Meet Joselito Seldera | Writer, Director, Senior EDU Producer, Adjunct Professor

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

Hi Joselito, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I was younger, I was hungry to the point where my “success” was more important than anything else in life…relationships, doing things that completed me, balanced me, doing things that I enjoy. But as I got older, my definition of “success” changed. Maybe I grew tired of chasing my original definition of success, or realized that version of success grew less and less significant with each day. I looked around at what I had…friends, family, a place to live, just enough money to enjoy living where I do…and started taking advantage of those blessings. My definition of success had shifted and it now included work life balance as the number one priority, if not more towards the “life” part of it, which I enjoy much, much more these days. And I think everyone needs it. Live a little…live a lot. And use that towards your work, or as motivation to be creative, or to just take the time for yourself, whatever.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the Senior EDU Producer for a digital media services company. I work primarily in the education space but not limited to it, as I’ve produced media for universities, training and educational videos for companies and federal entities, branded content, and mini docs/docuseries. When I’m not doing that, I’m wrtiting and directing short films, music videos and other short form content, and am currently securing financing for my second feature film.

20 years ago I don’t think this job even existed, so I consider myself lucky to be doing what I’m doing. It took a midlife crisis, a full career pivot, a move half-way across the country, and film school to get to where I’m at, today. Education has always been in my blood, having taught for 7-8 years before moving to L.A., so I’m very lucky to be working in a field that combines my skills and passions.

I am a storyteller, and there are stories in any line of work, any walk of life…construction, tech, higher education, research, law enforcement, etc. and many, many ways to get that story across. Thats’ the fun part…helping clients decide what the best, most effective medium exists to help get their story out there…whether it’s live action or using generative AI, the tools…in the hands of someone knowledgable and responsible…all work towards the same goal.

Some lessons I’ve learned: things change. Try not to resist, but embrace it. Someone is always going to thing someone else is better than you at what you do, but doesn’t mean you’re not awesome at it. Stay humble and keep your eyes and ears open and always be learning, because you know everyone else will be doing the same. The moment you realize you’ve lost the passion and aren’t getting it back, get out. It’s not good for you, it’s not good for who you’re supposed to be helping.

I feel I’m very good at surrounding myself with talented, passionate people who can help achieve a vision.

I’m very excited about eventually going out on my own.

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?
My favorite part about L.A. is what the diversity it provides geographically within 30-90 minutes of the city. So if my best friend was here for a week, this is where I’d take them:

Day 1: Breakfast Burritos at Corner Cottage in Burbank. We’ll take my dog for a walk in Griffith Park. Grab a drink or three at the outdoor patio at Edendale. We’ll get Thai food at my go-to, Yai’s Thai on Hollywood Blvd and the 101 (not the one on Vermont in Los Feliz…and yes, I know Jitlada is the popular spot, but Yai’s is MY spot) before seeing a show at the Palladium or the Fonda. We’ll grab a drink at Frolic Room in Hollywood before closing out at the Drawing Room in Los Feliz and maybe afters at a friends.

Day 2: We’ll go check out the skatepark in Venice, skate a while, walk up and down the boardwalk. Get lunch at Gjelina in Venice. Then get in a car and head north to Malibu…El Matador. Hang out on the beach. Maybe go surf if my friend want s to. Lunch at Reel In. Come back to Los Feliz/Silverlake, grab drinks at Club Tee Gee in Atwater. Stop at the taco table on the corner of Hyperion and Rowena. Maybe catch a movie at the Vista, close the night at the Drawing Room.

Day 3 and 4: To an air bnb at Joshua Tree! Explore the park, maybe drive down to Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain while we’re there.

Day 5: If in the winter, we’ll go up to Big Bear. We’ll hit the slopes for the day, have dinner in town before driving back. Dinner at La Pergoletta. Hit Permanent Records Roadhouse that night.

Day 6. Wake up late. Get breakfast/lunch at Millie’s. Depending on the day/season, will take them to an LAFC game. Check out my friend’s restaurant, De La Nonna, in the DTLA Arts District, for dinner. Check out their Italian Disco for dinner right after. Then go back to my place where friends come over and we BBQ, hang by the firepit all night.

Day 7. Bloodies at a friend’s house. Grab more drinks/food at Black Cat (outside). Go check out La Cuevita and Johnny’s in Highland Park, maybe catch a show at the Lodge Room. Close it out at the Drawing Room. Hit up Del Taco drive through on the way home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout all my family and friends in Wisconsin, Chicago, and in Los Angeles. And most importantly, to my dogs Shazaam! and Moomat, who taught me the importance of work-life balance.

Instagram: @reilia74. @screwcitymovie

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joselitoseldera/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joselito.seldera/

Image Credits
Images by Joselito Seldera, Chris Pratola, Alex Tafreshi