Woody Omens is currently a teacher at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television. He was once a student at this very institution of higher learning. After first entering the industry in the 1960s, he considered changing his name to Vladimir Ominsky, as cinematographers with European-sounding names were en vogue and tended to find more work. Took the role of the ringside announcer in HARLEM NIGHTS (1989), at director/star Eddie Murphy's urging. Omens received a SAG card for his performance, yet has stated that he has little desire to act in films. Has photographed only one film in the anamorphic (Panavision) format: HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I (1981). Other notable cinematography credits include COMING TO AMERICA (1988) and BOOMERANG (1992). He has worked extensively in television in TV series ("Magnum, P.I."), mini-series and made-for-TV movies. Omens served as President of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) 1998-1999.  Nominated for Documentary (Shorts) 1971: SOMEBODY WAITING - Producer (w. Hal Riney & Dick Snider) 1 nomination