I had an amazing Saturday!  This weekend my small crew (I like to call them an "elite strike force" instead of an army) went to Manzanar in the Owens Valley area of California.  About 3 hours north of Los Angeles. This is where the Japanese Americans (nearly 11,000 of them in this camp and over 100,000 overall) were held during World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

It was also where a young Iwao Takamoto spent 4 years of his life from ages 16-20 with his father, mother, brother and sister.  They lived in Block 10.  The building has been razed, but a marker remains.



Iwao was one of the first people released from the camp after his artwork caught the attention of someone at Walt Disney studios.  He left the camp after four years of isolation and went to work at Disney on "Snow White" and "Lady and the Tramp." Iwao remained until the 1960's (when he left for an even more legendary career at Hanna Barbera).

We spent the day at Manzanar seeking people who knew Iwao or his family.  We found a few and passed out plenty of postcards in hopes the people will spread the word.


Please help us get the news out!  We have a presence on social media and will be launching a crowdfunding effort soon.

For now follow us here on AliveNotDead and on Twitter (@iwaodoc)


Thanks and hope you all are well!

best,

Joe

Hey all,

It's been too long since I posted on this awesome platform!  I hope you all are doing good in 2014?  I'm gearing up to shoot an exciting documentary film with my producing partner Hitoshi.  It's about Japanese American character designer and animator Iwao Takamoto.  He created dozens of characters including Scooby Doo, Astro from the Jetsons, The Great Kazoo on the Flintsones, Hong Kong Phooey and Penelope Pitstop. We just shot a crowdfunding video last week and are probably launching the campaign in mid-April.

More to come! 

Hey there AND Community!

Just wanted to say hello to all my friends and fans out there.  Hope the new year (and Chinese New Year soon!) is treating you well?  I have a lot of plans for 2013 and if only half of them happen I will feel blessed.   Working hard to make them a reality.  I wish you all good luck.  Please stop by to let me know what you're up to.

Check out "Akira's Hip Hop Shop" on iTunes!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/akiras-hip-hop-shop/id450022990

Follow the film on Twitter @hiphopshop and/or the filmmaker! @joedfilmmaker

Hey folks. It's been too long! Hope you all are well from America to Asia and beyond.

Prepping a new film. Trying to find financing... The usual artist existence.

You can check out my award-winning short film (37 minutes) on iTunes now if you haven't seen it! AKIRA'S HIP HOP SHOP starring James Kyson Lee and Emayatzy.



http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/akiras-hip-hop-shop/id450022990

Check us out. Write a short review if you already own it.

Take care,

Joe D.

Twitter: @hiphopshop

Hey folks. It's been too long! Hope you all are well from America to Asia and beyond.

Prepping a new film. Trying to find financing... The usual artist existence.

You can check out my award-winning short film (37 minutes) on iTunes now if you haven't seen it! AKIRA'S HIP HOP SHOP starring James Kyson Lee and Emayatzy.



http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/akiras-hip-hop-shop/id450022990

Check us out. Write a short review if you already own it.

Take care,

Joe D.

Twitter: @hiphopshop