All posts by Joe James

About Joe James

Joe James is a creative concept developer with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. He specializes in illustration, design, and storyboards for some of the top directors in the world. He’s worked on many award-winning commercials, as well as an Academy Award-winning short film. Joe’s winning combination of uncanny insight and intense dedication makes him the top choice of many award-winning directors. In what he laughingly calls his spare time, he can be found reading biographies or obsessing over action films.

The Secret Sauce of Collaboration

Storyboards, Storytelling Joe James

If your finished product could be even better — would you do what it took to get there? What if it meant letting go of control, and moving towards collaboration? Here’s my truth. I’m a storyboard artist AND I’m a…

Can we talk about things we agree on, please?

Holiday Joe James

Is everyone feeling the love right now? It certainly doesn’t seem like it. This is one of the first times in my life where I feel like people are running out of humor. Between the news and the world and…

Director's seeking a creative career

Pursuing a creative career? This one’s for you.

SJS Highlights Joe James

When I was a kid, I didn’t want to be a fireman, math teacher or vet when I grew up. All noble professions, but I was always called to create something with my hands. By 18, I was working in…

Super Bowl Commercials 2022

From script to storyboard — here’s how I do it.

Storyboards, Storytelling Joe James

Is creativity magic? Nope. It’s mostly hard work. My creative process is something I do for every single job — but it’s not something I’ve shared before. Recently, a director told me he’s never worked with a storyboard artist who…

Telling stories for 20 years. Here’s mine.

Comic News, SJS Highlights, Storytelling from comics to SuperBowl commercials Joe James

Telling stories for 20 years. Here’s mine. My passion, my dreams — the thing I did every single day — melted before me. It was OVER. Not through any fault of my own, but because of ego. I was a…

20th year anniversary

20 things we’re grateful for on our 20th anniversary

Holiday, SJS Highlights #Celebrating20thAnniversary, #Grateful, #Thanksgiving Joe James

This Thanksgiving marks 20 years in business for Saint James Studios. As we reflect on how fortunate we are to have such longevity in this ever-changing industry, we want to share 20 things we’re grateful for. Mentors like Jim Shooter…

Joe James with mentor Moses Figueroa

The Art Teacher

SJS Highlights, Storytelling Joe James

I was 12. I attended St Francis Xavier parochial school in NYC. It was time to choose a high school, and even though I had been accepted to Xavier High’s ROTC program, I knew it wasn’t for me. There was…

Storyboard Artist in NYC Joe James Commercial Creative Director Illustrator Storyboards in the east coast saint james studios

What’s Changed Over 40+ Super Bowl Commercials – from a Storyboard Artist’s POV

SJS Highlights, Storyboards #SuperBowl Joe James

Since 2002, I’ve worked on over 40 Super Bowl commercials — and let me just say — things have changed a lot in the past 20 years. Strap in. Super Bowl commercials are a bigger deal than ever. And even…

“I've been working with Joe since 2002. That's 50 Super Bowl spots ago. And about 23,535 frames. Til someone figures out that Joe is really the guy who comes up with my shots, I say why ruin a good thing?”

— Bryan Buckley, Director/ Owner of Hungry Man - The King of Super Bowl

“It doesn't matter where I'm shooting, what time zone, how little time we have—Joe has become a crucial partner and I feel very fortunate to have found him seventeen years ago. If I can't get Joe—I'd rather do a shot list!”

— Matt Smukler, Director at Supply & Demand

“Joe James you are so f*cking money—SLAM DUNK. Boom shakalaka.”

— Rob Soucy, Director at Eskimo

“Joe James is the best and if you have a chance to work with him...don't you dare hesitate...I have worked with Joe for many years and rarely have I worked with anyone so professional, friendly, and talented.”

— Mark Tiedemann

“Joe is so great at so many things. I remember when he was just starting out. He was good right out of the gate. Now, he's a Grandmaster.”

— Jim Shooter, Writer & Creator

“You're the best man, honestly—Bryan and I were just talking about you. How you're our silent partner and you've been with us on all these journeys. A couple thousand people in a couple dozen countries have seen a Joe James drawing. Pretty great!”

— Mino Jarjoura, Oscar-Nominated Producer

“My favorite thing about working with Joe is that he always finds a new way to surprise me on every job. Whether it's an angle I never thought of or a way to make the story come through more effectively through the visuals, I know that every time I get another set of boards from him it's going to make the project even better. He's always a great listener and is asking questions I haven't even thought of yet.”

— Andrew Wonder

“Working with Joe is great. His style reflects how I see a commercial board in my head. Prompt attention to detail and revisions. All around a great experience.”

— Kevin Emmons

“Ms. Jackson is one of those rare creative people who does many things well, and moreover, is able to make connections between disciplines. She ‘sees the weave’ She constantly perceives insights that others miss. She can bring to bear design skills while writing or creating, production expertise while designing and creative imagination with regard to production…”

— Jim Shooter

Producers…Hire the right storyboard artist (or regret it later).

Directors…Which Style Storyboard Do You Prefer?

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