Why filmmakers should stop obsessing over the latest camera technology. Robert Capa’s photograph of a soldier struggling ashore during the D-Day landings is perhaps the greatest ever taken. Blurred almost to the point of abstraction, The Face in the Surf (1944) undoubtedly proves that technical perfection is unnecessary in art or storytelling. The viewer is […]
We invited former English Language Film School Japan student, Anita, to write a guest post on how she is progressing on her filmmaking journey, a couple months after taking our course, Making the Short Film. Read on for her observations and experiences. Making the Short Film — First Baby Steps as a Director by Anita […]
As filmmakers, many of us tend to find great excitement in obsessing over shiny new cameras, obscure lenses, and physics-defying stabilisers. I have on occasion, wasted hours looking at such mundane things as batteries or cables online. Despite the appeal of fresh technology, though, I do not believe that using the latest kit directly results […]
Last night, we held the second-ever edition of our filmmakers’ drinks night at 1000 Springs Tokyo, in Yotsuya. We had a fantastic turnout, packing the bar with old and new faces, including directors of photography, composers, actors, and writers. I heard projects being discussed, collaborations being arranged, and deep conversations happening about favourite films, acting, […]
Leo Liwag is a Tokyo-based multi-disciplinarian filmmaker and co-founder of cinema camera rental service, Temple Studios, which offers RED Raven rental packages at an affordable price point. Raised in California, Liwag has worked in production, visual effects (including on The Force Awakens) and is currently developing his own short film, Connections. I sit down with […]
Yes, film is an audiovisual medium. Yes, the best way to learn is by doing. Yes, a book can’t give you feedback on your work. But, Werner Herzog says that filmmakers must, “Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read….” So if you are looking to consume printed words and […]
To deny that the world is going through a podcasting ‘boom’ would be irresponsible, particularly as recent analysis shows that nearly one in four US citizens listen to a podcast at least once a month. The relatively low cost of entry and simplicity of distribution means that it is easy for niche interest recordings to […]
With the trailer for Steven Soderbergh’s iPhone-shot latest feature, Unsane, dropping this week, and continuing the theme of the democratising effect of newer technologies from my interview with cinematographer Matt De Sousa last week, I would like to highlight ten feature films shot on consumer-grade cameras. I hope some of these films will convince you […]
Discover how cinematographer Matt De Sousa shot the music video for Shunské G & The Peas’ hit song, ‘Groove Me’. Shunské G & The Peas, ‘Groove Me’, Space Shower Music, 2017 Matt De Sousa is a Tokyo-based self-taught cinematographer who has worked with the likes of Etihad Airways and AirBnB, as well as musical artists […]
The cinematographer reflects on launching his career in Japan. Plus, his hot tip for finding cool locations in Tokyo. Matt De Sousa is a Tokyo-based cinematographer who has worked with the likes of Etihad Airways and AirBnB, as well as musical artists including Gorillaz collaborator Kilo Kish. Uniquely, he is a self-taught director of photography […]