We were lucky to catch up with Ayako Karasawa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayako, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a very young age, my fascination with the world of art began to take shape. I had an early affinity for drawing, dancing, and playing musical instruments, which ignited my passion for creativity. When my family relocated from Japan to Shanghai when I was just three years old, my parents found themselves engrossed in their professional commitments, and I often spent time watching movies by myself.

As a child, I had a penchant for watching my favorite films repeatedly. You know, kids would watch movies they like again and again. I remember begging my parents to take me to the local DVD shop on weekends. One of my favorite movie in my childhood was ‘Casper Meets Wendy’ (1998), a film that once had me convinced that witches were real. However, my older brother told me it was, indeed, a creation of the cinema, and there are ‘people’ behind the screen.

This revelation triggered my curiosity, and I gradually began to think about how these magical movies were brought to life. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, where I learned to fluently speak four different languages, I started to appreciate the universality of cinema. It dawned on me that movies have the unique power to transcend language barriers and connect with people from all walks of life.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Ayako Karasawa, a Film/TV/Commercial Producer located in Los Angeles. In addition to my role as a producer, I’m a co-founder of Vivax Productions LLC and serve as a dedicated Producer at Cloud Walker Inc. My journey in the world of film and media production was sparked by an unwavering passion for cinema. This love for storytelling and visual artistry guided me towards becoming a creative producer, specializing in a wide array of media content, with a particular emphasis on the world of film.

I was born in Kanagawa, Japan and relocated to Shanghai, China with my family at a very young age. After high school, I moved to California, United States to pursue my ‘Hollywood Dream’. My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Media Studies from the University of California, Irvine. Building upon this, I pursued a Master’s degree in Film & TV Producing at Chapman University.

I actively work on film sets as Producer, oversees productions including short films, commercials, and web-series. With my diverse background, I always pursue the ‘Universal’ stories that should be told. Having grown up in different countries including Japan, China, and the United States, Ayako is proud to bring a nuanced and global perspective to her work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Every film, every commercial, and every content I make as a producer feels like my own child. I love how filmmaking is an art of storytelling that allows me to deliver my thoughts, feelings, and unique perspective into a tangible form that can be shared with the world.

When I witness how my work can resonate with and impact others is incredibly fulfilling. Filmmaking / Production is teamwork that is a work that is made from the collaboration of people – Director, Cinematographer, Production Designer, Editor… etc. As a producer, I can oversee the whole production, finding the shining point of every member who has been involved in the project.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As I mentioned before, I come from a multicultural background that helped me to learn to embrace every culture. Growing up with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds, I once lost my ‘cultural identity’. When I was in middle school, there was a ‘Cultural Fair’ event that was hosted every year at my school. While my classmates at the international school discussed what they would wear and bring from their hometowns, I was confused. Although my family is Japanese, I spent almost my whole life growing up in China. Later, I realized that art and movies have the extraordinary power to transcend boundaries and touch the hearts and minds of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

My central mission is to create content that has a universal theme – ‘LOVE’. My mission is to create content that resonates with individuals, evoking emotions and ideas that lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. There are no cultural boundaries in the world of Cinema.

And of course, my goal is to make my parents proud and see my name at theaters!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ayakofilm_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayakokarasawa/