Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yuyu Kitamura. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Yuyu, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Being a full time actor is not an easy task as the notion of jumping from role to role and project to project , but it is rewarding to the soul when things align and you’re able to make it happen. These days, many actors are multi-hyphenates trying to do it all. I wrote, directed and starred in my short film INVITED IN which has gone on to acclaimed film festivals such as New York Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, and now with the acclaimed New York Lift Off Film Festival. Being a full time creative means understanding or having an interest in the macro and micro scope of the industry. Acting is my first and foremost passion as well as my most skilled however I have found that I enjoy the other elements of creative work like producing and directing. By opening my breadth of what being a creative means, it has pushed me to try new areas of interest which has then circled back to how I can continue to grow as an actor.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Japanese actress raised in Hong Kong, embracing my identity as a third culture kid. Influenced heavily by creating, collaborating and changing the landscape of media with more diverse stories and creators, I am passionate about showcasing the world as modern and dynamic as it is. I believes in the complexities and lack of conversations about the mental health stigma, specifically in Asia, and aim to learn and show compassion for others both in my personal and professional life.

Yuyu is about to star in the leading role of the new HBO Max show Dead Boy Detectives as Niko Sasaki, her past credits include The Expatriates, Invited In, and Mother Tongue.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

During my time in Hong Kong after graduating from NYU, I came back to engage in the local community here and see what has been happening since I left. It is remarkable to see the growth in the arts scene here, all around from theatre to music to film to photography. I wouldn’t have learned about the colorful and talented community if I had not chosen to truly connect and engage. The idea of supporting the creative ecosystem can feel like a huge task at hand, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be through starting within the local scene and getting to know the people. Through conversations, I’ve met so many artists both similar and different to me, but fundamentally we all share the excitement to create and with that comes support in their dreams and their work. Showing up is half the battle but through showing up, you see more. I’ve found that my excitement for other artists inspired me to create which only added to the wonderful canvas of the local art scene and the cycle to create and learn only continued. Support can be financial, but the longer lasting impact is about connecting and sharing.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

As an actor, I’ve often forgotten the power of reading a beautiful book when I easily flock to watching films and shows.

When I was creating my film ‘Invited In’, I read two books that were influential to the process and the successful outcome.

‘The Third Door’ by Alex Banayan is a cleverly written book about his journey to interview some of the most successful people in the world. It’s a joy to read as he meets his heroes but more, it’s the glorious lessons he learns from others as he manages to meet them. This self help book is filled with anecdotes and simple yet powerful skills he shares that made me rethink how I can navigate not the artists self, but the personal self through my journey.

‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert is a classic for every creative looking for short chapters that bring joy about the creative process. Inspirational and fills the soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: yuyukitt.com
• Instagram: @yuyukitt
• Other: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10208354/

Image Credits
Tania Tiplady