Education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Leaton presented his winning film Orphans in Africa and gave acceptance speeches, covered by the press, at three awards ceremonies: at the United Nations Headquarters where he was introduced by the President of United States of America Today, then again in Hollywood where he was introduced by the Mayor of Los Angeles, and finally during Sundance in Park City with Kevin Bacon and Mandy Moore. His mentors included some of the top executives, and he began getting hands-on experience on various Disney films. Years later when Lindsey Brookbank of the Collegiate Times asked him what his favorite memory was from his grand-prize internship, he replied "Having dinner with Roy Disney on board the Queen Mary."
In 2009 he moved up to become an assistant editor, and has since assistant edited dozens of television shows for various studios such as Warner Brothers, American Broadcasting Company, and National Broadcasting Company. His recent credits include the theatrical feature Apartment 1303 3D, and the #1 show of the summer, America"s Got Talent.
Leaton has been assistant editing and editing America"s Got Talent since 2012.
In April of 2014, the show set the Guinness World Record for World"s Most Successful Reality television Format. Leaton has been featured in many media outlets, including the United Nations Chronicle, distributed to leaders around the world in various languages.
In 2011, he was pictured in Life magazine.
He won significant critical attention in 2006 when he was awarded the grand prize of the 2006 Film Your Issue competition, judged by President Barack Obama, George Clooney and the Dalai Lama, among others Leaton also received the 2006 grand prize Walt Disney Pictures paid internship. From 2007 to 2008 he worked with Ben Stiller at DreamWorks Pictures on the Academy Award-nominated film Tropic Thunder in the editing department, and received a letter of recommendation from Ben Stiller.
