A Stage for Bold Exploration Through Moving Images: Conquering the World | Filmmaker & Photographer Tomoki Kawa | ISSUE #13

‘ISSUE’ explores the sensibilities and thought processes of creators from around the globe, serving as a catalyst for new inspiration. In ‘ISSUE #13’, we feature Tomoki Kawa, a filmmaker and photographer who is boldly taking on the world from Los Angeles, California.

This is the story of a young artist who dreams of making an impact on the international stage and is challenging the art scene in Los Angeles. During the interview, Tomoki spoke in a calm and measured tone, yet his words carried a direct sense of ambition and passion.
With a background as a Japanese-Taiwanese, he had always felt the importance of language. Immersed in an environment where only English is spoken, he honed his language skills and sought new perspectives born from different tongues. In January 2023, he set out for Los Angeles to embrace this challenge.

In recent years, the global rules have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. After graduating from the Department of Film at Osaka University of Arts, Tomoki was active as a freelance filmmaker, primarily shooting music videos (hereafter referred to as "MV"). However, the pandemic initially cut his work in half. Rather than succumbing to discouragement, he resolved to create new opportunities, overcome the challenges of the pandemic, and broaden his skill set.
Inspired by the creativity he saw abroad and seeking an environment that would foster his growth, Los Angeles came to mind. Driven by a streetwise spirit that believes anything is possible if you keep moving and change your environment, he made the decision to move to the U.S.

For Tomoki, Los Angeles was a place with no prior connections. Though he had arrived, he was unsure where or how to begin. Yet, the approach was not so different from what he had done in Japan. First, he would go to parties and clubs, approach people with striking fashion on the streets, and build relationships by showing them his portfolio. It was a very casual start.

He reflects that, culturally, individuality is respected and positive feedback is commonly exchanged, so the speed at which casual encounters lead to work is much faster than in Japan. Self-promotion is key to building relationships, and he naturally acquired the ability to present his presence and skills effectively. The culture and creative environment of Los Angeles continue to feel like an ideal and comfortable place for him.

Let us now touch on Tomoki’s formative experiences that led him to pursue film and photography.
The impetus to become a filmmaker came from the excitement he felt after watching a certain music video. At the time, he knew little about cameras, but his desire to create moving images led him to enroll in the film department at an art university.

To prepare for practical classes, he first purchased a camera for filmmaking. However, at the outset, he had neither editing software nor a computer. In an environment where he could not make films, he found that when he pressed the shutter, what he captured was not moving images, but photographs. This was the beginning of his journey with photography.

Looking ahead, Tomoki aspires to become a filmmaker who works across borders, signing with various agents and engaging in creative projects worldwide. While he maintains his identity as a "filmmaker," he sometimes incorporates a photographer’s perspective within the broader field of visual arts, but his passion remains firmly rooted in moving images.

“My perspective may change in the future, but right now, I want to spend five years in Los Angeles,” Tomoki shares. He aims to leverage and immerse himself in cross-cultural environments, striving to become a filmmaker who traverses boundaries.

In Los Angeles, Tomoki has encountered a diverse array of artists. Each is passionately pursuing their own goals—stylists, singers, models, and of course, photographers. Inspired by their dedication, he continues to move toward his own objectives.
“Some people might criticize those who work across multiple fields as being unfocused, but I get the impression that it’s simply the result of overflowing energy.” Everyone has a clear goal. While older generations may still see them as young, Tomoki has realized in Los Angeles that there are many who are even younger and already taking on challenges.

When it comes to becoming a filmmaker or creator, or achieving success as a creative, it often feels like you know the way forward, but in reality, you don’t. Tomoki speaks about the importance of confronting things “face to face,” a lesson he learned firsthand in Los Angeles. While it may seem roundabout, taking the plunge is often the most direct path—something we realized through meeting such a straightforward creator.