Yell Art!!!

My long-time friend Tomohiko Yoneda contacted me a couple of days ago, and let me know of an interesting project he's just started. I agreed on doing what I can, mostly to spread it not only in Japan, but also in NYC, U.S.A, or to the world. It's called Yell Art . And I'm just yelling about it! :)

We're all heart-broken by this catastrophe, and most of us may feel powerless, especially those who don't have much money to donate. But sometimes, just a simple message or two may make people feel better, when spoken from one's sincere heart.

Here's mission statement by the director:

**********************************************************************************

Make our prayers to art. Make our art to energy.


YELL ART PROJECT
~our art messages to the people suffered through a catastrophe~


Our hearts go out to the people who lost love ones. Our thoughts are with the people affected by the tragedy.


YELL ART PROJECT was started with our sincere wishes to reach out to those who are suffering by putting together a force of art through the internet, and raising funds through art exhibitions.


What we can do is to live our lives and care about the suffering lives and the future.
Appreciate little things in everyday life while breathing, walking, talking and sharing.


YELL ART is in our everyday lives; a hope to be found in lives of the ones suffered and of ourselves.


YELL ART gathers together the power of creative minds, nurturing the network of support to a groundswell.


Yes, we can move our economy.
Yes, we can share our goodwill.


In the midst of crisis and uncertainty, caring and sharing of each one of us is what makes a better future.


We need your support.


*********************************************************************************
Samples of works already been submitted can be viewed here. (and of course, they want more!)

So far many named Japanese artists have collaborated with this concept, but you don't have to be named, Japanese, nor artist, if you have message to share!


To submit your work, either hashtag it on twitter   #yellart
or, simply send email to info@yeliart.jp

Save Japan

It's sadly ironic that the last blog I posted a month ago was about my visit to Japan, with the photo of Mt.Fuji seen from my home.  As already said, I've always had the mixed feeling about my home country, about its social structure, its politics, and certain aspects of its culture, etc. But let's just put these BS aside, none of the above matters now. 

People are starving. People are freezing. People are still missing and dying. 
And they were just randomly selected by the force of nature, all of sudden. 
Okay, you've seen enough of that...and perhaps tired of that. Me too.


Now I'm speaking more personally: I'm not there. My family and friends are. They're still fearful of aftershock and radioactive substance. It just aches me that I can't do anything about it, to my home country I left for my own reason but still love for my own reason. 


I may sound selfish or hypocritical, but therefore I decided to speak of it, hoping it spreads. 
Yes I am aware of that people are suffering in different places all over the world.


But thank you for those who understands, and those who is being a generous big brother/sister for us!


Here are some events I was informed of and plan to attend (and there are so many other good and even fun ones- google for your preference if interested).


3/19 (Sat)

http://hope-for-japan.blogspot.com/2011/03/event-on-saturday-march-19th-union.html?spref=fb

3/25 (Fri)
http://www.bellydancecity.com/2011/03/17/belly-dance-japan-fundraiser-performance-event/


Also on this Sunday the 20th, there'll be people with boxes collecting funds in front of:


Grand Central Station (42nd Street, between Park & Lexington Avenue)  
Times Square (43rd Street & 44th Street on Broadway) 


I'll be filming this. Gimme a holla if you find me!


For those who cannot go but still willing to contribute, here's simple ways to do it (cited from Time) 

Red Cross: The Japanese Red Cross has already deployed 11 disaster-response teams, but you can support the organization by donating money. Similar to its efforts in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, the Red Cross is accepting donations online or via text message. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone (you'll be prompted to confirm with a second text reading YES).

ShelterBox: The U.K.-based organization, with 18 international affiliates, has launched an online fundraiser for the Japan relief effort. ShelterBox provides assistance to afflicted countries by delivering large utility boxes that contain a shelter and other emergency-relief tools. To give, go to your country's page and click "Donate."

International Medical Corps: To give to this global nonprofit's emergency-response fund, go to its site, fill in your information and select the amount you wish to donate (be sure to note if you want your donation to be a "recurring gift" for future relief efforts).

GlobalGiving: Working with other organizations like the International Medical Corps, GlobalGiving, a Washington, D.C.-based group, has launched a Japan relief fund that will give aid to on-the-ground organizations providing emergency services. It is accepting donations online, with a funding goal of $90, 000.

