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He was the Virginia filmmaker for [[Hillary Clinton]]'s 2016 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Entertainment Weekly|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=2016|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/22/miley-cyrus-stumps-hillary-clinton-virginia-george-mason-university}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hillary Clinton Campaign|url=http://jameskicklighter.com/corporate-and-advert/hillary-clinton-campaign/|website=Jameskicklighter.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web|title=Michelle Kwan if Working for Hillary Clinton|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=2016|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/08/michelle-kwan-is-working-for-hillary-clinton.html}}</ref>He worked with public figures such as Michelle Kwan and Miley Cyrus on material promoting the campaign.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelle Kwan And The 1st Filming Experience With Hillary For America. {{!}} Director James Kicklighter |url=https://www.jameskicklighter.com/michelle-kwan-and-the-1st-filming-experience-with-hillary-for-america |access-date=2022-03-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>His experiences during the campaign observing political processes, polarization, and changes in voting, would later inspire him to direct the film The American Question.<ref name=":5" />
He was the Virginia filmmaker for [[Hillary Clinton]]'s 2016 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Entertainment Weekly|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=2016|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/22/miley-cyrus-stumps-hillary-clinton-virginia-george-mason-university}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hillary Clinton Campaign|url=http://jameskicklighter.com/corporate-and-advert/hillary-clinton-campaign/|website=Jameskicklighter.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web|title=Michelle Kwan if Working for Hillary Clinton|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=2016|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/08/michelle-kwan-is-working-for-hillary-clinton.html}}</ref>He worked with public figures such as Michelle Kwan and Miley Cyrus on material promoting the campaign.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelle Kwan And The 1st Filming Experience With Hillary For America. {{!}} Director James Kicklighter |url=https://www.jameskicklighter.com/michelle-kwan-and-the-1st-filming-experience-with-hillary-for-america |access-date=2022-03-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>His experiences during the campaign observing political processes, polarization, and changes in voting, would later inspire him to direct the film The American Question.<ref name=":5" />


In 2017, he directed ''Angel of Anywhere'', starring [[Briana Evigan]], [[Ser'Darius Blain]], [[David A. Gregory]], and introducing Axel Roldos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.angelofanywhere.com/|title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807073135/http://angelofanywhere.com/|archive-date=2018-08-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Angel of Anywhere|website=Jameskicklighter.com|url=http://jameskicklighter.com/narrativ-films/angel-of-anywhere/}}</ref>The short film was a collaboration with director of photography Jonathan Pope and writers Kate Murdoch and Casey Nelson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angel of Anywhere – Review – The Utah Film Festival |url=http://www.theutahfilmawards.com/angel-of-anywhere-review/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Independent Critic - "Angel of Anywhere" the Latest Kicklighter Flick |url=https://theindependentcritic.com/angel_of_anywhere |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=theindependentcritic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Review |first=UK Film |date=2017-09-07 |title=Angel of Anywhere short film |url=https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/angel-of-anywhere-short-film |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=UK Film Review |language=en}}</ref>Kicklighter cast Roldos in the project after meeting him at an Atlanta film festival.<ref name=":0" />
In 2017, he directed ''Angel of Anywhere'', starring [[Briana Evigan]], [[Ser'Darius Blain]], [[David A. Gregory]], and introducing Axel Roldos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.angelofanywhere.com/|title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807073135/http://angelofanywhere.com/|archive-date=2018-08-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Angel of Anywhere|website=Jameskicklighter.com|url=http://jameskicklighter.com/narrativ-films/angel-of-anywhere/}}</ref>The short film was a collaboration with director of photography Jonathan Pope and writers Kate Murdoch and Casey Nelson.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Angel of Anywhere – Review – The Utah Film Festival |url=http://www.theutahfilmawards.com/angel-of-anywhere-review/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Independent Critic - "Angel of Anywhere" the Latest Kicklighter Flick |url=https://theindependentcritic.com/angel_of_anywhere |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=theindependentcritic.com}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Review |first=UK Film |date=2017-09-07 |title=Angel of Anywhere short film |url=https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/angel-of-anywhere-short-film |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=UK Film Review |language=en}}</ref>Kicklighter cast Roldos in the project after meeting him at an Atlanta film festival.<ref name=":0" />The film received positive reviews from outlets such as The Utah Film Awards,<ref name=":6" />The Independent Critic,<ref name=":0" />Film Snob Reviews,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Melanie |date=2017-09-11 |title=Review: Angel of Anywhere |url=http://filmsnobreviews.com/2017/09/review-angel-of-anywhere/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=FilmSnobReviews |language=en-US}}</ref>and UK Film Review.<ref name=":7" />


