Hitoribochi - "Alone"

yeah dude: scenery. You're in Japan, a location only so few of us will ever visit. Or on further consideration, so will your character. Somehow I don't think we'll be seeing any scenery in thhis film unless its in a dream sequence....
 
I noticed that the emotional side of Asian characters often are showed in a very subtle way. Probably this is the nature of their culture, to be very formal and gentle and to take the emotions under control. One of my favourite films is from Asia - not from Japan, but from Hong Kong. 'In the mood for love' by Wong Kar-Wai. This film was set in the 1960's, but perhaps it could give you some ideas to realize authentic emotions. I had the same sensation of how to express emotions when I read the novel 'Dance Dance Dance' by the japonese writer Murakami Haruki.

Susanne :bath:
I will try to check some of these out. However, after living in Japan 6 years, I have come to be somewhat suspicious of a lot of Japanese movies. Frequently what is presented is the Japanese ideal rather than the reality. Not that you can't learn a lot from seeing the goals that people strive toward.
There is also a generation gap that is growing. A large number of young people ("young" defined as under 35) are rejecting the ideals from the past. Holding your emotions in check, being responsible members of society, putting the group about yourself are all ideals that the older generations more or less all held. Not so with the younger generation.

From my conversations with Japanese leaders, the general opinion is that Japan is in a state of change and what it will become is not yet certain. There is a definite pull toward the ideals of the past, to "stay Japanese". There is also a large pull to "join the rest of the world" and release some of the ideals that kept Japan cut off for so many years. This in between generation is really struggling. Want an interesting study? Look up "hikikomori", "freeter", "NEET" and "parasite single". They are all in this generation and they are all screwed up to varying degrees. :(

My point.... I am not sure a hikikomori expresses emotions in the same way that a "normal" person does. Actually, I know that they don't! Papers, news broadcasts, and talk around town show that the respect for parents (indeed others in general) is lacking as well as a lot of the finer social skills for which the Japanese are known.

What makes it a more difficult study is that it is embarassing for Japanese, so you don't find as much good information as you might from another country.

The more I study and think about it, the more I am certain that I don't have the film making skills to pull this off. But it is a worthwhile idea and I will pursue it to the bloody end... :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

Hey! I bet that was more than you wanted to know! :violin:
 
Puck and Alex, you want scenery I will give you scenery. Any requests? How about a podcast from the largest volcano crater in the world? (really, it is 45 minutes from my house.... I am not going there just for a podcast though...) Downtown Kumamoto? How about it? If it is within reason I am willing to do a podcast from just about anywhere... (remember I am a missionary...some restrictions apply)

(AFTER podcast #2, it focus on equipment and will be up in the next day or two)
 
Podcast #2 is online! An equipment run through, next up, test footage/ practicing with the DVX100!
 
I forgot to say that 'In the mood for love' has a beautiful soundtrack, which underlined very well the emotional atmosphere and the composer is japonese - Shigeru Umebayashi. :)

Susanne :bath:

The main theme was originally composed for Yumeji though (a Japanese film by Seijun Suzuki)
 
I will try to check some of these out. However, after living in Japan 6 years, I have come to be somewhat suspicious of a lot of Japanese movies. Frequently what is presented is the Japanese ideal rather than the reality. Not that you can't learn a lot from seeing the goals that people strive toward.
There is also a generation gap that is growing. A large number of young people ("young" defined as under 35) are rejecting the ideals from the past. Holding your emotions in check, being responsible members of society, putting the group about yourself are all ideals that the older generations more or less all held. Not so with the younger generation.

From my conversations with Japanese leaders, the general opinion is that Japan is in a state of change and what it will become is not yet certain. There is a definite pull toward the ideals of the past, to "stay Japanese". There is also a large pull to "join the rest of the world" and release some of the ideals that kept Japan cut off for so many years. This in between generation is really struggling. Want an interesting study? Look up "hikikomori", "freeter", "NEET" and "parasite single". They are all in this generation and they are all screwed up to varying degrees. :(

My point.... I am not sure a hikikomori expresses emotions in the same way that a "normal" person does. Actually, I know that they don't! Papers, news broadcasts, and talk around town show that the respect for parents (indeed others in general) is lacking as well as a lot of the finer social skills for which the Japanese are known.

