Ain't It Pretty to Think So
Mamiko, an interpreter, hopelessly romantic, leaves home Tokyo to the hospital just as usual. Usually, she interprets for elderly patients. But today, when she enters one of the rooms in the general hospital, she sees her today's client, Eugene, a mysteriously handsome young man from America, standing. Mamiko immediately fascinated Eugene. He has sincerity and quiet strength. Mamiko feels a flutter in her heart and enjoys this out of the ordinary moment with Eugene. Then, while Mamiko interprets a meeting between Eugene and a social worker, Mamiko learns Eugene's secret.
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Tomoko KarinaDirectorCamellia-Kerria-Pink
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John McCoyDirector
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Tomoko KarinaWriterCamellia-Kerria-Pink
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John McCoyProducer
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Tomoko KarinaProducerCamillia-Kerria-Pink
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Yukari BlackKey Cast"Akagi"The Letters from Iwo Jima (Warner Bros)
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Alexander CollinsKey Cast"Eugene "
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Tomoko KarinaKey Cast"Mamiko "Cobra Kai (Netflix), Captain America: Brave New World (Disney/ Marvel)
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Karoliina TuovinenEditorStation Eleven (HBO Max), Man Hunt (Appole TV)
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Ray WongchindaDirector of PhotographyThe Other: Gold, America's Burning, Where We Go From Here
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Rodrigo MontfortScoreSecuelas de la Cuarentena, Sinahal, Señora de los Partos!
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Project Title (Original Language):Ain't It Pretty to Think So ~ そうだったって思ったら素敵じゃない ~
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:20 minutes 58 seconds
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Completion Date:January 23, 2025
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Production Budget:8,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States, Japan, United States
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Country of Filming:United States, Japan, United States
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Language:English, Japanese
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1/2
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
- Tomoko Karina -
Tomoko was born in a metropolitan city of Tokyo, Japan. Having a big influence from her film and history fanatic father Mikio, Tomoko grew up watching greatest classic Hollywood films and Japanese period dramas. Tomoko was sent to a prestigious all girl's school near the imperial palace from age of 12 to 22 till she graduate collage. In her school days, surrounded by all girls, being a entertainer, comedian, rebel and leader in a class, she embraced the sisterhood. She learnt how to be in charge and girls can rock and rule! She always questioned authority and what is "Normal" which Japanese society always forced her behave especially in a strict girl's private school she grew up in. She appreciated and found oasis in rebellious loud rock, punk and alternative music as well as classic Hollywood and Japanese films and intimate European films.
At 18, Tomoko traveled to Los Angeles with her BFF and a fake ID. Tomoko reconfirmed within her that she belongs to Hollywood. After graduating college, she immediately moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of working in the film industry in Hollywood. Tomoko wrote/ directed a play, 2 lies, 3 dreams and Hollywood. Then she debuted as a film writer/ director with WWII epic, "Camellia- Kerria- Pink" (山茶花~山吹~撫子), which won the Best Foreign Mini Film at BPPI Film Festival and was a semifinalist at Women-Voice-Now Film Festival. Then Tomoko wrote/ directed a 16th Century Period Japanese Epic play, “Shizuka” at The Zephyr Theatre earning Best Play, Director, and Performer nominations at Broadway World Regional Award. In 20204, Tomoko founded a theatre company Ensemble Tenshi-天地静 NPO. With her company, she wrote/ directed her 2nd Japanese period piece epic “Castles in the Crimson Flame”, which received Best Play, Director, and Performer nominations at Broadway World Regional Award.
Tomoko also works as an actor, her credits include "Cobra Kai" (Netflix), "Captain America: Brave New world" (Marvel/ Disney), "Another Tango" (Hallmark Movie), and many.
Tomoko is currently preparing for her first feature films, “Inquitas”, “Dream of Egypt “, “Sadayacco” and TV Project “Odori Sisters”.
-John MacCoy-
John McCoy is a television producer and talented filmmaker whose work blends compelling storytelling and striking visual style. Raised in Maryland, McCoy’s early life was shaped by a keen interest in storytelling, theatre and film, which eventually led him to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. At USC, McCoy had the opportunity to make films, collaborating with a diverse group of emerging filmmakers and industry veterans, which helped shape his approach to narrative and visual expression.
His near 20-year career in television has included notable work on iconic series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and Black Cake, where his ability to navigate complex narratives and collaborate with talented creatives helped further shape his unique approach to episodic and cinematic storytelling.
McCoy is thrilled and proud to return to his roots as a director working with talented filmmakers and actors on Ain’t It Pretty to Think So. Currently, McCoy is working on his short film Gabriela, a deeply personal narrative that explores the difficult trials of mental health through a blend of realism and magical realism. McCoy remains committed to creating work that fuses artistry and innovation, exploring the complexities of human relationships and the intricacies of the human condition.
Tomoko Karina : It's one in a million chance that your fantacy becomes true. But Ain't It nice to think that your fantasy and reality are met even for just a moment.
My aim as a directer is for the audience to feel a day just as usual could be poetic. Even when the reality betrays your pure desire for your fantasy. That momet that you thought it was realized is a beautiful piece that construct your life. Why not enjoy it.
John MacCoy: As a filmmaker, I’ve always believed that the heart of a good story is the ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level. With Ain’t It Pretty to Think So, the goal was to create a narrative that blends both emotional depth and whimsical elements in a way that feels authentic. I hope we made a film where the audience can identify with the characters in the emotional and whimsical moments, finding them relatable and surprising.