Andrew James's experiences of life in NYC and how do they compare to his prior experiences

Andrew James's experiences of life in NYC and how do they compare to his prior experiences

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
All right, so are you ready to do another deep dive?

(00:02):
Always.
This time we're looking at Andrew James,
a 22 year old filmmaker back in the Big Apple.
New York City, baby.
New York City after spending some time away.
Right.
And we've got a ton of footage and reflections from him
to help us unpack life work and creativity
in the city that never sleeps.
And it's really fascinating
because this isn't his first time in New York.

(00:23):
Right.
He was there from 2019 to late 2020 before the pandemic.
Oh, right.
And now he's back so we can kind of compare and contrast.
That's so interesting.
What's changed?
What's different?
You know, what's he learned?
What's he doing differently?
How's his life changed?
Yeah.
So his video starts off with a tour of his new apartment.
Ooh.

(00:43):
Which is like this super stylish loft space.
I love a good loft.
It just screams like creative professional.
It does.
It's got his editing station, a couch for guests.
Perfect for a filmmaker in New York.
It's just like the quintessential New York.
Yeah.
And he was here when he was here before.
He was just starting out, right?
So it's probably like a much smaller space, right?
Yeah.

(01:03):
Like a tiny little shoe box.
Exactly.
And now he's got this loft.
So it seems like he's really leveled up professionally
and also like his commitment to making New York his home.
Yeah.
He's all in on New York now.
Yeah.
So in the video, he talks about how he identifies
as a freelance travel filmmaker.
Okay.
And he specializes in those super high quality videos

(01:26):
for tourism boards and hotels.
Nice.
Which is awesome.
Yeah.
Those are the clients you want.
And a lot of his work actually comes
from beautiful destinations.
Oh, wow.
Which is a company he interned with back in 2019.
So he interned there and now they're like hiring him
as a freelancer.
Yeah.
So he's come full circle.
That's amazing.
From intern to sought after freelancer.

(01:47):
That's the dream.
That's incredible.
Yeah.
Good for him.
And he talks a lot about his early NYC days
and how much the collaborative spirit of the city
really shaped him as a filmmaker.
I mean, it makes sense, right?
New York is known for that energy.
Yeah.
That like hustle and bustle and everyone's working together.
Exactly.
He specifically mentions working alongside other filmmakers

(02:08):
at beautiful destinations, getting feedback,
brainstorming ideas.
That's so valuable.
It really, and it makes you wonder how his time away
may be working more independently,
has influenced his approach to collaboration
now that he's back.
Right.
And in a way, you kind of have to do everything yourself,
right?
Yeah, you're kind of forced to.

(02:29):
So now that he's back in this environment,
Right.
Is he like even more collaborative?
Maybe he has a new appreciation for it.
Yeah.
So speaking of creative minds,
he introduces us to Liam, his editing mentor.
Okay.
Who seems like a total rock star
and a really important figure in his development
as a filmmaker.
Mentorship is so important.
It is.
Especially in a field like filmmaking,
which can be super competitive.

(02:51):
Especially in New York.
Oh my gosh, yeah.
Having someone to guide you and share their wisdom
can make all the difference.
For sure.
It's like having a map in a jungle.
Totally.
And it's clear that he values that guidance.
Yeah.
And it's not just Liam.
He even shows off his super minimalist camera bag.
Oh, I love gear talk.
I know.
It's so cool.
It's designed specifically for navigating the city

(03:13):
and capturing those perfect shots.
So it's like compact and easy to carry around.
Yeah.
He's all about efficiency.
Smart.
Yeah.
He's not messing around.
So I wonder, has his gear changed
since he was here last time?
That's a great question.
Because back then, he was probably
working with more basic equipment, right?
Yeah.
Just figuring things out.
Learning the ropes.
Totally.
But now it seems like his gear is more refined

(03:34):
and more tailored to his needs as a travel filmmaker.
He's leveled up his gear game.
Totally.
Nice.
So he's gone from rookie to pro.
Refining his tools and techniques along the way.
But even with all that experience,
he's still open to new possibilities.
I like that.
That's what I love about him.
So there's this really interesting scene where
he meets up with his friend Greg,

(03:55):
who just got the Apple Vision Pro.
Ooh, the new headset.
And Andrew is completely blown away
by the immersive experience.
I bet it's wild.
It looks insane.
And you can tell he's like, his mind is racing with ideas.
So is he thinking about using it for his filmmaking?
Maybe.
Because there's this moment where Greg

(04:15):
is like showing him this scene with Alicia Keys.
Oh, wow.
And it's like you're right there on stage with her.
That's amazing.
It's like you're in the music video.
Wow.
And Andrew is just like, I mean, his jaw is on the floor.
I bet.
It's incredible.
That's so cool.
It really is.
So that scene really shows that he's not just
resting on his laurels, you know?
Yeah, he's not complacent.

