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Roberta Findlay

Roberta Findlay

Cinematographer, director, actor, producer, writer and editor · Born December 30, 1943 (82) · The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Noted adult and exploitation cinema filmmaker Roberta Findlay was born Roberta Hershkowitz in 1943 in New York City. The youngest in a family of three children, Roberta grew up in a tenement apartment in the Bronx. Findlay's Hungarian immigrant parents wanted her to be a pianist. Roberta met her husband Michael Findlay while a student at the City College of New York after she volunteered to be the accompanying pianist for a silent movie program that Michael was running on campus. Roberta married Michael at age eighteen. The couple collaborated on several sleazy and sadistic exploitation features together in the 1960's which include the notoriously nasty "Flesh" trilogy. After parting ways with Michael in the early 1970's, Roberta went on to direct a handful of explicit hardcore movies for producer and distributor Allan Shackleton. Moreover, Findlay also worked on various films as an editor, composer, producer, and cinematographer. Roberta ended her directing career toiling away on low-budget horror and grindhouse fare throughout the mid to late 1980's. In addition, Findlay and her late partner Walter E. Sear founded the recording studio Sear Sound in New York City. - IMDb mini biography by: woodyanders

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 30, 1943 (82)
From
The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Cinematographer, director, actor, producer, writer and editor
Titles
8 on Motif · 76 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

What are Roberta Findlay's films like?

Across their 7 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
43%
Self
29%
Morality
13%
Power
10%
Society
6%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 1 · Wry 2 · Earnest 4

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 4 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 4 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Dread
5
Tense
4
Absurd
4
Contemplative
1
Manic
1
Other
2

How their films linger

Fun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Roberta Findlay's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 8 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Roberta Findlay's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

76 credits, 8 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Deep Blood(1989)

    Lighting Technician

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Banned(1989)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Prime Evil (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Lurkers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

  • Lifestyles of the Blonde & Dirty (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Blood Sisters(1987)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Babes in Joyland (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • Wet Dreams (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Producer

  • Tenement (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • The Oracle(1985)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Climax! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Producer

  • Shauna: Every Man's Fantasy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Mascara (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer

  • The Playgirl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • The Widespread Scandals of Lydia Lace (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer · Actor

  • Private Schoolgirls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Glitter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Liquid A$$ets (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Woman Who Gets Flashed by Quim (uncredited)

  • The Tiffany Minx (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Editor · Producer

  • Platinum Paradise (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer · Editor

  • Blonde Ambition (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Honey Throat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • Justine: A Matter of Innocence (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer

  • Mystique (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Honeysuckle Rose (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Composer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Candi Girl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer

  • Babylon Pink (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer · Editor

  • Hot Child in the City (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Camera Operator

  • Summertime Blue (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Camera Operator

  • Beach House (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • From Holly with Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Writer

  • Acting Out(1978)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Kinky Tricks (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Producer

  • The Final Sin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Editor

  • Raw Footage (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · as Cleaning Woman

  • Visions (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • French Classmates (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • The New York City Woman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Camera Operator · Composer · Editor · Writer · as Woman in Kitchen

  • A Woman's Torment (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • Dr. Love and His Strange House of Perversion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Saturday Night Special (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • The Honeymooners (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

  • Dear Pam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay · as Miss Klug

  • Fantasex (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • 'Sweet Punkin' I Love You... (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Sweet, Sweet Freedom (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Camera Operator · Editor · Writer · as Hospital Dietician

  • Snuff(1975)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · as Carmela (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Love in Strange Places (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Passerby on Street (uncredited)

  • Anyone But My Husband (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Writer · as Bonnie's Mother (voice) (uncredited)

  • The Wetter the Better (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Writer

  • Slip Up (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Angel Number 9 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Stephanie (voice) (uncredited)

  • Shriek of the Mutilated(1974)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Clamdigger's Daughter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Gaffer · Producer · Screenplay

  • Fringe Benefits (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Checkmate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • All in the Sex Family (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • Teenage Milkmaid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Director

  • Invasion of the Blood Farmers(1972)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Rosebud (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · Writer

  • The Altar of Lust (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Director · Lighting Technician · Producer · Screenplay · as Viveca Hansen (voice) (uncredited)

  • The Slaughter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer · as Carmela (voice)

  • Vice Versa! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer · Screenplay

  • Bacchanale (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    as 1st Mourner

  • Take My Head (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    Director

  • Janie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · as Roberta

  • The Ultimate Degenerate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer · Lighting Technician · Producer · as Girl on Ferris Wheel / Voices (uncredited)

  • Mnasidika (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer

  • The Kiss of Her Flesh (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · Writer · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

  • The Curse of Her Flesh (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · Writer · as Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

  • A Thousand Pleasures (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · as Mrs. Davis / Voices

  • The Touch of Her Flesh (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    Cinematographer · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · as Claudia Jennings (voice) / Credits Girl / Dream Girl (uncredited)

  • Lusting Hours (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    as Prostitute / Street Girl / Call Girl / Voices (as Anna Riva)

  • Take Me Naked (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Composer · Lighting Technician · Producer · Sound · as Elaine

  • Satan's Bed (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Lighting Technician · as Woman Tied to Pool Table

  • Body of a Female (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    Lighting Technician · as Cindy (as Anna Riva)

Career shape

A full career of 76 titles from 1964 to 1990.

Highest rated

The Oracle (1985)

Midcredits 8th

Most popular right now

Banned (1989)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting23 of 76: 2 only acting, 21 with another roleDirecting40 of 76: 9 only directing, 31 with another roleWriting21 of 76: 1 only writing, 20 with another roleProducing22 of 76: 2 only producing, 20 with another roleMusic10 of 76: 0 only music, 10 with another roleCinematography46 of 76: 12 only cinematography, 34 with another role · typical Midcredits score7thEditing17 of 76: 1 only editing, 16 with another roleOther crew19 of 76: 3 only other crew, 16 with another role

76 titles, 46 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 21 of them.

By decade

1960s10 · 9 acting · 9 crew1970s43 · 12 acting · 42 crew1980s22 · 2 acting · 22 crew1990s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Roberta Findlay's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 6th percentile, the median of all 8; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 8th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

8thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

5thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 8 titles, by percentile

  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 8 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned2
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director, cinematographer, editor

Banned (1989)

78th percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, cinematographer, editor

Banned (1989)

Midcredits 14th · 23% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 32/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 44, detractors 24. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Roberta Findlay work with?

People who share at least 2 of Roberta Findlay's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Walter E. Sear shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers