Tokyo Cowboys Patron Creates New Life

The Tokyo Cowboys team would like to congratulate Jennifer and Ariel Goldfarb on the new addition to their family: Meris Xavier. Jennifer and Ariel have been long-time supporters of Tokyo Cowboys. After having lived in Tokyo for several years in the late nineties, they made their way back to the States and got busy with careers and family.

Back from Leeds

Visited Natalie up in Leeds over the weekend. We didn't move from her sofa the whole weekend...eating crisps and watching Glastonbury on TV. It was FAB.

Now I'm back to it. Been reading a lot about Postmodernism...the critique of grand narratives, merging of subject and object, situational, provisional, contingent and temporary...making no claim to universality, truth, reason or stability.

Let me just say right now: if there is ever a conflict between story truths and what people like to call objectivity, I will always err on the side of the story truth...that is, I think story can give us more truth than recalling something objectively. Does that make this NOT documentary? I never claimed to be a documentarian, though. I'm a story-teller...always have been, always will be.

Tokyo...early 21st Century. This is the new frontier. I'm looking for men with substance...larger than life, rife with archetype and tragic flaws. I'm looking for cowboys.

I'm so bleeding tired. I think I could sleep for a week. Working full time and then doing TC stuff in the evening...only a few more weeks. Then we're off to Sweden.

Booked the boat, gave notice at the job and our flat, so we're really going into seclusion. It's so cliche, but seems the right thing to do.

Boujaku Bujin

Any J-people out there? Please tell me the meaning of this kotowaza. I've heard it means "to act as if no one is beside you...boldly and without restraint."

The True Stories...

...of the Tokyo Cowboys. Thinking about expanding the title to that. Thinking about blurring the borders between fiction and documentary.

Transcribed BN's interview this morning. I heard he crashed and burned out of Tokyo. Not as many as you would expect crash and burn. But, when they do, they do it big. Like DH who tried to saw his foot off before he passed out from blood loss. Now, what was he thinking? What would make him believe that sawing his own foot off is a good idea.

Stories...stories, story truths. historiographic metafiction.

"there are truths that lie beyond the reach of the selective, linear, sequential grasp of narrative. The Fragment, the Quotation, or the image might b e closer to the ambiguous reality of things." dunnigan

fragmentation...
tokyo is a place not quite story, not quite true.
collage...
send me a post card from the real world
where the normal laws of physics apply

we can take more risks
we can be more free
and because we control the flow of information back to the real world
we can never fail.
we can never f*&k up.
The only f*&k up is to get kicked out of disneyland.
And that doesn't happen very often

Sports Injury

Patrick has put aside 33 interview tapes for me to transcribe. Got up early this morning to get two interviews in before going off to the day job. Still shooting corporate stuff. The pay is crap, but at least I'm doing something remotely related to my chosen profession.

Thinking about Sweden: I haven't spent that much time in the countryside since childhood. And those were some prolific storytelling times. Maybe the muse will visit me again. At least that's my hope.

My hand has really been hurting. I went to the DR. today, and he said that I have something akinned to a sports injury. Some people might call it repetitive stress disorder. It's from writing. I can't believe it. If I could just have a one hour massage three times a week and talk therapy as much, I might just pull this life off.

I think we're effed on the rent. The landlord is ripping us off and has been for a while now. I'm so angry about it, but what can you do? He knows that I won't sue because it's too much of a hassle.

Still obsessed with this idea of constructs. Constructing History, the past, memory. These guys constructed the future. Need to do a little research on post modern literature. Found this site: free encyclopedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia

Thoughts

You can't control life...you can only react to it. I guess the art is in the reaction.

Working at a 9-5 for the next two months. It's excruciating. Had an argument with Kurt about this when I was in NOLA. "Get a job," he said. "I don't need a job." Only now I do so that we can get to Sweden in August.

We're still under funded, and the only way we're going to be able to edit full time is to try to fund it ourselves. There are a few things that have to come through for us to do this. Promises of investment, patronage, work...if one slips through the cracks, we're screwed.

There is no option, really. If we stay here, we'll get sucked back into the viscious cycle of chasing money to pay the rent. When you chase money, there is no energy left for anything else. I'm exhausted when I get finished with the 9-5. I'd rather starve. But, I don't have that option. I'm starving with the 9-5 because all of the money is going to Tokyo Cowboys.

I'm sure it must be worth it, but I wanted to do this so that I would never have to do the 9-5 again, and here I am doing it. It's like some twisted Catch-22.

No, think of James Joyce...Van Gogh...I need better mentors. These guys died in pain. I thought I might hang in there for a while as I'm a late bloomer.

But, anyway...going to the doctor on Friday. It seems I have repetitive stress disorder in my hand because of writing. Its causing pain in my elbow, shoulder and neck on the right side. Can you believe it? I've been a writer my whole life, and now it's starting to attack my body. I write in a journal by hand every morning. I guess that will do it.

Hungry now. Patrick and I abstained from eating all day today so that we could make tacos tonight. It's our favorite dish. Don't think they will have the stuff in Sweden. Oh God, help us.

Transcribed Kanya's interview last night. I think I like her definition of freedom the best, although it's a bit dark. "What is freedom?" I ask her. "I don't know...freedom for me is...freedom from negativity, freedom from hating myself, freedom from bad thoughts, from sickness, from depression...yeah...freedom from...that's freedom."

Nothing more to report

Been working all week, and worked a double shift yesterday, so a bit tired. Patrick has been digitizing all week while I've been at work. I have loads of interviews to transcribe. It's one of those weeks where I feel like I'm in a daze. Haven't really been able to write a thing. But, I feel like things are about to take a turn for the better. Something's gotta give, and why not for the better? So, so tired. Just want to sleep for days. Nothing more to report.

Tokyo Cowboys Update

Dear Tokyo Cowboys Supporters,

It's June, and the summer is arriving in fits and starts here in the UK. Again, I'd like to thank all of you for your interest in and support for our little film with a big heart. It's been a long, long road, and we are grateful you are still along for the ride.

