Take a closer look at some of Hollywood's top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

Child Stars, Then and Now

Take a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

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Artist Matt Frank (Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, Kauai Comic Con's Mecha-Chicken)

Daisuke Ban, Hiroshi Miyauchi, and Aaron Yamasato

Lloyd Kaufman, Patricia Kaufman, Mark Torgl, and Aaron Yamasato

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HISTORICA International Film Festival in Kyoto, Japan

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Shinji Higuchi, Aaron Yamasato, and Keiichi Sakurai

Aaron Yamasato was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Moved to Los Angeles to study his love for film. He received a degree in Cinema Arts and a B.A. Degree in Video/Art. During his 7 year stay in L.A., he was hired for various film, television, and commercial productions. He would also work as a Hollywood Casting Agent (Charles Matthews Casting), finding actors for film and television (Power Rangers).

Yamasato would go on to become an award-winning filmmaker with his quirky animated short films (Iceberg, Godzilla vs Shitzilla, King Kong vs Shitzilla) which screened around the world. While making films (and being a certifiable "fanboy") he also cherished working as an English tutor for the families of major Japanese music (Eikichi Yazawa) and film celebrities ("Beat" Takeshi Kitano, Screaming Mad George).

Memorable experiences included teaching filmmaking and animation to kids at the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum. Working as personal assistant to actor Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa (Planet of the Apes, Pearl Harbor, Mortal Kombat), and being a student of Hollywood screenwriter Edward Khamara (Ladyhawke, Enemy Mine, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story).

He wrote, directed, edited, and shot his first live feature-length action/martial arts film called "Blood of the Samurai," which received the Best Hawaii-based Film Award at the 2001 Hawaii International Film Festival. It would go on to receive numerous glowing reviews and screen at various film festivals around the world. The DVD release, distributed by The Mountain Apple Company, sold-out stores including Hawaii's Costco, Tower Video, and Walmart.

The follow-up television series sequel, "Blood of the Samurai: the Series," was Hawaii's first-ever 100% locally produced, hit martial arts/action show.

Yamasato was hired to do another 100% locally produced show called, "Ninja EX." A "Blood of the Samurai" spin-off series filled with action, martial arts, and comedy. Drawing from influences such as Japan series favorites "Kikaida" and "Kage No Gundan," as well as classic comic book superheroes like Spiderman and Batman, his protagonist fights for justice as a ninja who helps the weak and defends the innocent. It ran exclusively on Oceanic/Time/Warner Cable's channel OC16 and was screened at the prestigious Toei Studios Eigamura Park in Kyoto, Japan.

He Co-Directed the show "Inside Hong Kong." Covering popular subjects in culture, fashion, food, music, martial arts, television, and film.

Blood of the Samurai 2: Director's Cut and Ninja EX would go on to be screened in popular venues such as Shockerfest in Modesto, California, The Sengoku Matsuri (Toei Studios/Eigamura Park/Ritsumeikan University), and the HISTORICA Samurai Film Festival in Kyoto, Japan.

Ninja EX would be featured and screened at the Kyoto Historica International Film Festival, Famous Monsters Silver Scream Film Festival, GenCon Film Festival, and Iron Dragon TV ActionFest.

Blood of the Samurai, Blood of the Samurai 2: Director's Cut, and Ninja EX are all available to watch streaming on VOD.

Yamasato is the creator/organizer of the first-ever Kauai Comic Convention in Hawaii.

He enjoys developing various passion projects, including exciting new horror/action/martial arts movie concepts.

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Aaron Yamasato

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