He spoke about his start in filmmaking at the [[Directors Guild of America]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIoB3GSAme8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/TIoB3GSAme8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=James Kicklighter at the DGA Director's Guild of America on Starting a Career in Film|accessdate=Jun 14, 2021|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the importance of networking <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL0EEnxwYuQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/QL0EEnxwYuQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=James Kicklighter on Networking in Filmmaking at the DGA — Director's Guild of America|accessdate=Jun 14, 2021|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in March 2018.
He spoke about his start in filmmaking at the [[Directors Guild of America]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIoB3GSAme8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/TIoB3GSAme8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=James Kicklighter at the DGA Director's Guild of America on Starting a Career in Film|accessdate=Jun 14, 2021|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and the importance of networking <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL0EEnxwYuQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/QL0EEnxwYuQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=James Kicklighter on Networking in Filmmaking at the DGA — Director's Guild of America|accessdate=Jun 14, 2021|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in March 2018.

Revision as of 19:01, 29 March 2022

James Kicklighter
Born (1988-06-26) June 26, 1988 (age 36)
Alma materGeorgia Southern University
Years active2006–present

James Kicklighter (born June 26, 1988) is an American film director, producer, and writer from Bellville, Georgia.[1][2]

Biography

Kicklighter grew up in Bellville, Georgia.[2][3]He was inspired to take up storytelling as a coping mechanism after the death of his father from one of the first cases of SARS when he was 12 years old.[2][4]As a youth, he entered films into film festivals such as The National Film Festival for Talented Youth.[1]He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Public Relations.[1][2]

He was recognized by Heather Huhman's series in the National Edition of Examiner.com as one of the Top CEO's Under 25 in America. Outside of his professional work, he serves as a mentor and documentary advisor for "Ambition", a non-profit based in Los Angeles sponsored by high-end boutique JAMAH, promoting entrepreneurship among high school students.[5] JAMAH named The Kicklighter bag in his honor. [6] He has credited Bobby Zarem for being a mentor in his life.[7]

He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.[8]

Career

He began his career at 18, as co-executive producer[9] of That Guy: The Legacy of Dub Taylor,[10] interviewing the late actress Dixie Carter, rocker John Mellencamp, director David Zucker, actor Buck Taylor.[11][12][13] In an interview with Seattle Youth Media, he stated "the great thing about living today is that anybody can make a film. So if you want to make a film right now, you can run out there with a camera, edit it and produce that film, but the question is, can you tell a story?".[14]

During his studies at Georgia Southern University, he, under the supervision of a professor and along with a fellow student,[15] helped to kick off a decade-long celebration of the Golden Age of Radio for the Broadcast Education Association.[16] While directing the film that became Theater of the Mind, he met Edith Ivey, who starred in his short film, The Car Wash.[17]

The Car Wash has won numerous awards and was mentioned in the Rome-News Tribune,[18] including Audience Choice Award at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth,[19] the largest youth film festival in the world.[20]

Followed,[21] based on the story by Will McIntosh, was one of 24 films to win an Audience Choice Award at the 2011 National Film Festival for Talented Youth,[22] and has been picked up by Dragon Con, The Rome International Film Festival, Garden State Film Festival and Central Florida Festival, with international press coverage.[23][24][25][26] Ain't it Cool News gave the film a positive notice for his direction, stating "Directed with a delicate and gentle hand, FOLLOWED is probably the most unexpected horror surprise I’ve seen in quite a while."[27]

His 2012 film Final Acts was a finalist in the Macon Shorts Competition, part of the Gateway Macon Initiative. The film won Grand Prize.[28]

His first feature film was the international crossover Desires of the Heart, which shot in Savannah, Georgia and Rajasthan, India[2] in 2012 with numerous releases to film festivals in 2013 and 2014.[29][30][31][32] Jitenda Mishra was one of the film’s producers.[33][34]The film was released in theaters across India in November 2015.[35][36]It won Best Foreign Film at the La Femme Festival in Los Angeles.[37][38][39]It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival.[40]

Film Threat stated, "The cinematography in the film matches its narrative’s expansive ambitions with gorgeous visions that turn both Georgia and India into almost permanent states of postcard-friendly imagery,",[41] and The Independent Critic noted Desires of the Heart as "a beautiful and involving film featuring two fine performances by its leads who are tasked with bringing to life a film that is both intelligent and fantastic, no small task."[42]UK Film Review wrote, “This faux saccharine surface belies a superbly written and wonderfully understated supernatural mystery, which only takes off around the halfway point of the film.”[43]

Kicklighter is developing a biopic on football legend Erk Russell,[44][45][46][47][48][49] who started the football program at Kicklighter's Alma Mater, Georgia Southern University, which named him to their inaugural "40 Under 40" Alumni list.[50]

