Saratoga Chamber board member pursues 'legend'
James Smythe and friends start production company
By Leigh Ann Maze
James Smythe, a Saratoga Chamber of Commerce board member and a former Saratoga resident, is on to new pursuits with an entertainment production business, Legendary Productions.
Smythe founded the independent company last summer with Paula Keane of San Jose, Bernardo Gigliotti of New Jersey and Dean Anello of Marin. They recently completed their first production, a "Hitchcockian/David Lynch thriller" film about a young musician drifter arriving in Los Angeles in search of a new life.
"It's a whodunnit with a nice twist," Smythe said.
The 85-minute film, Ordinary Madness was shot in Los Angeles in 15 days and for less than $100,000, which is considered low budget for a film. Ordinary Madness has been selected to appear in the 10th annual Cinequest San Jose Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 24 through March 5.
"We want to stay independent so we can remain autonomous and have complete creative control," Smythe said of Legendary Productions, adding that his goal is to create good, clean movies without the violence, sex and bad language found in many mainstream movies. "We want to make quality movies that people can take their families to. Movies that touch peoples hearts and minds, make people cry, but without all the violence and sex."
Smythe lived in downtown Saratoga from 1983 to 1986 and was one of the first people in the area to have an independent fitness business. He left Saratoga for New York, where he pursued acting for four years. He has since returned to the Bay Area, settling in Aptos. During a brief stint in the concert-promotion business as Legendary Entertainment, Smythe promoted the B-52's, Martina McBride and Merle Haggard.
Smythe became attracted to the idea of starting Legendary Productions after Keane invited him to act in a film she was producing in Los Angeles with Anello and Gigliotti. From there, they all went in together and started Legendary Productions.
"I've always loved the creative process," Smythe said, adding that his living room is crowded with musical instruments. When he worked with the family business, Smythe European Mercedes Benz/Volvo and Smythe Buick in San Jose, he always did his own commercials. The family car business was sold in June 1998. Smythe remains involved in the Saratoga business community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce's board of directors. "I like to help out where I can," he added.
Legendary productions is based in Los Angeles with a Northern California branch in Aptos. Smythe splits his time as an executive producer between the two cites, staying at his apartment/office in Los Angeles when he is there. Gigliotti is a writer and producer, and Keane and Anello are producers.
"We're all equal partners in the business," Keane said.
With a new film ready to show, Legendary Productions is in the process of applying to film festivals. From there, Smythe said, they hope Ordinary Madness will be picked up by theaters in America, or even across the globe at theaters in Europe, Latin America and Asia before it is released on video.
Legendary Productions has between six and eight scripts, some fictional and others based on true stories, that the partners hope to make into films with support from private and corporate investors.
"We've finished our first film and are looking forward to future projects," Smythe said.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
