Whatever you do, don’t tell the Los Angeles Dodgers that the guy who set the tone for their video storytelling during their back-to-back World Series runs is a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the archrival Padres.

And while you’re at it, don’t tell Jake Loskutoff’s family that he’d love the chance to work with the Dodgers again. After all, as any of his clients will tell you, his fandom never gets in the way of his award-winning work. 

“My family and I, we probably watch every single Padres game—but when that opportunity comes around, it teaches you to put the business ahead of being a fan,” said Loskutoff (Comm’03), founder and director of LIFEinaVAN Studios, a dynamic creative company in Los Angeles. “It’s an energizing kind of challenge—figuring out what their fans will love, and leaning into your creativity to make this entity you dislike look as good as it can.” 

Telling a generational baseball talent what to do on set can be intimidating, but Jake Loskutoff leans on his communication degree to prepare, set expectations and create relationships with stars like Shohei Ohtani. ‘When you prepare correctly,’ he says, ‘you’re able to let your training take over and just execute.’ Photo courtesy LIFEinaVAN Studios.

  There’s one person on camera, but 10 people behind that camera making it work. Getting reps in all these different positions behind the scenes is how you prepare yourself to succeed.” 
Jake Loskutoff (Comm’03)

Loskutoff’s route to becoming a creative influence to the reigning World Series champion Dodgers—in fact, to most Southern California pro sports teams, as well as major brands like Dom Pérignon, IMG, NFL Network and AMC—was hard to imagine just a few years after he graduated from CMDI, when he found himself “getting really good at video games” while looking for work that wasn’t there.

He returned to his home state after building his portfolio in New York, including a stint with the Vans Warped Tour, but struck out until getting some work with the Association of Volleyball Professionals; Loskutoff called his memories playing club volleyball in college among his most treasured. 

Jack Wilson, now head of video strategy for The Ringer—a popular podcast network owned by Spotify—recalls working with Loskutoff on beach volleyball for Fox Sports. The two continue to collaborate on Ringer podcasts. 

“Jake brought this aesthetic that was different from everyone else working in sports television,” Wilson said. “And so, when I had the chance to bring him into covering the LA Kings, and other teams, I did it right away.” 

It’s not just his eye that makes Loskutoff successful—it’s his ability to identify and tell a compelling story. He credits his education with giving him that edge. 

“Studying communication gave me this great foundation for leadership while developing me as a storyteller and project manager,” he said. “Those skills have only become more important now, as I’m producing and directing more than I’m holding the camera.”

‘Gladiator shoots’

Jake Loskutoff on set for a shoot with Easton to showcase its baseball equipment. The founder and director of LIFEinaVAN Studios helps iconic brands and major league sports teams tell their stories in a crowded video landscape. Photo courtesy LIFEinaVAN Studios.

Even if you haven’t seen Loskutoff’s work—meaning you don’t live in Southern California—you’re likely familiar with the visual story he’s telling by seeing pro teams advertised on billboards, on social media and on TV. Grandiose lighting, low camera angles, heroic poses—these are almost tropes when it comes to sports media. How does his work stand out in such a crowded environment? Loskutoff has developed a particular aesthetic—high energy, fast-paced, edgy—that translates well on what he calls “gladiator shoots that make these athletes larger than life.” 

And there’s also his studio’s emphasis on relationships—with his clients and athletes, but also his own team. For example, he may have to squeeze 162 games’ worth of content from two or three minutes with Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani. His team needs to know exactly what they’re after—and how to quickly pivot if something goes wrong. Communication, he said, is key in those moments; his education “gave me discipline and structure that I still rely on in planning projects and steering through problems.”

“When you prepare correctly, once the athletes show up, you’re able to let your training take over and just execute.”

Connor McGlynn met Loskutoff while working with Fox Sports West, and found him to be a mentor whose confidence in his creativity created a calming effect on hectic sets. 

“Whether you’re at the top of your field or on your first day as a production assistant, Jake makes you feel like you’re on equal footing,” said McGlynn, a senior creative producer with Rawlings Sporting Goods; he enjoys bringing LIFEinaVAN in as a collaborator for the athletics brand. “You don’t see that a lot in sports media. But making everyone feel like they’re part of the success of the production is how you get great ideas and build that reputation for excellence.” 

Prizes and Padres

Jake Loskutoff offers direction to his team as they work on set with the Anaheim Ducks and their former center, Adam Henrique. Owning a business is a challenge, but Loskutoff says the ability to support his staff and freelancers as they do high-end creative work is among his greatest joys. Photo courtesy LIFEinaVAN Studios.

That excellence shows up in Loskutoff’s trophy case—which houses two Emmys and other accolades—but what he values most is the supportive environment he creates with his company, and the opportunities to help fellow creatives do their best work. Also near the top of his list: a multiyear period where he provided editing to his family’s beloved Padres. 

“Not a game would go by that I wouldn’t get a text from family or friends with a picture of their TV, asking ‘Was this you?’” he said. “Knowing they were thinking of me was super meaningful.”

During his occasional visits to Boulder, Loskutoff challenges CMDI students to think differently about careers in creativity and content.

“What students don’t realize is there’s one person on camera, but 10 people behind that camera making it work,” he said. “Getting reps in all these different positions behind the scenes is how you prepare yourself to succeed.” 

Loskutoff’s own ability to wear almost any hat on set is why Wilson, at Spotify, loves collaborating with him.

“He does a lot more of the dirty work on projects than people see,” Wilson said. “He’s good at making things look pretty and high touch, but he gets there by being a grinder. And it’s why, no matter where I end up, I’m always going to try to figure out a way to work with Jake.” 

Joe Arney covers research and general news for the college.