Originally from Stamford, CT, James arrived in Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue a career as a visual effects artist. As a virtual production art director, he studies plans and pattern books to build accurate digital models of historic buildings for film and VR. Renting in Los Feliz and Miracle Mile gave him a deep appreciation of period revival styles, and led to years of research on original wood and metal windows. After seeing vinyl window replacements destroying neighborhood character all over the city, he connected with other preservationists to try to fight it.