From Lego stop-motion in Japan to lighting Kendrick Lamar and national commercials, chief lighting technician Justin Usami (founder of Umami Lighting LLC) sits down with host Mia LePage to talk honestly about breaking into the film industry, surviving culture shock, and learning to speak up on set.

In this episode of Call Sheet Confessions, Justin shares how he went from homeschooled kid making YouTube covers to a union gaffer in LA, what really keeps you getting called back on set, and the mistake on a Taco Bell job that cost him a client—but taught him how to advocate for himself and his team.

In this episode, we talk about:

Growing up in Japan, creative parents & Lego stop-motion beginnings
Shifting from music and YouTube to film school and set life
How he “fell into” grip & electric and discovered lighting
Getting that first AFI set job and snowballing into more work
Why attitude beats technical skill for getting rehired
The politics of set life & how a gaffer protects their crew
Exactly how union hours and call sheets work for lighting techs
His favorite projects, including a Kendrick Lamar music video
The Taco Bell shoot that went wrong and why he was dropped
Learning to say “no,” leave a paper trail, and cover your ass (CYA)
Living the dream in LA and building a life outside of work
Who this episode is for:

Aspiring gaffers, grips, and lighting techs
Anyone who wants to work behind the camera in film/TV/commercials
Creatives navigating perfectionism, confidence, and “failing forward”
Immigrants and outsiders trying to find their place in Hollywood
Anyone curious what a chief lighting technician actually does