Heather’s recent post on movies filmed in the Black Hills brought to mind Native American producer/director Chris Eyre, who I believe lives in the Rapid City area at least part time. His films including “Smoke Signals,” “Skins” and “Edge of America.”

Lately he’s been doing some work in television. In fact, he recently directed an episode of “Friday Night Lights,” an NBC drama series about a high school football team. Eyre’s episode, “Keeping Up Appearances,” will air this Friday night, Feb. 27. He also directed an episode of “Law & Order, Special Victims Unit,” which aired Dec. 9.

It’s a bit of a departure for Eyre, who is known for his independent, feature-length films that explore Native American issues.

“I am happy to be working and continuing to tell stories that reflect on the wealth of good people and their characters. I believe stories do change the world in any form,” Eyre said of his move into television.

“Smoke Signals,” released in 1998, was his first feature film. It was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival, picking up the Filmmakers Trophy and the Audience Award. I thought it was a great film, capturing the humor, warmth and sadness of the Native American people.

His film, “Skins,” starred Graham Greene and Eric Schweig. It was a story of two brothers on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  “Edge of America” was a true story of an African American high school basketball coach and a Native America girls basketball team. It won a Directors Guild of America award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement.

Eyre has also just completed production of the PBS American Experience series, “We Shall Remain,” set to air in April 2009.   It’s a five-part series detailing the three-century Native American struggle, from the Wampanoags of New England in the 1600s to the American Indian Movement leaders of the 1970s.

I think we’ll be seeing more of Chris Eyre in the future — maybe at the Academy Awards.