Convoy of Hope: This nonprofit focuses on disaster-relief efforts. Donate online or via phone by texting TSUNAMI to 50555 (you'll be prompted to confirm with a follow-up text of YES).

Salvation Army: The Japan branch of the Salvation Army has been working in Tokyo to offer shelter to stranded commuters, and it reportedly organized a team to help in Sendai. It also has a Hawaii branch standing by, ready to assist. Donate online or by texting JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): This medical nonprofit expanded its team in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami and has groups working in mobile clinics in areas that are inaccessible by road due to damage. While MSF doesn't have a specific Japan relief fund (we mistakenly reported that they did) you can donate unrestricted funds to support all of the organization's efforts. Donations can be made online.

Google's Person Finder: The search giant has launched a Japanese version of its Person Finder tool so that victims and families can locate one another in the aftermath of the disaster. Find a person or offer information about a person here.　　　　　　　　　　　　

大変ご無沙汰です。
前回のブログが日本から帰ってきた後、そして今回このような形で書く事になってしまう事になったのは何とも言えない気持ちです。

今回の地震および二次災害において、当然ながら個人的に色んな感情や情報が自分の中でとびかっていますが、実際に被害にあった人の想像できない気持ちを考えると、うまく言葉が選べないので今回は控えます。

ただ、NYという遠くはなれた地で祖国のために活動している日本人、または同じ地球上の大事な仲間として世界中の人々が義援金／物資援助やチャリティーイベント等を行い、日本をかけがえの無い国としてサポートしていること、そして悲惨な状況下で希望を失わずに助け合い乗り切ろうとする日本人に称賛／声援が多くかかっているのは特筆すべき事だと思います。

友人のGosha（from Uzuhi）がオーガナイズした地下鉄駅構内でのパフォーマンスイベントは３０００ドル超える募金が集まったとの事。

また、NYベースに活動する日本人バンドThe Ricecookersのチャリティライブ にも多くの人が集まりました。（この様子はUstreamで見れます）

日本がいち早く復興するのを心より祈ってます。世界中が見守り、応援してます！

JAPAN!

大変ご無沙汰です～！実は日本に一時帰国してました。

２年ぶり＆限られた期間の滞在という事で、家族／親友／映画関係者や投資家の方々に怒濤のごとく会ってきました！

残念ながら都合が合わず会えずじまいの人もいましたが・・・次は必ず！

Been a while! I was in Japan for a little while, partly to see my family, partly to see my friends, partly to see my clients (including producers/investors for my feature film in development), partly to renew my visa (which is always a big pain in the @$$)

友人や仕事関係の人と、久しぶりの再会。色んな業種／年代の方に会って仕事の話しから雑談まで盛り上がったのですが、ちょっとショックだったのが、若い人（自分よりさらに下の世代）なんかは海外、特にアメリカに本当に興味が無くなっているというお話。映画も音楽も国内のものが売れているという。物質的には日本でなんでも揃うし、レベルも高いし、確かにこんな便利な国は無いと思うんですが。それがいわゆる「安定志向」とも遠くでつながるのかな〜。

自分は昔から海外生活に憧れ、１６歳で飛び出して、今ではNYでフリーランスの映像の仕事をして、安定なんて文字が正直ピンとこないんです。（１０歳くらいまでは安定志向だったんだけどな～）人生色々ですね。人によって価値観は様々だけど自分にとって何が大事で何がそれほど必要でないのか、取捨選択できる事が大事だと思います。よってオレは後悔無し！きっと今まで通りに楽しく生きてくはずです。

Hadn't been back for 2 years, being in Japan makes me feel like almost a tourist. I've had some reverse culture shock moments (especially since I've lived in NYC for so long). What's really shocked me is that many people, especially young ones, believe strongly in stability and little interest in abroad. 

Well, if they're all happy in what they do, I'm not going to say anything about it... but I heard some outcry of passionate ones, who want to change their "stable lives" but doesn't know how to. This is exactly what I portrayed in my screenplay of "Off the Route".

Japan is the greatest country, for those who values clean, convenient, and very materialistic society. For those who values in stability. My life hadn't had much with stability, so I always feel out of it when I'm home, ironic eh? But I started appreciating my life after I left home when I was 16. I just feel more alive to live up to my own principle than being trapped in the routine, convincing myself "nothing's gonna change".

 しょんべん横町（新宿）

Shonben Yokocho in Shinjuku (meaning Pissing Alley; lots of drinking places!)

