philosophy

Production is an artform. Collaboration is crucial. Limitations can be liberating. Exploration is essential. We believe every story deserves to be shown in the most beautiful light and the best work comes from a passion for the process. These are the beliefs that guide our work, and the reasons why we started Avocados and Coconuts.

how we work

Our clients all tell us it’s different working with us. There’s transparency at every step. No big show. No big ego. Because filmmaking is a highly collaborative process, so we extend that sense of collaboration fully into the client service component. We don’t manage our clients. We involve them.

Chasing the Big Idea is great so long as you don’t lose sight of the Big Picture. That is to say, understanding what it will take to turn a creative vision into a successful reality. We find that our pragmatic, holistic approach to the process delivers work that’s as achievable as it is awesome.

the team

Dalia Burde

Founder + Executive Producer

Origin

Mean streets of the tree-lined northern suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Expertise

Has an acute understanding of productions of any scale. Has been in production for over 25 years and has worked on everything from large multi-million dollar budget union films, commercials, and PSA's, to sit-coms and webisodes.

For Fun

Logs most of her crucial and relevant hours in the ocean. Traveling far and wide to try to find her perfect wave. She is a pioneer of what she believes to be the small wave surfing movement.

Amani King

Executive Creative Director

Origin

Assembled in Vermont, from U.S. and Tanzanian components.

Expertise

Co-founded his first company, the seminal snowboard brand Twist, while still in high school. Owes his creative vision to the scrappy DIY ethic he learned from skate/surf/snow culture. The self-reliance, determination, and open collaboration that he values has served him well, from his boardsport roots to directing global campaigns for brands such as Adidas, Xbox, and Apple.

For Fun

Carries at least one camera all the time, everywhere. Garden variety Japanophile with a particular love for ceramics.

Michael Grant

Creative Director/Copywriter

Origin

Tamalpais High ⇒ Cal ⇒ SF

Expertise

It’s the usual story of becoming an elite coxswain, then a major label record biz guy, then an actual stuntman, then a writer and eventually creative director in the advertising industry. His many successes are the direct result of assuming audiences won’t care unless you give them reason to, while also presuming people are generally quite smart and kinda weird.

For Fun

Bikes, mountains, mountain bikes, pancakes, power ballads, pioneering the Slow Jogging Method, casually pursuing UFOlogy.

Brandon Loper

Director

Origin

Decatur, Alabama

Expertise

Brandon has been working commercially in San Francisco for the past decade cultivating his craft of telling stories through advertising and short films. His southern roots keep his directing style humble, conversational, and honest. Brandon’s experience in advertising demands a high standard of work that is stimulating, artful, and distinct. Brandon’s first feature documentary, A Film About Coffee, explores the global culture of specialty coffee.

For Fun

Coffee, Wine and College football - roll tide!

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Chris Newman

Director

Origin

Farmed straight from the fields and swimming pools of Davis, California.

Expertise

Began his career shooting professional surfers across the globe. Having earned a Masters degree in documentary from UC Santa Cruz, his award winning doc work screened in festivals worldwide and nationally on PBS. After a stint living and filming in Peru, he returned to San Francisco, building his commercial reel as a director, working with major brands and agencies. Drawing from his diverse filmmaking background, he strives to create cinematic, heartfelt and honest connections between his subjects and the viewer.

For Fun

He can’t stay dry for too long. Most days you can find him surfing and photographing the rugged swells that frequent his northern California home.

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Spencer MacDonald

Director

Origin

Born in Manhattan and raised in the city of San Francisco.

Expertise

The son of an oil painter and an architect, Spencer has been steeped in the conceptual and the functional from an early age. Beginning with a stint living in a remote Himalayan Buddhist Nunnery, he has filmed cultures across the world, developing an obsession with the alchemy that can arise from the delicate mixture of visuals, light, and sound.

For Fun

Spends much of his time watching how light falls on walls, objects, and plants. Otherwise on trails in the wilderness with a backpack and sleeping bag.

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Matthew Palmer

Director

Origin

SF born, Sacramento raised. Either way, go Giants!

Expertise

Makes ads, films things, tells stories. Raised by a painter who now serves as his biggest critic (and fan). Was featured as part of the Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase at Cannes and was named a Shots Rising Star. Has done ads for brands including Keurig, GE, GRLSWIRL, Allbirds, Le Creuset, and more. Is grateful for all of the above, as well as his dog, NBA basketball, good books, and hot tubs.

