Video from Smithsonian Screening

Here's a video recap of Jake's PBS office show and the Life On Four Strings screening at the Smithsonian in DC!

DC Premiere at The Smithsonian

(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)

The Washington DC premiere of Life on Four Strings was presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and Pacific Islanders in Communication (PIC). All partners of the film came to D.C. for this special event including Leanne Ferrer from PIC (Honolulu) and Stephen Gong from CAAM (San Francisco). Jake added an extra day to his East Coast tour so he could attend the event.


The day started early with a special visit to Eastern High School where Jake talked about the ukulele and demonstrated it’s power. The students requested he play his cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”…twice!


We then headed over to the National PBS Headquarters in Arlington, VA.


PBS staffers crowded in the lobby to see Jake perform. Department meeting or free concert, which one would you pick?


Don Young (Producer of Life on Four Strings) and I took Jake to experience Shake Shack for the first time. It's hands down my favorite burger joint and Jake was not disappointed. When I first met Jake he was a gluten free health freak and now look at him.




People packed the theater at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. There was a great energy in the room the whole night, the DC crowd was one the most lively audiences we have had so far. The film was followed by a wonderful performance by Jake and a Q&A session moderated by CAAM board member Christine Chen.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Director of the Smithsonian Asian and Pacific American Center Konrad Ng (who also happens to be President Obama’s brother-in-law) welcomed the audience.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Leanne Ferrer from Pacific Islanders In Communication introduced the film. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Following the film, Jake broke out his uke and his vest for the audience. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)



CAAM Board member Christine Chen moderated a real fun Q&A. I thought it might rain on stage so I wore my waterproof vans, Jake wore his waterproof pants.  (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)

Interview on NPR affiliate KUSP

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Robert Pollie for his feature story on Life on Four Strings on NPR affiliate KUSP.  

Listen to the story HERE

Check out some of the highlights from last week's amazing Hawai'i premiere on Jake's latest webisode...

Back to Santa Cruz for the Pacific Film Festival

It felt great to return to Santa Cruz to show Life on Four Strings. When I was in grad school at UC Santa Cruz I'd always walk past the Del Mar Theater. It was pretty cool to see it packed to see my film.

The line around the corner to see Life on Four Strings in Santa Cruz. Deep apologies to those who didn't get in.

Capitola > Santa Cruz (at Sunny Cove Beach)

 Made time to walk through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Hawai'i Premiere at HIFF

What an amazing night!  Over 1,100 people packed the historic Hawaii Theater for the Hawai'i Premiere of Life on Four Strings.  The premiere was an special event of the Hawai'i International Film Festival sponsored by Pacific Islanders in Communication and PBS Hawaii.  Fans, friends, family and many local stars like ukulele legend Eddie Kamae and singer/songwriter Paula Fuga came out to watch the film.

 
(Photo by Rae Huo/Zakka)



 
(Photo by Rae Huo/Zakka from HIFF website)
Jake's hero Eddie Kamae and family with HIFF Executive Director Chuck Boller


I was super stoked to meet one of my favorite singers Paula Fuga!

Feature in Innov8 Magazine

The September/October issue of Innov8 Magazine features a great write-up on Life on Four Strings.  Article written by Sonny Ganaden and photo by Aaron Yoshino.

Read the article on page 29:

Special screening at Pixar Studios

Don Young (producer of film) and I had the privilege of visiting Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA to preview Life on Four Strings at Pixar University, an extensive in-house educational program where filmmakers come to share their films and stories with directors, executives and staff.




Jake was able to take a break from his West Coast tour and join us. We were treated to a tour of the studio by Michelle Radcliff, coordinator for in-house education at Pixar University and production designer (and a huge Jake fan!) Ricky Nierva.


Hardware on display in the Pixar lobby

Huge thanks to Michelle and Pixar for an amazing day!

Trilogy to screen at Toronto night market on 7/22

Reel Asian is programing a series of outdoor film screenings at the T&T Waterfront Night Market in Toronto this weekend. They will be screening all three of my films (Yellow Brotherhood, Pilgrimage, A Song For Ourselves) on Sunday, July 22. Sounds like a great summer event, totally wish I could be there for it.

My Shortlist on MediaRights.org

My friend Theresa Navarro at Arts Engine asked me to participate in their Filmmaker's Shortlist project. It was a lot of fun to take the time to write about some of my favorite documentaries. Check out my top 7 films that have influenced me the most. "Style Wars" and "American Movie" would have made the list but other filmmakers had already written about them. Read article HERE

Victor Shibata Rest in Power

Last week we said goodbye to a true friend, teacher and healer, Victor Shibata. As a founding member of the Yellow Brotherhood and one of the original organizers of the Manzanar pilgrimage, Victor helped build the strong Japanese American community that raised me. When I was in high school he would tell me stories of what the Crenshaw community was like back in the day, these conversations lead to my first two films, Yellow Brotherhood and Pilgrimage, he is featured in both. I owe so much to Victor and still can't believe he's gone.

Here's the tribute reel I cut for my dad's (Robert Nakamura) retirement reception. Besides founding three major institutions (Visual Communications / JANM's Media Arts Center / UCLA's Center for EthnoCommunications) and training an army of filmmakers, he also made a lot of good films.

SFIAAFF Screening at The Castro - 03/14/12

The screening of the Jake Shimabukuro film at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival was a huge success. 1,300 people packed the Castro Theater on a rainy night. The film played well but the highlight of the night was when Jake was joined on stage with his mother Carol and his brother Bruce. Below are some of the highlights of the night (including me lookin hella uncomfortable in front of the camera) shot and edited by Alex Ferrari:






My Dad enjoyed the red carpet treatment.


The Boss Don Young, producer of the film.


My mom, Jake's brother Bruce and Jake's mom Carol


Had a great time all week causing trouble with my 808 folks. Lehu from Paliku/Oiwi TV with Amber, Leanne and Micky from Pacific Islanders in Communications who all helped make the film happen.




Auntie Carol AKA The Karaoke Queen doing her thing backed up by he sons. Best moment of the night!

Photos from CAAM's Facebook