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The Other Kevin Smith
Kevin Stofer Smith began his career in Hollywood one month after graduating high school. He followed his older brother Albert to the now defunct Producer’s Studio in 1976 where his first production job required him to shatter twenty large mirrors and sweep up the shards for a Boz Scaggs music video. Forty-six years later, Kevin hopes any bad luck was left behind him.
Kevin joined the commercial production company Paisley Productions in 1977. The Paisley gang included director David Farrow, Cinematographer and future Academy Award nominee Caleb Deschanel (father of Zooey & Emily) and music video director Kevin Kerslake (director of “Nirvana Live! Tonight! Sold Out!”). Paisley was Kevin’s production home for twelve years. He worked his way from PA to Stage Manager to Production Coordinator to First Assistant Director. In 1980, the Director’s Guild opened their doors to commercial directors. At age 21, Kevin became the second youngest person to obtain a 1st A.D. DGA Card. (The youngest was 7-year old Justin Henry, child actor from Kramer vs. Kramer, who was given a DGA card as a birthday present joke by Dustin Hoffman.)
Kevin traveled to more than 30 states and worked on hundreds of television commercials for Paisley. Notable shoots included Hertz Rental Car with O.J. Simpson, Billy Carter Beer, the infamous Yugo Automobile and the popular “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin” spots with Mr. Whipple. Mr. Whipple, played by veteran actor…