Here's the news:

IN THIS MAIL

1) Welcome New Investors
2) An Army of Interns
3) Digi-Bits
4) Patrons offer Money and Shelter
5) Calling all Hands
6) "Making of" planned for DVD

1) NEW INVESTORS

Tokyo Cowboys welcomes two new investors to the fold. Thanks for your support at this crucial time. For those of you who've been thinking about investing, there are only 22 shares left (and they are flying off the shelves as I write this). As always, shares are only £500 each. Have a look at our generous investment pack for more information (email invest@tokyocowboys.com).

Your investment could fund part or all of the following:

Logging & Digitizing
Purchase of another HD (see below)
Editing
Grading
Sound Design
Music Rights
Web Design & Marketing
Festival Submission

2) AN ARMY OF INTERNS

Tokyo Cowboys is now supported by an army of talented and hard-working interns. Assisting with the post-production and researching and planning the sale and distribution of the film are their remits. They are helping us to rev up for the grass roots, kick-ass marketing we have in store for the film. We'll have more information about our marketing ideas on the website soon, but, if you just can't wait, email me.

3) DIGI-BITS

Our goal is to log and digitize 30 hours of footage a week. We've been able to keep to this schedule since acquisition of the new 1000GB hard drive. This process takes about twice as much time as there is footage, so Patrick and I are working back to back to complete this crucial first step of editing by the third week of July.

One snag is that we will soon need another Hard Drive. As we are still under funded we are totally dependent on new investors to purchase a new Hard Drive and therefore move ahead. One new investor could get us the drive. We'll need it within 9 days. I'll keep you posted in the blog.

4) PATRONS OFFER MONEY & SHELTER

Long-Time Tokyo Cowboys Patron "N" has once again offered her patronage with a check to our land lord. This money allowed us to reduce our paid work last month and dedicate more time to the edit. Thanks again, N, for your generous support.

New Tokyo Cowboys Patron, "KJ," has offered us shelter at her summer house in Sweden for three months. This will allow us to concentrate on the edit full time without having to take on any paid work. We'll be in Sweden from August and return to the UK in late October. Thanks KJ for the kind support!

If you'd like to become a Tokyo Cowboys patron, please e me for more
details.

5) ALL HANDS ON DECK

Are you interested in seeing some of your camera work or hearing some of your sound work in Tokyo Cowboys? We are looking for specific aural and visual recordings. If you have them or can acquire them, you could see your name in lights. Email me for a list of requirements.

6) "Tokyo Cowboys--The Edit"

We will be video journaling during the edit. This footage will be available on the final Tokyo Cowboys DVD, and clips will be available on-line. Check the web site often for more and more clips of the Cowboys and the Filmmakers.

That's it for now. Thanks again for your support, and don't hesitate to contact us. Please feel free to pass this email to your friends and family. Signing the guest book on the web site at http://www.tokyocowboys.com/guestbook.html will ensure that they get their own copy of Tokyo Cowboys updates.

Hugs,

Daneeta

Marketing

Woman Selling Advertising space on her belly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46690&item=3869933040&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Ring Tones and Viral Video ads on Mobile Phones

Articles:

http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/ml/readings/details.pdf

Exit Plan

Patrick suggested that we edit in Sweden. His mom has offered us the summer house to work in. It's in the middle of no where. There's lakes and forests and fresh potatos growing in the ground. The salmon is good, and the air is fresh. We're gonna head out in August. Until then, there's a lot to do. We need to wrap up all of the unfinished business and plan for summering in Sweden.

The other thing we have to think about is the exit plan. I have to be back here in October as I can't be out of the country for too long because of my visa status.

Gavin is buying a house in East London. He's offered us a room in it. We are seriously considering it. Then we wouldn't have to worry about coming back to London. It will all be sorted. Yes, things are conspiring for us.

I'm really tired. I've been working long hours and long weeks again. I was supposed to take today off, but here I am up at the London Film School shooting stills and sending out emails.

After many months

of competing with various projects for Patrick's time, I've finally got him back on Tokyo Cowboys (at least part time). He's logging 5 tapes a day. This puts a bit ahead of schedule. We'll be finished logging and digitizing by the time we leave for Sweden in early August.

I'm working 6 days a week with temping and one-off gigs to get the money together for when we go full time with the editing. Today, I've got a stills photography gig for a corporate client and tomorrow a video gig for the same client. It's small money, but it's work.

Meeting Gavin tonight. We've not seen him in months, and he's keen to get an update on TC.

An investor at the midnight hour...a new investor called me from Japan at 2 a.m. wanting to know the bank account number. I have arranged with citibank to unblock the account for one day for this deposit to take place. It seems that there is some probelm with my change of address request. They are not sure if they want to accept my English address, and they keep telling me that the change of address form is incorrect. They've sent the form back to me twice. Oh well...soon everything will be sorted.

Trying to arrange for our housing post October when we'll be coming back from Sweden. Trying to get on the list early. Convinced the landlord to give us our deposit back and a little discount on the flat because of the damp.

The Big Musical Dream

Hi Alex,

I'd like you to research the following bands:

Flaming Lips
The Cure
God Speed you Black Emporor!
Mogwai
Radio Head

I am keen to use some of their music in the film. Find out if they do this kind of thing...if they've ever done it for free. Based on your research, tell me how we can approach them. What is it about what we're doing that might get them excited to collaborate with us.

Do you know any kick ass Japanese groups?

This is an ongoing project. But the sooner we approach these guys, the better.

Good luck!

Hugs,

Daneeta

Distribution

Hey Adriano,

Yes, I would like to meet up. I'm shooting until the 17th, so it will have to be after that.

In the meantime, could you do some research on distribution? I'm particularily interested in creative means of distribution that don't compromise the film experience. And, of course, I'm interested in how to best protect ourselves and our investors when considering distribution options.

Hugs,

Daneeta

JUSFC Grant

Dear Leon,

I'd like you to research a grant called the "Japan US Friendship
Commission Grant." You can find information about it on www.jusfc.gov. I
know that Tokyo Cowboys is qualified for this grant, but there is a bit
of red tape we have to cut through. I'd like you to help us do that.

Our financial status is a bit shakey when it comes to applying for
government grants. We have private investors in the film that will
receive a percentage of any profit we make. I want to make sure that a
financial situation such as this one is legal. I know you can get this
information by email for free from the JUSFC if you are polite and
tenacious.

Are there other barriers that we should be aware of? Why are those that
win the JUSFC grant successful? Can we model their actions in some way?
Maybe you could interview some of these people via email.

