1st Assistant Director James Velasquez brings over 25 years of experience across more than 100 feature films, commercials, television productions and music videos in the US and Sweden.
Since beginning his career in Los Angeles in 1995 after graduating from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Media Arts/Filmmaking, James has developed a deep understanding of every stage of production. His ability to bring structure, clear communication and practical solutions to complex shoots has made him a trusted partner for both directors and production teams.
Throughout his career, James has worked with acclaimed directors including Tomas Alfredson, Lars von Trier, Mikael Marcimain, Julie Delpy, Pernilla August, Jens Sjögren and Jan Troell.
Guided by strong organizational skills and a solution-oriented mindset, James brings steady leadership to managing the many moving parts of production. His ability to adapt to challenges as they arise and solve problems in the moment has made him a valuable asset across a wide range of projects.
Alongside his work in production, James shares his knowledge through 1st Assistant Director workshops, teaching Movie Magic Scheduling and the techniques required to successfully navigate today’s demanding production environments.
Alan Velasquez, Alexis Almström, Amir Chamdin, Anders Nilsson, Anna Zackrisson, Annette Sjursen, Bahar Pars, Bill Skarsgård, Björn Stein, Charlotte Brändström, Daniel Lind Lagerlöf, Emma Bucht, Erik Poppe, Gabriela Pichler, Henrik Georgsson, Jan Troell, Jarratt Carson, Jeff Michael Bertiger, Jens Jonsson, Jens Lien, Jens Sjögren, Joakim Ersgård, Jonas Alexander Arnby, Julie Delpy, Lance Daly, Landon Liboiron, Lars von Trier, Lena Koppel, Lisa Aschan, Lisa Farzaneh, Lisa James Larsson, Lisa Langseth, Lisa Siwe, Lawrence Lanoff, Lukas Moodysson, Malek Akkad, Maria Eriksson Hecht, Maria Essén, Martin Asphaug, Martin Högdahl, Michael Bockman, Michael Hjorth, Mikael Marcimain, Måns Mårlind, Nikolina Knapp, Peggy Bruen, Pekka Lehto, Per Fly, Per Hanefjord, Pernilla August, Pernille Fischer Christensen, Peter Geiger, Peter Grönlund, Petra Revenue, Rafy Gerges, Richard Holm, Rob Lowe, Robert DaGasta, Shuki Levy, Simon Kaijser, Stephen Ferrier, Timothy Linh Bui, Tomas Alfredson, Tomas Jonsgården
Veronika S1 & S3, Faithless, Deliver Me, Love & Anarchy S2, The Unlikely Murderer, Agatha Christies Hjerson, The Hunt for a Killer, Beartown, The Days the Flowers Bloom, Before We Die S1 & S2, Hassel, Gentlemen & Gangsters, Blue Eyes, Viva Hate, Gynekologen i Askim S2, Saltön S3, Irene Huss S1, How Soon Is Now?, Firewall, America’s Most Wanted
Feature Films
Thank You, I'm Sorry, I Am Zlatan, Se upp för Jönssonligan, My Zoe, Swoon, Becoming Astrid, Amateurs, A Serious Game, Det vita folket, Gentlemen, Monica Z, Snabba Cash - Livet deluxe, Life’s a Breeze, The Hidden Child, The Last Sentence, Good Luck. And Take Care of Each Other., Call Girl, Melancholia, Pax, Svinalängorna, Johan Falk: De fredlösa, Johan Falk: Operation Näktergal, Johan Falk: Leo Gaut, Johan Falk: National Target, Johan Falk: Vapebröder, Johan Falk: GSI - Gruppen för särskilda insatser, Karaokekungen, Mammoth, Troubled Water, An Existential Affair, 7 Millionaires, Kim Novak Never Swam in Genesaret's Lake, Game Over, Double Shift, Rancid, Starving Hysterical Naked, Psychic Murders, Lost in the USA, Green Dragon, Rust: A Dog’s Tale, The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven, The Cold Equations
Short Films
Donkeyland, Soul of a Man, Scenes from the Night, Skolstartssog, Underneath, The Selection, Boiler Maker, Survivor: Los Angeles the Ultimate parody, Desert’s Edge
Commercials
Swedish Armed Forces, Stockholms Stadsmission, SVT, Postnord, Daloc, Systembolaget, SEB, Gant