竹下通り（原宿）

Center of youth culture (Kawaii!), Takeshita Street in Harajuku

バナナの自販機（渋谷）

Banana Vending Machine in Shibuya Station

一時滞在する東京はすごく新鮮で楽しかったけど、住むとなった時に、右に習えの出来ない人種に優しいのはNYだと思いました。いや、厳しい街なんだけどね、そういう人に寛容だから（というかそういう人で成り立ってるから）。トラブル解決にも慣れたし（笑）。オレはもう少しこのNYという場所でがんばるよ。歩く道は違ってもお互いにがんばりましょう！

While I enjoyed so much of Tokyo, I learned that I'm more suited in New York. New York is much rougher place, but more tolerant to people like me. 

そんな色んな事を考えた日本滞在を非常に有意義にしてくれた人々を一部ご紹介・・・。

Brief introduction of my people, who really made time of my stay. 

「トラック野郎」シリーズなどで高名な脚本家、中島さん。

実は父親（高校教諭）の大学時代からの親友で、自分がまだ映画を志す前から知り合いだった唯一の「業界人」（笑）。自分の脚本「オフ・ザ・ルート」も、非常にストーリーを気に入ってくれつつも的確な細かいアドバイスを色々くれています。毎度会うのはこの浅草の老舗喫茶店「ピーター」。伝説の紙芝居作家、加太こうじさんの描いた壁画が有名です。

Mr.Nakajima, a renowned writer who's written "Trakku Yaro (Truck Drivers)" series. He's also my Dad's best friend from college. Very caring, fun, sometimes crazy (in a good way!) ; we always meet up at this classic Japanese cafe "Peter" in Asakusa (mural is painted by famous Japanese artist Koji Kata), talks about movies. He really loved my script  of "Off the Route" and gave me a lot of good feedbacks.

音楽のレコーディング・エンジニアの競さん。都内の素晴らしい設備のそろったスタジオにお邪魔しました。忙しいところ時間をとってくれてありがたい！Glayを始め、大物アーチストを数多く手がけながらも、飾らない、気さくな方です。

VFV Studio, where one of my favorite clients Mr.Kisou works. He's done many big artists including Glay. Unlike many big-shots in Japan, he's really down to earth and friendly to young nobody like me ;) 

昔からの知り合いで、現在Violet & Claireというお店のオーナーをやっているスミレちゃん。可愛いお店、可愛いオーナーですが、フタを開けると中々に芯が座っていてロックで素敵です。

そんな彼女はDJとしてもTwee Grrrls ClubというガールズDJ集団を牽引中。たまたま滞在中に新宿MarzというライブハウスでDJをしてたので入れてもらいました。

I've known this girl Sumire for long time... now she's an owner of a cute shop called Violet & Claire in Shibuya.  It's a nice little DIY girl shop. Check it out when you go there!! 

She's also a powerful DJ leading the group called Twee Grrrls Club. I got lucky invitation into the club Shinjuku Marz while they DJ....

その流れで新たに素晴らしいバンド発掘！Miila and the Geeksという、サックスの入った変則的３ピースバンド。今度テキサスの音楽フェスSXSWでライブ、その後NYでもライブやりたいってことで、現在仕込み協力中！

Then met this band called Miila and the Geeks. It's a 3 piece rock band. Awesomely crazy band, and they're having their first U.S. tour! Can anybody help me putting them in some live venue in NYC on 3/20??

去年ミュージックビデオ制作したThe New Houseも未だ健在。

Also saw the band The New House, whom I made a music video for....

他にトーキョー・ナイトライフを飾ってくれたのは六本木にあるおしゃれな隠れ家バー、Bar Serendipityの吉田さん。以前NYのバーで仕事を一緒にした事もあり（彼がマネージャー、オレがイベントプロデューサー）、独立し念願のバーをオープンしたという事でひょっこり顔を出したんですが、相変わらずプロフェッショナルなサービスで、すご〜くおいしいカクテル「Serendipity」を堪能しました。細部にこだわった内装／小道具が要チェックです。

Another memorable night lives spent in Tokyo was Bar Serendipity. I used to work with the manager Mr.Yoshida in New York, me as an event producer. I just hopped in without any notes, pretend it's a "serendipity". His attitude and cocktail was as professional as it's always been. The whole decor is stylish and you really get mesmerized while you're there. Nice bar for a hot date for sure! If you don't know what to order, get "serendipity". 