After researching, I'd like you to put together a plan of action to win
this grant. The deadline for the grant is 1 August 2005.

Please let me know if you are interested in this. If not, tell me the
specific kinds of things you're interested in that might lead to
collaboration.

Hugs,

Daneeta

Website

Hey Sen,

I'm wondering about your online design experience. Do you have time to stroll through the website? Let me know what you like...don't like.

I'm going for a Grass Roots, hand made feel. But, I don't want it to be too "folksy." I want it to be smart-assed, cyber-punk and edgy too. And Tokyo seems to be missing from the feel. Or, maybe that's just me. Since Tokyo is multi-color neon, I'm thinking of color coding the site. Cheesy?

About to go down the rabbit hole. We start shooting on Monday...

Cheers,

Daneeta

Homeless

I think the landlord is blowing us out completely. He showed me the flat w/ office, and it was a shambles--the basement office won't be ready for months, and the room was smaller than what we are in now. It just won't do. He also wants to charge for it...more than we are paying now, which I think is really cheeky.

Patrick suggests we become homeless...sell everything, buy and ibook to edit on and move around from friend to family member to friend. It's how Charlie is living at the moment, and he's glamorizing it so much. I don't think I could become homeless...not sure if I could handle it. But it might be our only option.

As for logging...loads of Ken and Aki these past few days. They inspire me.

Met up with Brad (contact from Gavin). He's an IT American who lived in Tokyo. He's trying to help us out with funding.

Been working loads of hours at the night job, so my time schedule is all messed up. Don't know what day it is.

Skanky Girl

difficult to get up this morning. i opted for an extra 15 minutes of sleep instead of washing my hair. i have become skanky girl. i've found that a little talcum powder on the roots of the hair obsorbs oil. then you can go another day without washing your hair, and you have that fresh talc feeling. what am i saying?

went into the day job and worked for 8 hours to work off some debt to my employer. i am thankful to soon be free of debt.

watched hitchhiker's guide to the universe. unremarkably relaxing comedy. liked the book better.

home to leftovers from last night's mombo jombo food. patrick is cooking for himself now, so he makes real food. i'm glad he is cooking.

digitized 4 tapes. still on schedule. loads of good tokyo stuff, mark and kanya in omotesando and nick, mark and kanya at the driving range. good, good times.

citibank japan put a block on my account. they said that they'd lost track of me and were afraid. it will take a week for them to unblock. two new investors tried to transfer money but were blocked. OK! i am thankful that i still have the account and that the investors are still interested.

another busy day tomorrow. but, i promised myself i'd go to the gym as a reward. i've somehow convinced my gp to sort me out with a free gym in Covent Garden. it's an awesome place with loads of natural lights and the biggest weight room in the city. i'm thankful because my gp rocks!

My friends...

One paid my phone bill. Two gave me some clothes. One gave Patrick some shaving razors. Several bought us food. One sends money monthly. Others offer advice, kind words and criticism. They are holding us up.

One offered to loan me her parents replete with their house in France. Some loaned me money knowing they will not be paid back for a long time.

The land lord blew out another meeting today. I'm getting nervous about where we will live after Patrick shoots his short in May. I know I can convince him to give us a free place to stay. I just have to meet him face to face.

Met my digitizing quota early today. Most of it was of Scott and Mark Saft. Good stuff of why Mark went to Japan.

Met with a friend of Gavin's. He lived in Tokyo for some time. American now living in London.

Saw "Tarnation." Disappointed. Just too much of the filmmaker in the film if that's possible.

18 responses for my ad for an unpaid intern.

Foreign Guys in Tokyo

Some guys I know in Tokyo.
Stop making sense
anthropological fiction or truth? You only know them by the stuff they left behind and the stories they sell.

Passion be true.

Still Waiting

The landlord blew out our meeting. Hopefully will meet with him tomorrow.

Spent whole day preparing the pitch...updating the funding pack, making a DVD and mini dv, practicing my pitch.

Spent the evening logging.

Today was my sister's 30th birthday. When I called her, she was in the DMV getting her license renewed. "What are you doing for your birthday?" "Nothing, Donnie's out of town." I haven't been with my sister on her birthday since she was a child.

On the way back from my night job...

...I sat near a guy on the bus who was smoking crack.

Slept in late as I'd been up since three logging.

Met with my bank manager today. I asked for a loan, but my credit was not good enough. Tried to get an increase on my overdraft, but that didn't fly either. He gave me some suggestions about how I can improve my credit--get a credit card, etc., and sent me on my way.

Went into the day job.

Went into the night job.

Logged.

Intern Wanted

Tokyo Cowboys is a feature-length documentary about Western men chasing freedom on the post-modern urban frontier. Shot over a two year period, the film is a multi-character piece set against the stunning background of Tokyo.

We are seeking an intern to take the project through post-production and sale. Duties will include researching funding opportunities, producing online and offline publicity materials including website development, scheduling post production and festivals, and sourcing vendors and materials. You will also be involved in logging, transcribing, trimming, watching cuts and giving feedback.

This is a non-paid position, however, you will receive sweat-equity in the film and a percentage of any funds you might raise for the completion of the film.

This is a great opportunity for individuals interested in producing and post production.

Free flat and office space in Central London

My brain is a bit mush this morning. Decided to push it and digitize 12 tapes today to keep on track for the 30 a week. I still have 11 to do tomorrow plus a full day of work at LFS. Then a location reckie for Patrick's short in the evening so, so much for having a day off. Can't remember the last day off I had. Must have been in Sweden over Christmas break. That was so divine. All I did was sleep and eat and read. How I long for a few days of that in the countryside somewhere.

Spoke with my landlord today about our flat situation. We've been living with mold climbing up the walls for 6 months, and it's started to move into my lungs. Coughing and snotting up green lugies. It's grossing even me out.

I'm trying to get him to move us and to give us free rent in exchange for Tokyo Cowboys sweat equity. I have a proper meeting with him on Tuesday to pitch. He's got a place...a building that has an extra room for Patrick and me and one for adam. We'd be sharing with 4 other guys...all filmmakers....one is the land lord's son. There is office space in the basement. It *sounds* great....ideal even. Especially if it's free. And, it's just 7 minutes walk from our old place. But...living with 6 guys, sharing a kitchen and two bathrooms? I'm gonna be 40 this year. Is this where I imagined myself at 40? I have fallen so far from my high flyin' life in Tokyo with massive flat, dinners out and new socks whenever I needed them.

