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James Charisma

James Charisma

Honolulu, HI, US

 
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About 

James Charisma is an award-winning writer and editor in Honolulu, covering stories in topics ranging from architecture to zoology.

His work has appeared in Playboy, VICE, New York Magazine, Complex, Hyperallergic, Total Film, Paste, Inverse, Hi-Fructose, Whitehot, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA, US, Travel Writer

Travel writer for the Los Angeles Times, a leading source of breaking news, entertainment, sports, politics, and more for Southern California and the world, with the fourth-largest circulation among U.S. newspapers.

Responsible for contributing feature articles for the travel section in print and online; monitoring national and regional arts, culture, dining, and entertainment trends; researching content, conducting interviews, and representing the L.A. Times brand when appropriate; coordinating and collaborating with senior editors; proofreading and editing drafts; organizing photography when applicable; and adhering to fast turnaround deadlines.

Jun 2018 - current
 

HILuxury Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Architecture Writer

Architecture writer for HILuxury, the premier culture magazine for Hawaii, distributed to more than 20,000 luxury homes, hotels, resorts, VIP lounges, and shopping centers across the United States. Exclusive interviews, fashion, fine autos, dining, travel and more.

Sep 2017 - current
 

VICE Media, Brooklyn, NY, US, Contributing Writer

Culture writer for VICE Media, the digital media and broadcasting company reaching 25 million unique monthly visitors per month.

Responsible for contributing feature articles and essays on subjects including Chuck Palahniuk, Afred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Angus Oblong, John McClane, and James Bond.

Aug 2017 - current
 

Playboy Enterprises, Los Angeles, CA, US, Contributing Writer

Entertainment writer for Playboy, one of the world's most well known lifestyle brands with a network reaching over 50 million men per month worldwide.

Responsible for contributing feature articles, interviews, and essays on subjects including Christopher Nolan, Vince Gilligan, Ryan Coogler, Robert Kirkman, Tom Morello, and Gene Roddenberry.

Apr 2016 - current
 

HONOLULU Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Contributing Editor

Since March 2014, an award-winning regular contributor of arts and culture articles to HONOLULU, Hawaii's biggest city magazine and America's oldest publication west of the Mississippi River. Offered a Contributing Editor masthead title in October 2016.

Mar 2014 - current
 

Charisma Industries, Honolulu, HI, US, Creative Director

Co-founded a design agency specializing in developing creative content for print and digital media. Services include design, brand and identity development, web building, copywriting, photography, illustration, business consulting, public relations, social media, and more.

Apr 2010 - current
 

Summit Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Associate Editor / Director of Marketing & Development

Associate editor and marketing director for Summit, Hawaii's 180-page global magazine, with in-depth coverage of architecture, arts, design, style, business, civics, and literature in the Hawaiian hemisphere, composing essays, articles, guides, and special advertorial sections.

Sep 2014 - Jan 2018
 

HONBLUE, Iwilei, HI, US, Creative Consultant

Assisted with corporate branding and image consulting for HONBLUE, the largest print company and AEC services provider in the state; wrote regular copy and edits for web and print; and grew and managed social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for HONBLUE and the sister organizations of Electric Pencil, JETGraphics, and Zoombis.

Helped to conceptualize and develop "the Inkubator," an educational program for emerging Hawaii graphic designers, artists, and creatives.

Sep 2012 - Nov 2013
 

Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, HI, US, Instructor

Aug 2008 - Mar 2013
 

Education 

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, US, Bachelors, Psychology

Specializing in psychopathology, industrial-organizational psychology, anthropological criminology, clinical, and abnormal personality behavior profiling.

Aug 2010 - Dec 2012
 

Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, US, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Specializing in forensic pathology, behavioral analysis, criminal psychology, and conducting crime scene investigations.

Aug 2007 - May 2010
 

Awards 

The American City Business Journals' Annual 40 Under 40 Award, Award

Recognized as the youngest recipient out of 40 emerging leaders who are making a difference in both Hawaii's economy and the community by Pacific Business News in 2019.

2019
 

The Society of Professional Journalists, Excellence in Journalism Award, 2nd Place

Online Features Reporting Finalist at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards for "Kamaka Looks Forward," published November 2016 for HONOLULU Magazine.

2017
 

The American Advertising Federation, Local Gold ADDY Award, 1st Place

Wrote the screenplay for the 'Ohina 2016 festival film trailer that would go on to win a Silver Medal at the 2017 Hawaii American Advertising "Pele" Awards in Honolulu.

2017
 

The Hawaii Publisher's Association, Pa'i Award, 2nd Place

Second Place Arts & Entertainment Pa'i Award for "Kamaka Looks Forward," published November 2016 for HONOLULU Magazine.

2017
 

The American Advertising Federation, National Gold ADDY Award, 1st Place

Wrote the screenplay for the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase 2016 festival film trailer that would go on to win a Gold Medal at the 2017 National American Advertising Awards in New Orleans.

2017
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills