Still hard to believe, but after serving as the full time Director of the iHeartRadio Theater LA for 11 years, I made the decision to start the next chapter of my career.
During the summer of 2025, I chose to leave my full time position so I could be an independent director and start my own production company, as well as head video production for my wife’s music media outlet, Grimy Goods. It was also time to focus on the music documentary I have been working on for the past few years.
I loved my team and the job was a very special opportunity. I cut my teeth directing over 250 one hour live specials all with top recoding artists and national brands.
But why step away from a solid gig? (with these gas prices?!) I felt ready. I wanted to apply my style of creating premium video products to the open market. I wanted to work with more partners and collaborate with a wider pool of creatives, particularly in the live events sector. It’s a long term goal work with the people driving the live shows that leave me in awe. I felt this need in me to explore my creative pursuits deeper than the four walls of the venue could serve.
After taking some weeks off to reflect and recalibrate, I was fortunate to jump into a steady flow of work for the remainder of that year which is why I’m only now formally sharing this news. I finally have the chance to reintroduce myself as a for-hire Live Director and Video Producer.
I have also launched a new website featuring my latest demo reel and samples of my work. *Link in bio as the kids say
If your brand or your next event is in need of someone who can own your video/broadcast solution from start to finish, look no further. I have a video production resume and live broadcast credits list that looks like a CVS receipt, and I am ready to show you all just what I can do for your story.
From my amazing crew to my always supportive wife and family, thank you for supporting me all these years and trusting me with every show to make a little bit of magic.
Heavy fog blankets California ahead of the holiday season. Her head held low not out of any sadness or melancholy-no she’s enamored, fixed on the small surprise that came out of her advent calendar. Happy Holidays 2025
Portrait of insanely talented star @lareezymusic shot backstage at Camp Flog Gnaw 2025. The sun was setting fast losing the light of my first setup but the young man arrived just in time I was able to line him up under the final blade of golden rays as if to say “this kid is indeed golden.” Shot for feature in @grimygoods check out the article and full length video interview live now on GrimyGoods.com #portraitphotography #campfloggnaw2025 #musicphotography
@nationoflanguage at the Fonda Night 2. đź“· for @grimygoods this was a wonderful night experiencing a band I truly feel connected to through their touching lyrics and arresting musical direction. It was also my first time seeing if I could use some unique qualities of medium format in a photo pit to get almost more portraiture moments.
Pulp at the Hollywood Bowl — all the common people came out for the disco 2000 and said “this is hardcore.”
September 25, 2025.
📸 @brolinger
đź“ą @grimysandra
#pulp #jarviscocker #hollywoodbowl #commonpeople
“Our community needed this night. It was a necessary release and break for joy. Even with hard skin, we hurt. Hearing songs of resistance against systemic oppression and protest led by artists we love and admire was a much-needed boost to keep fighting the good fight.“ -Sandra Burciaga grimygoods.com Photos for @grimygoods@tommorello Defend LA Bennefit Concert at The Echoplex
@larouxroux for @grimygoods interview on GrimyGoodsTV just before her performance at @elcidsunset discussing her intimidate venue shows in LA and an upcoming new album.
Hung out with @peterbjornjohn for a little bit after their set at @justlikeheavenfest while Peter and Bjorn chatted with @grimygoods about the fest and the anniversary of Writer’s Block. We were all prepped and ready for our time in the press tent and their manager finds us on schedule. We go “did they want to do it by the artist compound or we have a good spot picked out around the corner if that works…” manager walks us behind the main stage points into the distance of the Brookside Park’s fairways. There sat Peter and Bjorn under the shade of a lone tree with a case of beer. The manager goes “oh good you, brought good mics.” absolutely pleasant fellows and funny! Check out the interview live now at grimygoods.com. Thanks again guys for having us. #justlikeheavenfestival #fujix100vi
I have a new favorite portrait for 2025 and it’s came from a roll of expired #fujipro160 roll of 220 medium format film. She had a birthday last week and apparently has opted out of aging. I did not know you could do that. Happy Birthday @grimysandra please keep us connected with the human world and all the great music and performance culture that beautifully comes out of that we get to experience through @grimygoods shine on you shiny diamond.
We are safe, but our friends and community in Altadena are not. Our hearts ache for our friends that have lost their homes and the children who have lost their happy spaces, their schools and their parks. I just heard our daughter’s school is on fire. I hope it’s not true and if it is, I hope the fire department can save it. But considering how many homes did not receive any help and burned down to the ground, I’m not feeling too good about it.
Altadena is one of LA’s best kept secrets. It is a beautiful community full of diversity and hard working folks. It’s been flourishing with so many new small businesses, coffee shops and bars & restaurants. The devastation up the hill is shocking. So many homes have caught on fire in places I never thought were possible. Friends and neighbors who have lived here for decades can’t believe it either. We are shook. But the community is strong and we will help our friends and our neighbors rebuild.
Praying that Mother Nature takes mercy and halts these winds so the fire fighters can put out the flames.
Thank you to all those that have reached out. We are thankful to be safe and our home too. As more information surfaces I’ll be sharing how you can help those in need. It’s gonna be a long recovery.
1. photo is our street in Pasadena
2. FoxLA in Altadena
3-5. video photos are from friends this morning. đź“ą @jamesmelinat