I suppose I could glamourize it...i'll be living in an artist commune...i'll have office space. blah, blah. I guess the most important thing is that it will definitely be cheaper than where we are now. And that means that we can dedicate more time to editing the film instead of working shit jobs to pay for rent.

Completely out of money again. This whole artist game is one of stamina...seeing how long you can hang in there before selling out. I could sell out. Been made offers for Tokyo Cowboys if I turn over creative control. But really...I can't do that. I promised the investors and the cowboys. I promised myself. And I promised Patrick. So, just gotta hang in there.

So tired.....

some days are good days

Today was a salad day.

Our patron came through for us yet again. I won't say who she is until the film is finished, but she has been intermittently sending us money. It always seems to arrive when we are about to have to sell the camera to pay the rent.

And someone bought two shares of Tokyo Cowboys, so we can carry on editing for at least another month, and we can have vegetables again!

I calculated that if we go through 30 tapes a week, we'll be finished digitizing in 10 weeks. From there, I've tried to calculate each step so that we finish in December. The goal is to finish by the end of the year and start trying to sell it in 2006. I never thought it would take me this long. I think I wrote in an early diary entry that we could pop it off in 6 months. I've seen two birthdays go by since starting, and I will see another one before it's finished.

We could really use a post-production supervisor who could see the project through to finish. But, we won't be able to get that kind of person on board for no money. So, I think it's just Patrick and me to the end. What would they do?

1) Schedule the post and make sure that we are keeping on track
2) give objective feedback on various cuts
3) work on the publicity materials
4) get us free grading, dub, etc.
5) raise the rest of the budget
6) work on a festival schedule
7) update the website
8) loads of other stuff

Maybe an intern? Hmmmm. Something to ask Adam about.

Just digitizing Bryan at the moment. He's a tough character, and I'm not sure if he is going to make the cut. We just didn't get enough footage with him. But I'm digitizing the really good bits just in case.

We decided to go in chronological order. Going out of order was really doing my head in. I didn't know where we were in the process. Now I do: 150 down, 300 to go.

Been working days for money as well as digitizing at night, so my brain is a bit mush at the moment. V and R fed us tonight, and V gave me a pair of trousers and R gave patrick some razor blades. I can use them to shave my legs as well. I think we are their new favorite charity. It's good to have so many people looking after us. We are really lucky.

I have to keep reminding myself that digitizing is part of editing...it's not preparation for editing. This is an important point to keep spirits up.

Patrick says that after he finishes his short in May, he's going to dedicate 100% of his time to Tokyo Cowboys until it is finished. I wonder how we are going to edit together.

It's 1:20 a.m., and I have to work a full day tomorrow before digitizing again. It's rough. But I keep thinking about James Joyce. He's my inspiration. He's been pushing me since my early endeavors.

President of the US

Just capturing the footage of Jason talking about how he wants to become President of the US, and it's a bit inspirational.

Other than that, things suck. Officially 15 days late with the rent. Patrick has money coming in for two gigs, but it hasn't come in yet. That will cover the late rent. How we'll make the next rent payment is a mystery that I will leave up to God. Called Sagan in a panic today asking if she knew of a free place to stay. She said she'd ask around. I think if we can get a place for free, we'd be sorted. But, we'd need to be central where we could walk anywhere we need to go. Can't afford the tube. Can't even afford the bus. Some days, can't even afford food. But, hey...all for the cause. Just can't let myself get down.

Also started to seriously consider the fact that I need a producer. I thought I could do this thing on my own after Gavin left. But, I just can't. I need a business partner who can do all of the producing stuff. I met a woman who might be the one. Put in a phone call, but waiting to hear back from her.

Just have to keep capturing, keep working on the paper edit. As long as I do that, I can put up with anything.

Little by Little

Worked on the website a little last night as I was digitizing. Have a terrible cold, which is really dragging me down. My mom is freaking me out about the damp in our flat. She says it could kill us within the year. I think she's over-exaggerating, but it is unsettling. We need some place light and airy. I'm at Agile's offices today, and something like this would do...a bit open space on the ground floor for the office and a big open basement for sleeping. That would be ideal--a place where we could live and work.

I'm going to pitch our landlord on Tokyo Cowboys. Hopefully, he'll take the remaining 33 shares in exchange for free rent. That way, Patrick and I can edit full time without having to worry about taking odd jobs. I think he might go for it, but it will have to involve a move to another place. This place is disgusting. The floor is coming up in the kitchen, the shower doesn't work properly (it goes really hot or really cold with no warning). The dryer doesn't work, and the washing machine is on it's final leg. The kitchen sink clogs and flods whenever we run the washing machine. The entire bathroom ceiling is covered in mold (how do you get rid of that?), and that's not the half of it. I'm trying to make light of this. I'm trying to be of good cheer.

Yesterday I captured the first of the Jason stuff. I wasn't really sure about Jason as a character. He's only half in Tokyo. But, I really liked the footage. And he does represent something that I'm trying to get at. All of these guys are just regular guys...just like you and me. But there was something that compelled them to go to Tokyo. Something called them there. And because of that, they are the cowboys. It just goes to show you that all of us can be Cowboys. All it takes is a little bit of accident.

Don't know if it's day or night

Been double dipping again...working at the PT job every day to make up for no income during the NOLA trip. Then home to digitize. Days just go by, and I want to start editing, but we have to digitize everything first. We'll need another hard drive, and I don't know where we'll get the money for that. If we had a G5, we could move a lot faster as well. I feel frustrated by the fact that I haven't been able to raise the last 15K for us to be able to work full time on the project. People are tired of me begging for money, and I've hit the wall with raising money. I'm f*^ing tired of it. I just want to spend all of my time cutting the film and not having to worry about all the bull sh--t.

Our living conditions are getting better and worse. Patrick is bringing in some money this month, so we can eat meat and fresh veg again, we can pay all of our late bills and we can maybe make some of the TC loan payment. The damp is crawling up our bedroom wall and neither the land lord nor the council seem to want to do anything about it. We can't move. Can't aford it. So, we are making our peace with the moldy smell on all of our clothes and bed sheets.

