James Bryan, a multifaceted cinematic mastermind, has led a remarkably diverse and vibrant career in the realm of low-budget, underground, and independent filmmaking. Hailing from Lufkin, Texas, Bryan's journey began at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he initially pursued a pre-med degree.
However, his academic path took an unexpected turn when he transferred to Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, ultimately deciding to switch majors. This pivotal decision led him to the prestigious UCLA Film School in 1965, where he would eventually make his film debut with the animated UCLA student short project "Inner Limits."
Bryan's academic tenure at UCLA culminated in his graduation in the late 1960s. His first two feature-length films, the soft-core entries "Escape to Passion" and "The Dirtiest Game," were released in 1970. His subsequent films include the downbeat "adults only" melodrama "I Love You, I Love You Not," the funky comedy "Boogievision," the amusingly cruddy biker romp "Hell Riders," the hilariously horrendous urban vigilante opus "The Executioner, Part II," and the spectacularly shoddy action oddity "Lady Streetfighter."
However, it was his 1981 film, "Don't Go in the Woods," that cemented his status as a cult cinema legend, earning him a reputation for creating delightfully dreadful backwoods body count slasher schlockfests. Beyond his directorial endeavors, Bryan has also worked behind the scenes on various projects, serving as an editor, production manager, post-production supervisor, director of photography, and production assistant.
In addition to his directorial and production credits, Bryan has also handled sound duties on a range of mainstream and independent films. His extensive experience and versatility have made him a sought-after talent in the world of underground cinema, solidifying his position as a true jack of all trades in the film industry.