In 2015, he released the documentary A Few Things About Cancer, called "an intimate look at a newlywed couple’s quarterlife crisis through stage four cancer.".[51] The film won Best Short Documentary at the 2015 FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival.[52]

His music video "Branches" for solo artist Shel Bee won Best Music Video at the 2016 Garden State Film Festival[53]

After the 2016 Garden State Film Festival, Kicklighter directed the documentary Digital Edition, a profile on the future of journalism framed through The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which debuted to critical acclaim.[54][55][37][56]He was inspired to film the project after receiving an email from Bert Roughton, Jr., Senior Managing Editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[57]

He was the Virginia filmmaker for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.[58][59][60]He worked with public figures such as Michelle Kwan and Miley Cyrus on material promoting the campaign.[60][1][61]His experiences during the campaign observing political processes, polarization, and changes in voting, would later inspire him to direct the film The American Question.[2]

In 2017, he directed Angel of Anywhere, starring Briana Evigan, Ser'Darius Blain, David A. Gregory, and introducing Axel Roldos.[62][63]The short film was a collaboration with director of photography Jonathan Pope and writers Kate Murdoch and Casey Nelson.[64][65][66]Kicklighter cast Roldos in the project after meeting him at an Atlanta film festival.[65]The film received positive reviews from outlets such as The Utah Film Awards,[64]The Independent Critic,[65]Film Snob Reviews,[67]and UK Film Review.[66]

He spoke about his start in filmmaking at the Directors Guild of America[68] and the importance of networking [69] in March 2018.

