Earning a degree in Film Production at Loyola Marymount University, George Yoshio Russell began his film career working at the prestigious BOSS Film Corp., Artist Group Agency and Guber-Peters Entertainment. George’s career shifted focus to Japan with an apprentice editor position on the 1992 movie – Mr. Baseball. This lead to a prosperous stage working various professional industry jobs in Japan. On his eventual return to Hawaii, George naturally found a niche between U.S. and Japanese film work in the islands servicing both clients simultaneously.
His experience working nearly every position on a film set has made George an invaluable asset and sought after member in the Hawaii film production community. His Bi-lingual ability, professional demeanor and deep understanding of technology has placed George at the pinnacle of the Hawaii Film Industry. Not one to rest on his laurels, George is a strong advocate for local filmmakers by advising many local organizations. He was a co-founder of the Ohina Short Film Festival, served as Board Member of FAVAH (Film and Video Association of Hawaii) as well as various support roles for the Hawaii International Film Festival. George’s unwavering support for the local film industry is rarely matched.
In recent years, George’s responsibility shifted from a technical capacity on set to logistics, oversight and policy management. Operating as production manager, locations manager and a growing list of top-level positions, George’s career has turned another corner. His passion for filmmaking led him to start his own production company – Gen4 Films. Inspired by his Japanese-American heritage, George realizes the need for more authentic storytelling from talented filmmakers with a unique perspective.
ジョージ・ヨシオ・ラッセル / 創立者
ホノルル生まれの日系四世. ロヨラ・メリーマウント大学でフィルムプロダクションの学士号を取得。フィルム業界で権威あるBOSS Film Corp.、Artist Group Agency、またGuber-Peters Entertainmentなどで経験を積む。映画「ミスター・ベースボール」（1992年）で編集者見習いとして働いたことをきっかけに、日本の映像制作に重点を置く。その後日本の様々な映像制作現場で働き経験を積む。ハワイ州に帰国後は、アメリカと日本における映像制作に必要なニーズに応えながら、日米両国のクライアントにとって双方が認めるサービスを提供し続けている。
現場主義を貫き、様々な映像制作現場での経験で得られた技量や、英語と日本語を駆使しプロとして仕事に徹する姿勢や最新のテクノロジーに対する知識は、ハワイ州の映像制作業界で重要な役割を担っている。 ハワイ州に在する映像制作者として、様々な会社や組織の広告活動に携わる。
オヒナ短編映画祭の共同創立者であり、FAVAH (Film and Video Association of Hawaii)理事やハワイ国際映画祭の支援者として活躍し、ハワイの映像制作業界内での功績は多大である。
ここ数年は現場から、映像制作のロジスティックスやプロダクションの制作管理部門を担当し、プロダクションマネージャーやロケーションマネージャーなどの重責を担うようになる。やがて、自身の映像制作に対するパッションはプロダクション会社「Gen4世Films」の創立につながる。日系アメリカ人としての観点から、才能溢れる映画製作会社が、独自の映像眼から現実に基づいたストーリーを描く必要があると信じている。
Producer / Camera / Editor / Director
Hawai’i Visitors Bureau – Travel videos on activities, cuisine, shopping (3 episodes)
Dramatic Short Film – The Marrying Kind (2005)
Producer / Camera
Hawaiian Airlines – In-flight short documentaries (5 entries)
Director of Photography / Camera
NHK – Nidome Maru Maru
ADK – JAL Hawaii’s boarding video
Dentsu X – F-Cure haircare promo video
BS12 Network – Hawaii ni Koishite
Ishi’i, Tatsuya – Hawaii Promo Video
Wataru, Nagabuchi – Promo video
Rice Force CM and web video
Fuji TV – Ariyoshi & Friends in Hawaii
Fuji TV – Naruhodo The World / with Kano, Miho
Fuji TV – Kinashi Messen Hawaii (5 episodes)
TV Asahi – Bokura no Chikyu
BS-NTV – 5 episodes for “The Best Hotels” travel series
BS-TBS – Wonder Earth Travel
BS-TBS – The World’s Magnificent Views
Luana Coffee with Hasegawa, Jun – Web Video series
Director of Photography (via Drone)
Netflix – Terrace House: Aloha State
NHK – Cosmic Front
NHK World – Great Nature: Waves
OKEANOS Foundation – Hokule’a return to Hawaii
World War II Foundation – Pearl Harbor Attack 75th Anniversary
Wataru, Nagabuchi – Promo video
JTB Hawaii CM – Kuwata, Keisuke
LITS Nature Lab CM
Pokemon/QUARK CM – Ball