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KINETIC

PHILOSOPHY

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-

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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-

JUSTINE

MAR

With a passion and drive for creative story telling, Justine Mar is working at Kinetic Productions. As a young female creator, she brings this spark and fresh component to the Kinetic Team.

Prior to joining Kinetic Productions, Mar graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Cinematic Arts, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Media with an emphasis in Digital Cinema. She was awarded Best Cinematographer and Wahine in Film.

In her spare time, Justine spends it outdoors in anyway she can, from hiking, skating, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family!

Justine Mar