J.E. Smith(I)
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Actor
- Producer
James was born in Canton, Ohio. From an early age, James found great
interest in acting for theater. While attending High School, James was
cast in the play "I saved a Winter Just For You" and was subsequently
awarded the prestigious Outstanding Actor in a Comedy/ Drama award from
the Players Guild for his performance. Before joining the Army, James
received rave reviews as 'Charlie' in "What I Did Last Summer" for the
Carnation City Players. While stationed in Bamberg, Germany, James
continued his theater work as time permitted. He acted in many theater
productions both on the military base and off. Some of those include
"Deathtrap", "Dracula - The Musical", and playing the Narrator in
Stravinsky's "A Soldiers Tale" at the Bamberg Stadt Theater. Upon his
return to the states after his enlistment ended, James answered an ad
in his hometown paper seeking an actor for a local independent film.
James was cast in the role of 'Ross' in the award winning film "9 Days'
Wonder". This film was awarded best picture at the Cleveland
International Film Festival, and though there was no category for Best
Actor, James received an honorable mention for his work in this film.
Acting in a string of TV commercials and short and feature length
experimental and independent films followed including the award-winning
"The Blessing of Prometheus", "Without Warning", and the well received
"Nocturne". After landing a duel role in the Hollywood production of
"The Oh In Ohio" starring Parker Posie, Mischa Barton, and Paul Rudd,
James moved to L.A. to take his acting and film production work to a
new level. Upon his arrival in L.A., James began working behind the
scenes in many productions to network and to make ends meet. This new
environment opened up many doors for him. James worked as a Grip and
Lighting tech on many productions while writing feature and short
length scripts for his newly formed production company, Bomber Films.
James continues acting, producing, and directing both with his own
company and with other indi filmmakers. His short action film "Crack"
and his experimental music video "William Shatner" for the band 'Legs
on Sale' are some of his early L.A. works.