What makes it a more difficult study is that it is embarassing for Japanese, so you don't find as much good information as you might from another country.

The more I study and think about it, the more I am certain that I don't have the film making skills to pull this off. But it is a worthwhile idea and I will pursue it to the bloody end... :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

Hey! I bet that was more than you wanted to know! :violin:
This is a very interesting converstion. I lived in Italy for five years and the country is full of 'parasite single'. In Germany you call it 'Hotel Mama' and this term gives it a more ironical touch, because these more or less young people are not ill - they are simple lazy! I personally know also some people in Italy and Germany, who are something between 'Freeter' and 'Neet' what is more serious. I admit that 'Hikikomori' is the top of category and the most extreme case. You could look around the world and will find them everywhere - parents who protect their children too much. So they will be not any more self-sufficient, you can find any kind of service and don't need any more to do things by yourself. On the other hand asks our economical system of capitalism more and more from all of us - more qualification for less money, more hours to work, less chances in the future. One of the consequences is probably 'Hikikomori'. We could have a long discussion about it, but it would come out probably more a political theme and it isn't really the right place for it here.

Reading a little bit in your thread, gave me the sensation that you try to put too much of this complexive theme in a six minute short. Try to give it a simple structure. Also, it isn't necessary that all will be realistic - you have the fantastic possibility to put your fantasy in - this is the advantage and freedom of a fiction film! Try to enchant your audience with your possibilities - you have exotically locations and lots of different things there, in comparison with western countries. Try to pull them out in your film.
If you are struggeling too much, try to take some help from the forum here - somebody who have a little look over your script - here are some very good knowledged scriptwriter around (one stopped already by in your thread!) :). The other thing is a good score - did you find already a composer? Dvxuser has some excellent composer members, who offer their work. It seems to me that Herman Witkam is also interested in asian culture and he did a fantastic work on other films in the past. :)

I hope really that you will make this short - an asian film would be great enrichment.

All the best.

Susanne :bath:
 
The main theme was originally composed for Yumeji though (a Japanese film by Seijun Suzuki)

Thanks Herman, I didn't know that. In the meantime I watched both trailer and could hear, that it was the same composer. 'Yumeji' seems also a very interesting film. Next time, I stop by the videoclub, I will rent the film.

Susanne :bath:

BTW: The soundtrack of 'In the mood for love' I heard for years, before I watched the film. An ex-colleague brought the music in the architectural office in Milan/Italy where I worked in 2001. I heard the music and fell in love with it. He gave me a copy. Only one year ago I rent the film!
 
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I didn't mean to give the impression that I was cramming all this info in the film! :embarasse

I just find it interesting and consider it "background" material. I think it is entirely possible that someone could watch it as written in the script and never get the concept of hikikomori. I am focusing primarily on one hour of time and will be mostly concerned about conveying emotion not information about his life.

Looking back over my posts I can see how I might have given to much irrelevant information. It will help people understand the film however. I am shooting it with a Japanese audience in mind and they will be less likely to miss the hikikomori references in the film. It is possible that in the end the references will be too subtle for an American audience. Not sure about other countries, probably depends on the prevalence of hikikomori and the similarity to those in Japan.

Let me reintorduce "Hitoribochi", it is a film about change in the life of an outcast from society. :)
 
Thanks Herman, I didn't know that. In the meantime I watched both trailer and could hear, that it was the same composer. 'Yumeji' seems also a very interesting film. Next time, I stop by the videoclub, I will rent the film.

Susanne :bath:

BTW: The soundtrack of 'In the mood for love' I heard for years, before I watched the film. An ex-colleague brought the music in the architectural office in Milan/Italy where I worked in 2001. I heard the music and fell in love with it. He gave me a copy. Only one year ago I rent the film!


Susanne,

If you do, be sure to first watch Zigeunerweisen (or 'Tzigoineruwaizen') and Kageroza. The 3 films form a trilogy about the Taisho period in Japanese history.

