Mary Tamura of The Valley on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Mary Tamura and have shared our conversation below.

Mary, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I know I definitely lean more walking a path. I like to plan every trip and know what I’m doing and going. I find comfort in knowing what I am going to next and planning or thinking of every different scenario. But I will say, when things do not go as planned I know that wandering will always lead me to the right place at the right time. Everything happens for a reason.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mary Tamura and I am a writer, producer, and social media strategist. I started a production company and have worked on short films. I created, wrote, and executive produced a short proof of concept called Yokai. It is now in post production and it was a very cool learning experience to be the leader of something that I wrote myself. It was tough but it made me stronger as a writer and producer. We are currently in post production and are looking to speak with streamers and networks to bring the story to fruition and make a full series.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I am proud to say that I am now the person that I thought I would be before the world told me. I would try to fit into many boxes, to go the route that many people have gone. But diverting the path and making my own really made me come back to who I was as a kid and brought back my creativity. It’s hard and lonely to be a creative and be someone that is not following the norm, but you find the people that are like you and make a club of your own. Sometimes the “normal” people don’t understand what I am trying to do and it’s hard to conceptualize but when I talk to those who are like me as a creative I’ve never felt more seen.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss being able to do musical theater. I believe in another life I was meant for Broadway and singing my heart out. My first love was music and singing. I remember seeing Mulan in theaters and getting looks because I didn’t realize belting out “Reflection” was uncouth. I still love to sing Karaoke in my room or in the car. But apart of me always has that what-if I pursued it and where I would be now.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie that the industry that I am in is that you need to follow the rules and go traditional route to do anything. Slowly and surely I believe that is changing with the internet and short form. But the entertainment industry is definitely a little behind in the aspect of finding new and creative people to change things up. They are worried about finances and the ROI, instead of taking a chance on those who are untraditional but have stories to tell. This is why I decided to make my own production company, Majikku Media, to hopefully get their tunes to change.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am proudly doing what I love to do. I’ve tried to do what I was told to do and never felt happy doing so. In my immediate family, I am the only person pursuing things that are creative and are “hard” in the industry that I’ve chosen. By creating my short, writing stories, and producing projects, it’s hard and difficult, and many side hustles are a must, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I realize sometimes the jobs that you actually do for income can be different from what you actually love and what you are destined to do and that is okay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://majikkumedia.com
• Instagram: marymajikku
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-tamura/

Image Credits
Aaron Tyler – Photos
Taylor Hampton – Photos
Alyssa Sakata – Photos
Daniela Barbani – Photos
Joy Yoon – Artist Yokai Poster Artwork
Gabriel Araujo – DP Yokai Poster