Les Owen is the owner, producer and director of Treehouse Dreams Films and is involved with all aspects of productions from developing concepts, writing, shooting, video and audio editing, music and narration to online posting and distribution. His work has won dozens of national and international film awards as well as nine Telly Awards and six Communicator Awards. Many of his productions have been viewed internationally on network, public television and online and includes documentaries, short films, commercials, television pilots, live concerts, marketing and training videos as well as projects for various government and military agencies.
Les created Treehouse Dreams Films in 2005 while also serving as a musician in the prestigious United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" in Washington, D.C. He furthered the mission of The U.S. Army Band through video presentations and was selected to be the first full-time Video Producer in the history of the band. He raised the level of marketing, training and visibility for The Army Band by adding a visual element which was new to the premier military bands. The combination of his video skills coupled with his professional career in music allowed Les to act as Assistant Television Music Director for many Army Band concerts which were televised by Pentagon Army Television.
Our projects have received multipleTelly and Communicator Awards:
Diversity in the Long Gray Line tells the story of change and diversity at the Military Academy at West Point while recognizing the graduation of the 1000th Jewish cadet to graduate from the Academy.
In China, which tells the story of the joint concert tour by The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and The People's Liberation Army Band in China, depicts the friendship and cooperation between the musicians in both bands and is hailed by military leaders at the Pentagon, the State Department, The Army War College and the Chinese government as a valuable tool to enhance diplomatic relations.
The Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheater 100th Anniversary video was commissioned by Arlington National Cemetery to mark the event.
Defining Passion:The Pianist tells the story of Melissa Marrion’s passionate journey to become a professional pianist and teacher and is an episode in our Defining Passion series.
GRIT Adventures is a short doc about an adventure cycling and outdoor training program for youth started by Jesse Tubb.
Additionally, in 2014 Les traveled with WWII veterans of the famed Black Devils combat unit when they visited the battlegrounds where they fought in Italy and France. His documentary Victory Remembered tells their story of bravery, heroism and sacrifice during the war as well as the consequential effects on the veterans and their families following the war . The film culminates with the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. There is a comprehensive video library of the experience online.
Master Sergeant Les Owen retired from the U.S. Army in 2015 with 32 years of service. He received two Meritorious Service Awards for his film work which included documenting the band's USO mission to the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan in 2004 and was recognized by the senior leadership of the U.S Army when his videos were included in live concert presentations at the Association of The United States Army Convention's Marshall Dinner.
As a Veteran Les continues to produce compelling stories and most recently has begun producing an ongoing series entitled Defining Passion which tells personal stories of how various people are living passion driven lives.