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James Velissaris

is the founder and CEO of Finch Fortress Films. James grew up in Chicago. He credits his mother for his humility, confidence, and faith. James always excelled at school from an early age. James Velissaris was an athlete who was known for his football skills. He was a local football star and played football at Glenbrook North Illinois high school where he set a single-game rushing record in 2001

About Me

James Velissaris, CEO and Founder of Finch Fortress Films.

James Velissaris is the founder and CEO of Finch Fortress Films. James grew up in Chicago. He credits his mother for his humility, confidence, and faith. James always excelled at school from an early age. James Velissaris was an athlete who was known for his football skills. He was a local football star and played football at Glenbrook North Illinois high school, where he set a single-game rushing record in 2001.

James Velissaris ended up at Harvard University, where he played first as a running back and second as a cornerback. Harvard’s football team website shows Velissaris graduated from the university with a degree in economics. He also received a master’s degree in operations research, concentrating in financial engineering, from Columbia University. During his academics, James Velissaris received several scholarships and took on several jobs on campus in order to pay his tuition fee. He was a part of religious clubs and other various student groups.

Velissaris began his career at Goldman Sachs as an analyst, then moved to Arden Asset Management, analyzing asset allocation and portfolio construction. While at Arden, Velissaris published research on diversified statistical arbitrage.

James Velissas

James Velissaris is a very well-known name in the industry. His qualifications speak for themself, and there is a lot that today's youth can learn from such an esteemed individual by simply having a conversation with him about his experiences. His ocean of knowledge and humble nature can definitely be looked upon as an example to succeed in the film and production industry.

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Portfolio

James Velissaris Portfolio

Recent News

February 22, 2022

Flowchart depicting the film industry’s production process

    James Velissaris says, the Production Process of the Film Industry begins well before the actual filming of the film.  The concept is the initial stage in the filmmaking process. Every movie begins with a single thought that someone has in their head. A great deal of thought and planning has gone into this […]

James Velissaris of Finch Fortress Films Has Been Named Associate Producer of the Upcoming Independent Picture “The Dropout”
January 13, 2022

James Velissaris of Finch Fortress Films Has Been Named Associate Producer of the Upcoming Independent Picture “The Dropout”

Upcoming Independent Feature “The Dropout” Has Taken on Finch Fortress Films Head James Velissaris as an Associate Producer. Ex-Files Productions, the feature production company behind the upcoming independent film “The Dropout,” has made the announcement that Finch Fortress Films founder and CEO James Velissaris will serve as associate producer on the picture. As Ex-Files states, “The […]

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