Hello everyone,
I know it is not a related language question but I hope the mods will let me pass through !
It’s been a long time I’m learning about the traditions and the culture of Japan (I have started learning the language one year ago btw) and the more I learn about it, the more I want to go visit the country in order to really dive into it and to immerse myself in those specials things that make Japan unique.
However, through my journey of learning more about Japanese culture, I have realised that there is not so much available documentaries (at least in my country), and if there are, it’s always about too specific subjects (such as life in prisons, killers, historical thing or “how to date a Japanese woman”). Or else there are very old videos. And even though there are some interesting documentaries they don’t explain things, they just show landscapes or temples with saying “wow beautiful” or give some insight but not that much.
Hence, as I don’t want to go to Japan without having a project, I’m planning to go there during one full year in order to make several documentaries. The idea and objective is to make the information simple enough but sufficiently detailed to make everyone happy. Also, all will be in Japanese (which can help you learn the language !).
That is why I make this post (my first one) on Reddit : what would you like to see in a Japan documentary ? What are the topics you would like to hear about ? What would you like to learn more in depth about the culture ?
I also wanted to know what is the best length format for you ? 10 min ? 20 ? 30 ? 40 ? else ?
Just for you to know, this is at the seed project. I am currently alone working on the scenarios and I am working beside full time in order to make some money. I plan to find a team latter on and also a translator.
Oh and most importantly, the documentaries will be free on YouTube !
3 comments
If you’re making these into legitimate documentaries, I’d find someone who knows filming laws in Japan and someone who will contact the areas you want to film on your behalf. Some temples have a no photography policy, so you don’t want to cause trouble there.
I’d also have someone helping with the Japanese and other research, the best resources for which might be in Japanese.
I would respond by asking you the same question you’re asking others; what would *you* make?
Because between specific topics, like this or that prison escapist, this historical event, these temples, etc. or more vague things like ‘wow, look at this landscape’, you’ve already ruled out most thing that you *can* make a documentary about (and in ruling them out, have put aside the point that actually there’s an abundance, not a lack, of media about Japan by people not too familiar with it)
Which leads on to another point; what are you planning to do as a visitor to Japan with a limited grasp of the language and little actual experience (you’re talking about how much you’ve learned *in your country*; in other words, most of your knowledge is second-hand) that cannot or, indeed, has not been done by someone else.
Extra point on top; on what visa are you planning to spend this full year doing documentaries in Japan? Because while you might get away with it (legally questionable, but frankly, the governments not likely to notice yet another vlogger) on a tourist visa, a tourist visa only lasts 3 months. And there’s no freelance visa.
I don’t say any of this to be mean, by the way. I just think it’s worth bearing in mind that there’s a lot of obstacles and things to consider for the type of thing you’re proposing.
Find some obscure historical event or connection between your native country and Japan. I always enjoy seeing ties like that, like how Scotland introduced whiskey to Japan, or Turkey and the Ertuğrul incident.