Jeff Okabayashi
Jeff Okabayashi is an assistant director. He began his academic journey studying mathematics at UCLA but soon realised his passion lay elsewhere. Transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN), he earned a Radio/TV Production degree in 1985. During his time at CSUN, he discovered his calling in the film industry, leading him to apply for the prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) Assistant Directors Training Program. Out of 3,000 applicants, Okabayashi was one of only ten selected, marking the beginning of his professional journey in filmmaking. Okabayashi's early career included work on television shows like "Heart of the City," but he quickly transitioned to feature films. His first film credit as a second assistant director was on "An Innocent Man" (1989), and he soon became known for his reliability and work ethic. This reputation led to roles on major blockbusters such as "Backdraft" (1991), "Armageddon" (1998), and "The Rock" (1996). Over the years, he has contributed to numerous high-grossing films, including "Avengers: Endgame," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings". Beyond his work on set, Okabayashi is dedicated to mentoring aspiring filmmakers. He frequently returns to CSUN to speak with students, offering insights into the industry and sharing his experiences. Notably, he allowed CSUN students to work as production assistants on "Transformers: Age of Extinction," giving them firsthand experience on a major film set. His commitment to education and mentorship reflects his belief in giving back and supporting the next generation of filmmakers.
Filmography (47)
Moana
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Thunderbolts*
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Avengers: Endgame
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Avengers: Infinity War
Transformers: The Last Knight
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Term Life
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Oz the Great and Powerful
Saving Mr. Banks
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Terminator Salvation
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Bandslam
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Kingdom
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Miami Vice
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Underclassman
The Life of David Gale
Tears of the Sun
Matchstick Men
Road to Perdition
Pearl Harbor
Supernova
Mystery Men
Armageddon
The Replacement Killers
Out to Sea
The Birdcage
Last Man Standing
Mr. Holland's Opus
Undercover Blues
Honeymoon in Vegas
Thunderheart
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
Backdraft
The Bonfire of the Vanities
Come See the Paradise
