Influential Woman · Entertainment

Motoko Kimura

Producer, ドリームプラス株式会社

Los Angeles, CA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Sophia University Degree Japan Degree London University (exchange student Degree Musical classes and writing)

Her Story

About Motoko

I started my career at one of the five major TV networks in Japan, where I became a producer for series. During my time there, I produced six mini-series before starting my own production company, where I worked for more than 20 years. Throughout my career in Japan, I produced approximately 15 mini-series, more than 25 feature films, and more than 40 musicals. Six years ago, I moved to Los Angeles to expand into the US entertainment market. Starting from scratch in a new country was challenging, but my extensive background in Japan helped people see me as more than just a startup. It still took about five years to establish a solid network here. Now I have many projects in development, including one American feature film I just produced and two TV series that have been greenlit by studios. My expertise is producing for the global market, and I maintain a very broad and deep network in Japan. I'm passionate about reaching out to people, especially non-native Americans with different cultural backgrounds, because breaking into the Hollywood business is really tough, but there is a way, and I want to share my experience with those people.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Motoko

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to hard work and reading. These two things have been fundamental to everything I've achieved in my career.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice is to find a good mentor - it doesn't matter if they're a woman or a man, just find someone you can trust and learn from. And this is really important to me: be very humble. The more successful you become, the more humble you should be, because there are so many people who will try to use you and make you feel special when you're successful. You can get tricked by those people, and I've lost out because of that too. So always stay humble and be true to yourself. Don't let success change who you are at your core.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think there are two major things that are both challenges and opportunities at the same time. One is streamers. The entertainment business has completely changed since all the major streamers launched their business more than a few years ago. Everything is different now, but that also means there are great new opportunities opening up. The other big thing is AI - AI for scripts, AI for visuals. But I want to be somebody who can use and make use of AI, not be used by AI. That's the key distinction for me.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

To be honest, like any relationship, I really value friendship. I partner with Andrea Luca, a very accomplished producer, and we just started a company together. Everything is based on trust. I see that in my personal life and in my professional life. Without trust and respect, I don't want to work with people, even if they have tons of money. I try not to do that, because at the end of the day, if there's no trust and respect, things don't go well and you don't really feel like you achieved something meaningful.

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