Meet Ayako Karasawa | Film&Commercial Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayako Karasawa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayako, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my production company Vivax Productions, LLC in August 2022 with my partner Carolyn l. Zhao. We were introduced by our common friend, and everything started with a dinner with Carolyn. We were both in the film industry, specializing in producing. As I got to know more about her, we realized that we both have very similar visions yet went through a very different route. I grew up watching movies, and spending most of my childhood in watching movies because my parents were very occupied with their work. I dedicated myself to the world of film since very young, and studied Film&Media studies at the University of California, Irvine for my undergraduate degree. After graduation, I started to work as Production Assistants on variety of sets, then slowly worked my ladder up to Production Coordinator, Unit Production Manager, and then Producer.
During the covid era, I self-taught myself more about producing films via reading books and online materials and finally decided to gain an MFA degree in Producing which I started last year at Chapman University.
On the other hand, Carolyn had a completely different route where she started her career as an Assistant to Producer at Studio. She worked at different production companies.

We are brought together with a passion for films we both have. As I work as freelance producer, there were lots of gigs coming up that I started to realize I need a partner — and that’s her. Carolyn had perfect sense of what the gap and opportunities were out there in the industry, and we, together, conducted a market research and created a business plan.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I see myself as a film producer, but particularly a Creative Producer. With my deep passion for the film industry, I always wanted to produce a film that has a universal theme and can appeal to audiences around the world.

This is particularly because of my complicated cultural background. I was born in Kanagawa, Japan. I moved to Shanghai, China with my family when I was 3 years old because of my mother’s career. I spent most of my time in childhood watching films alone at home when my parents were at work. Run to a DVD renting store in the weekends was my favorite time, and I remember looking forward to the weekends. I studied at an International school from elementary school until I graduated from high school and moved to the U.S.
I grew up speaking three languages natively – Japanese at home, Chinese in daily life, and English at school.
During my high school years, I experienced the multifaceted nature of identity and started to feel confused about my own cultural identity – Japanese by heritage but grew up in China. When my international school hosted a “Cultural Fair” or assignments about our hometown, I was lost.
What rescued me from that was Films. I realized that I embrace different cultures, and learn different cultures through the small TV screen we had in the living room. I remember watching The Notebook (2004) which is still one of my favorites, and realizing that not only my American friends but also Chinese and Japanese friends also really enjoyed watching it. Then, I told my parents at the movie theater, pointing at the end credit rolling on the screen, “You will see my name on there in future, the big, individual credit.”

Now that I am a film producer (at least I think I am!), I believe that movies are the key to the cultural barriers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite city in the States is still Irvine, Orange County – where everything started for me. I especially like where we are near Old town of Santa Ana and Anaheim, but also close to the beaches such as Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.

I take my friends from upper Hollywood to Lido Marina Village in Newport beach for brunch. It’s casual yet chic, with beautiful waterfront and view.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Carolyn l. Zhao – Co-Founder of Vivax Productions, LLC Chapman University Dodge College Film and Media Arts
Yasuko Karasawa and Ken Karasawa (my parents) who has been always very supportive for my dream

Instagram: @ayakofilm_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayakokarasawa/

Other: https://vivax.productions/