AARON YAMASATO, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, moved to Los Angeles to study his passion for film. There he would receive an AA DEGREE in CINEMA ARTS and then went on to receive a BA DEGREE in VIDEO/ART. During his 7 year stay in LA, he was hired for various film, television and commercial productions. He would also work as a casting agent at THE CHARLES MATTHEW'S CASTING AGENCY, which found actors for Hollywood film and television shows like THE POWER RANGERS.
He would go on to become an award winning filmmaker for his popular/quirky animated short films (ICEBERG, GODZILLA VS. SH*TZILLA) which screened at film festivals around the world and on the Internet. While making films and being a certifiable FANBOY, he also cherished working as an English tutor for the families of Japanese music superstar EIKICHI YAZAWA. And film celebrities SCREAMING MAD GEORGE and "BEAT" TAKESHI KITANO.
Memorable experiences include teaching filmmaking and animation to kids at the KAUAI CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM, working as personal assistant to actor CARY HIROYUKI TAGAWA (Memoirs of a Geisha, Pearl Harbor, Mortal Kombat) and being a student of Hollywood screenwriter EDWARD KHAMARA (Ladyhawke, Enemy Mine, Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story).
Inspired by the works of filmmaker ROBERT RODRIGUEZ (El Mariachi, Desperado, From Dusk Til Dawn)...
Yamasato wrote, directed, edited and shot his first live, feature length action film called BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI, which received the BEST HAWAII-BASED FILM at the 2001 HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. It would go on to receive numerous glowing reviews and screen at various film festivals around the world. The DVD, distributed by THE MOUNTAIN APPLE COMPANY and authored by SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT, became a surprise cult hit and sold out Hawaii stores including Costco, Tower Video and Walmart.
The follow-up television series sequel BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI: THE SERIES, was Hawaii's first ever 100% locally produced, hit martial arts, action show and was recently released on DVD. It premiered and ran exclusively on OCEANIC/TIME/WARNER CABLE channel OC16.
Yamasato would then create NINJA EX...
a BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI UNIVERSE SPIN-OFF SERIES filled with action, martial arts and comedy. Drawing from influences such as Japan series favorites KIKAIDA and KAGE NO GUNDAN, as well as classic comic book superheroes such as SPIDERMAN and SUPERMAN, his protagonist fights for justice as a ninja who helps the weak and defends the innocent. NINJA EX became Hawaii's second ever 100% locally produced action show that showcased Hawaii talent. It premiered and ran exclusively on OCEANIC/TIME/WARNER CABLE channel OC16.
MASUMI T. CHILDERS (Director of Photography) Grew up in Hawaii and has worked on numerous film and television projects, including MTV’s THE REAL WORLD and BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI. Masumi is also an accomplished actor who has appeared in many stage productions, and in addition, he is a national award-winning artist who was presented with the Silver Key, the Gold Key, and a certificate of merit from the National Regents of the Fine Arts. Masumi is currently living in Japan, where he is assisting earthquake victims.
TITUS CHONG
TITUS Y.H. CHONG (Script Supervisor/Assistant Director) Grew up in Hawaii and worked in Los Angeles as an assistant production accountant, post production coordinator, and producer's assistant. His TV credits include FRIENDS, ER, THE WEST WING, and DREW CAREY. His feature film credits include MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, THE ONE, and A.I. He studied screenwriting at UCLA Extension and a Hawaii screenwriter who produces films and TV shows through his company, Rogue City Productions.
Titus worked on Disney's Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. He recently screened his latest project "Grandma's Recipe" at the Hawaii International Film Festival 2005.
Scott Mason "Lost" as usual (pic taken by "Lost" DP Larry Fong
Scottleemason
(Visual Alchemist)
An aspiring filmmaker from childhood, Scott practiced making music videos, Claymation, Lego animation, and other filmmaking projects. He left Hawaii to attend Florida State University. There he honed his skill as a writer. He was recruited by PBS and quickly became the go-to person to solve technical problems. Scott left PBS to be the news editor and promotions producer of a new 24 hour news station in Tallahassee. Several years later, Scott moved to Mike Vasilinda Productions, where he was the lead graphic artist, creating numerous 3D worlds for corporate videos. Scott has won several awards for editing. In Los Angeles, he shot a High Definition movie for the producers of “NYPD Blue.” His work on that movie led to post production work and designing preliminary graphics for the ABC pilot “The Threat Matrix.” Scott was the on-line editor and special effects artist for "The Real Cancun." His dream is to build a movie industry in Hawaii that rivals Hollywood.
