Leighton Pierce
Director · Writer · ProducerLeighton Pierce, born John Leighton Pierce, is an American experimental filmmaker who works with film, video, sound, and installation. He is also the Dean of the School of Film/Video at CalArts since the summer of 2014. He is best known for his impressionistic technique in video imagery that creates a hypnotic effect as well as his use of sound design. The motif of water is dominant in his work and gave the name to the video series "Memories of Water". Pierce looks for inspiration in his immediate surroundings. He has stated that "in the simplest terms, a film or a video can be considered to be a meaningful experience in time. As a filmmaker, I take that as my mission: through the use of image and sound, I am composing an experience for the audience".
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KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR47
CARBON
2025
Director
Wasp Radial
2024
Director
South Los Angeles Street
2023
Director
Everything's gonna be OK
2022
Director
DECK
2018
Director
Candle Loopedy Loop
2016
Director
White Ash
2014
Director
Barbara Hammer Lends a Hand
2012
Director
I Know, I Know
2010
Director
- Retrograde Premonition
Retrograde Premonition
2010
Director
- Sitting
Sitting
2010
Director
- Sharp Edge Blunt
Sharp Edge Blunt
2010
Director
Stone Moss
2008
Director
Number One
2007
Director
- My Person in the Water
My Person in the Water
2006
Director
Hammock
2005
Director
- Viscera
Viscera
2004
Director
- A Private Happiness
A Private Happiness
2003
Director
- Pink Socks
Pink Socks
2003
Director
- 37th & Lex.
37th & Lex.
2002
Director
- Fall (3 parts)
Fall (3 parts)
2002
Director
- Water Seeking its Level
Water Seeking its Level
2002
Director
- Evaporation
Evaporation
2002
Director
Veiled Red
2001
Director
- The Back Steps
The Back Steps
2001
Director
- Wood
Wood
2000
Director
- Folded Time, Take 17
Folded Time, Take 17
2000
Director
Glass
1998
Director
- Memories of Water Parts #21, 6, and 27
Memories of Water Parts #21, 6, and 27
1997
Director
- Puppy-Go-Round
Puppy-Go-Round
1996
Director
50 Feet of String
1995
Director
Deer Isle #8: Going Out (in the morning)
1994
Director
Blue Hat
1993
Director
Red Shovel
1992
Director
Deer Isle #5: The Crossing
1992
Director
Thursday
1991
Director
Principles of Harmonic Motion
1991
Director
You Can Drive the Big Rigs
1989
Director
What's Left is Wind
1988
Director
- On the Road Going Through
On the Road Going Through
1987
Director
Red Swing
1986
Director
- These Are the Directions I Give to a Stranger
These Are the Directions I Give to a Stranger
1984
Director
The Miracle of Change
1984
Director
And Sometimes the Boats Are Low
1983
Director
Not Much Time
1982
Director
He Said Without Moving
1981
Director
He Likes to Chop Down Trees
1980
Director
