james leatherman - actor, voice talent

JamesLeatherman.com – New Website

James — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:36:34 +0000

Five years after starting my original acting website, I’ve finally come to a point where the time it takes to maintain and update a conventional site or a flash site is more than I am willing to spend. Thankfully, the good people who create WordPress templates were listening.

This new version of the site is going to have much more content, both in terms of media and in my posts. My intention is to not only use this as an acting portfolio, but also a journal of my experiences and bits of wisdom I find along the way. My first task is to delve back into my acting past, and detail the steps I have taken and the progress I have made with each new role and each new challenge. This should get interesting.

Catbrain Film Factory – New Website

James — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:10:19 +0000

The independent film production company that I work with in Phoenix has a new website. Catbrain Film Factory was created by Paul Hoeprich in 2005, and I have been working with them since 2007. From writing to cinematography to sheer audacity, Catbrain is a truly exceptional and unique film company.

I’ve now done 12 or 15 short films with Paul and company, and the quality of the work just keeps getting better as we learn more. It helps that Paul teaches TV and Film Production at Arcadia High School in Phoenix (you might remember that Arcadia is where Stephen Spielberg went to school), and we have a consistent stream of talented young filmmakers helping us with every project.

Interview with Synthetic Human

James — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:45:04 +0000

I was invited by the talented folks at Synthetic Human Pictures to do an online interview for their news section, which features local Phoenix talent. The Synthetics do some superb cutting edge, story-driven shorts and features.

You can read the interview here.

Volkswagen Spots

James — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:27:32 +0000

These three Volkswagen spots were filmed in Mesa, AZ – but were for VW Canada. You see, there is nowhere on the eastern 2/3 of the continent where they can reliably film a commercial with spring ambience in March, so they cart the entire production out to Arizona. Works for me.

Download Video: MP4

Team U

James — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:01:36 +0000

This was once of those instances where you overextend yourself, and yet it pays off. I was in two 48-hour films for the Almost Famous Film Festival (A3F), and they both came up big. One was a beautifully shot sci-fi noir called ‘The Fourth Reich’, and then there was this gem called ‘Team U’.

We were fortunate to have use of the IFP Phoenix offices, where my character, Chet Blankenship, was stationed. Some superb writing and colossal performances made this a winning film, and a whole lot of fun.

And here is The Fourth Reich, for good measure:

The Fourth Reich by Roughneck Pictures from BallBoy Productions on Vimeo.

Strong Brain – The Second Chapter

James — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:56:52 +0000

This was a great follow-up to our kitchy first Strong Brain film, which won best film at the 2008 48-Hour Film Project. In this film, I played Simon Craig, the alcohol-abusing psychic detective, AND his brother Chet, a twisted doppelganger with the same abilities.

On November 19, 2009 Strong Brain 2 screened at the IFP Fall Film Challenge and came home with Best Picture, Best Director (Paul Hoeprich), and I managed to grab Best Actor. We then went on to pick up Best Team, Best Director and again Best Actor for me at the 2010 finals.

Download Video: MP4

And for your entertainment, the first Strong Brain:

Download Video: MP4

White

James — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:59:05 +0000

Catbrain Film Factory’s first action film was a cop drama called ‘White’, which featured the character Det. Chet Foley, a formerly good officer who had fallen prey to his own cocaine habit. The production involved some terrific dolly shots and lighting, and helped me garner a Best Actor award.

There is especially outstanding shot in the film where my partner, played with gusto by Pat Giglio, does a running diving roll onto the pavement of a parking garage while a truck is peeling out for a getaway. The camera action was amazing. Too bad we made Pat do it about 29 times.

Download Video: MP4

Comedy of Errors

James — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:55:19 +0000

OK, so I’m really scraping the barrel for news.

On July 8, 2009 I signed on to portray ‘Angelo’ the gold merchant for Southwest Shakespeare’s production of ‘Comedy of Errors’ at the Mesa Arts Center. It was my third production with that company, and definitely the one where I got the most grief.

For Angelo, every interaction seemed to culminate in whining about his “chaaaaiiiinnn”. This became the constant refrain by my workmates and boss, who attended during our closing week. Also, the outrageous moustache became its own character by the end of the run. During the last curtain call, I ate it. True story.

CareerBuilder

James — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:47:16 +0000

This was a nifty little spec commercial for a contest for CareerBuilder.com. Although it didn’t win, I think it deserves to be aired. So here I air it.

Download Video: MP4

Out There! Detectives of the Unknown

James — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:43:36 +0000

In this TV pilot by the Kennedy Bros., I play Craig Lott, the bureau chief of a paranormal investigation unit. Craig is a hardnosed veteran with a bad pudding cup habit. I never did see the footage, but they tell me it was a laugh riot.

I also met Kevin Phipps on this shoot, who was lending his AD skills to the production, and I had a ball with some great actors. I’m hoping to see