色んな業種の人が登場してまとまりない感じですが（笑）、共通しているのは、みんな真剣に腹をくくって自分の好きな事に情熱を注いでる事かな～。そういう人に会うと、活動の場が自分と全然違ってもテンションあがるし、いいエネルギーがもらえる。

その他にも、滞在中に会ってくれた皆様、貴重なお時間、ありがとうございました！！

People who I really appreciate are those who take their passion seriously. They always give me a good energy, and I try my best to return it in anyway possible. And for some reason they are so easy to reconnect, no matter where we are and no matter how long we haven't met. 

There are so many others I want to introduce but running out of time and space. Ciao!

A Happy New Year!

もう日数が経ってしまいましたが、友人の素晴らしい提案で、元旦は生まれて初めて初日の出を見に行きました。場所はブルックリン橋！脚本とは関係ありません！

Went to see "the first sunrise (hatsuhinode)" at Brooklyn Bridge, upon my friend's suggestion.

For Japanese ppl, it's kind of a big deal culturally. Well I don't know how it started or why of it, but it is (I guess it has to do with "the country of rising sun"). Please excuse my ignorance- it was my first time!!

 まだ薄暗い摩天楼

Still dark, a couple of hours after drinking.

 絵はがきショット（勝手にスパイダーマンショットと呼んでます）

Postcard Shot (aka. Spiderman Shot)

 だんだん明けてきて・・・。

Getting brighter...

 やっと昇ってきた朝日に見入るみんな。青春ですな〜（遅い？）

New & Old pals looking into the sunrise... all Japanese!

明けましておめでとうございます！今年もよろしくさんです！

A Happeee Neeeeew Yeeeear!  (still buzzed)

日本の勝ち！

Japanese flag wins in size!

Off the Route 英語版

みなさん明けましておめでとうございます。
今年は昨年より輪を３枚位かけてつっ走ります！

英語台本、年明け前にやっと完了しました。とりあえず現在を持っての最終稿。

新しい憩いの場Cafe Orwellで最後の詰め

この薄暗いスタンドがムードを高めます（笑）。

ところでご存知の方も多いと思いますが（というか、今更ながら）ニューヨークは４日ほど前にどか雪が降り、街中の移動手段がぐちゃぐちゃ。

それも手伝って年末パーティーなども多い中、脚本に集中できたという・・・。

己の道は己で作るのだ、的なテーマが強いストーリーなのですが、雪道に関してはちょっと・・・

己の雪かきは己でするのだ・・・（笑）

まあ、こういう道を堂々と歩くのも場合によってはありかと。

そうそう、おなじみのこの景色。でももう明るいのに朝日が見えない・・・。

 おおお、こっちから昇るんけ〜！？

そう、決定的ミスです。脚本書いてるとそういう事がたまにあります。

つ〜か最初に調べろよ！（コーディネートの仕事だったら致命的！）

大晦日の今日は上記脚本の日本語バージョン作成です。

でも街中パーティーしている今、さすがに切ないのでもう遊びに出かけます。じゃあね！

オンエア情報

ギリギリの告知ですいません！
ロケハン３ヶ月ほど前から約２ヶ月、全米６州に渡って深く関わらせていただいたNHKのドキュメンタリースペシャルが明日（日本ではもう今日ですね・・・）２６日（日）からNHK-BS1三夜連続放送です！

NHK-BS 1
12/26   21:00~21:50「ペーパーフィルムが語る１００年前のアメリカ第1回　映画の発明」
12/27   21:00~21:50「ペーパーフィルムが語る１００年前のアメリカ第2回　WAR SHOW」
12/28   21:00~21:50「ペーパーフィルムが語る１００年前のアメリカ第3回　カメラは世界へ」


Excuse me for last minutes notice-


The documentary project I was working on as U.S. production manager will be aired in Japan tomorrow the 26th (well, it's already today in Japan), 27th and 28th, through the public broadcast NHK. 


If you're in Japan, check it out! From 9PM to 10PM.
The project I've been heavily involved on for past couple of months, in 6 different states. 
It's about the U.S. History in 1900s  and the beginning history of motion picture (Paper Prints). 


It's going to be interesting....can't wait to see it! (I'll get to see it very soon)

Greetings from New York

Happy Holidays Everyone!