Japanese Action Heroes (working title)

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

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This has been in the pipeline for some time. Its a documentary on the modern action heroes from Tokyo. The concept is to present a history, current and future look at the Japanese martial arts stunt men. Interviews include some of the biggest names in the business past and present (secret for now) - but they do include former K1 champions and the best from Japan.

Its a journey from Children as young as 5 who have their hearts set on being the next action hero. It is truly amazing the training these people undertake to reach the pinnacle.

Technical Director / Writer: David Sakurai
Cinematographer / Director: Noel Evans

Documentary will be shot entirely on two Canon XH A1s.

Here is a short concept clip from storyboards for the opening sequence. At this stage you will have to imagine the sound of 30 plus students in a room giving their all (at about the 10 second mark to opening narration). There are still an additional three panels to include. Very Japanese style opening.

http://www.scarlet-films.com/A1/JAH.mov

The opening concept is completed you can view on link below. The sound drags a bit but when all the foley etc is added to the original it will work. These are just stills in a timeline of my original sketches. As you can see I am not a great artist, however I do try. We have also written the final synopsis. As follows:

Since the creation of motion picture Japanese film makers have found that
expressing Budo or martial arts on film not only made extraodinary pictures
but also great entertainment.
From the early samurai tv shows to todays action cinema some Japanese film
makers have dedicated themselves to show the true beauty of martial arts in
movies.This is the story of those people and those who carry on the great tradition of JAPANESE ACTION CINEMA!

http://www.scarlet-films.com/A1/JACWEB.mov

Website will be up soon.

Friday 15 December
First interview completed. Beautiful light set up if I dont say so myself. Interview with Sanshiro Wada - the action hero behind the mask of Ultraman. A little background - Ultraman is one of the most revered action characters in Japan for the last 30 years. It was Ultraman that sprouted the origins of power rangers et al. Shanshiro is truly an ACTION HERO. He wieghs in around 70 kgs and is muscle from head to toe. At the end we did a few choreographed sequences, the guy is quick. Website here: http://www.ultraman-movie.com/index2.html
 
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fantastic Idea.. I can't wait to see more. being a chinese wushu stylist and growing up overseas in Brazil, I can really relate to the concept... good luck.
 
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Thanks R.L. good to hear.

I think this is a good collaboration as the technical director is a martial artist himself. I personally havent gone to a martial arts class for about 7 years, but I did get through 16. I like the blood, sweat and tears aspect, a story that appeals to anyone, whereas his emphasis is on the finer nuances, beauty and skill required.
 
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The opening concept is completed you can view on link below. The sound drags a bit but when all the foley etc is added to the original it will work. These are just stills in a timeline of my original sketches. As you can see I am not a great artist, however I do try. We have also written the final synopsis. As follows:

Since the creation of motion picture Japanese film makers have found that
expressing Budo or martial arts on film not only made extraodinary pictures
but also great entertainment.
From the early samurai tv shows to todays action cinema some Japanese film
makers have dedicated themselves to show the true beauty of martial arts in
movies.This is the story of those people and those who carry on the great tradition of
JAPANESE ACTION CINEMA!

http://www.scarlet-films.com/A1/JACWEB.mov

Website will be up soon.
 
Opening sequence almost shot, one more to do tomorrow. I will post some screen caps tomorrow also.

Had a great surprise at Shinagawa, Tokyo JR station a few days ago. Went there prepared to shoot a shinkansen guerilla style, no permit. Thought I would ask anyway and if no good go a different entry. Approached a female JR CS assistant, and to my surprise she told me there is no policy and we can shoot whatever we want, we would however have to pay 190 yen (about 1.20 USD) to enter the platform to get the shot. Paid for the three of us, sound guy, myself and DP. Went down set up a **** load of equipment at the end of the platform, then got our shot.
 
First interview completed. Interview with Sanshiro Wada - the action hero behind the mask of Ultraman. A little background - Ultraman is one of the most revered action characters in Japan for the last 30 years. It was Ultraman that sprouted the origins of power rangers et al. Shanshiro is truly an ACTION HERO. He wieghs in around 70 kgs and is muscle from head to toe. At the end we did a few choreographed sequences, the guy is quick. Website here: http://www.ultraman-movie.com/index2.html

Heres a screen capfrom the interview - no cc .
sanshiro.tiff


Heres a short clip - about 20mb: http://www.scarlet-films.com/A1/Sanshirointerview.mov
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Sounds like a great project. I grew up in Hawaii, which is greatly influenced by Japanese culture.

In the 70's we had KIKAIDA, along with ULTRAMAN. I would even dare to say that Kikaida was the predecesor to Power Rangers.

KIKAIDA is still very popular in Hawaii: http://www.generationkikaida.com/, more so than Ultraman.
 
Some BTS from the Sanshiro interview.
Second is Sanshiro and technical Director David Sakurai (from Denmark).

studio.jpg


davidsanshiro.tiff
 
How the final may look. Needs a little more, but something along these lines. Want to bring back the detail in his hair. I have barely touched it in reality.

sanshirocc.jpg
 
Hey ncje,

This sounds like a really cool idea and I wish you good luck doing this. You are an Australian living in Tokyo? That's sweet. Do you work there etc.? I would love to do some filmmaking in Japan one day..been learning it for a while, been there once. Awesome place.

-Chris
 
Just wanted to update this as its been sitting for awhile. The technical director is currently working in the US and is due back in Japan at the end of February, so we will look at May completion.
 
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