J. Lee Williams
Director of Stuff + Things
J. Lee Williams is an award-winning Film, Virtual Reality and Commercial Director who has 20+ years experience working in the entertainment and production field. Aside from directing, he has also been an active Visual Effects Supervisor since 2010 and has clocked thousands of hours working on set helping many directors see their visions come to life.
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He is the founder of the Immersive/Interactive Experience company OCCUPIED VR where he directed the award-winning film CUT-OFF VR, a VICE Media and OCCUPIED co-production that profiles Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he visits Northern indigenous communities. CUT-OFF was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in 2016. J.lee has developed Immersive Experiences for such brands as: Fifa, Facebook, Nike, Intel, Lincoln, Warner Brothers, Sony, Universal Media, Samsung, RSA, and VICE to name a few. J. Lee’s most notable achievements under OCCUPIED are, the “LIGHTCATCHER” Series he co-created and directed for Ridley Scott’s RSA production company and BODY.MIND.CHANGE, a transmedia film starring David Cronenberg for the CFC Media Lab, produced by Ana Serrano.
J.Lee is also the Founder of 1188 Films, one of Canada’s Top Commercial Production companies marrying film, visual effects, animation and design into compelling multi-platform experiences. His most notable projects under 1188 are, a series of commercials he directed for Coca-Cola and helping Much Music and MTV win 29 Promax awards for visual effects and animation.
Over his career, J. Lee Williams has spent most of his time focusing on the development of his companies, but now that those companies are self-sustaining his focus has shifted back to his love and passion for Film, he wants to spend this next chapter of his life watching his own stories come to fruition on screen.
Awards
TRIBECCA 2018
Official Selection
Lightcatcher
CSA 2017
Nominated
Vice: Cut-Off
CANNE 2016
Official Selection
Body.Mind.Change.
VIFF 2018
TIFF 2018
GIFF 2017. MEXICO
Official Selection
Lightcatcher
Official Selection
Sharkwater VR
Official Selection
Body.Mind.Change
TRIBECCA 2017
Official Selection
Lincoln VR
MMVA, Best Post Production (WINNER), 2015
Zeds Dead ‘Lost You’
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MMVA, Best Post Production (Nominated), 2014
Hedley ‘Crazy For You'
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18th Annual Webby Awards: Game (Honouree), 2014
Body.Mind.Change
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OMA Awards: Excellence in Special Project’s (WINNER) 2014
Body.Mind.Change
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MUSE Awards: Jim Blackaby Ingenuity Award (WINNER), 2014 Body.Mind.Change
MUSE Awards: Games and Augmented Reality, (Honorable Mention), 2014
Body.Mind.Change
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ProMax BDA North America 2014
Interstitial/”Promo-Tainment”/General Program Wraps Campaign (GOLD)
Much: North Park
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ProMax BDA North America 2014
Comedy Program Campaign (GOLD)
Much: North Park
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ProMax BDA North America 2014
Animation (GOLD)
Much: North Park
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ProMax BDA World 2014
Comedy Program Campaign (GOLD)
Much: North Park
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ProMax BDA World 2014
Interstitial/”Promo-Tainment”/General Program Wraps Campaign (GOLD)
Much: North Park
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ProMax BDA World 2014
Art Direction & Design: Program Promotion Website (BRONZE)
Much: The Big Jingle
2013
ProMax BDA World 2013
Entertainment Program Campaign (BRONZE)
Muchmusic – 2012 Mmvas
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ProMax BDA World 2013
Interstitial/Program/Brand Integrated Program Wraps (SILVER)
Muchmusic – Halloween Electric Circus Dance Central
ProMax BDA World 2013
Interstitial/Program/Brand Integrated Program Wraps (Gold)
Muchmusic – Subway Spots
ProMax BDA World 2013
Holiday/Seasonal/Special Event Program Spot (Silver)
Muchmusic – 2012 Mmvas Host Spot
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Best Channel Holiday/Special Event Spot (BRONZE)
2012 MMVAS Host Spot
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Best Channel Holiday/Special Event Spot (BRONZE)
2012 MMVAS Host Spot
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Holiday/Seasonal/Special Event Program Spot (SILVER)
Muchmusic – Big Jingle
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Stunt Promotion – On-Air Only (BRONZE)
Muchmusic – Big Jingle
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Art Direction & Design: News Program Informational Graphics (SILVER)
Ctv National News – Filter Focus
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Holiday/Seasonal/Special Event Program Spot (GOLD)
Muchmusic – Big Jingle
ProMax BDA North America 2013
Best Work Never Seen (SILVER)
Mtv Canada – Mtv Mobile App
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2012
MMVA, Best Post Production (WINNER), 2012
Down With Webster ‘Big Wheels’
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2007
MMVA, Best Post Production (Nominated), 2007
Cadence Weapon ‘Sharks’