Producer's Statement - Brian J. Leitten
In 2024, I took the “Pitching for Film & TV” course with the UCLA Extension Writers Studio. During the class a handful of scripts really stuck out to me. One of those was a family friendly holiday romp written by Michael Nielsen. Mike and I became fast friends and eventually he asked me if I could give him some advice about creating a short film. I read Mike’s script for I Don’t Care and knew there was something special about it. We discussed what would be needed over a long lunch, which turned into emails and script reads. Very quickly we were working together, hiring crew, booking actors and finding a location for the film. Through each step of production, we found people who loved the script’s message and wanted to be a part of the film. From actors who had cared for their parents to crew members who’ve dealt with dementia and Alzheimer’s, everyone wanted the short to succeed. As we went into post production, we received an email about the UCLAxFilmFest and made that our goal post for finishing the short. We are incredibly honored to be a part of the festival and can’t wait to share the film.
Brian J. Leitten (Producer) is an Emmy®-winning producer and director. An Eagle Scout with a solid 401k and a moderate case of middle-child syndrome, he’s filmed on all 7 continents and almost died directing a documentary in the Alaskan wilderness. Music has played a distinct role in his career, starting with an internship at a classic rock station, even though his first love was The Beach Boys. Right out of college Brian found his way to New York City and started a ten year journey at MTV. He once forgot to press record filming an interview with Nelly Furtado, but redeemed himself by helping to create “Ultimate Mash-Ups with Jay-Z and Linkin Park.” Brian earned his production cred as a quintuple threat (producer/director/writer/casting director/DP) on four seasons of MTV’s “MADE”, where he brought his pop music wisdom to the show by booking artists to coach participants, music-supervising a variety of special episodes, and directing a cross-over episode with MTV’s "America's Best Dance Crew." During his five years as an executive producer at Vevo, he directed two documentaries with Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and interviewed hundreds of musicians. Taylor Swift’s mom once told him he was the best interviewer she had ever worked with. And Jennifer Lopez’ manager doubled down two weeks later. Brian co-created and taught the Production Master Class at the University of Cincinnati for nine years. In 2014 he was honored as the university’s Outstanding Young Alumnus. In 2018 Brian relocated to the City of Angels and started a new journey in his production career, becoming a writer. He earned a Certificate in Television Writing through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. In 2025, his drama television pilot “Red State” won the grand prize with ISA’s Thriller Screenplay Competition and his comedy pilot “Offspring” is a semi-finalist with Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest. Currently Brian is the executive producer and head writer for the official Tournament of Roses broadcast of the Rose Parade.
Producer's Statement - Brian J. Leitten
In 2024, I took the “Pitching for Film & TV” course with the UCLA Extension Writers Studio. During the class a handful of scripts really stuck out to me. One of those was a family friendly holiday romp written by Michael Nielsen. Mike and I became fast friends and eventually he asked me if I could give him some advice about creating a short film. I read Mike’s script for I Don’t Care and knew there was something special about it. We discussed what would be needed over a long lunch, which turned into emails and script reads. Very quickly we were working together, hiring crew, booking actors and finding a location for the film. Through each step of production, we found people who loved the script’s message and wanted to be a part of the film. From actors who had cared for their parents to crew members who’ve dealt with dementia and Alzheimer’s, everyone wanted the short to succeed. As we went into post production, we received an email about the UCLAxFilmFest and made that our goal post for finishing the short. We are incredibly honored to be a part of the festival and can’t wait to share the film.
Brian J. Leitten (Producer) is an Emmy®-winning producer and director. An Eagle Scout with a solid 401k and a moderate case of middle-child syndrome, he’s filmed on all 7 continents and almost died directing a documentary in the Alaskan wilderness. Music has played a distinct role in his career, starting with an internship at a classic rock station, even though his first love was The Beach Boys. Right out of college Brian found his way to New York City and started a ten year journey at MTV. He once forgot to press record filming an interview with Nelly Furtado, but redeemed himself by helping to create “Ultimate Mash-Ups with Jay-Z and Linkin Park.” Brian earned his production cred as a quintuple threat (producer/director/writer/casting director/DP) on four seasons of MTV’s “MADE”, where he brought his pop music wisdom to the show by booking artists to coach participants, music-supervising a variety of special episodes, and directing a cross-over episode with MTV’s "America's Best Dance Crew." During his five years as an executive producer at Vevo, he directed two documentaries with Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails and interviewed hundreds of musicians. Taylor Swift’s mom once told him he was the best interviewer she had ever worked with. And Jennifer Lopez’ manager doubled down two weeks later. Brian co-created and taught the Production Master Class at the University of Cincinnati for nine years. In 2014 he was honored as the university’s Outstanding Young Alumnus. In 2018 Brian relocated to the City of Angels and started a new journey in his production career, becoming a writer. He earned a Certificate in Television Writing through the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. In 2025, his drama television pilot “Red State” won the grand prize with ISA’s Thriller Screenplay Competition and his comedy pilot “Offspring” is a semi-finalist with Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest. Currently Brian is the executive producer and head writer for the official Tournament of Roses broadcast of the Rose Parade.
