Leighton Pierce
Directing
Leighton 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".
Known for
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movieCARBON
2025
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movieWasp Radial
2024
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movieDECK
2018
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movieCandle Loopedy Loop
2016
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movieWhite Ash
2014
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Sitting
2010
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movieI Know, I Know
2010
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movieStone Moss
2008
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movieNumber One
2007
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movieHammock
2005
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Viscera
2004
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Pink Socks
2003
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37th & Lex.
2002
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Evaporation
2002
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movieVeiled Red
2001
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Wood
2000
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movieGlass
1998
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movie50 Feet of String
1995
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movieBlue Hat
1993
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movieRed Shovel
1992
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movieThursday
1991
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movieWhat's Left is Wind
1988
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movieRed Swing
1986
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These Are the Directions I Give to a Stranger
1984
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movieThe Miracle of Change
1984
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movieNot Much Time
1982
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movieHe Said Without Moving
1981
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