Daniel Balandra is a second-generation Filipino American born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Daniel discovered filmmaking while working with his father as a wedding and event camera operator. In his off time, he used his father’s equipment to create his own skateboard videos and skits for YouTube.

 

Daniel would also follow in the military footsteps of his father, a retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, by joining the Marine Corps Reserve in 2011. Daniel served as a Landing Support Specialist from 2012-2014 and as an Engineer Equipment Operator from 2014-2019. He continues his service in the Florida National Guard as a Horizontal Construction Engineer.

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Daniel earned his BFA in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production from The Art Institute of Atlanta in 2017. He is known as a jack-of-all-trades with a strong interest in cinematography. He has shot for multiple senior student films, music videos (The Drip Effect’s White Lines) and has produced video content for The Training Yard,  Cool Conceptz, Kettlebell Kinexsions, Brazilian Top Team Jax , American Top Team Atlanta, The Rack APC  and  American Ninja Warrior Season 9  contestant Chris Johnson. Daniel is currently the Video Director for Jax Filipinos United and Grip and Location Audio for Jax Filipinos Chefs.