Film/Television job in Tokyo

[MrToast]

Hey! I'm new...so be nice.

Well i have been in Japan for 6 months now doing a teaching job. I am currently in the midst of getting my spouse visa and (strongly) fancy a change of job.

I studied Documentary and filmmaking in the uk and got my degree last summer. I had alot of work in the UK working (as a camera op and editor) with various director/producers doing Docos and Corp films, aswell as producing a couple of my own.
Heres the problem, like i said i have only been here 6 months and i dont speak Japanese that bad or that good. Although i study everyday i feel its going to take a while before companies and production houses will start looking at me.

So heres my question. Is there any chance of getting hired by a production company without the Nippon language stuff?
Is there anyone else in my position or anyone who was in my position out there who knows anything useful for me?

i would be so thankful if anybody could help me out here as im kinda going crazy spending every day, in and out, with bloody kids.

cheers

[Ptyx]

I work in the tv industry, although a special tv one might say...
Japanese is a must unless you know someone who can vouch for you, then you don't need nor japanese nor qualifications of any kind.
Japanese is not as important if you're on for the tech positions (cameraman, sound etc..), but it's absolutely required if you plan on doing production or editing job.

That said, perhaps as important as your command of the japanese langage is the amount of work you can do and the amount of money you can work for.

I don't know much about other companies othen than the one i work for, but generally in the tv/film industry people are not paid much and they work a lot.
Especially entry-level position. Basically I'm talking about roughly 60-70 hours a week paid less than an english teaching gig.
Also learn the word "tetsuya" it means spending the night at work, and there's a lot of that. You can also forget about week-end. You'll get one day rest per week if you get any to begin with.
This will last for at least a year (if you're really lucky) before you can get promoted and work slightly less for a slighly better pay.
That's how they filter through the huge number of people that want to work in tv here. Most people quit before their first month. They could probably keep up but when they compare their paycheck to the amount of shit they take everyday, they usually make the logical decision of quitting.

Basically the hardest part to get in is to do the job interview in japanese.
They will expect you to speak roughly like a regular japanese guy and they will give you the same test they give to other candidates.
Your best bet at this point if you're not satisfied with your level in japanese is networking.

[GomiGirl]

That said - there are a few jobs around for corporate videos etc. Japanese not really required but helpful. Not as flashy as making your own films but still it beats teaching. Try for a larger foreign company with offices here. Or try a headhunter.

[Adhesive]

Also learn the word "tetsuya" it means spending the night at work, and there's a lot of that. You can also forget about week-end. You'll get one day rest per week if you get any to begin with.
This will last for at least a year (if you're really lucky) before you can get promoted and work slightly less for a slighly better pay.

I have a Japanese friend who graduated in the U.S. with a film degree. He got a job with a company that produces tv advertisements...they specialize in foreign talent...anyway, they work him like a dog. He is on call 24/7. Nights, weekends, you name it. If there wasn't an opportunity to move up there is no way in hell I would work a job like that, especially considering the low pay.

[GuyJean]

.. Your best bet at this point if you're not satisfied with your level in japanese is networking.

Totally agree with everything that's been written. I post film 'jobs', as the come to me, here:
http://www.tokyodv.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10

You should also check out FilmMarmalde:
http://www.tokyodv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1803#1803

There are TV jobs out there.. But English teachers get paid better.

Do you have any of your work online,?

GJ

[MrToast]

No i dont have anyhing up online yet. Maybe you could let me know of a good site that doesnt require you reducing the quality until it looks like pacman.

Thanks guys for all your help. From one filmmaker to another, when you been doing it for a long time and then you end up doing something like teaching then all you want to do is get back into the game. I love making films and i can safely say i am good at it, so i cant be worried about the consequences of getting paid a little less than a teacher.

I am a lighting camera man (DoP) by the way. I have alot of experience working freelance, with production houses, and in my own companies. I also do about as much editing as filming but i dont enjoy it as much.

Is there any kinda group out there that people like me, like us, can meet others and discuss filmmaking projects?
I have a lot of ideas as im sure most nof you do aswell, but i dont have anyone to collaborate with. Even if i cannot get into the industry (right now) with the lack niponese i will still be making films/docos for the festivals. Is this another good way in, making films for the festivals?

Its a long a bumpy road i can tell. But im very determined

[Mulboyne]

Here's a recent article about an Austrian girl who works as a camera assistant in Japan. She found the connection through Film Marmalade which Guy Jean mentioned above. The way she describes her work is exactly the way that Pytx laid it out in his post:

http://pingmag.jp/2007/05/18/big-in-japan-making-j-pop-music-videos/

I hope you get a break!

