In Memory of Robert A. Nakamura: Honoring a Visionary Filmmaker and Cultural Pioneer

It is with sadness that we share with you the passing of Robert A. Nakamura, VC Founding Director. We send our infinite light and love to his family and friends, especially to Karen, Tad, Thai, and his grandchildren.

Nakamura Family at the 2025 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival for the L.A. Premiere of THIRD ACT

In 1970, Bob founded Visual Communications as an organization to be the media arm of movements to protect and promote our communities. Through his work, Visual Communications became a story of peoples and communities in movement. Movements that reflected imagination and adventure, desperation and courage, minds and bodies moving by leaping and struggling towards new possibilities and futures.

We thank and honor you for the light that you sparked 55 years ago. We continue to be stewards of that heritage and will forever be binded to the legacies of your struggles and accomplishments.

Bob’s Legacy Collection

Bob Through the Years

VC Founders

As project director Alan Kondo looks on, VC co-founders Eddie Wong and Robert Nakamura line up a shot while on a location shoot in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park. The Éclair NPR, a heavy-duty 16mm camera that was standard-issue equipment from UCLA Film School, was a mainstay of many of VC’s pioneering motion picture documentaries throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. (Visual Communications, 1973)

Making of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER

Co-directors Duane Kubo and Robert Nakamura prepare for the bus scene in HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER. (Visual Communications, 1980)

NEVER AGAIN IS NOW

Robert A. Nakamura with his son Tadashi Nakamura during the NEVER AGAIN IS NOW Rally at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. (Abraham Ferrer, May 27, 2019)

ChiliVisions IV

The Nakamura Family (Robert Nakamura, Tadashi Nakamura, Karen ishizuka, and Thai Binh Iskizuka Capp) are ready to go as a family team. (Kaz Takeuchi, August 1987)

Bob in Action

Robert Nakamura rocks the Eclair NPR during filming of the Pacific Pioneer Wildflower Tour to Ojai, CA (Visual Communications, August 1985)

Robert A. Nakamura takes a break to look at the camera between photoshoots.

Making of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER

Visual Communications co-founders Duane Kubo and Robert A. Nakamura line up a crane shot for VC’s full-length narrative feature Hito Hata: Raise the Banner (Visual Communications, 1980)

Robert A. Nakamura gives the camera a warm greeting. (Alan Ohashi, September 23, 1972)

As part of a UCLA Film School field exercise in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, members of a team composed of Visual Communications staffers and students shoot a project directed by Alan Kondo. (Visual Communications)

AMERICA’S CONCENTRATION CAMPS

Visual Communications’ mobile photographic exhibit AMERICA’S CONCENTRATION CAMPS is the centerpiece of a larger display identifying the contrasting media distortions of Asian Americans. Here, creator Robert A. Nakamura and a team of fellow UCLA students assemble the display in the halls of UCLA’s Rolfe Hall. (Visual Communications, May 11, 1972)

…I TOLD YOU SO

Bob (Robert A. Nakamura) smiles at the camera during a location scout for Alan Kondo’s, …I TOLD YOU SO (Visual Communications, 1973)

Tadashi Nakamura

Tadashi Nakamura takes a name on his father’s (Robert Nakamura) shoulders. (Visual Communications, 1984)

Robert A. Nakamura at his work desk setting up for proper lighting exposures at the Visual Communications Crenshaw offices. (Visual Communications)

Nakamura Family

(from left: Karen Ishizuka, Tadashi Nakamura, and Robert Nakamura) react to receiving holiday cheer at the Highland Park home of Visual Communications board member Claire Aguilar during a VC staff and board Christmas party. (December 1992, Abraham Ferrer)

Bob in Action

Bob (Robert A. Nakamura) in his natural state, behind the camera. (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Rooftop Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

Making of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER

Takashi Fujii and Robert A. Nakamura line up shot during the production of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER (Visual Communications, 1980)

Making of HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER

AMERICA’S CONCENTRATION CAMPS

Visual Communications’ first-ever production was not a film, but a photographic exhibit. Commissioned by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) to produce an exhibit on Japanese American relocation and internment, VC founders Robert Nakamura and Alan Ohashi created the modular, mobile exhibit AMERICA’S CONCENTRATION CAMPS (aka, “The Cubes Exhibit”). (Robert A. Nakamura, 1970)

WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE

Robert Nakamura's WATARIDORI: BIRDS OF PASSAGE stands as one of the quintessential documentary portraits celebrating the legacy of the issei, or first-generation Japanese Americans. It had the distinction of being presented at The White House in 1976 as part of America's Bicentennial festivities, and is still an unequalled study of early Asian American community-building. (Robert A. Nakamura, 1976)

Bob in Action

Robert Nakamura rocks the Eclair NPR during filming of the Pacific Pioneer Wildflower Tour to Ojai, CA (Visual Communications, August 1985)

Bob in Action

Robert Nakamura makes a still-life image as part of the VC filmstrip production "The Asian American ABCs" (Visual Communications, 1972)

Manzanar Pilgrimage

Robert Nakamura, a former Manzanar incarceree, leads a tour group at Manzanar. (Visual Communications, April 1975)

