Nick Leisure
Nick Leisure | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Nicholas Lee |
| Occupation(s) | Film director and producer |
| Years active | 2006-present |
Nick Leisure (born 1977) is an American filmmaker.[1][2] He is best known for his feature films A Clear Shot (2019) starring Mario Van Peebles, and Last the Night (2022) starring Brian Austin Green. He is also the CEO and founder of the production company Leisure Films.[3]
Early life
Leisure was born in Sacramento, California. He was raised by his Chinese mother and grandmother, and attended high school in South Sacramento.[4]
Career
Leisure began his career as a director and cinematographer for commercials and music videos, working with clients such as Toyota, Ray-Ban, the NBA and the NFL. He has also shot promotional content for local professional athletes, including Jason Thompson, Ruthie Bolton, Vernon Davis and Stephen Curry.[5]
Leisure has also served as a Creative Director for ABC Sacramento.
Leisure co-directed the 2011 comedy film The Lot, alongside Dawn Dais.[6]
In 2013, Leisure directed the short film The Root of All Evil, for which he won an award at the Sacramento International Film Festival.[7]
Leisure made his solo feature debut in 2016 with the comedy film Janitors.[8]
In 2019, Leisure directed A Clear Shot, starring Mario van Peebles as a detective negotiating a hostage situation during an electronics store robbery, based on a 1991 true story.[9]
Leisure next directed Last the Night (2022), a pandemic-thriller starring Brian Austin Green as a teacher who seeks revenge against his cruel students.[10]
Leisure will reunite with Green for his next feature, the action-thriller Golden (2024). He will also direct the horror-satire film New Year’s Absolution (2024), starring Michael Copon.
Film advocacy and philanthropy
Since 2018, Leisure has partnered with Baja Studios in Rosarito, Mexico to shoot his feature films.[11]
Leisure has worked with local organizations to spread awareness and raise funds, including Shriner’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, and Rancho La Hermosa Children’s Orphanage.
Leisure is a founding member of the Hollywood North Film Studio Project, an investor group advocating to build a film studio in Sacramento.[12] In 2024, Leisure called for the resignation of Sacramento’s film and media commissioner Jennifer West, citing her failure to attract film productions to the city.[13]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Lot | Yes | No | No |
| 2016 | Janitors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2019 | A Clear Shot | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2021 | Lance Woods: Undeniable | Yes | No | No |
| One and the Same | No | No | Yes | |
| 2022 | Last the Night | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2024 | Golden | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Year’s Absolution | Yes | No | No |
Short films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Root of All Evil | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2014 | 11 Minutes | No | No | Yes |
| 2015 | A Cry for Vengeance | Yes | No | No |
- ^ "Nick Leisure - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "BIO - Nick Leisure". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "ABOUT - Leisure Films". Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Gonzales, Lisa (March 26, 2021). "Sacramento filmmaker Nick Leisure on Asian American representation in Hollywood". KCRA Sacramento. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "@nickleisure on Instagram". Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Left & Loose in The Lot". DVD Talk. February 21, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Sacramento International Film Festival (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Janitors (2016) by Nick Leisure". Cinema Clock. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Monagle, Matthew (June 5, 2020). "A Clear Shot - Movie Review". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Tonsall, Sonseeahray (June 28, 2022). "Sacramento-made film 'Last the Night' to have Hollywood debut July 1". FOX40 Sacramento. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Nick Leisure films new series in Rosarito". Ecos de Rosarito. May 12, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Haubner, Andrew (November 7, 2023). "Could Sacramento's Cal Expo one day be home to a film studio?". CBS News. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ Sowards, Hunter (January 23, 2024). "Drama divides Sacramento film community, some call for commissioner to resign". CBS News. Retrieved July 31, 2024.