[MrToast]

thanks mate i really appriate all you guys helping me out here. Before i come to these forums i was asking the same questions at gaijinpot and just got a load of idiots posting insults fo no reasons.

[MrToast]

tell me. this film marmalade, is it just a kinda festival with networking once a month? or is there more to it?
I'm checking it out now and it seems the best thing to do is enter a film and start networking. Well i need to produce a film first that might fit the bill.
If anyone is planning of making a short film/doco and are in need of a well experienced camera op or editor then please let me know. I need to start mingleing and i believe this is the only way for me.
I will try and get a film of mine up soon for you guys to see.

[TennoChinko]

This agency is more for gaijin tarento, but you might worthwhile to contact them to see if there are any opportunities in your area. It was recently established by Thane Camus who also has another agency (same?) here

[MrToast]

cheers dude.
Just adding finishing touches to my doco and am also making a showreel. In the UK we send out showreels to various production houses and we usually (depending if its anygood) get replies from those companies. Is it the same deal here?

[GuyJean]

No i dont have anyhing up online yet. Maybe you could let me know of a good site that doesnt require you reducing the quality until it looks like pacman.

You could always buy a domain, rent a hosting company, and upload videos whatever quality you'd like.. Or there are tons of free video hosting sites out there, but at 'mediocre' quality:
http://www.lifegoggles.com/video_ebook/video_comparison_matrix.htm

I am a lighting camera man (DoP) by the way. I have alot of experience working freelance, with production houses, and in my own companies. I also do about as much editing as filming but i dont enjoy it as much.

You should send this info to filmmarmalade, go to the party on the 21st, and start networking. I'm sure something will happen..

.. tell me. this film marmalade, is it just a kinda festival with networking once a month? or is there more to it?

Yes and yes; I think it'll be whatever you make of it.

Good Ruck!

GJ

[MrToast]

Man ! if weird messages come up from me just ignore them. Im still getting use to the way this forum works with posting.

I got my film down to 140MB but it look proper SHT! so i need to think about it abit longer.
Im going to that filmmarmalde on 21st. Hope something good comes of it but it will be cool to see some films again.

GuyJean what did you mean in your reply that i should send that info to filmmarmalade? would they be interested?

[Mulboyne]

GuyJean what did you mean in your reply that i should send that info to filmmarmalade? would they be interested?

He means tell people who you are. Not everyone goes to the events but everyone likes to know who is out there.

[MrToast]

sorry im still a little confussed. you mean just send an email to filmmaralade stating who i am and what i do? I just dont want to sound like a divv.

[MrToast]

where has everybody gone?

[GomiGirl]

sorry im still a little confussed. you mean just send an email to filmmaralade stating who i am and what i do? I just dont want to sound like a divv.

How about you email them asking them more about their group? Saying you are a filmaker or whatever... shall I draft it for you too?

Are you at least going to it on the 21st? that would be a good start too doncha think?

[GomiGirl]

where has everybody gone?

Probably on other threads...

[Greji]

Probably on other threads...

Quite right. Certainly wouldn't be to some noisy bar in Shinjuku!

[GomiGirl]

Quite right. Certainly wouldn't be to some noisy bar in Shinjuku!

Noisy - how would you know?? BTW am bar bitch tonight.. wanna come so I can give you a hard time.. I know you love it!!

[MrToast]

yeah i already said i was going on the 21st. sne t them an email already aswell. just asking about them and saying im interested in it all.

[Mulboyne]

Gyaku: An Interview with Michael Goldberg

Michael Goldberg, a native of Montreal, Canada now living in Tokyo, Japan, has been active in video art and video production for over 40 years. Educated at McGill University and Ecole des beaux arts and involved in a wide range of art movements over the years, he moved to Japan in 1982 and has since founded International Videoworks, a Tokyo-based video production company established in 1990, of which he is the director. Most recent among the production work of International Videoworks is a documentary entitled "A ZEN LIFE" about the legendary author and translator Daisetz Teitaro Suzuku, who is widely credited as having introduced Zen Buddhism to the West. We spoke with Michael Goldberg about his path from Canada to Japan, about recent changes in media and art movements, the significance and limitations of copyright laws, and about his recent movie...more...

[GuyJean]

Gyaku: An Interview with Michael Goldberg

Nice interview.. Michael is a great, creative guy with an openness that a lot of 'old school' film guys just don't have..

More info on his film here:
http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16675

GJ

[happynobita]

Hey, stumbled on the forum while browsing for this subject. The only difference is I'm not in Tokyo. Does anyone have any experience with getting a camera related job outside of Tokyo? Specifically, Fukuoka?