Aaron Yamasato, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Moved to Los Angeles to study his love for film. He would receive an A.A. Degree in Cinema Arts (Los Angeles Valley College) and then went on to receive a B.A. Degree in Video/Art (California State University Northridge). During his 7 year stay in L.A., he was hired for various film, television and commercial productions. He would also work as a Hollywood Casting Agent (Charles Matthews Casting), finding actors for film and television (Power Rangers).
Yamasato would go on to become an award winning filmmaker with his popular/quirky animated short films (Iceberg, Godzilla vs Sh*tzilla) which screened around the world. While making films (and being a certifiable "fanboy") he also cherished working as an English tutor for the families of major Japanese music (Eikichi Yazawa) and film celebrities ("Beat" Takeshi Kitano, Screaming Mad George).
Memorable experiences included teaching filmmaking and animation to kids at the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum. Working as personal assistant to actor Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa (Planet of the Apes, Pearl Harbor, Mortal Kombat), and being a student of Hollywood screenwriter Edward Khamara (Ladyhawke, Enemy Mine, Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story).
He wrote, directed, edited and shot his first live feature length action/martial arts film called "Blood of the Samurai," which received the Best Hawaii-based Film Award 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 release, distributed by The Mountain Apple Company, sold out stores including Hawaii's 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.
Yamasato was hired to do another 100% locally produced show called, "Ninja EX." A "Blood of the Samurai" 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 super heroes like Spiderman and Batman, his protagonist fights for justice as a ninja who helps the weak and defends the innocent. It ran exclusively on Oceanic/Time/Warner Cables channel OC16 and was screened at the prestigious Toei Studios Eigamura Park in Kyoto, Japan.
He Co-Directed the show "Inside Hong Kong." Covering popular subjects in culture, fashion, food, music, martial arts, television and film.
His bloody/award winning Blood of the Samurai 2: Director's Cut would go on to be screened in popular venues such as Shockerfest in Modesto, California, The SENGOKU MATSURI (Toei Studios/Eigamura Park/Ritsumeikan University) and the HISTORICA Samurai Film Festival in Kyoto, Japan.
Blood of the Samurai 2: Director's Cut is being prepped for a DVD release and is now looking at distribution.
Currently, Yamasato is working on various film and television projects, including a horror project and a Ninja EX movie.