Vonda and Ross gave us some clothes. We're everyone's favorite charity. Today is a bad day. Today is the day when I forget that I'm doing what I want to do. It's the day I forget that I am free...that I don't have a job...that I don't have a mortgage...that I don't have any children or a cat. Today is the day that I forgot to give thanks. Shame on me.

outfoxed: the documentary

just saw it. i urge every american to see that film. then i recommend you write your congressmen. and, if you are in washington d.c., request a meeting with someone at the fcc.

classic example of activist filmmaking. it seems that documentary is fast becomming the alternative free press. i'd like to see more personalized examples.

Paid Work

Trying to write more consistently. Patrick came home from Ireland late last night. He's been shooting a music video there. PAID! That means we'll be able to pay the rent this month. Our patron who has been so generous cannot continue our funding. We thank her for her support.

That was paying the rent (or at least half of it) for 6 months. With funding gone, we have to somehow piece that money together. So thank God for this gig.

He's exhaused, and he's working this weekend as well. But, that's more rent money, so we can't really complain. I felt pretty bad. Patrick left early morning to shoot, and I stayed in bed with a sore throat. I know it has something to do with the damp in our room. It keeps us sick most of the time. The council won't fix it, and neither will our landlord.

Managed to capture two hours. It takes about two hours per tape to capture, so we are trying to do at least 2 tapes a day.

Dinner with Vonda and Ross later.

Another free meal

It was the end of term screenings at LFS today. Kind of depressing as there I was getting a free meal. I thought I'd be finished with this scrounging by now. Worked the whole day at the school. I shouldn't complain. It's a good gig. But, I wish I could spend 24/7 working on tokyo cowboys. that's not gonna happen unless we're fully funded. Here's what I need...the rest of the damn budget. With it, Patrick and I could dedicate 100% of our time to the film, and we could definitely finish it in time for the Sundance deadline. Without the funding, we might be able to finish by the end of the year. It's really &^*ing frustrating. For as many great people who have supported us, there are those who have promised and pledged money, but they never give it. Some have even promised several times and pulled out several times. This is really what I hate about independent filmmaking.

Logged another two hours after work. Today was only a 14 hour day. Maybe Kurt was right. Maybe I am stupid to follow this path. Maybe I should have worked at the sugar factory for 35 years so that I could have my pension and sit in the back yard and drink beer and smoke cigarettes at 10:30 a.m. in the land of the free. Nahhhh. I could do that now if beer didn't give me a headache and cigareets didn't give me lung cancer.

I miss my family. It's cold in my flat even with the heat. It's damp, and I can never get it out of my bones. New Orleans is warm. I miss the southern warmth.

Shopping

shopping
call henry
dominique's paper

Networking in New Orlenas

My mom let me sleep in late this morning. I have to ask Kurt to take me up to her work place so I can pick up the car. Off to Jennifer's for 9:00. WWNO is playing Kermit Ruffin and begging for money. It seems like the public radio station is always begging for money, which is a shame. It is the city of music.

Jennifer and I talk about editing Tokyo Cowboys, my career, her philosophy on child rearing.

I go back to Chalmette to change clothes and re-group, but as soon as I step out of the car, Kurt attacks me about my lifestyle. I was lucky. My family never attacked my choices. They've always been really supportive. I guess I'm spoiled like that. Kurt thinks I'm wasting my life: "All that education going to waste. You starve. When are you going to make some money? How are you going to retire?" I tell him that I'm not going to retire...that I'm going to work until I die. As soon as I say it, I realize that we will never understand each other.

He also accuses me of being nosey about his business. When people call, I ask "may I ask who's calling?" Kurt says this is nosey. I say it's polite. You say tomato... But I get tired of arguing with him. I'm not going to change my life. He takes a different tact and tries to engage me in a conversation about my mom and their marriage. I tell him that it's none of my business.

I go see my mom at work for a little while...hang out with her and my sister.

At 3:oo I go up to the Bywater to meet Henry for coffee.

he takes me on a speed date with new orleans. i fall in love with the city.

ten hours later, i say good bye to henry.

But, I can't sleep

In America and at Loyola

Being in America again is doing my head in. Some people are grotesquely fat. They waddle from Super Walmarts to McDonalds. Some of them, too fat to waddle, ride little carts around the Super Walmart. I saw a Super Walmart the other day that was longer than two city blocks.

Americans spend money on stupid stuff. I guess we've over sold ourselves on the idea that we are living in the land of the plenty. So we have to show that by wasting money on crap and over eating until we pop. I'm shocked.

I wonder what I would have been like had I stayed in America.

Yesterday I went up to Loyola to chat with some of the students in John Biguenet's and Marcus Smith's classes. They wanted me to talk about the film, how I got from Loyola to where I am now and everything in between. I was really flattered as I respect both of them so much. And being in the classrooms in Bobet Hall made me feel so nostalgic. I was quite impressed with the students at my alma mater. I wish they would have asked more questions, though. I think they might have had the Tokyo Cowboys DVD worked in their player. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Left a message at Isis Films as well. I thought I'd try to hook up with a production company here to get the skinny on what's happening in the NOLA film industry. And I'm trying to get in touch with the owner over at the Chalmette Cinema. I guess it was bought out by a guy who has a bug for indy cinema. He's trying to show more of those types of films...and in Chalmette! Hats off to him.

Networking

Mark Isaacs and David Charap. Calias

Friend of John Battsek

Cleaning the Hard Drive

Working the Night Shift

...and listening to Dion Warwick. Hey Nat!

It was really difficult to get up this morning. Patrick was printing out EDLs for "The Fragile" so we didn't go to bed til midnight. Up at 5 a.m. again to do the "Cowboy" shift. Sometimes this is a bit too much, but it's the only way to get Tokyo Cowboys stuff done before the day shift.

I got a yellow fever jab today. Patrick and I are going on a vacation of sorts. We've been invited to join the crew of a short film called "Trousseau" directed by Princess Afia Nkrumah of Ghana. The film is being shot in...you've guessed it...Ghana (that's Africa for all of my fellow Americans out there). Patrick was recruited by Princess Afia herself to light and operate the film. And I was asked to be the Production Manager in Ghana. We'll be shooting for two weeks.

