Indie Filmmaking in Tokyo: How to Plan a Shoot When the Weather Hates You

We wanted to make something beautiful: a short film capturing the unique, moody atmosphere of Japan’s rainy season. Instead, we got a typhoon.In this episode of Talking Sensu, we're pulling back the curtain on the "June in Japan" origin story. We explore the brutal reality of planning a shoot around Japan’s "5th Season," where cultural expectations of perfect weather collide with typhoons, and technical limitations of 8-bit footage clash with artistic vision.We talk aboutwhy we chose the rainy season for a spec projectour pre-production procedureshooting in a Typhoonthe 8-Bit Nightmarethe experience of recording with a non-professionalreshooting narrationCHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:44 June in Japan origin08:32 Creating scripts, storyboards, treatments13:50 Typhoon production chaos18:02 Covid restrictions20:59 Challenge of 8-bit footage23:22 Filming during the rain26:50 Getting additional footage34:26 Narration recording40:34 Reflection43:32 OutroWATCH ‘‘JUNE IN JAPAN’’ HEREhttps://sensustudio.com/june-in-japanABOUT TALKING SENSUTalking Sensu is a relaxed, long form podcast hosted by Hai & Jeremy and produced by Sensu Studio. We have conversations with filmmakers, photographers, actors, and other creative professionals working in Japan, focusing on personal journeys, creative work, and the realities of building a career in the creative industry.SOCIALS:Instagram:Youtube:Talking SensuInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingsensuHosts Hai: https://www.instagram.com/timpas15/Jeremy: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyhannigan/_______________________________________________________________________________________________PRODUCED BY SENSU STUDIOSensu Studio is a Tokyo-based creative production company specializing in video and photography that helps brands and organizations tell their stories, connect with audiences, and bring their vision to life through engaging content and rebranding projects.If you’re interested in working with us on future projects, check out our work at https://sensustudio.com/.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensustudio_______________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe for more conversations about creative life and work in Japan.