James Leonard Del Gatto is an American director, screenwriter, editor and producer from New York City.
Early in life James was highly exploratory and moved around a lot. By teenage years James was heavily involved in the New York City party scene at the Palladium and Limelight.
With time, James refocused his energy into telling stories that are relatable and masterful.
Del Gatto graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2001 with a degree in Film & Television and Cinema Studies.
After college Del Gatto transistioned from film to digital and mastered the digital technologies as a way to save money and finish projects faster.
Knowing no one in the film business James hit the streets running and began making music videos with no budget.
The work impressed people and James was called upon to help develop and expand the Street DVD Magazine working with SMACK, THE COME UP, COCAINE CITY, TRUE STORIES, and ALL ACCESS.
James was the first to do a music video for a DVD Magazine and helped expand the style and popularity of the magazines by Directing, Shooting, Editing and Producing. His flashy editing style earned him the nickname J. Platinum
His reputation from the DVD Magazines lead to going on tour with rising rap artist T.I.
James travelled everywhere with Grand Hustle and T.I. for the next half year. He was the "cameraman" mentioned on AllHiphop.com during the shooting incident between rapper Lil Flip and T.I.
The tour was a great experience for James and taught him much about highly effective people, success, business and the artist personality and sensibility. James began pursuing his dream of making music videos and feature films.
He excelled at finding ways to reduce budget costs without sacrificing quality and professionalism.
Since then James has directed over 20 music videos for the likes of Joe Budden, B.o.B, Bobby Valentino, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Juelz Santana, Sheek Louch, Jeremih, T.I., Saigon and more.
James also worked as an editor and story editor for 2 film documentaries, THE SUPERFIGHT: ALI VS MARCIANO and OUT OF ALI'S SHADOW: THE LARRY HOLMES STORY. Both documentaries won 1st Prize at the New York Film Festival.
Currently James is completing an exciting documentary project focusing on T.I's ups and downs and ultimate triumph. The film delivers a unique and inspiring message to the community about strengths and weaknesses and the misperceptions of both. It examines what a strong life looks like. It also contains one-of-a-kind footage that has never been seen before of TI and his neighborhood of Bankhead, Atlanta.
James shot, produced, directed and edited this documentary.
James is also completing his first feature length screenplay and short film in 2012.
