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WE BELIEVE THAT GREATNESS CAN ALWAYS BE ACHIEVED. WE LOVE THE SIMPLE DETAILS IN A BIG IDEA.
COLLABORATION TO US, IS AN ART FORM. CREATIVITY, IS MEANT TO BE SERVED WHILE IT'S HOT.
OUR PASSION IS WHAT WE BLEED.
Philosophy
ISHIZU
SUSAN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
For more than 20 years, Susan Ishizu has worked at the top television station, the top production companies, and has worked with some of the best talent in the Hawaii production community.
As executive producer for Kinetic Productions, she supports the efforts of agencies, clients, directors and crew. She also keeps the budget in line while supporting the creative with integrity and projected calmness.
Ishizu is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, reading, spending time with her family.
JAMES
SERENO
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
With a passion for sharing stories and a desire to change the landscape of Hawaii’s advertising community, James Sereno returned home to Hawaii 20 years ago where he created Kinetic Productions, a local and nationally award-winning production firm. Kinetic Productions is the ideal playground for someone like James. No matter the client or the project, James is obsessed with working collaboratively to create content that stands out among the clutter and differentiates the client from its competition. His desire to go above and beyond has earned him the respect of his peers and the advertising community where he was the recipient of the Pele Awards for "Young Adman of the Year,” "Adman of the Year," “Lifetime Achievement Award” and “Silver Medal.” His company has also won numerous Pele Awards, including “Pele Golds” and “Best of Shows.”
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California Film School with a degree in Cinematic Arts. His background includes working for Disney Studios and Columbia Pictures, and later Team One Advertising where he won a coveted Cannes Bronze Lion for his America West Airlines spot, Mosh Pit.
At the heart of it all, he is a storyteller. In addition to producing award-winning television commercials, he is also a filmmaker. He wrote, produced and directed the short film, "Silent Years" which won numerous awards including first runner up at the exalted British Academy Awards, L.A. (BAFTA/L.A). He was invited by Roger Ebert to showcase his film narrative work at Ebert's, Ebertfest. He has directed and produced such feature films as "Paradise Broken," and “Haole” and has produced the films, "Hang Loose," and "Man Up" the later distributed by Lakeshore Entertainment. He is an Executive Producer on “Gook” and Ms. Purple” which played at Sundance and are distributed by Oscilloscope and Samuel Goldwyn.
Today, James continues to serve as lead of his production company, where he balances directing some of the most memorable television commercials in the state, overseeing a diverse team of talented and experienced directors, finding time to give back to the advertising industry and volunteering in the community.
-JAMES SERENO-
-SUSAN ISHIZU-
-RYAN KAWAMOTO-
RYAN
KAWAMOTO
WRITER/DIRECTOR
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Ryan Kawamoto has been with Kinetic Productions for over 10-plus years where he has established himself as a television and film director with a flair for storytelling.
His advertising clients have included Island Insurance, First Hawaiian Bank, McDonald's of Hawaii, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Farmers Insurance Hawaii and Burger King.
Kawamoto was recognized as the 2012 American Advertising Federation Hawaii "Advertising Man of the Year" as well as the "Outstanding Young Ad Person of the Year" by Ad 2 Honolulu. He has numerous Pele Awards, including two "Best of Show" Awards.
He recently directed two feature films, "Hang Loose," an Asian American comedy starring Kevin Wu aka KevJumba, Dante Basco (Hook), and Justin Chon (Twilight, 21 & Over). The film was nominated for Best Feature at the 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. His second film, "The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawai'i" ran theatrically and aired on PBS Hawaii.
In his spare time, Kawamoto mentors students for the PBS Hawai’i TV series, “Hiki No," serves on the Board of Directors for AAF-Hawai’i and is the 2018-2019 President of the Rotary of Kahala Sunrise.
Kawamoto was born, raised, and continues to reside in Hawai'i.
-FÉ VÁSQUEZ-
FÉ
VÁSQUEZ
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
As a director and producer for Kinetic Productions, Fé works closely with the Kinetic team of producers and fellow directors on commercial projects for our local clientele. As a female director she brings a fresh and unique perspective to an innovative and dynamic Kinetic Productions.
Prior to joining Kinetic Productions, Vásquez spent 15 years serving as a top Associate Director in Venezuela. She ran sets for local and international productions in addition to being a Producer and Associate Director in Hawai'i.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Vásquez earned her first film degree from the Escuela de Cine y Televisión (Valedictorian) in Caracas. She then continued to earn a Bachelor's of Arts (Summa Cum Laude) in Creative Media from the University of Hawai'i.
ZACHARY
TOM
A man of many hats both literally and figuratively, Zachary Tom is newest addition to the Kinetic crew. Zachary looks forward to gaining knowledge and experience in the crazy and thrilling world that is production.
-ZACHARY TOM-
ANGELA
LI
Angela was born in China and moved to Hawaii at the age of 2 years old. She is appreciative of having grown up on Oahu which has exposed her to incredibly diverse and amazing groups of people.
After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media, Angela started at Kinetic as an intern. Filmmaking has always been a passion for her and throughout her internship at Kinetic, she has been able to engage with and learn more about the world of commercial filmmaking. She is now a full-time employee at Kinetic Productions.
In her spare time, Angela loves skateboarding, drawing, and doing casual photoshoots with her friends.
-ANGELA LI-
DIRECTORS
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