Dan Smith Productions

JOHNNY DEPP & GOVERNOR KOIKE MEET UP!
Among one of the highlights of our Aurora Borealis Entertainment support of Johnny Depp’s “A Bunch OF Stuff” art exhibit was playing a part in Johnny and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike connecting! The two met cordially prior to the event’s official VIP Party. You can check out the “A Bunch Of Stuff” art exhibition now through April 2026. .

BUZZFEED バックステージパスチャンネルをチェックしてください! (Checkout our Backstage Pass streaming channel!)

Backstage Pass on BuzzFeed Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

HOLLYWOOD TO JAPAN & VICE-VERSA!
I am fortunate that my experience in Japan and Hollywood run the gamut between producing film and TV; creating and executing PR/promotion stunts; and occasionally appearing on TV programs. Here is a fun one I did for a Japanese TV network. I was a judge for a talent show and as you can see, they really played up my Hollywood/Japan ties! LOL!

BRAD PITT IN TOKYO DAY ONE!
Our Backstage Pass program is excited to be covering Brad Pitt for the Tokyo premiere of his new film, “F1!” Look for our full Backstage Pass feature on Buzzfeed!”

REMEMBERING MY FILMING OF THE KING OF POP!
Tomorrow marks 16 years since the King of Pop Michael Jackson died. I mark the occasion as it presented me with a lot of "firsts." It marked a turning part of my career. I literally went from being an unknown to people all over the world seeing TV footage and photos of my filming Michael, over the course of his final trip to Japan. I personally filmed him relentlessly over seven days... From his arrival at Tokyo's Narita Airport, to his two VIP Parties; taking his family to Disneyland; his Blackhawk helicopter ride over Tokyo to his visit with U.S. military troops and their families at Camp Zama; autograph sessions he did with hundreds of fans; to a shopping trip he made to Bic Camera, where I talked him into posing with a statue of Superman. The footage I shot and our crews filmed ended up in two MJ documentaries aired on FOX. I found him kind, with a great sense of humor, and talkative about everything from the food he loved, to what type of editing system I had at my house. In fact, I pi**ed off my staff when I turned down his request to visit my house to look over my editing system. At the time I lived next to a neighbor who grew very expensive Bonsai trees. I was worried about the fans and the paparazzi that constantly showed up wherever we film, doing serious damage to those trees. Michael understood but it took my staff a while to forgive me!