Story & Lesson Highlights with Benedikt Sebastian of Koreatown

Benedikt Sebastian shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Benedikt, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes — I would hire me.

I show up prepared, I care about the work, and I understand the full ecosystem of a project. Having worked in front of and behind the camera, I know what it takes to make something actually land — not just creatively, but practically. I think in terms of story, execution, and collaboration, and I don’t need hand-holding to get there. I’m curious, adaptable, and I take responsibility seriously. If I say I’ll deliver, I deliver.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Benedikt Sebastian, a South African–born Creative Director based in Los Angeles and the founder of Mid-City Films. At its core, Mid-City Films is a storytelling studio. We work across photography, film, design, and video to help projects find their voice and present themselves clearly and honestly.

What makes the brand unique is that it’s built from lived, on-set experience. I’ve spent years working both in front of and behind the camera — as an actor, director, photographer, and writer — so I understand the full creative ecosystem. That perspective allows us to create work that isn’t just visually striking, but grounded in narrative, character, and intention.

Right now, Mid-City Films is focused on developing original narrative projects while also collaborating with filmmakers and brands on unit stills, key art, editorial imagery, and video content. Everything we do is driven by the same goal: tell strong stories, respect the craft, and make work that actually connects.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is usually fear. Fear of being seen, misunderstood, or vulnerable. Add ego, poor communication, and unresolved hurt, and distance creeps in quickly.

Most breakdowns don’t happen in dramatic moments, rather they happen slowly, through avoidance and silence.

What restores those bonds is honesty, accountability, and presence. Being willing to listen without defending yourself, to own your part without excuses, and to show up consistently… even when it’s uncomfortable.

Real connection isn’t about perfection; it’s about effort, empathy, and choosing to stay engaged when it would be easier to walk away.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that it’s okay to have many things going on at once — and that failing fast is a good thing. You’re not lost, you’re learning. The detours, missteps, and experiments are part of the process, not signs you’re off track. Keep moving, stay curious, take the risks, and trust that the journey itself is doing the real work long before you ever arrive anywhere.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I try to look past the noise and ask a simple question: does this change how people actually behave, or is it just getting attention right now?

Fads tend to chase novelty and validation, while real foundational shifts quietly alter habits, workflows, and expectations over time. If something keeps proving useful after the excitement wears off, and integrates into how people create, communicate, or live, then it’s probably a real shift. I also trust time and repetition more than hype.

I’m all about long game!

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I don’t really believe in the idea that we’re born to do one specific thing. I think we’re born curious, and we intuitively move toward what holds our attention. If there are things you can do endlessly without getting bored — things you return to again and again — that’s probably a good signal you’re on the right path.

The landscape today is also very different from when that idea was first popularized. We have access to more tools, more knowledge, and more ways to create than ever before. It’s normal to pursue multiple interests, to evolve, and to change direction over time.

There aren’t hard rules anymore.

The freedom to explore, pivot, and redefine yourself is part of the work… and part of the privilege of living now.

Image Credits
All photos © Benedikt Sebastian