We were lucky to catch up with Masashi Yamamoto recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Masashi , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

Certainly! Throughout my career, I had the privilege of crossing paths with my former supervisor, Jeff White. Jeff is the art director for the stop-motion animation series, “Shape Island,” which airs on Apple TV. I was fortunate enough to work alongside him as a stop-motion fabricator within his dedicated crew. Whenever I encountered a challenge or had inquiries about crafting specific props, Jeff consistently provided invaluable insights and feedback.

What truly stood out about Jeff was his unwavering commitment to fostering a collaborative and stress-free work environment. He went to great lengths to ensure that no one on the team felt burdened by tight deadlines. Instead, he strived to cultivate a cohesive atmosphere within the art department, where every individual was regarded as an integral part of the larger team. Jeff’s approach was instrumental in creating a harmonious and productive workplace.

Masashi , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a professional animator specializing in 2D and stop motion, as well as a skilled stop motion fabrication artist. Additionally, I’m an independent filmmaker. I acquired my animation and filmmaking skills during my undergraduate and graduate studies, which served as a foundation for my career in the Burbank and Los Angeles animation industry.

One of the highlights of my career is the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly talented and amiable individuals within animation studios. A standout example of this was my involvement with the creative team behind the stop motion animation series “Shape Island” on Apple TV. I was fortunate to work at Bix Pix Entertainment as a stop motion fabricator in the art department, where I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff White, my supervisor, and his fantastic team. Jeff was exceptionally supportive and caring, always prioritizing the well-being of our crew and fostering a healthy work environment. During lunch breaks, he even occasionally strummed his guitar, and on one memorable occasion, I brought my small keyboard piano, and we had an impromptu jam session!

Beyond my animation industry involvement, I am also active as an independent filmmaker. My independent animated works have been showcased at various festivals worldwide.

One of my recent works, “Strange Acts Of Love,” was featured at OutFest Los Angeles, an “Academy Awards®/OSCAR® qualifying festival.” In this film, I experimented with multiple storytelling approaches, creating a multitude of comic strips and integrating them into the final product. I enjoyed the creative freedom, as I didn’t have to adhere to a single narrative. The process of brainstorming ideas for the comics was also an enjoyable aspect of the project. The film’s theme is “Love,” and I aimed to depict the peculiar and unconventional facets of love, resulting in a purely playful and imaginative piece.

My latest film, “Discoteque,” recently premiered at the Out On Film Festival, another “Academy Awards®/OSCAR® qualifying festival.” This project combines the techniques of stop motion animation and 2D hand-drawn animation. The film transports the audience to a quirky, vibrant world where disco reigns supreme, and a couple explores new heights of love through dance and body movements. The central theme of the film is the connection between rhythm and romance, as encapsulated by the phrase, “I feel your beat, you feel my rhythm, till the end.” Through the characters’ dance and movements, the animation delves into the intricacies of romantic relationships.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In the creative work environment, I discovered the necessity of expressing my thoughts candidly to my colleagues and team members. Without this straightforward approach, it often led to misunderstandings regarding my intentions.

Having originated from Japan, I was well aware of the cultural tendency for Japanese people to avoid direct expression of opinions. This cultural aspect was ingrained in me, and before moving to the U.S., I rarely communicated my thoughts clearly to anyone.

However, I soon grasped that employing a similar communication style in the USA resulted in people struggling to comprehend my message. It became evident to me that within the creative community, there’s a strong desire for transparent sharing of ideas. I came to the realization that expressing my thoughts directly to others signifies my respect and belief in them, and I found it highly advantageous for everyone to openly exchange their thoughts.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

It’s truly about connecting with people. Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a multitude of supportive, amicable, and genuinely inspiring colleagues and friends. Their presence continually fuels my motivation to embark on fresh creative endeavors, and their influence empowers me to push the boundaries of my work, forging new and exciting paths.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://masashiiii.com/

Image Credits
I created all images