Read on Twitter
NOW LIVE The Kickstarter for AND THEN: A Girl-Meets-Girl Short Film Set in Tokyo, is now LIVE!
A story about two women who meet and grow closer to each other through insomnia & art. It was made with a TON of heart and passion. Help us finish it! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo?ref=project_tweet
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Our next Stretch Goal of 40K is very important to me. It allows me to offer some form of compensation to every principal crew member who donated their time. Including taking time off work and purchasing their own flights. I want to talk about them here:
Our next Stretch Goal of 40K is very important to me. It allows me to offer some form of compensation to every principal crew member who donated their time. Including taking time off work and purchasing their own flights. I want to talk about them here:
Troy Edige is a Turkish DP based in London. He has worked extensively on commercials & documentaries, Netflix, HBO, BBC. AND THEN is his 1st narrative project. http://troyedige.com | @troyedige. The visuals of this film wouldn't be the same without him. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Troy paid for his own flight/lodging to come to Tokyo to help me do the cinematography for AND THEN. He took time off work, and despite donating his vision and time, he gave 1000% every day. He is also the colourist for AND THEN, & got me into filmmaking. https://kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Ellie McCutcheon is a cinematographer and FAA-certified drone pilot in the San Fran Bay Area documentary film scene. She has her own California-based drone business. http://elliemccutcheon.com She came to Tokyo as my Assistant Director 2 WEEKS before filming. https://vimeo.com/368411009
My dear Ellie did arguably one of the most difficult jobs. She made a schedule for an indie foreign film in a country she had NEVER been in before, & had to adjust to changes on the fly and keep everyone on time. She paid for half her flight and accommodations. She saved my life.
@mr_patrickallan is writer and producer based in LA who has written + produced several short films and worked in production and casting on animated TV shows. I didn't know how to write a script, but Patrick helped me write something that resonated w/ people and was very patient.
Through lots of back and forth & feedback, together we made 9 versions of the script. Patrick also paid for his own flight and lodging to help run the production - casting, snacks, watching gear for hours on end, cleaning glass up at 5AM, just about anything you can imagine.
With the limited time, budget, and networking opportunities, it was difficult to quickly find a co-writer who had experience in screenplay writing, but Patrick was always respectful to my feedback and vision, my story as a queer Asian-American woman was always a top priority.
Based in Japan for over 10 years, @HICPhotography is a photographer, cinematographer & drone pilot. Specialising in landscape stills and documentaries, he loves working on international productions connecting other cultures and people to Japan. http://www.hamish-campbell.com
Despite his work speaking for itself, Hamish voluntarily stepped into a not-so-creative producer role and helped me make Tokyo connects to make this film. He helped me do all the NOT FUN stuff like budgeting, talking to people, logistics. I would have jumped off a cliff w/o him.
Hamish originally wanted to do a video profile of my illustration background in Tokyo, but he somehow got dragged into this project. He's not even flying anywhere cool for it. Despite volunteering his time, he ran this show like a Hollywood Producer. He also edited the KS video.
Every set needs a Wes. Wes moved to Japan to be with his husband, and is now based there as an actor and designer. As Wardrobe/Make-up, he helped me plan 26 outfit changes across multiple scene changes. And when he wasn't doing his designated job, he took care of everyone on set.
Wes was literally my ray of sunshine. On days when I was worn down by pre-production, he would always show up with a smile on his face and something to make me laugh. Despite his crazy theater schedule, he always made the time to meet with me and he WORKED. I miss him very much.
Diego Miranda was our steadicam operator, all the way from Chile! AN ENIGMA. I don't know why he came. I met him during the film intensive. I think he just likes adventure? He already works on features and feature TV so I'm ??? but here's his IG + work: https://instagram.com/diegoignacio_scl/
Diego also donated his time AND steadicam to the film for 3 days, which is an incredible PHYSICAL feat. Again, I have no idea why he did this, given he can pull off shots like this for actual money, but he did, and it instantly elevated the production. I'm so fucking grateful.
@Brokencinema_ is a Los Angeles based Gaffer who has been in the industry for almost 10 years. He has worked on award winning projects from low profile films to big budget productions with A list talent. You can find him at https://www.instagram.com/brokencinema/ . His recent lighting work:
Aside from his years of his experience and incredible attitude on set, Chris's understanding of various setups and how lighting works on diff faces was important to me. You wouldn't light an Asian person's face the same as a Caucasian. Light wraps differently on different people.
Chris has been a big supporter and believer of my cinematography work from the beginning, inviting me to shadow him on Hollywood sets and continuing to collaborate will me. We already have future projects in the works. I can't thank him enough for always cheering me on.
Intermission: You'll notice that there are really supportive men here. And it's what allyship looks like. It's POSSIBLE to form non-creepy/weird work connections online with women. These men offered their time, resources, knowledge, and treated me as an equal person. It's GREAT.
Makiko Segawa is a fixer, producer, and journalist, working for International PR of Tokyo - organizing press tour, foreign-journalist program package, incentives and more. She also has a service network serving multi facet productions for foreign media and foreign companies.
Makiko helped us secure so many aspects of logistics for the shoot, and helped find local help and crew. Everything from locations, to securing transportation. She was also on site to help translate any conflicts that would come up. It was a huge relief to have her on the crew.
