From part-time jobs to self-taught video production and entrepreneurship: A unique career path forged by balancing life as an actor and a video editor

Boku to Watashi to Inc. is a planning and marketing company representing Gen Z. We provide one-stop services ranging from PR design that incorporates the realistic perspectives of today's youth to brand production and SNS management.

This is a member interview that gets up close and personal with the members of Boku to Watashi to.

Joining us this time is Takuya Mizuno, who serves as a PM and director for video production at Boku to Watashi to.

While continuing the acting career he began in college, he taught himself video editing skills. Currently, as the Representative Director/COO of Haran Inc., he is involved in a wide range of creative production while also playing an active role as a member of Boku to Watashi to.

We asked Mizuno-san about the process of becoming independent in video editing from scratch and the appeal of working at Boku to Watashi to as an entrepreneur.

【This article is recommended for those who:】
・Want to acquire a specialized skill and make a living from it
・Are unsure about their career path as a video editor
・Want to continue growing even after becoming independent

Actor and video editor. A career path walked while balancing two professions.

ーーFirst, please tell us what you have done so far.

I have been interested in the entertainment industry for a long time, so I joined an agency while in college and started working as an actor. I wanted to be able to make a living solely as an actor, so I chose not to seek traditional employment.

After that, through a series of coincidences, I moved from my hometown of Nagoya to Tokyo with my family right after graduating from college, and I continued acting while working multiple part-time jobs.

However, even though I was living with my family, while acting in Tokyo and working part-time jobs, my savings were steadily dwindling...

When I was thinking about my future, a gaming friend asked me, "Why don't we do YouTube together?" When I consulted with my talent agency, they gave me permission to work behind the scenes, such as on editing tasks.

So, using a computer I bought in college, I started learning video editing by trial and error, referring to tutorial videos on YouTube and books.

ーーYou learned it through self-study!

The YouTube channel that sparked my interest in video editing didn't last long, but even after that, while continuing to act and work part-time, I started taking on video editing jobs.

That said, at first I could only take low-paying jobs, so there were times when I would spend 5 hours on a 500-yen job, making 100 yen an hour... (laughs).

But thanks to not giving up, about 4 months after I started, I was able to earn an amount equivalent to a full-time salary!

ーーWhat an amazing speed of growth...!

Since I had finally learned how to edit videos, I wanted to expand the scope of my creative production, so I launched the creative team "Uni-Muni" in 2021.

Since it was an organization gathered through social media, I struggled a lot at first with management and taking on work, but I gradually learned how to lead the team.

As the team stabilized, the scale of the work we could take on grew, and as the project manager, I was able to acquire direction skills on-site.

After that, in 2022, I joined Neo Collab Co., Ltd. (later Haran Co., Ltd.), which was managed by someone I met through an introduction from a video director I knew on social media. Currently, as the Representative Director and COO of Haran Co., Ltd., I run a web marketing company that specializes in social media production for video platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

The 'direction skills' and 'management skills' cultivated through on-site experience have become my strengths.

--Mr. Mizuno, could you tell us what led you to start working at Bokuwata?

When the work I was involved in started to settle down and I was looking to start something new, a tweet from Bokuwata's representative, Kento-san, caught my eye.

I had always followed Kento-san's account and thought he was someone doing interesting things, so when I saw he was looking for help at a pace of 1-3 days a week, I decided to send him a DM.

Currently, I am in charge of PM for Bokuwata's TikTok division, while also handling PM for Instagram operations and directing photo and video shoots.

--So, your strength lies in your ability to cover a wide range of tasks, from team management to on-site content production.

I feel that my ability to handle basically anything related to photos and videos, as well as the direction and management skills I cultivated while launching a creative team, are useful at Bokuwata as well.

When I take on the role of PM or director, I can think from the creator's perspective because I learned video editing and creative production from scratch and have worked on-site for commercials, movies, and dramas in the production and directing departments.

Without on-site experience, you cannot give concrete instructions, which leads to team dissatisfaction and poor progress.

Instead of just passing on requests to the team like a conveyor belt, I make it a point to think from the perspective of the production site first, and then break them down into tasks and goals that are easy for team members to act on.

--Mr. Mizuno, you have expanded your career through video editing. Do you have any advice for those who want to succeed as video editors in the future?

I think it is very useful in practice to look at various types of social media and learn the characteristics and trends of each platform.

I like variety shows, and when I edit videos myself, I sometimes add variety-style effects, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be well-received on social media.

Analyzing what works on which platform affects the number of video views, which ultimately leads to client satisfaction.

Stealing the best practices from Bokuwata members to become the ultimate PM

--How was it actually working at Bokuwata?

I was surprised that the company's structure was more solid than I had imagined. I had no experience working in a company and had been managing my own organization through trial and error, so I have learned a lot through my work at Bokuwata.

In particular, I was very surprised by the management skills of Kento, our representative..

When I feel lost or troubled in my work, I mimic Kento's actions, such as how to make it easier for team members to work or what to do to bring a project to its target state.

It is a very grateful environment, as there are few opportunities to work in other organizations while running a company.

--So the experience of working at Bokuwata is also useful in your own company!

Also, since the members I work with are all talented people with skills, it motivates me to do my best as well.

When capable people are nearby, there is a lot you can learn just by watching them, so because it is a good environment, I want to steal as much as I can (laughs).

--Do you have any goals as a Bokuwata member?

I am keenly aware that I still lack experience as a PM, and I often reflect on things daily, so I want to aim to be the strongest PM while interpreting the advice and lessons I receive in my own way.

Caption: Mr. Mizuno, who won the "Growing Pains Award" in May through Bokuwata's MVP system

Also, at Bokuwata, Kento has a strong ability to lead projects, and his capacity tends to get full, so as a PM, I want to steal his "project execution ability" and take over the work.

--Thank you. Finally, please give a word to those who are interested in Bokuwata!

Bokuwata is a company where you can learn while working freely!

The amount of work entrusted to you is large, and you can see entrepreneurs and active business people up close, so I think it is the perfect environment for those who have a strong desire to be independent or aim to start a business.

Recruiting members for Director/Producer/Back Office!

Due to strong business performance, we are currently considering hiring directors/producers/back office staff who can work from 15 hours a month. (Total of 8 people to be hired, full remote, side jobs allowed)

↓Please see this note for details↓

Also, Bokuwata has introduced a referral hiring system. If you are interested in Bokuwata, please reach out to our members!

About Boku to Watashi to Co., Ltd.

Boku to Watashi to Co., Ltd. is a planning and marketing company representing Gen Z. We are blooming many projects unique to Gen Z.

We handle everything from insight research that incorporates the realistic perspectives of today's Gen Z, to planning, creative production, and communication.

We are also practicing new ways of working, including remote work policies, sauna recruitment, and workations in regional areas. Aiming for "every member is a genius," many companies are being born from within our organization.