James Valdez
cinematographer | camera operator
asc vision | soc | army veteran
🏫 ucla film & nyfa cine alum
📍la sd | Σ

Excited to share Canta Santiago with the world! I directed and shot this short on 35mm film — a true labor of love. Now streaming on @omeleto link in bio :)

Excited to share Canta Santiago with the world! I directed and shot this short on 35mm film — a true labor of love. Now streaming on @omeleto link in bio :)

Excited to share Canta Santiago with the world! I directed and shot this short on 35mm film — a true labor of love. Now streaming on @omeleto link in bio :)

Honored and thrilled to be accepted into the ASC Vision Mentorship Program! 🎥🙌🏽
The ASC represents over 100 years of cinematography that has shaped how we see films, and many of my favorites were shot by DPs in this society. They embody the peak of our craft, pushing boundaries with light, shadow, and story to create timeless images. Grateful for the chance to grow, challenge myself, and keep telling stories through the lens. Always moving forward!
@the__asc

Honored and thrilled to be accepted into the ASC Vision Mentorship Program! 🎥🙌🏽
The ASC represents over 100 years of cinematography that has shaped how we see films, and many of my favorites were shot by DPs in this society. They embody the peak of our craft, pushing boundaries with light, shadow, and story to create timeless images. Grateful for the chance to grow, challenge myself, and keep telling stories through the lens. Always moving forward!
@the__asc
New reel
None of these shots would exist without the talented artists and amazing people I’ve had the chance to collaborate with. Grateful to keep creating :)
Here’s to more stories, more frames, and more magic ahead. 🎥🙌🏽✨
#cinema #film #reel #cinematography #filmmaking

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial

#Director / #Cinematographer James Valdez (@jamesinfocus) takes us #behindthescenes of @CANTASANTIAGO, shot on 3 perf 5213 #35mm @kodak_shootfilm and on #Panaflex XL2 Cameras.
“The story is about a young Mexican-American mariachi singer. I felt shooting 35mm film was an essential part in achieving a timeless and intimate feeling in a way that digital recording would not capture. The sharp contrast of the Panavision Primos paired with a color richness of Kodak Vision 3 200t was a beautiful marriage.
Cultures and its portrayal are important to me, especially of mariachi, as it’s an emblem of Mexican culture—I wanted to make sure the creative decisions made rendered the story well.”
1st AC @gcamman4508 @hanqing_sky_ma
2nd AC @drealexzandria @lee_mus
Steady Cam @ericksteadi
Gaffer @nickazzaro
Key Grip @jtimages @devansh.neekhra
Dolly Grip @diegorio5
G&E @southside_cine howih
Grip @christian_ch1co @ken_buker @nethraguru Sound @jameswiththevoice
Wardrobe Asst @nethraguru
Hair & Makeup @kasia_nowik @mua_mirta
PA mr_brandolruiz
Security @barlos27perez
Panavision systems @panavisionofficial
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