We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Koji Ohmura a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Koji thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

In my childhood, I always loved Si-Fi films and Japanese cartoons, Godzilla, Dragonball Z, Ultraman, Star Wars, Gremlins, ET, etc. When I turned 10 years old, my father took me to an old movie theater in my hometown, Morioka. We went to watch Jurassic Park. When I was waiting in a front lobby for the show, I heard a huge roaring sound from the theater. I sneaked in and looked at the screen. Then, I saw a steam coming out from a dinosaur’s nose and created a fog on a kitchen window! That freaked me out, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I really thought it was a real dinosaur. The movie was amazing. My father bought me a behind the scene book after we finished the movie. It explained that Stan Winston’s team made animatronics dinosaurs for the film. He was a multi Oscar awards winning makeup artist. That day, I learned there is a job called special effects makeup artist.

I always loved art, making toys out of scratch, and watching movies. This job is the one combined all of these. I thought this could be my future job.

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

When I turned 17 years old, I looked around where I can learn makeup effects. There were some schools in Tokyo. I had to save money since their tuition and living costs were so expensive. I started to work at a restaurant and save some money. However, it was not enough. So after I graduated from high school, I continued to work and save more money. After 4 years, finally I got enough saving for my tuition. I decided to go to California instead of Tokyo. The reason was Jurassic Park was made in Hollywood, not in Tokyo. I wanted the best experience since I had to work so hard to save money. Why not?

Frist, I enrolled in a community college in Palm Desert, California where I learned art and theater makeup. My makeup instructor, Lynda Shaeps, introduced me to a professional effects makeup artist in Hollywood. His name is Michael Mosher. I learned a basic skill from him during the intern. After that, I started to build my portfolios while I was in a college. I remember that I only slept for 3 hours everyday since I wanted to practice as much as I could. I got accepted to work at Amalgamated Dynamics Inc in 2006. My first job was airbrushing Aliens and Predators for AVP Requiem. Everyday, I felt like I was living in my dream. Yes, it was. I really enjoyed working there until the project was done.

Then, I was recommended to apply for work at WM Creations. Matthew W. Mungle is the owner of the company. I was able to work as a key artist for 10 years. He gave me many opportunities to work in major productions such as CSI Las Vegas, Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Inception, The Butler, and The Resident Evil; The Final Chapter. I had worked more than 100 productions there. He taught me many techniques; how fast we can do makeup effects (the time is very important for makeup. It is the beginning of the day of work. Who wants to stay in a makeup chair for 6 hours?), subtle but effective age makeup, how to run the business, and how to survive in this tough Hollywood industry. He is my best mentor.

I created my business in 2017. It is called KOFX LLC. At the same time, Matthew’s LA building closed for good permanently. I continued to follow his business style and worked with many clients from WM Creations. It was very hard and bumpy road in the first year, but with the knowledge and skill I learned from him, I was managed to survive. I always respect my clients and actors. I remind myself that I am just a “tip” of this huge production, not the center of the production. Focusing on my work and helping others are the most important thing.

Now, it is my 8th year with my company. And it is 20th year since I came to the United States. I feel that I am doing something right and love my job.

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

Henry Cloud’s “Boundaries”

During Covid quarantine time, I met this book.
This book explains that how to say NO and when to say NO in order to create good and healthy boundaries.
I knew that “speaking up” is very important in the United States. (In Japan, being quiet and following the boss’ order is considered beauty.) However, I did not know how to speak up. I always thought it was considered rude, and it would ruin the relationships with others.

I started to practice the technique he explains in this book. First, I set my boundaries by creating a personal voice message. It is like “my business hours are from 8 am until 5pm. Please leave a message and I will get back to you tomorrow.” It was very simple. But with that mindset, I stopped answering phone calls and emails. Instead, I focused on my private life. I was able to watch movies without being interrupted by a phone, just like old days. I can enjoy eating food and having a conversations with my family during my dinner. No more phones! When my business hour is back on a next day, I spend my full energy to my work. During work, no more swiping pictures on my phone, no more searching on a shopping app, and no more chatting with my friends. I think current generation, these got mixed up because of the smart phones.

It became less stressful. It gave me the feeling to enjoy my work. Before finding the book, my work was becoming my life. I kept thinking about my work during my lunch break, after work, and even during my sleeping time!! It was not healthy at all.

I am glad I got this book. I still listen to his you tube seminars during my breaktime.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love seeing the reactions of audience when they see my work.
It gives me energy and satisfaction. Especially, I love seeing my kids enjoy seeing my work. (Now, I also have a You Tube kids channel, called “Cozy Art Kids Time. I make drawings, colorings, and Play Doh sculptures.)

Even if the reaction is negative, it makes me think what I can do to make it better next time. I can improve my skill by being in the audience’s perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kojiohmura.com
• Youtube: @cozyartkidstime

Image Credits

Emmy Award picture “® 2022 Marc Bryan-Brown”