Isaac Alvarez is an award-winning film director and photographer based in Los Angeles. With 15 consecutive Telly Awards from 2019 to 2024, his work spans commercials, brand films, and photography known for its cinematic and emotional style. As founder of Our Time Film, Isaac has created campaigns for major brands and continues to push boundaries in storytelling across film and visual arts.

How many years have you been a judge?

5+ years

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first real job in the industry was working as a photographer on editorial and commercial shoots. I started out assisting and then built my way into shooting covers and campaigns. It taught me discipline, showing up prepared, being adaptable, and understanding that every detail matters. More than anything, it taught me how to work with people, read their energy, and capture something genuine. Those lessons carried over into my directing today, because filmmaking is just as much about people as it is about cameras.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

I’m most proud of the projects featured in the Case Study section of my website. Each of those films represents a collaboration where I was able to bring cinematic storytelling into a brand’s world. They’re not just commercials, they’re stories with emotion and craft behind them. Those projects are the best reflection of what I love to do: take a client’s vision and elevate it into something memorable and timeless.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The most challenging part of my job is balancing creativity with logistics. As a director, I’m always aiming to push the visuals and storytelling further, but in production you’re working with budgets, timelines, and a lot of moving parts. In the industry overall, the challenge is standing out, there’s so much content being made every day. But I see that as motivation. It forces me to stay sharp, be original, and focus on telling stories that actually connect with people.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in video and television comes down to three things: story, emotion, and craft. A strong story keeps people engaged, emotion makes them feel something, and craft is how well it’s executed, from cinematography and sound design to pacing in the edit. I also look for honesty in the work. When it feels authentic, whether it’s a commercial or a film, that’s when it stands out.

How do you unwind from work mode?

I usually unwind by disconnecting from screens in a different way, traveling, working out, or spending time with people close to me. Photography is also something I go back to just for myself, without any client pressure. And honestly, I love playing Fortnite. It’s a fun escape that lets me shut off work mode, be competitive, and just enjoy the game.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

Right now I’m wearing a few hats. I’m the founder and creative director of Our Time Film, where I lead the vision for commercials, branded content, and narrative projects. My role covers everything from directing on set to shaping the creative strategy with clients. I also continue my personal work as a photographer, creating portraits and editorial projects that carry the same cinematic tone as my films.

What I love most is telling stories that connect with people. Whether it’s a brand film or a portrait, I get to capture emotion and make it feel real. That moment when someone watches a piece I directed and it resonates, that’s what drives me.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Right now, I’m excited about a few projects. One of the biggest is a TV series I’m developing about a streamer whose dark, twisted life slowly unravels. It’s a passion project, backed by investors and collaborators who genuinely believe in the story.

What excites me most is how each project pushes me in a different direction film, branding, fashion but at the core, they’re all rooted in storytelling and the drive to create something that lasts.