Scott worked on the hit television series, "Lost."
He currently finished his first feature length horror film called, "The Orb."
It recently premiered at The Hawaii International Film Festival 2005.
a scottleemason film
THE ORB
www.sandust.com/theorb.html
Jill- Tracy Tom
The Purse Thief- John Koshi
Ninja EX/Ken Momochi- Kevin Won
Security Guard- Jeff Katts
Pretty Beach Girl #1- Charis Fujimoto
Pretty Beach Girl #2- Christy Wong
Student at Beach- Matt Wong
Brooke- Colleen Fujioka
Roxy- Stephanie Sanchez
Scott- Kevin Yamada
Liza- Zan De Perelta
Ashley- Ka'ohi Yojo
Walking Worker- Mei Nakano
Office Workers- Jennifer Doong
Bruce Kanehiro
Blayne Suzuki
Robert Fujita
Jarrett Okutsu
Tei the Bounty Hunter- Ty Miyabuchi
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Won
Jon Koshi
Ty Miyabuchi
SOUND AND MUSIC MIX
Aaron Yamasato
Scottleemason
OPENING TITLE
Scottleemason
"B" CAMERA OPERATORS
Michael Ng,
Masumi Childers
Taires Hiranaka
Titus Chong
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Taires Hiranaka
LOCATIONS
Pacific Transfer
Alvin Tanaka
Earl Kanae
Yamasato, Fujiwara, Higa and Associates
COSTUMES
Aaron Yamasato
Irene Sakakida
Matsudai Mitsuchidori
Maurice Yamasato
Jean Yamasato
SHURIKENS SUPPLIED BY
Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Yuko Agatsuma
WEAPONS
KC Martial Arts
NINJA EX
EPISODE 2
"ATTACK OF THE EVIL VAMPIRES!"
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Ninja EX/Ken Momochi- Kevin Won
Kang- Michael Ng
Skesis- Derek Suzuki
Bodgie- Genevieve Suzuki
Johnny- Daryl Bonnilla
Cazz- Colleen Fujioka
Xin- Ann'e Au
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Won
Ann'e Au
SOUND AND MUSIC MIX
Aaron Yamasato
scottleemason
OPENING TITLE
scottleemason
"B" CAMERA OPERATORS
Anthony Hahn
Michael Ng
Masumi Childers
Taires Hiranaka
Titus Chong
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Taires Hiranaka
LOCATIONS
Pacific Transfer
Alvin Tanaka
Earl Kanae
The Hawaii Okinawan Center
Wayne Miyahira
COSTUMES
Aaron Yamasato
Irene Sakakida
Matsudai Mitsuchidori
Maurice Yamasato
Jean Yamasato
Hot Topic
SHURIKENS SUPPLIED BY
Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Yuko Agatsuma
WEAPONS
KC Martial Arts
NINJA EX
EPISODE 3
"SAITO THE DARK SAMURAI STRIKES!"
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Punk 1- Andy Pang
Punk 2- Eddy Gudoy
Punk 3- Tanner Henderson
Saito the Dark Samurai- Bryan Yamasaki
Officer Joe Sakamoto- Egan Inoue
Ken Momochi/Ninja EX- Kevin Won
Customers- Gannon Yamasato
Sherri Miyabuchi
Ardith Fujii
Shannon Geenty
Marcelline Tam
Joy Tam
Haley Yamasato
Aolani Yamasato
Frank DeLima
Lani Nakazawa
Laurel Loo
Kendyce Mananguchei
Paul Booth
Josh Amas
Eric Rossiter
Taires Hiranaka
Masumi Childers
Titus Chong
Kerri Chai
Waitress- Nirvana Uyeno
Waiter- Reuben Cadiente
"Wot Like Beef" Guy- Blayne Suzuki
Friend- Robert Fujita
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Won
Bryan Yamasaki
SOUND AND MUSIC MIX
Aaron Yamasato
Scottleemason
OPENING TITLE
Keith Pang
"B" CAMERA OPERATOR
Taires Hiranaka
Anthony Hahn
Michael Ng
Bryan Yamasaki
Masumi Childers
Titus Chong
Josh Amas
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Taires Hiranaka
Josh Amas
LOCATIONS
PACIFIC TRANSFER
Alvin Tanaka
Earl Kanae
THE WISTERIA
Karen Yokoyama
Reuben Cadiente
Bert Kawaguchi
COSTUMES
Aaron Yamasato
Irene Sakakida
Matsudai Mitsuchidori
Maurice Yamasato
Jean Yamasato
SHURIKENS SUPPLIED BY
Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Yuko Agatsuma
WEAPONS
KC Martial Arts
NINJA EX
EPISODE 5
Ninja EX Meets The Blood of the Samurai!
