Desmond Nakano, a native Angeleno, harbored a deep passion for rock music from a young age. Growing up in Los Angeles, California, he spent his formative years jamming with neighborhood bands while attending North Hollywood High School, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.
As an underclassman studying Philosophy and English at UCLA, Nakano's creative energy was channeled into writing several rock operas, showcasing his versatility and artistic range.
However, his academic pursuits were interrupted when he left school after a year and a half to pursue his dream of becoming a rock musician in the Bay Area.
Later, Nakano returned to his studies, this time enrolling in film school under the guidance of renowned screenwriter-director Paul Schrader. Here, he honed his skills as a screenwriter, crafting scripts that would soon earn him recognition and accolades.
His script "Boulevard Nights" won both the Writers Guild Open Door Award and the Samuel Goldwyn Award, solidifying his reputation as a talented screenwriter. The script was later optioned by producer Tony Bill and brought to life in 1979, with Michael Pressman at the helm.
Nakano's subsequent projects included the 1984 dance film "Body Rock" and the 1986 sci-fi action film "Black Moon Rising", further cementing his status as a versatile writer.
He went on to adapt the Hubert Selby, Jr. novel "Last Exit to Brooklyn" for the big screen, released in 1989, and collaborated on the 1992 crime drama "American Me", directed by and starring Edward James Olmos.
Nakano's directorial debut arrived in 1995 with the film "White Man's Burden", starring John Travolta and Harry Belafonte.
In 2007, he co-wrote and directed "American Pastime", marking a new chapter in his illustrious career as a writer and director.