Wong Kar-Wai often uses great music to support the images. For the In the Mood for Love sequel '2046' Umebayashi did compose the music specifically for the film :)
 
I added a photo of the main actor the production notes.

I hope to add some test footage from the actual location in the next day or two.

I am still one actor short, I contacted a local acting club today trying to fill the role as soon as possible. Kumamoto is not exactly a filmmaking mecca. Finding actors has proven more difficult that I expected. It doesn't help that we have only lived in Kumamoto for about 7 months so I still have very few contacts. I am making a lot more running around trying to get this film made though!
 
A few screen grabs from test footage I shot today. Most of it sucked or I would have put up some video. These grabs do more or less give the look I will be going for though. My wife and daughter were the impatient stand-ins.:dankk2:

Image1.jpg

Image2.jpg

Image4.jpg

Image5.jpg

On a related note, is there any potential problem that I should be considering if I need to mix in footage without the 35mm adapter? For a couple of wide shots and shots with more movement, I don't think I can pull it off with the adapter. Keeping in focus during action or lack of space to get far enough away for the wide shot are potential problems.
 
I added the second actor's photo to the first page. If things go well in the next week, we will have the third (and final) actor and have shooting dates locked. Tentatively it looks like we will be shooting on Feb. 11 and 14th. Unless we have a major disaster I believe that will finish it. We do have the option of 1 or two nights in the following week if necessary.
 
Finally have all the cast and some more crew in place! Whew!

Fumiyoshi Iseri will play the part of Michihiro.

Cody Permenter will be editing.

Due to some scheduling issues we will begin shooting on Sunday, Feb. 8. I think we will only be doing one scene and a few master shots for another scene. Everyone will meet on set at 7pm and this will be the only time all three cast members are together. We will try to get the long shots and come back to close-ups later in the week.

If things go well Sunday we should finish shooting on the 11th, if things go bad...
 
Norman, good luck with it all. Its a very interesting subject. In fact in Japan I have a friend whos sister is hikikomori and a friend whos younger brother is NEET.

But I think youre right in Hitoribocchi being a subject more prevalent globally and the theme will lend itself to a wider audience without concentrating so much on the why's

Again good luck.

Have to ask what your doing all the way down in Kumamoto?

EDIT: Scratch that just watched your podcast.

Shooting IN Japan 101

TIP No.1 - I often found with older Japanese subjects its very hard to hit the eyes cleanly with light when its needed for the shot. A small diffused light source place low can help you get there. Of course you have to match it to the rest of your composition so its best to place this light last and use controls so it doesnt kill your scene.

TIP No.2 - Many house locations in Japan, because of size are limiting in amount of wattage light you can use. Use natural where possible and compliment with CTB and light controls on your fixtures. Watch out for some of the frosted glass as it has a blue tinge to it and can often change the color of your intended shot, as can the proximity of buildings where color reflects and bounces in through your windows. These make a daylight balance difficult.
 
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Noel,
Thanks for the tips! No joking about the wattage restrictions, the first house we lived in needed larger breakers just to run the microwave! Most of the filmmakers I have met here so far use flouro's exclusively just for that reason. If my projects grow enough, eventually I'll get a generator.
 
Noel,
Thanks for the tips! No joking about the wattage restrictions, the first house we lived in needed larger breakers just to run the microwave! Most of the filmmakers I have met here so far use flouro's exclusively just for that reason. If my projects grow enough, eventually I'll get a generator.

Think you will also find that any lighting in Japan is triple the price of anywhere else so cheaper fluro photo lighting is often used as an alternative. I think its good for ambience, or when you have the luxury of seperation, but doesnt really fit the dramatic purpose as will as a fresnel (whether HMI or tungsten).

I picked up 3 of these http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/i/cat_13_30_19395407/241839.html, simply because in Japanese interiors most fresnels were just too much all but the 300s. So these were very useful inside, lots of spill so need some black wrap and flags but they work and although it says 500, its about the same as a 300 or a bit less in fresnel. But they worked well in most interior situations. Man do they get hot though. They do have a spot function as well.

If your ever after any let me know as they are still in Tokyo and Ill charge you much less than original price. (My reason for replying wasnt to sell you lights btw - was just passing on my thoughts.
 
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