Patrick and I have decided to start cutting the film ourselves. This is not to say that we wouldn't welcome on board, now or at a later date, an experienced editor. As the director, however, I need to start seeing how the footage represents my vision. I need to find the structure upon which to hang the themes. I have all of these ideas that I'm trying out in my head, but we've tried none of them in practice yet. It's exciting, but it means even more work and better time management. Where is my kick ass bilingual Japanese PA?

My challenge, though, is in commnicating my vision to the editor. Patrick is too much focused on story. I'm more interested in universal truths. And, I have to figure out a way to move him closer to my vision without compromising his objectivity.

I pitched a really high-profile editor for TC. I thought that a good way to add cred to the film is to add high-profile, experienced team members. She didn't turn me down flat. She said she couldn't do it because she was committed to another project. She did read my email, but I only heard back from her agent. I think I should pitch to other big editors. They can only say no.

Meeting with Robin in which he encouraged me with all of his heart to continue on the independent path. This way, my hands won't be tied, he says. Really have to think about that one.

jan-20-diary.jpg

jan-20-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

Sequence by Sequence

Again up at 5 a.m. This is really working. I'm working on a sequence with Ken now focusing on fatherhood. Watching the footage is heartwarming.

Early in the Morning

I've decided that on the days I work at my PT job I'll get up early and work on TC instead of working on it after. I've found that I'm too tired at the end of the day to work on TC if I wait.

This morning I got up at 5 a.m. to work on a new sequence. This one is Ken's and centers around the theme of fatherhood. There's some great footage of him and his family at Nogizaka shrine. Also, going to the baseball game with Taiga, Sumo and babysitting.

Pretty tired now, but I can veg out knowing that not only did I work a full day at the PT job, but I did 4 hours on TC and yoga as well.

To Mark Saft (if you are reading this): I finally found a Wheatgrass supplier. It took me ages to find one. It's not fresh wheatgrass, but it's bottled from GNC. I had my first hit today. Don't know if it did any good, but I'm going to keep it up for a while to see if Wheatgrass truly does give you energy. I also discovered that my blender has a juicer mode. I've been drinking tomato juice and using the pulp to make home-made pasta sauce.

To any of my friends in Japan: please send Japanese green tea (trying to drink it instead of coffee, but the green tea here tastes funny).

jan-16-diary.jpg

jan-16-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

jan15-diary

jan15-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

jan-12-diary.jpg

jan-12-diary.jpg, originally uploaded by daneeta.

Worked Again

And I can barely keep my eyes open to type. Maybe take a nap then start in on the footage. The sequence I've been working on is Dave's butt operation. I thought this sequence was going to be funny, and some parts are, but it's kind of tragic as well. I really love it.

Getting Through It

Worked again today, so was pretty exhausted when I got home. But I just kept telling myself to push through it. At one point, I actually fell asleep while I was transcribing.

Anyway, I've been transcribing interviews. It was sort of an inspiration. After indexing all of the scenes, I asked myself what was next. Transcribing came to mind, but it seemed like such a strange thing to do. I started doing it, though, and the first sequence fell into place. So now I'm working on that one...watching all of the footage that could work within the sequence.

I took the day off

Needed to make some cash, so I took the day off from TC to work.

Nothing exciting here

except on Patrick's end. He's got an investment meeting today with an Exec. Producer who may put £15,000 into a short that Patrick and I wrote and that Patrick will direct. It is a career-defining moment for him today. Everyone send him good vibes.

Editors

I've met with some really good ones, but I still can't decide. I keep thinking that I will click with "the one." It's like looking for Mr. Right. You just know. I haven't had that feeling yet. Maybe I'm asking for too much.

Any suggestions? I really need a kick ass editor, and I need him/her soon.

Exhibition Ideas

The owners of the Chalmette Movies 9, a locally owned and operated movietheater in St. Bernard Parish, have a nine-screen theater which is constantly trying to dedicate its ninth screen to showing more independent and foreign films. So many films are overshadowed these daysby the plight of the big Hollywood blockbusters. They are showing three such films this January: "Primer," "Tae-Guk-Gi: The Brotherhood of War" and "Bright Young Things." Admission is regularly $5.50, but for NOFF members with this email or a valid membership card will be charged $4.00. The Chalmette Movies 9 is only fifteen minutes from the French Quarter and only twenty minutes from Metairie. We are located at 8700 West JudgePerez Drive, next door to Luther's Bar-B-Q, about two miles past JacksonBarracks.


Opportunity to DISTRIBUTE your shorts & meet fellow filmmakers, LondonFrom: jason*at*icontactfilms.com
Dear Fellow Writers, Film-makers, Tea Makers, Directors, Producers, Actors, Musicians, et al… We continue our Network Meetings in North Finchley *at* the Autumn House on; Mon 10th and 24th January *at* 8pm http://www.wizardinns.co.uk/gpageautumnefinchley.html http://www.citypublife.co.uk/autumnhousenfna.htm So come along, network, write and make films with people who are as crazy about film as you. Nearest tube: Woodside Park. (Northern Line) Further details; mark*at*escapepictures.com

Note to Cloudy

Hey Cloudy,

It's so good to hear from you. I was just watching footage of you yesterday. It's like being with you again...like visiting. I really love looking at the footage now. I went through a really bad patch with it where I didn't want to look at anything. I'm over that now, I think. It's just that the scale is kind of frightening, but I have a handle on it. I've logged everything now.
I'm envious of your beach action. I really had fun at that place. The people were great out there, even if they did set the roof on fire.

Jacky has been getting some camera work, so we have been able to eat meat again (well, he's eating meat). I've given up chicken for a while because of the bird flu, so I'm just on the fish. He's in pre-production for a film he's shooting in March. Check out our non-TC website for details (www.elektrikzoo.com). He also just finished a short about torture...how we torture ourselves and each other in relationships.

I would absolutely love to have the premiere in Tokyo. When the time gets closer, I'm going to put out feelers to see how we can manage it. I figure with all the people we know in Tokyo, we should be able to rustle up something. Jacky always talks about wanting to go to Tokyo without a camera and just holiday. We must do it.

