LELAND PATTON
CREATIVE | PRODUCER | DIRECTOR
CREATIVE | PRODUCER | DIRECTOR
Seattle, WA, USA
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Composing event theme and rationale
Conceiving and executing audience-impact “wow” moments utilizing entertainment, stagecraft, audience participation, special guest talent, etc.
Defining show-flow / event narrative
Authoring event style guide in partnership with Art Director
Direction of motion graphics concepts and digital / onscreen graphics concepts
Shaping staging / scenic concepts in partnership with Scenic Designer
Video concepts and scripting
Bringing it together: onsite supervision and direction, making on-the-fly adjustments and troubleshooting to ensure your intended impact comes across
Defining show-flow / event narrative
Authoring event style guide in partnership with Art Director
Direction of motion graphics concepts and digital / onscreen graphics concepts
Shaping staging / scenic concepts in partnership with Scenic Designer
Video concepts and scripting
Bringing it together: onsite supervision and direction, making on-the-fly adjustments and troubleshooting to ensure your intended impact comes across
The Cleveland Indians Baseball Club
DIRECTOR, IN GAME EXPERIENCE
Cleveland, OH, USA
Feb 2014 – Jan 2016
DIRECTOR, IN GAME EXPERIENCE
Cleveland, OH, USA
Feb 2014 – Jan 2016
Development, management, and implementation of the strategy, vision, and execution of all the touch points of the in game fan experience, and ceremonies and events. Influence identity of the in game customer service experience. Articulate organizational goals to effectively lead, influence and communicate vision to multiple internal stakeholders
Integrate research strategy and execution plan for in game fan experience to develop short and long-term business plans
Oversee the strategy and creative direction of the Scoreboard entertainment show; manage
Creative Production and Live Event Production teams to ensure content meets desired look and feel
Determine evaluation metrics to measure effectiveness of entertainment and service efforts; create measurement tools to evaluate success of scoreboard entertainment and customer service
Maximize efforts to impact game experience in alignment with strategic priorities and guiding commitments
Design fan-focused research projects with Brand Management and Strategy/Analytic to inform the in game fan experience strategy and identity
Create in park brand experience opportunities consistent with Brand Marketing strategic platforms
Sync in game experience strategy, identity, and executional considerations with Ballpark Operations recruitment, training, and management processes and practices
Ensure coordination of customer service expectations, identity, and success metrics
Create opportunities for Communications, Baseball Operations, Payers and Field Staff to have the appropriate exposure in the in game fan experience
Leverage in game experience to enhance revenue opportunities and build brand experiences for Corporate Partners, Premium Sales, Group Sales
Recruitment, hiring, training, development and motivation at all levels of support staff to assure alignment with the organizational values
Manage accurate and timely budgetary planning, forecasting, accounting, reporting and financial controls
Integrate research strategy and execution plan for in game fan experience to develop short and long-term business plans
Oversee the strategy and creative direction of the Scoreboard entertainment show; manage
Creative Production and Live Event Production teams to ensure content meets desired look and feel
Determine evaluation metrics to measure effectiveness of entertainment and service efforts; create measurement tools to evaluate success of scoreboard entertainment and customer service
Maximize efforts to impact game experience in alignment with strategic priorities and guiding commitments
Design fan-focused research projects with Brand Management and Strategy/Analytic to inform the in game fan experience strategy and identity
Create in park brand experience opportunities consistent with Brand Marketing strategic platforms
Sync in game experience strategy, identity, and executional considerations with Ballpark Operations recruitment, training, and management processes and practices
Ensure coordination of customer service expectations, identity, and success metrics
Create opportunities for Communications, Baseball Operations, Payers and Field Staff to have the appropriate exposure in the in game fan experience
Leverage in game experience to enhance revenue opportunities and build brand experiences for Corporate Partners, Premium Sales, Group Sales
Recruitment, hiring, training, development and motivation at all levels of support staff to assure alignment with the organizational values
Manage accurate and timely budgetary planning, forecasting, accounting, reporting and financial controls
The Miami HEAT
PRODUCER, THE HEAT EXPERIENCE
Miami, FL, USA
Sep 2007 – Mar 2013
Produced and directed the exciting, kinetic atmosphere that fans and industry knew as the best in-arena show in the NBA: from videos, music, thrilling player introductions, live entertainers, contests, promotions to presentations -- including an NBA ChampionshipPRODUCER, THE HEAT EXPERIENCE
Miami, FL, USA
Sep 2007 – Mar 2013
Motivated and supervised four direct reports over 100 part-time event staff/entertainment teams to advance organizational goals; an inspirational and effective creative leader
Creative brand strategist with command of event design, trends, precedents; dedicated to creating engaging and innovative brand experiences which informed, enriched, ensured higher recall and positive brand association.