Kicklighter directed the feature documentary The Sound of Identity, profiling Lucia Lucas's performance of Don Giovanni at the Tulsa Opera for 2021 release.[70][57][71][72][73]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Local Stories. "Meet James Kicklighter, Film Director in Culver City - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved Jun 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Berinato, Christopher. "New documentary examines first transgender singer in opera history to perform in a principal role". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved Jun 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Award-Winning Filmmaker James Kicklighter Directs Documentary "The Sound of Identity"". ProductionHUB.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  4. ^ "Meet James Kicklighter | Film Director". SHOUTOUT LA. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  5. ^ "Our Visual Team – In True Fashion". Intruefashion.org. Archived from the original on 2012. Retrieved 2016-09-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  6. ^ "THE KICKLIGHTER". JAMAH. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  7. ^ "After 84 Years, Good Night, Bobby Zarem".
  8. ^ Valdez, Jonah (2021-12-20). "6.2 earthquake strikes off Northern California coast, shattering windows and rattling nerves". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  9. ^ "Video biography of character film actor premiers at museum | The Augusta Chronicle". Chronicle.augusta.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  10. ^ "Archive.is". Archived from the original on 2012-08-02.
  11. ^ "February/March 2011 by Macon Magazine". Issuu.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  12. ^ "James Kicklighter: Camera with a Conscience". Scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  13. ^ "The Curious Case of James Kicklighter: Painfully Young Filmmaker on the Rise | Antics in Candyland". Anticsincandyland.wordpress.com. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  14. ^ "NFFTY 2010 on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  15. ^ "AFTRA Atlanta Members Interviewed for Student Doc". AFTRA Magazine. AFTRA. Spring 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  16. ^ "Archive.org". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15.
  17. ^ McDougald, Mike. "Southeast Georgians cross paths in a small world". Northwest Georgia News. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  18. ^ "Archive.is". Archived from the original on 2012-09-19.
  19. ^ "National Film Festival for Talented Youth". Short Film Central. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  20. ^ "Our Organization". Nffty.org. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  21. ^ "Zombies take over as movie begins filming in Macon | The Telegraph". Macon.com. 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  22. ^ "NFFTY 2011 Award Winners". Nffty.org. Archived from the original on 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  23. ^ "Inferno » Vídeo del Día: "Followed"". Inferno.blogs.fotogramas.es. 2012-02-06. Archived from the original on 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  24. ^ "AICN HORROR looks at new horrors: FOLLOWED Short Film! CANNIBAL: THE MUSICAL 13th (or so)". Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  25. ^ "Interview with Director of "Followed" - James Kicklighter". Blank Stage Productions. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  26. ^ "Might of the Living Dead | Georgia Music". Georgiamusicmag.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  27. ^ "Aicn Horror News: Almost Human! Science Team! Desires Of The Heart! The Last Halloween! Witchfinder!". Aintitcool.com. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  28. ^ "Archive.org". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27.
  29. ^ "Todd Sandler". Toddisandler.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  30. ^ "Alicia Minshew - Prism Awards 2012 Red Carpet". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  31. ^ Ford, Rebecca (13 August 2012). "'All My Children's' Alicia Minshew Nabs Lead in 'Desires of the Heart' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  32. ^ "US actors to shoot in India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2012-09-22. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  33. ^ OdAdmin (2022-03-21). "Jitendra Mishra selected Jury for Japan's largest film festival – KINEKO 2022". Odisha News | Odisha Breaking News | Latest Odisha News. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  34. ^ "Odisha-born producer Jitendra Mishra to promote ten films at Cannes fest". The Indian Express. 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  35. ^ "Desires of the Heart Releasing on 6th Nov in India". Enewsodia.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  36. ^ "Odisha-born producer's Hollywood film 'Desires of the Heart' released". In.news.yahoo.com. 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  37. ^ a b "The Independent Critic - "Digital Edition" Follows the Changing World of Journalism". theindependentcritic.com. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  38. ^ "Desires of the Heart review (2015)". Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  39. ^ Tilby, Darren (2019-06-08). "Desires of the Heart review". UK Film Review. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  40. ^ "Rajesh Rathi's 'Desires of the Heart' travels to Cannes Film Festival". The Indian Express. 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  41. ^ "Film Threat". 2016-12-18. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26.
  42. ^ ""Desires of the Heart" an Ambitious, Involving Film". The Independent Critic. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  43. ^ Tilby, Darren (2019-06-08). "Desires of the Heart review". UK Film Review. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  44. ^ "Archive.org". Archived from the original on 2012-09-05.
  45. ^ Hunker'd Down by Bernie (2012-09-02). "Bernie's Dawg Blawg: Erk Russell on the big screen". Berniesdawgblawg.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  46. ^ Dal Cannady. "Movie on former GSU coach excites friends, former players - WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports". Wtoc.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  47. ^ "Erk Russell Film Live Announcement at Paulson Stadium". YouTube. 2010-02-05. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  48. ^ "Georgia Southern Alumni to Produce Film on Legendary Coach Erk Russell | Newsroom | Georgia Southern University". News.georgiasouthern.edu. 2012-09-03. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  49. ^ "GSU grads to produce 'Erk'". Statesboroherald.com. 2006-09-08. Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  50. ^ "First Class | Georgia Southern Magazine". News.georgiasouthern.edu. 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  51. ^ "Archive.org". Archived from the original on 2015-03-13.
  52. ^ "2015 Los Angeles Award Winners – FirstGlance Film Festival". Firstglancefilms.com. 2014-06-20. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  53. ^ "Garden State Film Festival 2016 Winners". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  54. ^ "Shorts: Digital Edition (2016) | Crushed Celluloid". crushedcelluloid.com. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  55. ^ "Digital Edition (2016) short film review". screencritix.com. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  56. ^ "Digital Edition". indyred. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  57. ^ a b BWW News Desk. "LUCIA'S VOICE Documentary To Feature First Transgender Lead In U.S. Opera". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  58. ^ "Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. 2016.
  59. ^ "Hillary Clinton Campaign". Jameskicklighter.com.
  60. ^ a b "Michelle Kwan if Working for Hillary Clinton". New York. 2016.
  61. ^ "Michelle Kwan And The 1st Filming Experience With Hillary For America. | Director James Kicklighter". Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  62. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2019-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  63. ^ "Angel of Anywhere". Jameskicklighter.com.
  64. ^ a b "Angel of Anywhere – Review – The Utah Film Festival". Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  65. ^ a b c "The Independent Critic - "Angel of Anywhere" the Latest Kicklighter Flick". theindependentcritic.com. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  66. ^ a b Review, UK Film (2017-09-07). "Angel of Anywhere short film". UK Film Review. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  67. ^ Morgan, Melanie (2017-09-11). "Review: Angel of Anywhere". FilmSnobReviews. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  68. ^ "James Kicklighter at the DGA Director's Guild of America on Starting a Career in Film". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved Jun 14, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  69. ^ "James Kicklighter on Networking in Filmmaking at the DGA — Director's Guild of America". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved Jun 14, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  70. ^ "Sacramento Opera Star Lucia Lucas Pushes Industry Boundaries — and Beyond". KQED. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  71. ^ IndieWire Staff; Staff, IndieWire (2019-04-09). "Breaking Film Industry News — Awards, Acquisitions, Festival Buzz, Grants, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  72. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray; Ramos, Dino-Ray (Dec 21, 2020). "Shout! Studios To Distribute Docu 'The Sound Of Identity' Spotlighting Trans Opera Star Lucia Lucas". Retrieved Jun 14, 2021.
  73. ^ "Lucia Lucas Is Cracking Opera's Trans Glass Ceiling". www.advocate.com. Jun 1, 2021. Retrieved Jun 14, 2021.
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