Industry Profile -- Director/DP Jason Lehel

Jason started making films in 1977, commencing the journey in the cutting rooms, working on such films as Omen 3. He was an assistant editor for two years before moving to the camera department, where he had the privilege to work on two films with the great Ossie Morris. Jason continued to work his way up through the grades on some twenty features, including such films as CRY FREEDOM and GORILLAS IN THE MIST. On the latter he got his first break as director of photography shooting additional material for Michael Apted.

In 1988 Jason shot his first short film as director of photography, which was nominated for an Oscar, his second winning a best short BAFTA. His versatility lead him to become busy in features, commercials and music videos, shooting consistently for the UK’s top directors and companies such as RSA & Spots and for bands like U2, Guns N’ Roses and even Frank Sinatra. Jason was making a name for himself as one of the leading young DP's in the UK and was quickly taken on by ICM.

Jason’s all round abilities not only made him a sort after DP, it also lead one of the UK’s ”A” list production companies, to offer Jason a chance to direct. In 1993 he joined Rose Hackney and went on to direct some 50 commercials in two years and winning several awards, including his powerful anti domestic violence spot, starring Dougray Scott.

By 1996 Jason had set up his own production company, Open Eye Productions and had won awards on every short film he directed, produced and on commercials he directed & produced for other directors.

Jason also won a Grierson best documentary award, for the controversial documentary, “2 Hours from London” which he produced for the BBC.

In 2007 Jason moved to Los Angeles. He works as DP, Director and Producer, shooting mainly in the US and Europe. Jason also set up W.A.I.F. a successful facility production company in Los Angeles, producing & servicing commercials from all over the world. The first commercial he produced and shot through W.A.I.F. has picked up no less than four international advertising awards.

There are two consistent aspects to Jason’s career thus far. firstly, his versatility as an accomplished Producer, Director and DP, and secondly, his willingness to take risks in his choice of projects and style and his desire to continually push the boundaries of the art.

Jason just finished directing & shooting his first feature film, “Gaia”, shot entirely on the Native Indian reservations south east of Phoenix, AZ.

Jason is represented by Innovative, LA.