Leighton Pierce
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- October 27, 1954
- Birthplace
- Rochester, NY, USA
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".
Filmography
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
- Sitting
Sitting 2010
Director
- Retrograde Premonition
Retrograde Premonition 2010
Director
- Sharp Edge Blunt
Sharp Edge Blunt 2010
Director
I Know, I Know 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
- Water Seeking its Level
Water Seeking its Level 2002
Director
- Evaporation
Evaporation 2002
Director
- Fall (3 parts)
Fall (3 parts) 2002
Director
- The Back Steps
The Back Steps 2001
Director
Veiled Red 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
Cumulonimbus 1986
Director
Red Swing 1986
Director
The Miracle of Change 1984
Director
- These Are the Directions I Give to a Stranger
These Are the Directions I Give to a Stranger 1984
Director
And Sometimes the Boats Are Low 1983
Director, Writer, Producer
Not Much Time 1982
Director
He Said Without Moving 1981
Director
He Likes to Chop Down Trees 1980
Director
Credits from TMDB.