Shooting in Japan pt2

[image title=”gundam” size=”medium” id=”667″ align=”left” alt=”Gundam” linkto=”[site_url]/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/gundam.jpg” ]We are finishing up filming in Japan. As I mentioned in my last blog, we are shooting for the DSLR cinematography course for the July term of fxphd.com. Stu Maschwitz is leading the course which shows how to shoot great video with DSLRs, and it was Stu who found out about the 35 ton RX-78-2 Gundam Robot being built near the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba. We were able to film this life size 18 m high mobile suit Gundam, but he is officially not “open” until tomorrow.

While we filmed, construction continued feverishly to finish the various surrounding buildings and stalls which will be selling robot models and tshirts. The whole event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Gundam by Sunrise Animation. A popular figure in Japanese sub culture, – Gundam did not appear in robot stories according to the Japan Times but – but rather “real robot stories – a slightly different subgenre.” (!) His appearance is also tied into the Green Toyko project and the 2016 Tokyo Olympic bid. Organizers are expecting 1.5 million visitors at the Shinagawa Ward’s Shiokaze Park through to the end of August. High Def re-release versions of the first “mobile suit Gundam” and its 2 sequels are being screened across Tokyo in 6 special theaters until July 17 to commemorate the 30th Anniversary.

Personally, the key quote about Gundam came from Stu. While filming a section of professional camera movement and ‘steadicam’ options he said to camera “I’ll be repeating this move and we are lucky as today the Giant Killer Robot is not moving too much”