For Fun

Reading books, watching/making movies, being in nature, brewing/drinking beer, skiing, and writing bios like this one.

Jeremy McNamara

Director

Origin

Bay Area born and bred.

Expertise

Raised by a painter and a schoolteacher, his filmmaking journey began as a kid when he picked up a skateboard. Fresh out of high school, he began traveling the world making skate films with some of the world's top skaters. Eventually, he decided to pursue some of his broader filmmaking interests, and since then has been building his reel of branded content, and ads for brands like Google, Nike SB, Clif Bar, and more. No matter the project, he strives to tell stories that are rooted in universal truths that help us connect with and understand each other.

For Fun

Skateboarding, film, sneakers, METAL.

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Sean Fee

Director

Origin

Somewhere in-between South East England and Northern California...The middle of the Atlantic Ocean?

Expertise

Has a knack for bringing out the humanity in the stories he tells. Has been working for more than ten years carrying the belief that every project is an opportunity to inspire, enliven, and enrich people's lives.

For Fun

Has a deep love for our oceans and mountains. Sliding sideways and exploring with his wife and three kids.

Drew Kass

DP / Drone Pilot / Gear Master

Origin

Fresno? Fres-yes.

Expertise

Federally certified drone pilot. Researches, buys and maintains camera equipment. Understands the intricate workings of ARRI and RED cameras, Movi stabilizers and other gear needed for high quality productions.

For Fun

Spends the majority of his time visualizing how things look from an aerial perspective. Excess time is spent consuming avocados, Cabernet and episodes of Seinfeld. Also enjoys playing fantasy football and basketball (the real-life kind).

Jessica Kenney

Post Producer

Origin

Did you say Masshole?

Expertise

Juggling massive coffee consumption whilst managing 100 post projects and memorizing schedules in her head. Junk-food connoisseur. Donut lover.

For Fun

It’s all for fun.

Gabby Occhipinti

Production Manager

Origin

If Sicily and San Francisco had a kid

Expertise

A detail-oriented creative who’s slightly reluctant to admit she was once a theater kid. Has a writing and secret photography background and a few interesting travel stories to tell. Unceremoniously graduated from USC early-pandemic but still Trojan-proud. Vlogged her life from ages five to fifteen (before it was cool).

For Fun

Direct-messaging medical professionals online with issues they’ll inevitably misdiagnose perpetuating her fear of all things health-related. Otherwise… thrifting.

Hanna Moradi

Editor

Origin

Tower 30, La Jolla Shores CA

Expertise

Forever a sensitive kid, classically untrained flutist, UC Davis visual design grad. Previously half of a production team, where she produced, shot, and edited a variety of content for non-profit and corporate clients, absurdist short films, and everything in between.

For Fun

Reading one book at a time, treading water of any kind, rewatching Mad Men, and having existential conversations about Love Island. Has a soft spot for loud symphonies. Always on the hunt for the best chocolate chip cookie.

Jessie Renda

Motion Designer

Origin

Someplace between LA and San Diego

Expertise

Organizing everything from household items to words, shapes, and color. Illustrating people, plants, and simple moments.

For Fun

Perfecting her pour overs, fermenting things, tending to her plants and cat.

Brendan Bric

Assistant Editor

Origin

Sailed in from Vashon Island, WA.

Expertise

Studying film and music, and pursuing both in various capacities from film composer, to touring guitarist, to assistant editor. He seriously believes you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously.

For Fun

When he’s not re-re-reading This Band Could Be Your Life for further DIY inspo, he makes music and short films. He is a runner, a hiker, and an orderer of takeout.

Cooper Kenward

Editor + Director

Origin

St. Helena, CA (Not the island where Napoleon was exiled)

Expertise

When the moon is in the right house, he directs commercials and music videos. He has been known to point his finger in random directions, saying "that's the ticket" to no one in particular. Most of the time you will find him in a dark room, punching a keyboard (Editing).

For Fun

He plays guitar in two Bay Area bands and collects obsolete ephemera to soften the unease of modern living. Sometimes he wanders around Golden Gate Park asking strangers if they have seen his dog. He dreams of someday becoming the co-founder of a really good deli.

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