Jim Lemley

By Amanda Cairo

Vandals are a tough breed, so tough, in fact, they can tackle vampires. It’s no great feat for a particular Vandal who has already taken on professional assassins, a post-apocalyptic future and the despair of immobility – in the cinema, that is. Independent producer Jim Lemley, a 1988 marketing alumnus, recently finished filming on location in New Orleans “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” building on a successful career that includes “Wanted,” “9,” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”

As a student, Lemley spent a majority of his time outside the classroom inside movie theaters. As a film industry professional, he has struck a balance between his creative skills and the business lessons he learned at the University, as he continues his career as a movie producer.

“I knew I had the creative talent in me,” says Lemley. “I thought I should learn the skills not innately within me and gain experience that would help me throughout my career.”

Indeed, those business and marketing skills have helped him and his projects succeed past a creative vision. Like a coach or a general, he conceives ideas, puts a plan together, finds the funding to make and distribute a movie, and last, but perhaps the most import piece, actually makes the film.

The road from Moscow, Idaho, to Los Angeles and Paris – where he balances his time between career and family – wasn’t a straight path, but one filled with desire and making dreams a reality.

After graduating from the University of Idaho, Lemley packed up his car and headed east to New York City to break into the music scene. While working at Island Records, he was on hand for the U2 Rattle and Hum concert documentary.

“I got to know the guys and be involved in the shooting,” says Lemley. “I realized that my interest in music was a portion of the movie-making process.

” With that in mind, Lemley once again packed up his car and followed his dream to Los Angeles and started getting work in television, music videos and production. As he worked his way up, he was also getting noticed. After working with Universal Studios and Disney, Lemley joined Icon Productions in 1992 and rose to the post of CEO of Icon’s international distribution and production arm.

After 11 years at Icon, Lemley wanted to be his own person and work on specific projects, so he struck out on his own.

“I’d met a lot of people, so I started working on projects that were close to me,” says Lemley.

Since then, he has tapped his contacts and partnered to make movies including “9,” for which he was nominated the Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award, “The Diving Bell and Butterfly,” for which he won the Christopher Award, and his new flick, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

” While he is enjoying success in his career, Lemely admits that he was not a straight-A student, but he soaked up the lessons as well as the local theater offerings. He still draws on those lessons learned at the University on the business end of his work though, and Lemley says he also learned how to learn, be persistent and be conscientious.

“It was really the bigger life lessons that apply,” says Lemley. “It also helped me prepare to do something with those life lessons and my degree.

” As he continues making films, he has furthered his connections and partnered with collaborative teams on numerous occasions and most recently, is looking to build the “Wanted” franchise into a sequel.

And though he has found success, like a proud parent, he has no favorite projects. He says every movie has taught him something.

 “Each movie has its own DNA, its own style or objective,” says Lemley. “Some are easier Than others, but it’s never easy. They’ve all given me something.”