James Sarandis shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi James, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Ah, this is a good question.
I’m really fortunate to have the opportunity to work on short films and campaigns focused around surfing. Due to the nature of these projects, the crew often travels together for a few weeks, moving from one entirely foreign location to another based on the waves and conditions. The connections you form with the crew and the people you meet along the way, especially within the surfing community, are something really special.
There is no better feeling than being five thousand miles from home somewhere like New Zealand, knowing that the friendships and knowledge you are building will last for years to come.
Also, I will admit I am proud of what comes out of the little 35mm Olympus point and shoot I keep in my back pocket while filming. I would love to make some kind of book one day…We’ll see.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yeah, for sure.
I’m James, a filmmaker from Oceanside now based in Los Angeles, California. I started out filming surfing and music, just capturing the things I loved doing, and it quickly grew into a deeper passion for storytelling through video.
For me, filmmaking is about authenticity. I believe it shows on camera when you stay true to both the location and the people. I love capturing candid moments, personalities, and the little details people don’t typically see, things that make a story feel real. It is about creating moments you remember and hopefully sharing them in a way that sticks with people.
I am really excited about what I am working on right now. One project is a profile documentary with Victor Bernardo, following his journey from Brazil to California and exploring the moments that really shaped him, like family, culture, and of course, surfing.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s been said many times, but I think traveling and stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for personal growth. When I was nineteen, I was almost living out of my suitcase, and during that period, my perspective on respect, privilege, and different cultures really changed.
Just last month in Brazil, (August 2025), I filmed a few scenes with Victor Bernardo in the favela where he grew up. In a sequence of totally unplanned events, we ended up in his childhood home, where his mom cooked up some fried fish and couscous for dinner. These intimate and real interactions just can’t be scripted and they have really cut deep into how I see the world.
As I said before, I am very thankful to have opportunities from brands like Katin and people within the surfing community to experience these places. That said, you really don’t have to travel far to look into someone else’s reality.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Probably some advice I should be giving myself today haha.
I think a lot of young creatives and artists, whatever you want to call them, just need more encouragement. There is this pressure to put everything you make out on social media, and when you are still figuring it out, it can feel pretty scary imagining what people will think about your new creative pursuit when comparing it to someone who’s been doing it for years.
If I could tell myself anything, it is to not take creating so seriously. Not in the sense of holding back or not giving it one hundred percent, but in letting go of the fear of judgment. Just execute the idea and move on, no matter how rough or weird it might seem.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Authenticity throughout my work. Whatever I create, I want it to represent the client, the people, or the location as real and true to life as possible.
Additionally, I’m a firm believer that music can make or break a film. Even though I don’t always get the final say on what tracks are used, it’s such an important part of the process for me.
I’ll fight for the right music simply because it’s such a powerful part of storytelling and can completely change the feeling of a project.
Not to get off track, but In another life, I like to think I would’ve been a music producer or started a band or something.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I think it’s natural to finish a creative project you’ve been chasing for a long time, get to the end, and still feel unsatisfied. I’ve heard this dilemma from artists at every level.
Sorry for sounding super cliche, but Rick Rubin does a great job emphasizing why embracing the creative process and valuing the journey over the final result is so important.
This dilemma isn’t going away anytime soon, but it’s a helpful reminder to enjoy the process and remember why you started creating in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jamessarandis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamessarandis/
Image Credits
James Sarandis, Nicholas Chalmers