(04:35):
To push in himself.
He's always looking for the next big thing.
Right.
Always learning, always growing.
And he's not afraid to experiment.
And you can tell he's thinking about how this technology could
change filmmaking.
Yeah.
Imagine a travel video where you're not just watching it,
but you're actually experiencing it.
Oh, that would be amazing.
It could revolutionize the way we see the world.
Yeah.
But before we get too carried away with future possibilities,

(04:58):
let's bring it back to the present.
OK, back to reality.
Because I think it's important to remember that even though he's
embracing new technology, he still
values the fundamentals of filmmaking.
Right.
Like later in the video, he shows off this old camcorder
he used when he first started filming.
Oh, that's cute.
And he's like reflecting on how far he's come.
It's like the classic, you know, started from the bottom,
now we're here.

(05:18):
Exactly.
And it's more than just a feel good moment.
It shows that he respects the journey.
Yeah.
The lessons he's learned, the tools that
got him to where he is today.
I love that.
Because technology is cool, but it's the storytelling
that really matters.
It's the heart of it all.
Exactly.
And speaking of learning from others, we meet Remi.

(05:39):
Who's Remi?
He's his FPV drone pilot.
OK.
And he's like a total drone wizard.
Cool.
Like he can make a drone do anything.
Wow.
And he's sharing his expertise with Andrew.
Nice.
And Andrew's just like soaking it all up.
I love that he's still learning.
Me too.
It shows that he's humble, and he's always
willing to learn from others.
Yeah, you're never too good to learn something new.

(06:01):
Exactly.
And that's so important, especially in a city like New York
that's full of talented people.
Totally.
It's like he's tapping into this collective wisdom.
Right.
And constantly refining his skills.
Exactly.
It's inspiring.
It's not even just about technical skills.
So remember that book Andrew was reading?
Oh, yeah.
The Power of Now.
By Eckhart Tolle about mindfulness and being present.

(06:21):
Yeah, that's not your typical light reading.
Exactly.
It makes you think, why is he reading that?
Right.
It suggests that he's intentionally
cultivating a mindset that supports his well-being.
Right.
You know, especially being in the chaos of New York City.
Yeah, that's a good point, because New York can be a lot.
It can be overwhelming.
Yeah, for sure.

(06:41):
Yeah.
So maybe he developed this focus on mindfulness
during his time away.
Yeah, maybe when he was working more independently,
he needed that to stay grounded.
Yeah, like finds his center.
Exactly.
And mindfulness can be so helpful for creatives.
Oh, absolutely.
It helps you stay focused, tap into your intuition,
avoid burnout.
Yeah, essential skills for a freelancer in New York City.

(07:04):
Totally.
Where it's so easy to get caught up in the hustle.
So it seems like he's really grown as a person.
Yeah, he's not just a skilled filmmaker.
He's looking for deeper meaning in his work and his life.
Right.
And that's something a lot of people discover when they go back
to a place after some time away.
Yeah, it's like distance makes the heart grow fonder.
Totally.
Maybe his time away gave him a new perspective,

(07:25):
not just on New York, but on himself and his priorities.
And I think that new clarity is reflected in his work.
Yeah.
Especially in how he captures the essence of New York City.
Oh, yeah, for sure.
Remember that final scene at Brooklyn Bridge Park?
Oh, it's stunning.
He's not just filming the skyline.
He's sharing his awe and his inspiration.
And you could just feel his connection to the city.

(07:46):
Right.
And he even quotes himself from an earlier video
about how the city brings out greatness in people.
I got chills when he said that.
It's so powerful.
It really shows you how New York can transform you.
It can light a fire under you.
It can challenge you to grow.
Yeah.
And it can inspire you to create something amazing.
And I wonder if his previous experience in New York

(08:07):
shaped that belief.
Maybe his first time in the city was more about survival.
Yeah, just trying to figure it all out.
But now he's back with a deeper understanding
of the city's rhythms.
Right.
He gets it now.
He's not just chasing a dream.
He's shaping his reality.
And that's a big difference.
It really is.
It shows how our experiences change our beliefs.

