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James Hunter is an American film-maker who began a keen interest in motion pictures at the tender age of 12, circa 1990. In 1991 he founded JWH III Productions, LTD. His first serious effort was an experimental 20 minute video parody of Star Wars, complete with renting out a local television studio for one day so that he could utilize the weatherman's blue screen for special effects. There were no actors, just action figures with dubbed voices, toy models, and fireworks for explosions. He made at least half a dozen other amateur videos in the early 1990s.

James Webb Hunter III was born in Decatur, Alabama on June 12, 1977 to Dr. James W. Hunter Jr., a local medical doctor, and to Joyce Franks, at the time a country music singer. At the age of 4, his parents discovered that James had a serious heart condition known as an atrial septal defect, and moved immediately into action. In the summer of 1980, James underwent open heart surgery to repair the defect which was a complete success. The surgery was performed by Dr. John Kirklin, who invented the procedure. James had a normal and healthy childhood after that.

At 14, James obtained a 16mm film camera from a cinema equipment store and purchased some film to go with it. With the help of his friend, Ryan Sims , a puppeteer and technical whiz, he then set out to make his first ambitious feature film, "Robin Hood: Prince of Sherwood". Holding local auditions, several local actors were chosen. Then over a two year period, dozens of filming days, and with the help of many local artists and craftsmen, James filmed and completed the first ever independent film to date made about Robin Hood. During that time however, James was a rebellious student, and did poorly in school. Robin Hood premiered at a local theater for two days and sold every seat. Despite his trouble in school, James was considered a local child prodigy at the time by most. Later that year he made his first visit to Los Angeles in June of 1994.

James traveled to the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California, seeking a distributor for his little Robin Hood film. It is there he met veteran actor Charles Napier. It was then that Charles Napier introduced James to George "Buck" Flower. Robin Hood was not distributed at that time, and James was given the advice to make something more "marketable".

At 17, James Hunter starred in and directed Charles Napier in the full length feature "The River Bridge", which was not released until 13 years later, along with Robin Hood. Positive influences on James came from friends such as John Neely and Buck Flower. Several negative influences also surfaced, which included but not limited to the Bibiyan Brothers, Simon and Moshe, otherwise known as Peacock Films. James never finished high school but took the required exams and attended Calhoun Community College, and studied film, acting, and history. He then was hired to direct and photograph a student film for the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and thats where he met Olena Kuhtaryeva.

In 1997 at age 20 James married Olena Kuhtaryeva, a Ukrainian woman, and they moved from Alabama to Hollywood, California. After making the move, James struggled with various jobs which included working at the Virgin Megastore (it was here he discovered and befriended the band Circus Minor)on Sunset Boulevard, as well as working as a waiter and as an extra in numerous TV shows and movies. He also attended Los Angeles City College where he again studied film, acting, and philosophy. James divorced Olena in 2000, and then began to concentrate more on his career as a film-maker. It was a very disappointing realization for James that since his film career had started pretty much at the top of the food chain as a child, now as an adult he had to start over from the bottom. His evolution in film is the classic "big fish in a little pond finds itself in the ocean" story.

In 2001 and 2002, James had two unfortunate film projects that he began to produce but failed to launch due to several bad investments and more than a few shady characters that took advantage of his time, and talent. This was also due to the Digital Revolution and the emergence of High-definition video that had just begun to make a significant impact on the industry. James had started to make the films the old way on 16mm film, which proved astronomically expensive and obsolete. He then went back to taking bit parts and background work, and rediscovered a new medium.

In 2004, James moved to San Francisco and worked for a friends company, taking a detour from film. Then in 2005 James left San Francisco and traveled to Russia for a brief period, and in 2006 returned to Los Angeles where he continues to reside. In 2008, "Robin Hood: Price of Sherwood" and "The River Bridge" were released on DVD via the internet, giving closure to his teenage accomplishments.

In 2009, "Beyond the River Bridge", a sequel to his earlier film "The River Bridge" began the early stages of production with James attached as director. It will be the first time Hunter has directed his own work since 1995, and will be shot entirely on High-definition video, using the new Red camera technology. Future projects for James include a live action version of Rune: Viking Warlord, a biopic of legendary inventor Nikola Tesla, and a remake of the American Civil War film Rocky Mountain starring Errol Flynn.

Early influences on James and the inspirations to follow a path into the film industry were Walt Disney, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, Marlon Brando and most of all Jack Nicholson, with whom he has worked with twice.