it's about being satisfied with what you do and that you are doing what God put you on earth to do. To be out of purpose is a waste of your gifts and talents."

She has divided her time between New Jersey and Los Angeles, going where the work is.

"I haven't been in LA since September, because I've been working on this past project and haven't been able to get back there," she explained.

"Then there was one point where I was just in LA and hadn't been home for months and months. I'm basically where there's work.

"I'm going to continue producing and shooting projects that I want to do. I'm doing a personal project on my own, a Praise and Worship Series.

"I'm a Christian and the purpose of the series is to help individuals or congregations during their praise and worship time to bring them in the presence of God using visual images. My first series is one with images of Bermuda."

And while much of her work has been done in the States, Ms Saltus does see opportunities in Bermuda for future projects on Bermuda and its people.

"There are some films that need to be produced in and about Bermuda," she feels.

"It has been my desire to do projects/commercials for Tourism for years. There are a lot of stories to be told in this country and I hope they can facilitate films being made here because they are making a lot of money in the States and Canada from film projects and I know that Bermuda can generate funds as well.

"I am planning to work with (author) Patrice (Frith) Hayward to do a film on her book, 'Island Sistas'. I'd like to do projects like that, where you can get a sense of Bermuda and it's culture. I want to produce great projects, wholesome projects of industry standard.

"I am truly blessed, being able to do what I like to do."

@EDITRULE:

Bermudians Abroad: The Lifestyle section would like to periodically feature Bermudians living interesting lives abroad. Know of any Bermudian who would like to share their story of living overseas? Contact Lawrence Trott at 278-0150 or ltrottroyalgazette.bm