Alkemy X has added director/DP James Bartolomeo to a filmmaking roster which includes Robert Adamo, Glenn Holsten, Kris Magyarits, Rob Markopoulos, John Romeo, Bex Schwartz and Scott Whitham. Additionally, Alkemy X executive producer Jim Huie has been promoted to EP/director of production.
A product of the New York film scene, Bartolomeo credits much of his varied storytelling acumen to long hours spent on sets with the likes of David Chase, Darren Aronofsky, James L. Brooks and Barry Levinson while working in the camera department on feature films and high-level episodics. Bartolomeo has been crafting visual stories in the commercial space for the past 15 years with a focus on comedy and character-driven performance. His work has developed an appreciation not only for aesthetics, but for offbeat moments that reveal human nature. One of his favorite projects to date was directing a PSA featuring Michelle Obama, the Sprout Channel’s “Sportacus,” and the puppet character known as Chica, which he shot in the East Room of the White House. In the commercial realm, Bartolomeo has worked with national clients including Fox Network, Under Armour, Walmart, Chevy, Southwest Airlines and Comcast.
Among the factors drawing Bartolomeo to Alkemy X was it being a 360º company with well-established talents in original programming, VFX, editorial, promos, as well as commercials. He cited its EPs’ expertise and experience in multiple disciplines and platforms. “After years of producing work as an independent through my own production company,” he explained, “it became clear to me that I wanted access to more parts of the content development process and greater support as I continue to evolve as a director. Offering more than a traditional commercial production company can, Alkemy X provides me with the support I’d hoped for and encourages me to grow creatively and reach beyond my comfort zone as a filmmaker.” He hopes that growth will also take him into more long-form narrative work spanning TV and features.
Bartolomeo’s current projects include a comedic web series shooting in late spring, a collaboration with members of the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. The series is currently in the script revision stage. Bartolomeo is also finishing a short documentary film about the “Baltimore OrchKids,” an after-school music program for disadvantaged kids in Baltimore City that was created by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema program. The film will hopefully tour the festival circuit and in doing so raise awareness of the social change a program like this can facilitate.
