By Rebecca Pikus
Leslie Jean Porter definitely qualifies as a modern-day Renaissance Woman — she is an award-winning Producer, Director, Writer, Photographer, Filmmaker, Fashion & Costume Designer, and Fine Arts Painter! And Leslie Jean definitely has the Beauty & the Brains! To be invited to one of Leslie’s soirees, or her dinner parties with her international flair — whether in Palm Springs or L.A., NYC, London or Paris, is a great honor. You do feel like you are at a Gertrude Stein salon event! Leslie divides the majority of her time, (when not traveling all over the world), between Palm Springs & Paris.
Graduated from Bard College, Leslie started to work in film and fashion in Paris, London, NYC, L.A and Rome. She began her career in Haute Couture for Louis Féraud in Paris who won twice the Dé d’Or (Golden Thimble) Award during her three years tenure there. Then off to Rome to work for Luigi Commencini on his film “Un Ragazzo di Calabria” starring Diego Abatantuono. Back in Paris where she grew up, she worked as assistant producer on the TV series “The Exile”. Then she worked for Robert Altman on “Ready to Wear (Prêt-à-Porter)” starring Sophia Loren, Julia Roberts, Lauren Bacall, Marcello Mastroianni and Tim Robbins.
In 1994, she became Head of Acquisitions for Ciby 2000 a major French distribution, co-production and production company. During that time, she worked closely with some of the greatest independent directors including again Robert Altman, then David Lynch, Pedro Almodovar, Emir Kusturica, Mike Leigh and Wim Wenders. Three of those films: “Underground”, “Taste of Cherry” and “Secrets and Lies” won the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Later, Leslie worked with Samuel Hadida on many of his productions. Her credits in this collaboration include executive producer on “Dancing at the Blue Iguana” starring Daryl Hannah and Kristin Bauer, and “Nouvelle France (Battle of the Brave)” starring Gerard Depardieu, & Tim Roth. She was a Producer on “Sweat (Sueurs)” starring Jean-Hugues Anglade.
Leslie Jean Porter has an outstanding knowledge of the entertainment industry in acquisitions, marketing and distribution. She is also an Award-winning Writer — her scripts for Alchemistical Productions include: “And Then It Breaks”, “Blind Love”, “Popsicle” (the Devil is played by Rancho Mirage Artist, Mario Pikus — & was filmed in part in his home & Studio); “The Woman Tamer”, Tristan & Iseult” [Sky Fest 2010 Prize of Excellence], “The Path”, “Elixir”, “Baby”, “Gilles de Rais”, & “Native Dawn”.
Leslie’s Paintings are currently on Exhibition at Saatchi Art, London, as well as her recent May, 2014 show “Leslie Jean Porter – Original Paintings” at the Santa Monica Art Studios, Hangar Gallery, Santa Monica, Ca. Her many videos can be seen on Vimeo and YouTube. Leslie Jean Porter’s Biography: “Life of a Creative Heart”, as well as her Contact info can be seen on her website: ljpfilms.wix.com/leslie-jean-porter
“I’ve spent my life creating in as many ways as i could and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it” (LJP)
