When it comes to video and creative direction, Scott Lazer has quite a range. The Fort Greene-based filmmaker has created content for a number of bold names, including J. Cole, for whom he directed the videos “ATM,” “Kevin’s Heart,” “4 Your Eyez Only,” and more; and Tierra Whack, for whom he directed a three-part documentary series. Scott has also made his own films, like “Commute,” which he refers to as a “visual essay” that was shot in Manhattan.
“My work is so varied, with everything from like music videos to concert stage direction, to short films to long-form to documentaries, to design and writing — so my work takes on many different forms,” said the director and creative director.
Atoms joined him one afternoon to walk around Fort Greene — Atoms'headquarters are located on the outskirts of the neighborhood at the Brooklyn Navy Yard — are where he resides with his partner. Scott took us around to his favorite spots in the charming Brooklyn neighborhood that celebrities like Holly Hunter, Christina Ricci, Yasiin Bey have called home.
Bittersweet “This is Bittersweet, a Black-owned coffee shop, and I’m going to get a little cappuccino,” said Scott. Bittersweet is the Fort Greene go-to for handcrafted coffee, tea, as well as homemade sandwiches and pastries. Grab a coffee and a sandwich, and bring it to Fort Greene Park. 180 Dekalb Avenue Brooklyn 718-852-2556
Dick & Jane’s “Fantastic bar, they make great cocktails, very cozy,” said Scott, of the favorite neighborhood hangout, which serves a wide range of artisanal cocktails. 266 Adelphi Street 347-739-1027
Dekalb Avenue Between Cumberland Street and Vanderbilt Avenue “This is like this stretch on Dekalb that's just like excellent food,” said Scott. What he’s talking about are the countless eateries on the street that includes Miss Ada, which serves up Mediterranean cuisine; Romans, which has tasty Italian food, and South American fusion joint Colonia Verde.
Paul Robeson Theater “I went to Rutgers and Paul Robeson [a legendary actor and activist] is one of our esteemed alumni from way back in the day, obviously, and I was on my bike recently and I drove by this I rode by this, and thought it was pretty cool. that the Paul Robeson theater is basically a couple of blocks away from where I live. Plays for the African-American community were staged there for nearly 30 years. 40 Greene Avenue Brooklyn
Greenlight Bookstore “I come here relatively often,” said Scott. “I wish I came more in that I wish I was a faster reader. I just finished Annihilation, which is a sci-fi trilogy.” 686 Fulton Street Brooklyn 718-246-0200
Brooklyn Academy of Music “This is where the best art, music, film dance, theater, comes.” 30 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn 718-636-4100
