About

Hiroo Takaoka is a New York City-based director of photography. He has shot documentaries in the U.S. and Japan.

Hiroo Takaoka came to the U.S. from Japan in 1989 to pursue his dream of becoming a cinematographer. He earned his B.A. in Film from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1993. After working as a camera assistant, Takaoka made his move to director of photography in 2000. A documentary he shot on the arts scene in Germany won the Gold Prize at the Houston International Film Festival that year. Takaoka has shot several national commercials in Japan, with clients such as McDonald's, Unilever, and Nissan. 

In the U.S., he shot “iMurders,” a feature film starring Gabrielle Anwar, William Forsythe, Tony Todd, and Billy Dee Williams, which was released on DVD in 2011. Another film he shot, “Memories of Origin,” about acclaimed photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, was nominated for an International Emmy Award that same year.

Takaoka has shot three feature-length movies in Japan. “Smokin’ on the Moon” was shown at the New York Asian Film Festival in 2018. “Erica 38,” produced by acclaimed Japanese actress Kiki Kirin, was shown at the Japan Cuts film festival at the Japan Society in 2019. And “Namonaihi: A day with no name,” will be released in Japan this year.

 Besides his DP work, Takaoka has written and directed three short films: “Collateral,”  “Swingers’ Club Sachi,” and “Once More.”  Shot in 2009, “Once More” is Takaoka’s directorial debut in 35mm film.