Directed varied projects, branding campaigns, identity programs, sales presentations. Partnered with executive management to articulate and visualize the brand. Guided creative processes, mentored production teams, and continually enhanced event presentation culture
Game experience consistently cited as NBA Best Practice, including #1 rankings in 7 of 10 areas of evaluation in 2012-13
Produced, directed comprehensive live event experience for the Sacramento Kings and 2005 WNBA World Champion Sacramento Monarchs.
Crafted special events to advance business objectives, retain corporate partnerships, honor loyalty of base supporters, demonstrate good will in community, developed future customers.
Supervised nine direct reports and 75+ part-time staff/entertainment teams to advance organizational goals.
Developed productive relationships with clients, performers, visual designers, producers and vendors. Estimated design and production time, managed freelancers, oversaw daily game presentation operations and implemented process improvements.
Designed proprietary show format, reporting structure to ensure contractual compliance.
Crafted special events to advance business objectives, retain corporate partnerships, honor loyalty of base supporters, demonstrate good will in community, developed future customers.
Supervised nine direct reports and 75+ part-time staff/entertainment teams to advance organizational goals.
Developed productive relationships with clients, performers, visual designers, producers and vendors. Estimated design and production time, managed freelancers, oversaw daily game presentation operations and implemented process improvements.
Designed proprietary show format, reporting structure to ensure contractual compliance.
Expo.02
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, OPENING CEREMONIES
Neuchatel, Switzerland
Jan 2002 – Sep 2002
Directed part of the opening ceremony for Expo.02 - one of the most ambitious and technically complex large-scale productions in European history. The project was split into the four host cities of Expo.02, yet conceived as one unified opera. The four productions ran interactively and simultaneously with synchronized audio/video feed, and staged on land, air and water.ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, OPENING CEREMONIES
Neuchatel, Switzerland
Jan 2002 – Sep 2002
Produced and directed the Neuchatel venue production - including artistic staging, production management of design installations, site planning, technical direction, and video and audio integration oversight, coordination of efforts with civic leaders.
Fete des Vignerons
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Vevey, Switzerland
Jan 1999 – Oct 1999
Artistic leader entrusted to stage a unique multimedia theatre/opera spectacle - a centerpiece of a wine festival with a 2000 year history. The festival convenes for a period of several weeks once approximately every 20 years.ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Vevey, Switzerland
Jan 1999 – Oct 1999
Directed a cast of 5,000 performers, including 20 internationally recognized musicians, opera singers, actors and dancers.
Served as Artistic Director of the "Jardin du Rivage of the Ville en Fete" - an after-hours, multi-stage outdoor venue which featured performances by dance and theatre companies, musicians and poets.
Freelance
THEATRE | OPERA | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
New York, NY, USA
Sep 1996 – Sep 2004
Freelance professional who worked in theatre and opera companies on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally throughout the U.S., and internationally.THEATRE | OPERA | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
New York, NY, USA
Sep 1996 – Sep 2004
Over 30 production credits; specialized in Renaissance classics, Baroque opera and new/experimental project development.
EDUCATION
Harvard University
American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training
Cambridge, MA, USA
Sep 1994 – Jun 1996
American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training
Cambridge, MA, USA
Sep 1994 – Jun 1996
Certificate, Directing for the Stage
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR, USA
Sep 1985 – Jun 1989
Eugene, OR, USA
Sep 1985 – Jun 1989
B.A. Philosophy
German (Conversational), French (Conversational)
SKILLS
Adobe Photoshop, Audio, Broadcast, Creative Direction, Event Planning, Microsoft Office Suite, Multimedia, Producer, Production, Promotions/Activations, Show Calling, Show Direction, Show/Script Writing, Sports Marketing, Talent Development + Mgmt., Video Production
ASSOCIATED HONORS | AWARDS | EXPERIENCES
EDUCATION ASSOCIATE
Theatre For A New Audience
New York, NY
2002-2003
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Sound of Shakespeare Workshop
Royal Shakespeare Company
Stratford-upon-Avon, England
2001
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
American Directors Project
Theatre for a New Audience
New York, NY
2000
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE | ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
1998
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Lincoln Center Director’s Lab
New York, NY
1996
FELLOW
Society for Directors and Choreographers Foundation
New York, NY
2002
FELLOW
National Endowment for the Arts | TCG
New York, NY
1999-2001
FELLOW
Drama League
New York, NY
1996
Theatre For A New Audience
New York, NY
2002-2003
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Sound of Shakespeare Workshop
Royal Shakespeare Company
Stratford-upon-Avon, England
2001
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
American Directors Project
Theatre for a New Audience
New York, NY
2000
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE | ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
1998
RESIDENT DIRECTOR
Lincoln Center Director’s Lab
New York, NY
1996
FELLOW
Society for Directors and Choreographers Foundation
New York, NY
2002
FELLOW
National Endowment for the Arts | TCG
New York, NY
1999-2001
FELLOW
Drama League
New York, NY
1996