Manzanar Pilgrimage

Photo of the Manzanar Monument at the First Manzanar Pilgrimage (Robert A. Nakamura, December 27, 1969)

Manzanar Pilgrimage

Photo of the Manzanar Monument at the First Manzanar Pilgrimage (Robert A. Nakamura, December 27, 1969)

Manzanar Pilgrimage

Manzanar Sign at the First Manzanar Pilgrimage (Robert A. Nakamura, December 27, 1969)

Robert Nakamura’s son Tadashi Nakamura takes a nap at Union Church. (Visual Communications, 1984)

VC Staff

Visual Communications staff screening films at Involve Together Asians communal house. (Alan Ohashi, May 11, 1972)

East West Activities Kits

Robert A. Nakamura during the East West Activities Kits photoshoot. (Alan Ohashi, June 25, 1972)

VC Founders

Visual Communications co-founders, Robert A. Nakamura and Duane Kubo sit in deep thought as they wait for their food. (Visual Communications, December 1972)

Robert Nakamura working and playing in the Visual Communications Crenshaw office. (Visual Communications)

As part of a UCLA Film School field exercise in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, members of a team composed of Visual Communications staffers and students shoot a project directed by Alan Kondo. (Visual Communications)

Robert A. Nakamura and Warren Furutani (Visual Communications, 1972)

East West Activities Ki

Robert A. Nakamura presents the East West Activities Kit, an early production of Visual Communications, the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts organization. (Visual Communications, 1972)

22nd Biennial National JACL Conference

Robert A. Nakamura presents a $1000 check at the 22nd Biennial National JACL Conference (Visual Communications, August 2, 1972)

THE ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING SERIES

In 1971, THE ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING SERIES was produced for educational use and is one of the first educational materials created to exhibit Asian Pacific experiences and cultures. The series includes ASIAN AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PLACES, a set of human interest stories on Asian American topics, and EAST/WEST ACTIVITIES KIT, an elementary level packet filled with games, arts and crafts, and lessons on Asian American culture. (Visual Communications, August, 1972)

THE ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING SERIES

In 1971, THE ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING SERIES was produced for educational use and is one of the first educational materials created to exhibit Asian Pacific experiences and cultures. The series includes ASIAN AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PLACES, a set of human interest stories on Asian American topics, and EAST/WEST ACTIVITIES KIT, an elementary level packet filled with games, arts and crafts, and lessons on Asian American culture.  (Visual Communications, August, 1972)

THE ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING SERIES

Duane Kubo and Robert Nakamura photographing components of the Ethnic Understanding Series, an early educational kit produced by Visual Communications, the nation's premier Asian Pacific American media arts organization. (Visual Communications, August, 1972)

…I TOLD YOU SO

Robert A. Nakamura listening to audio playback during a location scout for Alan Kondo’s, …I TOLD YOU SO. The documentary weaves scenes of Japanese American poet and professor Lawson Inada’s life with his writing. Titled after one of his poems, I TOLD YOU SO follows Inada to Fresno, California for a childhood reunion. (Visual Communications, 1973)

…I TOLD YOU SO

Robert A. Nakamura and Duane Kubo playback audio during a location scout for Alan Kondo’s, …I TOLD YOU SO (Visual Communications, 1973)

…I TOLD YOU SO

Bob (Robert A. Nakamura) takes a break during a location scout for Alan Kondo’s, …I TOLD YOU SO (Visual Communications, 1973)

…I TOLD YOU SO

Bob (Robert A. Nakamura) takes a smoke break during a location scout for Alan Kondo’s, …I TOLD YOU SO (Visual Communications, 1973)

HARUSAMI: SPRING RAIN

Thai Binh Ishizuka awaits direction on the set of the short independent film HARUSAMI: SPRING RAIN, a drama directed by Jose de Vega and produced through Visual Communications' Filmmakers Development Program. (Abraham Ferrer, May 1986)

HARUSAMI: SPRING RAIN

Thai Binh Ishizuka awaits direction on the set of the short independent film HARUSAMI: SPRING RAIN, a drama directed by Jose de Vega and produced through Visual Communications' Filmmakers Development Program. (Abraham Ferrer, May 1986)

Chilivisions

Warren Furutani and Robert A. Nakamura at the annual Chilivisions event held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. (Visual Communications)

Chilivisions

Robert A. Nakamura with Claire Aguilar, Edmund Soohoo and other guests at the annual Chilivisions event held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. (Visual Communications)

Karen Ishizuka and Robert A. Nakamura (Visual Communications)

Robert A. Nakamura poses for the camera. (Visual Communications)

The Next Generation

Visual Communications staffers with the next generation. (Visual Communications, 1979-1980)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Rooftop Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Rooftop Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Rooftop Staff Photograph (Visual Communications)

Candid Photo of VC Founder, Robert A. Nakamura (Visual Communications)

Robert A. Nakamura during his time as a U.S. Army Photographer. (Visual Communications)

VC Staff

Visual Communications Staff Retreat in 1994. (Visual Communications, February 13, 1994)