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YASU TANAKA
Director/ Scriptwriter/ Script Analyst/ Instructor
Originates from Tokyo, Japan and has been residing in Los Angeles for more than
20 years. He holds a degree in Film/TV from California State University at
Northridge (88 ~ 93) and Columbia College (96 ~ 98), USA.
Tanaka’s early films, such as “EMBOLISM,” “PETRA” had won various awards like
1st Place, 24th CA Media Film Festival (92),
Gold Medal, 20th Japanese Media Film Festival (92), etc.
Tanaka has been working as a Scriptwriter and Script Analyst in Hollywood and
Japan for over 10 years.
Tanaka started teaching Advanced Classes for Scriptwriting in Tokyo and Los
Angeles since 2006. In February 2009, he started teaching Master Class for
Scriptwriting at FINAS, Malaysia.
October 2010, Tanaka started Fim/TV production company, 42nd Pictures SDN.
BHD. with Bea Tanaka, his wife and board of director in Kuala Lumpur to make TV/
Feature films for domestic and international market.
Tanaka is FDAM (Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia) member, CCIG (Creative
Content Industry Guild) member, NETPAC/USA (Network for the Promotion of
Pacific Island and Asian Cinema) member.
FILMOGRAPHY
Director/ Writer credits
“LARI, SAYANG, LARI” (2015, Action Drama)
TV series (6 episodes), Produced by 42nd Pictures Sdn Bhd
Starring Alif Satar and Erin Marik
“NOTA” (2015, Psychological Thriller)
Feature Film, Produced by 42nd Pictures Sdn Bhd
Starring Maya Karin and Hans Isaac
World Market Premier in Cannes in May 2015
Theatrical Release in August 2015 in 40 theaters in Malaysia
“LARI, SAYANG, LARI” (2011, Action Drama)
TV Film (Astro Prima, K.L.), Produced by 42nd Pictures Sdn Bhd
Starring Alif Satar and Erin Marik
Writer credits
“LEMAK KAMPUNG SANTAN” (2013, Drama Comedy)
Feature Film, produced by Tall Order Production (K.L.)
Starring Hans Isaac and Nerofa
“SEAMLESS” (2000, Action Drama)
Feature Film, produced by Tri Vision Entertainment (L.A.)
Staring Shannon Elizabeth (American Pie, Scary Movie),
Distributed by Artisan Entertainment
SCRIPT ANALYSIS/DEVELOPMENT
“MOZU” (2015, Action Drama)
Tfeature Film, Produced by TBS, WOWWOW
For MARZA Animation Planet Inc.
(formerly known as SEGA Sammy Visual Entertainment Inc.)
Tanaka is involved in guiding MARZA Animation Planet Inc. in their effort to
produce their original animation feature.
For Warner Brothers Japan
Script analysis for in-house projects (live action and animation features)
such as “Rurouni Kenshin,” “Wild Seven,” “Paradise Kiss,” “Inshitemiru,” etc.
For National Film Corporation Malaysia (FINAS)
Script analysis for projects under FINAS such as “Filem Kenegaraan” Project,
etc.
Chief Development in Tri Vision Entertainment (L.A., funded by Japan)
and Sheen Production (L.A., funded by Korea).
Tanaka created and wrote original feature screenplays, working directly with the
producer and the director, aiming at the domestic market as well as the Asian
market. This included adapting and translating Asian script to English.
Developer for various TV programs in COSMO SPACE OF AMERICA
(Los Angeles, CA).
Cosmo Space is a full-service video and broadcast production company based in
Tokyo, Japan, with service center in Los Angeles. Clients of Cosmo Space
includes; Fuji TV, Fuji Sankei Communications, NHK and TBS.
PUBLICATION
HOLLYWOOD STORYTELLING (2009)
Textbook on Scriptwriting published by AIIKU Publication, Japan.
SCRIPTWRITING:
ULTIMATE STORYTELLING (2011)
published by FINAS,.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
International School of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles, 2006 ~ 2009)
Certificate Instructor approved under California Education Code Section 94915.
Tanaka was teaching Screenplay Writing & American History classes.
Hollywood Storytelling (Tokyo, 2008 ~ present)
1 day to 4 weeks seasonal lecture on Advanced Scriptwriting Course in Tokyo.
Organized by Tanaka’s Japanese agent company, Pacific Voice
Special Lecture on Scriptwriting to SEGA (Tokyo, July 6th – 10th 2009)
5 days’ Corporate Lecture to Key Personnel in SEGA Sammy Visual
Entertainment Inc, including CEO of SEGA-SAMMY.
MasterClass on Scriptwriting (Kuala Lumpur, Feb 09 ~ present)
5 days lecture on Scriptwriting in FINAS (National Film Development Corporation)
Visual Storytelling Lecture (2010 ~ present)
• Ultimate Storytelling Lecture for IPCC Winners, organized by MDeC (September
2010 and June 2012)
• Ultimate Storytelling Lecture for Executive Producers from ASTRO Entertainment
Sdn. Bhd. (November 2010)
• Ultimate Storytelling Lecture for Animation Team at Kolej Yayasan Sabah.
(December 2010)
• Ultimate Storytelling Lecture for SAP Malaysia. (July 2011)
• Workshop at Kolej Yayasan Sabah on Ultimate Storytelling (August 2011) and
Seminar on AG-AF102, organized by Panasonic, Malaysia. (November 2011)
• Ultimate Storytelling Lecture for TV3, Media Prima (May 2013)
S
K
ATING CAREER (Special Skill)
Tanaka won 5th place in the Japanese National Figure skating Championships in 1980
at the age 13. He was the youngest skater ever to compete for the Japanese National
Championship title. His coach was Nobuo Sato (Prince FSC), father of Yuka Sato, 1995
World Figure Skating Ladies Champion.
Tanaka was a professional ice skater for Disney on Ice (produced by FELD
Entertainment), “Beauty & the Beast” 2004-2005 tour.
They had shows in 14 different countries in that period.
OTHER WINS INCLUDE:
1980: 1st place in Japanese Regional Championship (Tokyo Area)
1980: 1st place in Japanese Sectional Championship (Southwest Area)
1981: Member of the Special Training Team of the Japanese Figure Skating
Association, trained for the Winter Olympics 1984 in Sarajevo,
Yugoslavia.
Show in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
“Disney On Ice: Beauty & the Beast”
---personal reference available upon request---