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Muses in Business
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Inside the World of James Pratt
The Actor, Director, & Producer Redefining Hollywood on His Own Terms
James Pratt, In Eyes of Salt, 2026
August Issue
Actor, Director, & Producer
Behind every film is a series of decisions the audience never sees. For James Pratt, those decisions have come from both sides of the camera. Now based in Los Angeles, the Australian actor, producer, and director has built a career that moves comfortably between narrative filmmaking and documentary. His recent work as executive producer on the documentary Longevity Hackers brought together voices including Edward Norton, Mark Cuban, Tony Robbins, Wim Hof, and Bryan Johnson.
This fall, audiences will also see him opposite Bernice Liu in Eyes of Salt, with additional roles in The 3 Killer Pigs and Waxman. Pratt’s work has earned international recognition, including Best Director at the 2022 Cannes Film Awards for Malibu Crush. He has also received Best Actor honors from the Los Angeles Film Awards, the Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival, and several other international festivals.
Before finding his place in film, he was a four-time Australian Auctioneer Champion and was recognized as one of Australia’s Top 5 Under 35 in Entertainment. For this month’s edition of The Salon, we sit down with James to reflect on the road that brought him from Australia to Hollywood, the people who shaped him along the way, and the work that continues to inspire him.
The Conversation
From Coastal Australia to the Visa Turning Point
Christina: Before the film sets, the premieres, and Los Angeles, what kind of kid were you growing up in Australia?
James: Life in Australia was very different from life in Hollywood. As a kid, I’d spend all day surfing until it got dark, and I grew up surrounded by beautiful dogs and cats. It was a simple, outdoors lifestyle that I really cherish.
Christina: Was there a moment when you realized your life was about to take a different direction, or did your career unfold one opportunity at a time?
James: There were definitely moments where I felt the momentum building, but probably the biggest turning point was receiving my O-1 visa. That made everything feel real because I’d worked hard to reach that point, and it felt like the door to a new chapter had opened.
Christina: You were a four-time Australian Auctioneer Champion before stepping into entertainment. Looking back, what did that chapter teach you about confidence, resilience, and reading a room?
James: That was definitely a season of my life that was very good to me. Looking back, there were a lot of similarities between auctioneering and filmmaking. The training I did in acting school voice work, improvisation, and preparation was all reinforced through auctioneering. But the biggest lesson was on the business side. In Australia, auctioneering is very much a B2B profession, where you’re constantly building relationships with real estate offices. In many ways, it’s similar to working with film studios. You’re dealing with different personalities and egos, so learning how to communicate and navigate those business relationships has been invaluable.
Longevity, Human Connection, and New Roles
Christina: As executive producer of Longevity Hackers, you spent time around people like Edward Norton, Mark Cuban, Tony Robbins, Wim Hof, and Bryan Johnson. What conversations or lessons from that documentary have stayed with you long after filming wrapped?
James: Probably the biggest takeaway was understanding how valuable time really is. I also came away with a greater appreciation for the difference between attention and talent. Talent stands the test of time, whereas fame fades the moment you stop chasing it or paying a publicist.
Christina: Audiences will soon see you opposite Bernice Liu in Eyes of Salt. What drew you to that story, and what do you hope viewers take away from it?
James: Eyes of Salt is an emotional drama that I’d describe as Lost in Translation by the sea. The cinematography is beautiful, but at the heart of the story is the idea that a genuine human connection is more powerful than any distraction. I hope audiences leave feeling that.
The Energy of the Set and the Pursuit of Mastery
Christina: Film sets are often remembered for the moments between “action” and “cut.” Is there a conversation, a person, or a day on set that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life?
James: That’s a great question. There’s not one specific moment that stands out above all the others, but I think the locations where you work and the people leave a lasting imprint. Every set has its own energy, and those memories tend to stay with you.
Christina: Your work has been recognized by film festivals around the world, including the Cannes Film Awards. Has your definition of success changed since those early milestones?
James: I’ve been very fortunate, I would say at this stage it’s about continuing to improve and challenging myself.
Sacrifice, Hindsight, and Building a Legacy
Christina: Success is easy for people to see. The sacrifices rarely are. What has this career asked of you that audiences may never know?
James: Hollywood is built on hard work. Social media often portrays it as red carpets, glamorous events, and exciting premieres, but the reality is that it’s a business. Most of the time you’re putting in long hours, and it’s an industry where people naturally make decisions based on what’s best for their own careers. You have to be prepared for that.
Christina: If you could sit down with the younger version of yourself the one just beginning to dream about this life, what would you tell him?
James: I’d tell him to enjoy the ride. Looking back, even the difficult times had a silver lining, and sometimes you only appreciate those moments with the benefit of hindsight.
Christina: When all is said and done, what do you hope people remember not about your career, but about the kind of person you were?
James: I hope people remember me as someone who was ambitious but also someone who built others up. Helping someone else achieve their own dream means a great deal to me, and I’d like that to be part of my legacy.
Scenes from James Pratt’s world
Photography by Emma Elysee
Photography by Emma Elysee
chicora Tours
Explore Charleston
The Conversation
Interviewer: Christina Coscia
Your boutique experince
There are many ways to experience Charleston, but the best ones often come from someone who truly knows the city. For this edition of Muses of Business, Peninsula sat down with Nick Pasquinelli, Founder & Owner of Chicora Tours, a locally owned boutique tour company specializing in private, small-group, and custom experiences throughout Charleston and the Lowcountry.
Peninsula: Before Chicora Tours, there was your own connection to Charleston. What first brought you here, and when did you realize this was a city where you wanted to build a life?
Nick: I first visited Charleston when I was 15 years old on a family vacation to Florida. We stopped in Charleston for a few days, and I was instantly enamored with the city. I had never experienced a place with such beauty, charm, and hospitality. From that day forward, I made it my life’s mission to return to Charleston.
Peninsula: When you founded Chicora Tours, what did you hope to create that felt different from the traditional tour experience?
Nick: When I founded Chicora Tours, I hoped to create an experience that would fully immerse guests in everything the city is and has been—the history, the culture, the food, and the stories. I wanted to show Charleston from my perspective, entertain our guests, accommodate their individual interests, and ensure that the city’s history is told honestly and accurately.
Peninsula: Private experiences allow you to connect with guests on a different level. How do you learn what someone is looking for and create an experience that feels personal to them?
Nick: Private experiences are the ultimate way to connect with guests. At Chicora Tours, we like to schedule a phone call before our guests arrive. This allows us to get to know them personally, understand what they want from their visit, and tailor every experience to their interests.
Peninsula: Hospitaly is at the center of your work. Who or what shaped your understanding of what it means to truly take care of people?
Nick: I grew up in a household centered around hospitality. My parents owned a valet parking and garage management company that served Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. I began going to work with my father when I was just five years old and continued working in the family business until I moved to Charleston in my early twenties.
Photography by The Offering Marketing