Jacky's knee is still in limbo. I think he's going home to Sweden to have an operation in the next two months.

Really appreciate the offer to stay with you. You are always welcome here as well.

Say hey to Aya.

Hugs,

Daneeta

Weekend

Spent the weekend looking at footage and thinking about the structure. I could cut something really easy and straight-forward. I could make an entire TV documentary about Ken. But there is something bigger in the footage. Ken is definitely the key to it all as the main theme is about reinvention, and we see Ken totally reinvent himself during the course of the film. But, I still haven't been able to get at it. I'm sure that if I keep looking at the footage, something will reveal itself.

Have a meeting on Thursday with Jamie. He's an editor that Ross hooked me up with. Maybe he's got some suggestions. Just don't know.

I feel really alone at the moment. I mean, I've got a lot of great people around me supporting me, but I still feel this great weight of responsibility for the film. I wish I could share some of the weight with a producer and an editor.

Spoke with Richard yesterday about the contract with £$%^ Films. He's supposed to have everything done by the end of this week. Then I send it over to them. We'll see how it goes, but maybe I will have a producer soon.

Tokyo Cowboys Update

Dear Tokyo Cowboys Supporters,

It feels like its been ages since the last update, but it's only been a month (well, maybe a tad longer). I hope you all had a great winter holiday and are on your way to having the best year ever.

IN THIS MAIL

1) Offers
2) Editing Update
3) New DVD
4) Website Bits and Bobs
5) Helping Out
6) Certificate of Ownership for Investors

1) OFFERS

The best news is that we've had offers from three different production companies who want to post-produce the film for broadcast (HBO, BBC, Discovery, ABC Australia and UK's independent giant Channel 4 have all been mentioned). The winning offer comes from one of the leading documentary production companies in London. When contract negotiations are finished, we'll announce it in a separate email.

Tokyo Cowboys shares are still up for grabs, however, as soon as the contract is signed, shares will no longer be available.

2) EDITING UPDATE

The first part of the paper edit is completed. I have single-handedly logged all of the 450 hours of footage, dividing the material into possible scenes, interviews, shots, etc. The next phase is to create the structure of the piece. If you want up-to-the-minute updates on the edit (and an insight into my mental state), you can read the Tokyo Cowboys Blog at www.tokyocowboys.blogspot.com. You can even post your comments and suggestions.

3) NEW DVD

We have produced a DVD with the new Tokyo Cowboys promo, clips of 13 cowboys and three sequences. The DVD is being used to sell the project to broadcasters and distributors and has proved to be quite successful in getting people excited about the project. Remember, you can view clips on our web site at www.tokyocowboys.com (navigate to the "extras" section).

4) WEBSITE BITS & BOBS (www.tokyocowboys.com)

Things have been a bit slow with the website. The modem died on the PC, and I haven't been able to FTP from the authoring program. Soooo, I've had to wrestle the Mac away from Patrick, transfer the files and manually FTP them. This takes ages and usually creates some hiccups. If you find any broken links or other things that aren't working, PLEASE email me. Further, anyone with a PC to donate to the cause, please contact me.

No worries though, as I've managed to update the front page incorporating navigation into it. Also have a look at the "about" section. I felt that I was getting too much away from the poetic side of the film, so I wanted that reflected in this section. I'm going to do a small update by the end of the week, so check back then.

We could use your help with the website. Send us:

Tokyo Links
News about the Cowboys (read gossip)
Pictures of the Cowboys (I especially like the candid ones taken with keitai)
FAQ Questions
Comments and Suggestions

And, please sign the guestbook.


5) HELPING OUT

Tell people about the project (especially the media).
Encourage people to visit our website (www.tokyocowboys.com).
Link to the website.
Send us stuff for the website (see above).
Encourage people to sponsor us with cash (nothing too small) or goods (hardware, software, media, canned food, etc.). You can send money to daneeta@tokyocowboys.com through Pay Pal at www.paypal.com. It's free. Or, you can still buy shares at £500 each.

6) CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FOR INVESTORS

If you have invested in Tokyo Cowboys and haven't received a certificate of ownership or a copy of the contract, please email me and let me know.

Again, thank all of you for your support over the past (ohmygod) two years. Please keep the encouraging emails coming as they keep us going. We are nearly to the home stretch.

Hugs,

Daneeta

P.S. I hope all of you avoided the devastation and heartbreak of the recent Tsunami. Please keep yourselves safe.

Brent and Shun Wish you Happy New Year

Brent and Shun Wish you Happy New Year
Originally uploaded by daneeta.

Food for thought.......

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios
remaining the same, it would look something like the following:

There would be:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth
1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education
1 would own a computer

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

The following is also something to ponder...

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 70% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that
cannot read at all.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

Happy New year

Happy New year
Originally uploaded by daneeta.

Cards

I've been working on the index cards. This is where I go through the footage, organizing the material by putting potential scenes on individual index cards. The material can be broken down as follows:

Possible Sequences with Main Characters
Interviews with Main Characters
Gaijin Interviews
Nihonjin Interviews
Places
Stereotype/Non-Stereotype scenes (e.g. Taichi in the park vs. Homeless in the Park)

Each index card holds a gem. This film could be four hours long. The next step is to begin to structure...arranging the index cards. Then I can start to delete cards until I have a tight structure. I'm trying to do as much as possible for the editor before he comes on board.

I'm gonna try to upload some of these cards as examples, but the website and blog have taken a second seat.

Thank goodness Patrick is getting a little bit of work because the Tokyo Cowboys money has run out. I really don't know how we are managing to survive, but somehow, at the last minute, someone helps us out with a donation of money or food. What kind of life is this? People always say, "do what you love, and the money will come." I'm putting that theory to the test. We've managed to pay our rent and eat, but that is it. Is this it? No, no...I'm thankful for being able to work as a filmmaker full time. That's my full-time work, and I am lucky. I am doing what I love.

Finally...

finished the budget and the one-pager. I don't know why the one-pager took so long. It's just supposed to be a one page description of the film. But I was struggling and struggling, then finally decided to go the poetic route.

Didn't get much done yesterday. Robert dragged us to the Punk Rock festival at the Astoria. I'm glad I went, but I felt guilty for now working. Then I thought, "It's Sunday, for God's sake." I'm working too much and too little, I think. Must learn more about time management.