(08:28):
And how going back to a familiar place
can give you a fresh perspective.
Exactly.
You notice things you didn't see before.
You appreciate things you took for granted.
And you fall in love with it all over again.
So it's not just his mindset that's different.
What else?
His daily routine, too.
Oh, tell me more.
I love routine talk.
Remember how he starts his day with matcha and a homemade

(08:49):
breakfast?
Oh, yeah.
Avocado toast hash browns.
It might seem like a small thing.
God.
But I think it says a lot about how he approaches life
in the city.
You think so.
Yeah, it shows he values self-care and routine.
Yeah.
That's so important in a fast-paced environment
like New York.
You got to create your own little oasis.
Exactly.
And that intentional approach probably

(09:11):
carries over to his work, too.
Yeah.
He's not just hopping from gig to gig.
He's building a career.
Yeah.
He's got a plan.
He's attracting those high-quality clients.
It's like he's playing chess, not checkers.
I love that analogy.
He's thinking ahead, making smart moves.
That's how you succeed as a freelancer in New York.
Absolutely.
Talent is important, but you also need hustle and resilience.

(09:34):
And the ability to adapt.
Yeah.
New York is constantly changing.
And he's using the city to his advantage.
Yeah.
Whether it's collaborating with his network
or finding inspiration from the city's energy.
He's found that sweet spot between ambition and authenticity.
He's creating a life that's both fulfilling and sustainable.
And that's what we all want, right?
It's the dream.

(09:54):
To find that balance between pursuing your passions
and taking care of yourself.
And it seems like he's doing a pretty great job of it.
He's a great example for anyone who's drawn to New York.
Or any big city, really.
Because it reminds us that success isn't just
about external achievements.
It's also about inner strength, resilience, and purpose.
And it's about finding your people.

(10:15):
Your try.
The ones who support you and challenge you.
Make the journey more fun.
So speaking of try, it would be interesting
to compare his network now to the people he knew when he first
lived in New York.
Oh, yeah.
How have his connections evolved?
Let's dig into that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So let's talk about his network.
OK.
So we've got his network now versus.
Back in the day.

(10:36):
Back in the day is first time in New York.
It's interesting because back then it
seemed like his connections were more about immediate needs.
You know?
Like other interns, classmates, people in his immediate circle.
Yeah.
Like when you're first starting out in a new city.
Right.
You're just trying to find your people.
Survival mode.
Exactly.
But now.
Oh, it's different.
It's like he's got this more intentional network.

(10:57):
Yeah.
People who are more aligned with his goals as a filmmaker.
It's strategic.
Like Liam, his editing mentor, he didn't just meet him randomly
at an internship.
Yeah.
It seems like he sought him out.
Yeah.
And Remy, the drone pilot.
Right.
That's not just a friend with a cool gadget.
No.
That's someone who can directly help him grow his skills.
Exactly.

(11:18):
So it's like he's building a network that
can help him level up.
Yeah.
He's curating his connections.
Which is so important as a freelancer.
Especially New York.
Especially New York.
Requires so competitive.
You've got to have those connections.
And it's not just about what others can do for him.
What do you mean?
Remember how he's giving advice to those aspiring
drone enthusiasts?
Oh, yeah.

(11:39):
He's paying it forward.
Yeah.
He's sharing his knowledge and helping others.
That's awesome.
It shows that he understands the importance of community.
Right.
And giving back.
And that's something you often see when people return
to a place after some time away.
They want to contribute.
Yeah.
They've gained a new perspective.
And they want to give back to the community that helped them.
It's like they realize we're all connected.

(12:00):
Yeah.
We're all in this together.
And that's especially true in a city like New York.
Where everyone's paths are crossing.
It's a constant flow of energy and ideas.
It's amazing.
So what if we learn from Andrew James's return to New York?
Well, he's back.
And he's better than ever.
He's leveled up.
He's more intentional about his life.
He's got a clear sense of purpose.

(12:20):
He's found that balance.
And he's embracing the city while also taking care of himself.
It's inspiring.
It really is.
And it shows that going back to a familiar place
can be a catalyst for growth.
You can rediscover yourself.
And you can find even more success that you did before.
It's like that saying, you can't go home again.

(12:40):
But he did.
And he proved them wrong.
Yeah.
He made it even better.
So if you're feeling stuck or uninspired,
maybe it's time for a little return to yourself.
Go back to your roots.
Reconnect with your passions.
You never know what amazing transformations
might be waiting for you.
That's a great message to end on.
So until next time, keep exploring.
Keep creating.
And keep embracing the journeys that

(13:02):
lead you back to yourself.
Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.
See you next time.