Brandon Andersen of Atlanta on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Brandon Andersen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Brandon, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of building my business. What people see now are the films, the premieres, and the finished work. What they do not see are the late nights growing up learning to film, edit, and tell stories when I had no clear path.

The moment I realized something was finally starting to click was when I made my first real documentary, Lui Na Greine which means Window of a Sunset. I was deep in grind mode, taking on client projects and learning how to run a business beyond a hobby. That film was the first one I entered into festivals and we ended the year with a couple of wins including Best Local Documentary at Atlanta Docufest. That was when I understood that the work I was creating could emotionally captivate an audience.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brandon Andersen and I am the founder of WLVES Digital Cinema. I tell cinematic branded stories that help companies show who they are, not just what they sell. I found filmmaking through rollerblading. I was a kid filming my friends, teaching myself how to edit, and learning how to tell stories on the street. That passion grew into a career and eventually into my business.

In 2024 I created a YouTube Channel called Signature Series that highlights professional rollerbladers and the culture that shaped me. Each episode is built around intentional storytelling. It is not just tricks or highlight reels. It is the people behind the skating, their journey, their challenges, and their impact on the sport.

I approach client work the same way. Whether I am working with real estate developers, artists, or national brands, the goal is to reveal the human side of the companies people support. Great storytelling creates emotional connection and trust. That is the heart of WLVES Digital Cinema and everything I am working on today.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a shy kid who loved being outside and skating. I would spend my weeks at school thinking about the tricks I wanted to try that weekend at the skatepark. My dad used to film me and my brother skating and I would edit the footage together. I fell in love with that process.

It became the process. Go to school during the week, come home and edit, then spend the weekend filming my friends at the skatepark. That was where I felt the most free. I remember being at school one afternoon with an edit idea in my head. I could not wait to get home to see if it worked. When it did, I was hooked. That moment was when I understood that storytelling was more than a hobby.

I believe everything happens for a reason. Even the jobs or situations you hate can teach you something. Every step, every setback, every season became part of the path that led me to building my own company and doing the work I love today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to keep going. You may not enjoy school and that is okay. It is not a measure of who you are or who you will become. Skating and filming are not distractions no matter who thought they were. They are going to define you. They will become the thing that guides your life, your work, and your purpose. The path will feel unclear at times but keep trusting it. You will figure it out.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to building Signature Series into a platform that documents and honors rollerblading at the highest level. It taught me discipline, community, and how to see the world through a lens. I want to create a catalog of films that future generations can look back on and truly understand the culture, the people, and the history of rollerblading.

At the same time I am building WLVES Digital Cinema into a company that sets the standard for modern branded storytelling. I want to show brands that authenticity and cinematic storytelling can live in the same space. When you trust the audience with something real, they connect in a way that lasts.

On a personal level I am committed to mastery. I still study like a beginner. I still experiment and chase ideas that excite me. I know these goals might take years or even a lifetime, and I am completely fine with that. The work, the craft, and the journey are what I am committed to.

I think right now the project I’m most committed to is a documentary I’m producing alongside mural artist Lacey Longino. Throughout 2025 we’ve been documenting a mural she’s created called “Grounded in your Light”. I’ve been really trying to be intentional in the edit process of this film and make sure it’s told exactly how I envision it. Hoping to premiere that film in February/March of 2026.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people will misunderstand how much of my journey was uncertain. They might see the finished films or the moments that worked and assume I knew exactly where I was headed. The truth is I never had a clear roadmap. I was just a kid skating and editing because I loved it. I made mistakes, learned through trial and error, and kept moving forward even when I was unsure. If there is any legacy, it comes from that patience and persistence, not from overnight talent or luck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WLVESDigitalcinema.co
• Instagram: branders3n
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SignatureSeries

Image Credits
Nick Dandria
Auston Robinson
Anthony “Truth” Gary