James Robert Swope
Producer, Editor

James Robert Swope (aka ‘Bob’) has spent the majority of the last 20 years working in editing and post production in New York City, during much of that time in association with documentary filmmaker and Peabody recipient Bud Greenspan. As part of his company Cappy Productions from 1984 through 2004, first on staff and then as a freelancer, Bob worked on many films that aired nationally on networks including the Disney Channel, PBS, Showtime and Discovery, as well as corporate image pieces, usually credited either as an editor, or post-production manager. Bob was one of 3 editors that won Emmy Awards for Best Editing, on the 1994 Winter Olympics film “Northern Lights.”

Other varied freelance work in New York include promotional pieces for MasterCard and 2-xist Jeans, and HD programming for Rainbow Media’s VOOM about artists Kahn & Selesnick.

Since 2000, independent film work primarily as a producer and editor has become a dominant passion, collaborating frequently with Chip Gubera on many short films. “Song of the Dead” is the cumulation of their efforts together.

He attended the University of Missouri, graduating in 1982 with a B.A. in Communication Studies, taking many classes in Film History, Theater and Music. Other studies include the University of Southern California’s USC-Universal Film Program (1984), and a year of continuing education in the Computer Technology and Applications Program, at Columbia University in New York City.

Swope’s noted film and video work

Producer, Editor, Post-Production, ‘Song of the Dead’, 2004-2005. Independent HD feature, with Chip Gubera.

“Bob Swope (mid-career) Retrospect: Selections from Independent Film Work” This program included 9 short film screenings, at the Independent Filmmaker Coalition’s Comedy Arts Festival, (Kansas City, MO 2005).

Producer, Editor, Post-Production, ‘Forever’, 2004. Independent 16mm feature, shot in the Bronx. Justin Michael Morales, writer-director. (New York).

NY Producer, Editor, “A Way Out”, 2003. The 2nd Annual New York Midnight MovieMaking Madness Festival picks Kansas City team “The Seasoned Vets,” one of 24 teams (from nearly 300) chosen for final make-a-film-in-24-hours contest.
5th Place in final judged screening in New York City

Co-Editor, “Salt Lake 2002: Stories of Olympic Glory”, 2003. Bud Greenspan, writer, producer, director; for Showtime. A 2 hour collection of stories from the Winter Olympics. “Janica Kostilic” (edited by Bob) toured the world as part of the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival. (New York)

Producer, Writer, Actor, Editor, ‘One Night Stand, The Musical’, 2002.
Independent MiniDV narrative video short shot in Kansas City, MO. Released on the
Best of the IFC KC DVD compilation in 2004.
One Night Stand Video Festival first place winner (Kansas City, MO 2002).
Kindred Film Festival official selection (Columbia, MO 2003).

Producer, Director, Writer, Actor, Editor, ‘The Ten Hour Headache’, 2002.
Independent MiniDV narrative video short shot in Kansas City, MO.
Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee Film Festival first place short narrative (Kansas City, MO 2002).

Producer, Director, Writer, Actor, Editor, ‘Sync Film Shooting Spree’, 2001.
Independent 8mm narrative film short shot in Columbia, MO.
Bentley Film Festival second place winner (Kansas City, MO 2001).

Producer, Director, Writer, Actor, Editor, ‘Family Production Values’, 2001.
Independent 8mm narrative film short shot in Columbia, MO. Kansas City Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee Film Festival first place 8mm category (Kansas City, MO 2001).

Producer, Director, Writer, Camera, Editor, ‘The Keys Are In The Car’, 2000.
Independent 8mm narrative film short shot in Kansas City, MO.
Bentley Film Festival first place winner (Kansas City, MO 2000).

Post-Production Manager, “Kings Of The Ring - Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing”, 2000. Bud Greenspan, writer, producer, director; for Showtime. A 90 minute historical covering the likes of Jack Johnson, Dempsy & Tunney, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. (New York)

Co-Editor, Post-Production Manager (uncredited), ‘The Official Film of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan’, 1998. Bud Greenspan, writer, producer, director, for Showtime. Emmy Finalist; also part of the Olympics crew. (New York)

Co-Editor, ‘Northern Light: The Official Film of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway’, 1995. Bud Greenspan writer, producer, director, for Disney Channel and PBS. Winner of 3 Emmy Awards, including Best Editing. Also part of the Olympics crew. (New York)

Editor, ‘See You In Lillehammer’, 1993. Bud Greenspan, writer, producer, director, for Disney Channel. Original half-hour look at Norway and the upcoming Olympic Games. Nominated for Ace Award. (New York).