Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryotaro Sawamura. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ryotaro, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My purpose or goal is to move the hearts of people around the world through film. When I was in high school, I dreamed of making Hollywood movies and decided to go to the United States. However, while studying film at a university there, I realized the high regard for Japanese films overseas. I witnessed firsthand how Japanese films discussed in class moved the hearts of local university students. At that moment, I recognized the profoundness of Japanese films and felt a sense of pride as a Japanese person, which led me to set the above purpose and goal. I aspire to dedicate my life to creating the finest films, focusing on Japanese culture, society, and the delicate emotions of the Japanese people from a uniquely Japanese perspective.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I aspire to become a film director and I am currently working as an assistant director, primarily on Netflix productions.
The reason I work as an assistant director is to gain a deep understanding of the essence of filmmaking. Knowing the filmmaking process is essential to becoming a director, and I believe that the experience and knowledge I gain as an assistant director will undoubtedly be valuable.
Furthermore, one of the privileges of working as an assistant director is acquiring specialized knowledge related to the subject of the film. For example, in a film about ballroom dancing, I get to learn about ballroom dancing, and in a film centered around music, I gain knowledge about music. Although the shooting schedule often leaves little room for rest, making it physically demanding, the joy of being able to create something I love and the satisfaction of seeing the finished work resonate with audiences is an experience like no other.
Additionally, I sometimes work on independent films. To enhance my inspiration, I take photographs, mainly focusing on portrait photography. I strive to create works that blend artistic and cinematic elements. When shooting, I aim to capture moments in time, exploring qualities that are distinct from video. I also pay attention to the character of the shooting locations, the unique features of the region, and the characteristics of the people who live there, and I try to express these elements through my own perspective.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey through life, the three things I value the most are: “cherishing connections with people,” “taking on challenges,” and “never giving up.”
Currently, I work as a freelancer, and I feel that connections with people are vital. Especially for someone like me with limited work experience, my communication skills are the most essential.
The second thing is “taking on challenges.” I believe that challenging oneself leads to personal growth and broadens one’s perspective. At present, I am involved in the production of a dance film. This involves not only acquiring knowledge about dancing but also attending dance classes and actively participating in dancing. Additionally, in my personal life, I am challenging myself with furniture making as a result of living alone. The knowledge and experience gained from taking on challenges have proven to be incredibly useful in my work.
Finally, “never giving up” is crucial. No matter how many connections you make or how much experience you accumulate, if you give up, that’s the end. Since I was 15, I have worked towards the goal of becoming a film director. The journey has not been smooth, but by continuing to pursue my dream without giving up, I have managed to become an assistant director in the film industry. I have not yet achieved my goal, but I believe that if I keep going without giving up, I will surely achieve it.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I respect people who overcome their weaknesses and excel in various fields. However, I find myself deeply attracted to individuals who have mastered one specific thing.
Above all, for me, doing what I love is a precious time that makes me feel positive.
Since I was a child, I have always loved creating things. I used LEGO to shoot videos, disassembled broken bicycles to build new ones, cooked because I wanted to eat delicious food, and since entering university, I’ve been captivated by the charm of filmmaking and photography. Looking back now, I realize that I have always spent my time doing what I love—creating. Being evaluated by others has given me confidence and served as a motivation.
Through my experiences, I have realized the importance of further honing my strengths. By doing so, I can discover new possibilities and strive for even greater heights.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryotaro_sawa/
Image Credits
Hiro, Erika, Konoka, Tama, Ellie, Sam, Cori,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
