Meet James Bobo | Commercial director & actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Bobo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I was younger, I had a very all-in approach to my work in film. Long hours, no boundaries, everything was about the job. It wasn’t until I got older that I really understood how much life experience feeds creative expression.

It’s hard to write a great breakup song if you’ve never been through one. I don’t know if that applies to every career—if you’re an investment banker, that trip to Peru might not make you better at banking. But for artists? That stuff is the work.

So for creatives who are struggling with “work-life balance,” I’d say this: give yourself permission to go on that trip, meet that person, try something new. Call it research. It will absolutely broaden your creative palette and deepen the emotional well you’re pulling from. It all shows up in the work—whether you realize it or not.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the core of everything I do—whether I’m directing or acting—is storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to finding what’s honest in a moment, what feels real, and what connects. I come from a background in post-production, so I learned early on how to shape a story by cutting away everything that doesn’t matter. That’s something I still carry with me, even on set. I’m always asking, “What’s the simplest way to tell this?”

What sets me apart, I think, is that I’ve worked both sides of the camera. I’ve been the guy directing the scene, and I’ve been the one performing it. That perspective makes me a better collaborator. I understand how to build something as a team. And I’ve also learned how important it is to keep creating—especially when no one’s asking you to. I make passion projects between the bigger gigs. That’s where I take risks, experiment, and find new inspiration.

It hasn’t always been easy. The work isn’t consistent, and staying creative while also trying to stay employed can be tough. But I’ve learned that momentum matters. You have to stay in motion—keep reaching out, keep making things, keep showing up.

What I want people to know is that I care about the work. Whether it’s a big commercial campaign or a two-person scene in an indie film, I try to bring the same level of intention and care. That’s what I’m proud of. And that’s the kind of energy I want to keep building on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting LA for the week, I’d want them to get the full mix—classic LA, local gems, and a lot of great food.

We’d start with the Academy Museum to get a proper dose of film history, then catch a movie at one of the city’s amazing art house theaters—there are so many great ones. Or if it’s summer, we’d hit Cinespia for a movie under the stars at Hollywood Forever.

I live in Venice, so biking along the beach, surfing, or a drink on Abbot Kinney would definitely be on the list. We’d also head to Griffith Observatory for the views and maybe catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl.

LA’s food scene is incredible. A few of my go-to spots are Great White, Gjelina, Osteria Mozza, and Elephante. And I love a good tiki bar—there are a ton of them around town.

To wrap up the week, we’d probably hit the Comedy Store. Even on a random night, you’ll catch someone great.

Looking at this list, it’s clear we would also be spending most of the trip in traffic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely—there’s no way I’d be where I am without the support and encouragement of my beautiful girlfriend, Liana. She is, without question, the reason I’ve made so much progress over the past four years.

She’s the one who got me into acting in the first place—and she’s been by my side through every step since. She directs me in every audition and she’s my reader. She pushes me creatively, challenges me, and sees things in me that I don’t always see in myself. We collaborate constantly—we write together, develop projects, bounce ideas back and forth. She’s a true creative partner. She’s also super hot which is nice.

Liana is an incredible actor and storyteller in her own right. Watching how she approaches her craft inspires me daily. We actually met on set, working together—and it feels fitting that we still find ways to create new things side by side.

She pushes me to be my best self—personally and professionally—and I’m forever grateful for her. There’s no version of this story where I get to where I am without her.

Website: https://jamesbobo.com

Instagram: @jamesbobo