Behind the Scenes - focus on the filmmaker

Name: James Oxford
Age: 39
Hometown: Detroit Michigan
College & Degree/s: BFA-Center for Creative Studies-Detroit
MFA-New York Academy of Figurative Art-New York
Current Title: Director and Film Illustrator

Favorite Film: Blade Runner
Favorite Filmmaker: Ridley Scott
Your Web site: Oxford-Entertainment.com and jamesoxford.com

Your film “SmartCard” is very prescient. What gave you the idea for this screenplay?

It was pitched by my writer Joe Anaya. I knew that was something that I would like to create into a film so we went for it. As for the film being prescient. I've always believed in government and corporate manipulation of their consumer base. Then the consumer following the propaganda without questioning it's validity. The saddest reality is that the government can slap them in the face today and they will still follow them blindly.

Your education and background are in art. How did you get involved in filmmaking?

I have two degree in fine art. I studied figurative sculpture, drawing and painting. My hero was Michelangelo, but I found out not many people wanted naked people in their living room. So when I could not pay my bills I moved to Hollywood to design for films. In Hollywood I have worked with the biggest names in the business: Steven Spielberg (Lost World), Ed Zwick (The Last Samurai), and Brian Singer (X-Men 2 and Superman.) Working with them was great, but I had to express myself creatively and not just work on other people’s projects. So Smartcard was born.

What is your favorite part of the filmmaking process?

Collaboration. That was my favorite part. I had a whole crew full of talented artists. I was very lucky. I enjoyed every moment I spent with them. I had my ideas and they gave me theirs and we created something that I'm very proud of. People have an illusion that the director is creating everything and he does everything himself, but filmmaking is a gathering of great talent from several artistic arenas. It was the joy of working with others - that gave me the most satisfaction at the end of the day.

What films besides “SmartCard” have you done?

I've shot a trailer for a script I've written for a feature film and I went to Bulgaria last spring to shoot 2nd unit on a Sci-Fi channel movie. As an illustrator/designer for film one of the last films I worked on was Superman.

What is your next project?

I'm focusing my career on directing films this year and not designing so anything could happen.

What do you consider the best film ever made?

The list can go on forever. Best drama: Lawrence of Arabia. Best Sci-Fi: Bladerunner. Best Horror: Jaws. Best Comedy: The Pink Panther Strikes Again. Best Western: Once Upon the Time in the West.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself directing films with strong social issues, very similar to "Smartcard." I desire to make films that make people question what their existence is about. What they desire. Who they are. Or even what they have become. I will not give them the answer, only show them what could be. It is their choice to decide what to do.