Junko Yamada also works as a fixer, supporting various productions across Tokyo. She works with a network of professionals in the film-making industry, connecting productions with logistics, and so on. She was our associate producer, her she is with our clothing designer and AD.
Junko was a sweet presence to have on the set, and was always taking behind the scenes photos. Also enjoyed taking selfies with an app called Beauty Plus. Me, Junko, and Makiko. (Junko and Makiko work closely together). They both attended everything I invited them to. 
Yuya Kurihara was the clothing designer for "And Then". He just opened his own store and company in Tokyo called Two Y last year, but generously donated his entire line to the production, and we didn't even have to spend money on dry cleaning when we gave it all back.
Of course myself and several other ladies on the production bought his pieces after the film wrapped. You can get his clothing online: https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/twoy-you-me/ for affordable prices. Here are pieces I got for myself. Yuya is really incredible and one of the kindest people I've met
Even though we had to plan 20+ outfit changes across 30+ scenes I never had to worry. I was very lucky to have Yuya and Wes.
1. Day 1 of meeting with Yuya
2. Wes bringing ALL the clothes to my residency for planning
3. Wardrobe fitting with actresses
4. How it looked on screen
1. Day 1 of meeting with Yuya
2. Wes bringing ALL the clothes to my residency for planning
3. Wardrobe fitting with actresses
4. How it looked on screen
Josiah Spencer helped out on "And Then" as a PA, stepping out of his comfort zone as an academic. He assistant in various departments (wardrobe, producing), and was an excellent translator. He was based in Tokyo until his uni gave him 48 hours to leave Japan due to coronavirus.
Josiah provided immense relief to the production side of the team, and helped out so much with logistics, especially when folks couldn't be present or needed a break. He's currently studying anthropology and has his own youtube channel. IG: josiah_spence21 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNS-FQthi4GPS7xBQPg5RQ
Shin Aomi was our transport manager. His sole job was to make sure we got to where we needed to be, but he drove us all over Tokyo in the most efficient and safest way possible. He was so much fun to have on set and put a smile on everyone's faces.
Rob Mayes was our location sound engineer. Based in Tokyo he has worked on location and post sound for feature film, television, documentary, corporate, short, and indie film projects. Clients include Netflix, ATP Festivals, RSA Films, Youtube Space, Virgin Earth Tokyo, and more.
Sean Maguire @seanmaguirefilm was our Assistant Camera and really stepped up to a difficult role and adapted very quickly to the needs of the project. He focus pulled some really difficult shots and worked so quickly and efficiently w/ the steadicam + DPs. Everyone was blown away
Sean @seanmaguirefilm is responsible for helping us nail this shot in 1 take. A 360 degree, fast moving shot across Shibuya Crossing, with variables. Insane. I hope everyone appreciates ACs because we'd never get good cinematography films w/o them. IG: http://www.instagram.com/seanymaguire
Shahriyar Ahmed, IG: @anocam_ is a Tokyo based photographer, originally from London, with a unique and candid style in documenting what he sees and experiences. He was one of our BTS photographers and is responsible for some of the images I've been sharing!
Intermission 2: That's a wrap on principal crew. Next week I want to call out the local Tokyo businesses, contributing artists to the campaign, and our talent. I know this is a super long thread that may not interest everyone, but is important for personally me to share.
Almost Perfect @almostperfectjp run by @AlmostPerfectYK and @luismendo was a dream space. This was my residency where I spent most of pre-production time and where we shot many of our scenes. They were encouraging and extremely hospitable about letting us use the space.
They are the most positive people I know, and are currently running a *distance residency* where you can STILL SHOW YOUR ARTWORK IN A GALLERY IN TOKYO! More information on that here: https://www.almostperfect.jp/distance
I would recommend their residency to anyone. It's such a wonderful place
I would recommend their residency to anyone. It's such a wonderful place
Big thank you to Hamorebi Coffee in Tokyo for letting us use their beautiful space for filming one of our scenes. Couldn't have asked for a more lovely cafe and accommodating hosts (who were also our extras!). It's a very small, unassuming spot, but visit if you want good coffee!
Extremely lovely people who let us take over the cafe for an evening. And who made me delicious curry and coffee during the times I came to work on pre-production. 
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Thank you to @EquipTokyo for being generous enough to give us a dream camera package deal and for helping us source equipment from other rental houses. They were amazing to work with.
Thank you Bar Goldfinger for welcoming our crew into your space to film this scene. It was truly an incredible experience and the warmth radiating from Chiga (here as an extra), the bar owner, is unforgettable and special.
We met some really lovely people here. During one of the loneliest stretches of production this place made me feel welcome and at home. I had so much fun here both filming and hanging out.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Last business I want to highlight is the Sekino Airbnb run by Futa. This is about 2 hours out from Tokyo. Futa went out of his way to secure 10? Futons for our crew and extra furnishings for set dressing. He was awesome.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennravennafilm/and-then-a-girl-meets-girl-short-film-set-in-tokyo
Futa also runs a pizza bus nearby? Can't find the link for it, but on the day of our shoot he set up his pizza making equipment in a nearby garage and made us a bunch of pizzas for lunch. Here is Futa making pizza with
@erikaishii, who is running by while eating said pizza.
@erikaishii, who is running by while eating said pizza.