CAST
(in order of appearance)
The Running Thug- Joey Calderone
The Hunter- Shawn Forsythe-
The Drug Runner- Joey Calderone
Ninja EX/Ken Momochi- Kevin Won
Trent- Bryan Yamasaki
Rob- Michael Ng
Cabal members- Ronald Matsushige
Grant Miyashiro
Valerie Sakai
Taires Hiranaka
Joel Yago
Chris Lee
Jamie Arakaki
Cammie Arakaki
Cammie's Friends
Michelle Arakaki
Dennis Crowley
Fumiko Crowley
John Pyles
Michael Ng
Shawn Forsythe
Sensei- Ban Daisuke
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
Kevin Won
Ronald Matsushige
Grant Miyashiro
SOUND AND MUSIC MIX
Aaron Yamasato
Scottleemason
OPENING TITLE
Keith Pang
"B" CAMERA OPERATORS
Anthony Hahn
Tiares Hiranaka
Titus Chong
Masumi Childers
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Taires Hiranaka
LOCATIONS
Pacific Transfer
Alvin Tanaka
Tenrikyo Temple
CRANE SHOT
Cool Local Guy and his Girlfriend
COSTUMES
Aaron Yamasato
Irene Sakakida
Matsudai Mitsuchidori
Maurice Yamasato
Jean Yamasato
Shawn Forsythe
THE HUNTER'S EYES
Renaissance Girl
Renee
CASTING ASSISTANCE
Mei Nakano
Lisa Matsumoto
Aolani Yamasato
SHURIKENS SUPPLIED BY
Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Yuko Agatsuma
WEAPONS
KC Martial Arts
Aaron Yamasato
Shawn Forsythe
VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO
City Bank
Ron Migita
Pacific Transfer
Alvin Tanaka
Earl Kanae
Hirano Brothers Limited
H. Riki Hirano
Louis S. Shiraishi
Wisteria Restaurant
The Hawaii Okinawan Center
Wayne Miyahira
Tenrikyo Temple
Fire Chief Attilio K. Leonardi
Wayne Harada
Michael Tsai
The Honolulu Advertiser
The Honolulu Star Bulletin
Jason Genegabus
The Honolulu Weekly
The Kauai Garden Island News
Terry Hunter
Pacific Focus
Ohina Short Film Showcase
Video Lab
Dis-N-Dat
Kung Fu Cinema
Danny Shannon
Mark Pollard
Riley Sterrett Films, Inc.
Rob Sterrit
The Mountain Apple Company
Leah Bernstein
JN Productions
Joanne Ninomiya
Ban Daisuke
www.GenerationKikaida.com
Doc and Lori Grant
Anime in the Limelight
Lisa Matsumoto
Ohia Productions
Hot Topic
Cosmo Enterprise Inc.
Chris Lee
Anderson Le
Ian Hirokawa
The Booth Family
The Mason Family
Kayo, Shio, Shu Shu, Ken Ken Shiota
Aolani, Gannon and Haley Yamasato
OCEANIC TIME WARNER CABLE
Mitzi Lehano
Lianne Nishimura Killion
Glenn Liu
Lonnie Pepper-Shupp
Jon Brekke
and everyone in the OC 16 Ohana!
SUGOI ARIGATAI!
TOYO and YOSHIKO YOSHIDA
My loving/supporting wife NATSUMI...
and my spirit lifting daughter LIA!
And of course...
a SUPER SPECIAL THANK YOU to my parents...
MAURICE and JEAN YAMASATO
For helping and understanding my childhood dreams
of making movies become a reality!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
WHO SUPPORTED OR HELPED TO MAKE NINJA EX!!!
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!
MUCH MAHALOS!!!
THANK YOU!
And please visit
WWW.NINJAEX.COM
and
WWW.BLOODOFTHESAMURAI.COM
FILMED ON LOCATION IN TOKYO, JAPAN AND HONOLULU, HAWAII
The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein
are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character or history
of any person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to
the provisions of the laws of the United States of America
and other countries.
