Born and raised in Fresno, California, Nishimoto-Thompson attended local schools throughout his youth, yet it was at Washington Union High School where his passion for production was first ignited during his freshman year. Using his parents' home camera, he began creating shorts, which also included two very popular commercials.
Further sharpening his production skills, he participated in a daily, 30-minute news presentation, which was broadcast throughout the entire campus via television monitors in each classroom. In addition to his production skills, he also established his photography background as chief photography editor for the schools yearbook and newspaper to which he won awards from the International Quill & Scroll Society.
Shortly after graduation, Nishimoto-Thompson began his internship at the local Disney owned affiliate station in Fresno while attending UC Santa Cruz and working towards his degree in production. In 1992, the production bug bit him once more, leading him to a local cable station in his hometown where he began producing, writing and editing on-air promos. This subsequently launched him into producing television shows at local affiliate stations, in addition to directing, producing, and editing commercials, for HCM Teleproductions & the Cocola Broadcasting Companies.
In 1994, Nishimoto-Thompson approached director Randy Cohlan and co-founded Cohlan Productions. For the next three years, he polished his skills as producer, director, writer, director of photography and production editor. He then went on to produce and direct a few shows for the local affiliate for Fox Television Network, as well as a music video show and a comedy variety show. As his production skills became increasingly refined, Nishimoto-Thompson set his sights on Los Angeles.
By 1997, his ties to Cohlan helped him land a job with Green Communications in Burbank, CA (Who back in the 90's produced 'Variety Magazine' front cover films), where he worked with such names as Kiefer Sutherland, Bruce McGill, Kristy Swanson, Robert Sean Leonard, Kelly McGillis, Margaret Cho, Henry Winkler and Michael Gross.
Before beginning his Producer career, Nishimoto-Thompson had the opportunity to work at an independent production company helping direct and produce television shows, commercials and music videos specializing in the foreign market for the International Channel.
He Currently residing in Studio City, CA, Nishimoto-Thompson's hobbies include volunteer work, movies, theme parks, and creating a community Haunted House called Garage Haunt which has its own rewards.
IMDB LINK: Jason
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