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Logline

As independent music stores vanish across America, The Guitar Shoppe captures how one small shop changed lives, shaped artists, and reminds us why places that build human connection matter.

Synopsis

The Guitar Shoppe tells the story of a legendary Southern California music institution whose influence reached generations of musicians, preserving an increasingly rare tradition of craftsmanship, mentorship, and community before it disappears forever.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Christina Macaulay — Director/Producer
Christina Macaulay is an independent filmmaker, Emmy-nominated writer/producer, journalist, and award-winning screenwriter whose work is rooted in curiosity, cultural connection, and a belief in the power of singular human stories. Her background in broadcast journalism shaped an approach built on independence, access, trust, and discovery. Rather than imposing a predetermined narrative, Macaulay follows character, emotion, and lived experience to uncover the larger truth beneath the surface.

Her work reflects a commitment to visual storytelling that elevates overlooked people, communities, and forms of knowledge. In The Guitar Shoppe, she turns her lens toward a small Laguna Beach institution and the craftspeople, musicians, and family members fighting to preserve its legacy. What begins as a local story expands into a universal exploration of grief, craftsmanship, mentorship, memory, and what communities lose when meaningful places disappear. Macaulay’s work has received more than 50 film and media awards and recognitions. She brings journalistic rigor together with an independent cinematic voice defined by intimacy, emotional honesty, and a willingness to look closely at stories others might pass by.

Tyler Whitbread — Director of Photography
Tyler Whitbread is a Los Angeles-based Director of Photography, camera operator, and specialty camera operator with more than 15 years of experience in television and film production. As the owner and operator of Neon Supreme Corp, Tyler has built a career around visually compelling storytelling, technical precision, and a collaborative approach on set.

His work spans studio and location production, lighting design, grip and electric, aerial cinematography, and specialty camera operation. An FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot, Tyler brings an added visual dimension to his cinematography through dynamic aerial imagery and an eye for scale, atmosphere, and place. He also incorporates both traditional filmmaking techniques and emerging post-production and AI tools to support efficient, creative storytelling.

A member of ICG Local 600, Tyler is also active in industry advocacy, with a focus on on-set safety, fair working conditions, and greater inclusion within the production community. His leadership style is grounded in preparation, adaptability, and a positive presence on set—qualities that make him both a trusted collaborator and a strong creative partner. For The Guitar Shoppe: Laguna Beach Icon, Tyler brings a cinematic eye to the film’s intimate character moments, handcrafted details, musical history, and distinctive Laguna Beach setting.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact [email protected].