Switching Gears

I spent the whole day yesterday trying to sort out the budget for %$£& Films. All of the budget and expense files for TC are in a million different files, so consolidating them and re-formatting them to industry standard was such a chore. I still have more to do today. It's amazing how much of the work that I do has nothing to do with what will be up on screen. It's frustrating.

I had this strange sensation while entering all of the receipts into Excel. As I looked at the dates, how much was spent and on what, fragments of the shoot drifted by my mind's eye. On this day, we ate at this place and that was the day that we shot X. It was sort of Proustian in a way.

PFD David Charap's Talent Agent

PFD - Europe's leading literary and talent agency.

One Pager

Spent loads of time yesterdary trying to write a "one pager" for %$£& Films. It's a one page description of the project aimed at broadcasters. I was struggling really hard with it for about an hour when I had a breakthrough. It was the language that was bugging me. Then, all of a sudden, I started to use a different kind of language...my poetic language. Everything started to click. I've got a good draft, which I'll put up here when I'm done.

I'm seriously thinking about stalking one of the UK editors who I think could handle this thing. There's a guy called David Charap who has edited about 8 features and countless documentaries. He might be the one. But I definitely would have to stalk him.

Some Relief from %$£& Films

I had a meeting with S. and J. from %$£& Films yesterday. They are really keen to help post-produce the film. They can help me find an editor and get the thing finished. They can also help me to raise the rest of the money. I like those guys. They are just the right combination of laid backness and the business.

As for editors? I would like David Charap (My Summer of Love), Justine Wright (Touching the Void), Richard Hankin (Capturing the Friedmans) or Doug Abel (Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and The Fog of War). Sylvia says "It doesn't hurt to ask." So, if any of you out there knows one of these fine, fine editors, could you please put me in touch?

Endless

The footage is absolutely endless...a sea of it. I watch it every night...every day. I don't watch TV anymore...I just watch "the footage." Faces fast forwarded, lists of sequences, transcripts of interviews. It just keeps on going. And once I've been through it all, I go back again. When will my savior of an editor find me? When will I find them?

Frustrated

Getting so damned frustrated with this whole thing. The paper edit is endless. The footage is endless, and I feel as if I am out here on my own. An editor and a producer would be good. Sometimes I feel like it was really stupid to do this whole thing independently. You have to motivate yourself constantly, and sometimes I really don't feel like it.

I'm tired...can't seem to get enough sleep...EVER. And, I go back and forth...is this good? Is this shit?

Snow

Stole away to Sweden for a few days to try to get some perspective. I didn't write anything while I was there, which is pretty unusual. When a thought came into my head about the project, I didn't write it down. Instead, I tried to sleep as much as possible, read some Wm. Gibson and sleep some more.

It snowed. It was beautiful. Now back in London, I feel like I'm swimming under a really heavy ocean. My head is achey and heavy. I'm praying for some kind of help, but I'm not sure what kind.

Referring Sites

http://pgaijin.blogspot.com
http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/
http://www.japan-101.com/information/links.htm
http://www.funayado-mikawaya.com/mika_nori.htm
http://homepage3.nifty.com/massigla/diary/2004/200404.html
http://discosada.jugem.jp/?cid=1

Int'l Box Office: Fahrenheit 9/11 passes $100m

Int'l Box Office: Fahrenheit 9/11 passes $100m
Robert Mitchell in London 27 October 2004


Albeit off  the chart, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 became the first documentary to achieve $100m from international markets during last week. The film added $392,745 over the weekend with Japan and recent launch territory Hong Kong currently providing the highest numbers. The film has taken $100.8m and may get some boost still from next week’s US Presidential election.

Japan's Gaga bought by Usen Corp.

Courtesy of one of the investors:

Japan's Gaga bought by Usen Corp.
Mark Schilling in Tokyo 28 October 2004 04:00


Japan’s Usen Corp. has announced the purchase of Gaga Communications, a leading independent film distributor.

Usen, a major supplier of broadband services in Japan, plans to acquire a 57.6% stake, amounting to $94.3m (Y10 billion) and operate Gaga as a subsidiary. It will invest the funds in two share issues that Gaga is planning for the latter part of December 2004 and the first part of January 2005.

Also, Tatsumi Yoda, the honorary chairman of Avex Group Holdings will invest $28.3m (Y3 billion) in new Gaga shares, taking a 17.3% stake and becoming the company’s second-largest shareholder. Gaga will thus gain a total of $122.6m (Y13 billion) in new investment, while issuing a total of 15,330,000 new shares.

For the fiscal year ending September 2004 Gaga recorded a loss of $141.5m (Y15 billion) on its consolidated earnings, compared with a loss of $74m (Y7.9 billion) for the previous period. Among the causes for the poor results were rising acquisition and P&A costs as well as declining TV sales.

Founded in 1964, Usen boasts the largest share of the Japanese cable broadcasting market. In 2001 it became the first in the world to offer a commercial Internet access service via optical fibre cable. It has capital and business ties with Sony Communications Network Corporation, supplying the cable infrastructure for Sony’s So-net Internet provider service, and SKY Perfect Communications, a cable and satellite broadcaster.

Founded in 1986 by entrepreneur Tetsu Fujimura, Gaga has since became a major film distributor, handling everything from Asian art films to Hollywood A product, including Chicago, Kill Bill, Hannibal, End Of Days and The Green Mile.

Wheatgrass

Mark Saft tells me to eat more wheatgrass. "It gives you the energy," he says. I tell him that I am no longer a member of the consumer class. Not being so, I am classless. I don't exist. I don't buy, therefore I am not.

Films to Research

http://www.outfoxed.org/

tarnation

Notes about Music

Flaming Lips
Radiohead
the cure
god speed!
Mogwai
Neil Young
Brian Eno
the eagles

Notes about Sound

THX-1138, early cyber-punk, analog roots, organic,

Picture by Michael McClure

JAPANDSTREET FLOP.jpg
Originally uploaded by daneeta.

I really could use a "Fear and Loathing" weekend.

I can't update my website at the moment as my modem broke for my PC. But, I've put your picture on my blog (www.tokyocowboys.blogspot.com).

And, speaking of pictures, do you remember those naked ones you did of me in Japan? Did you give those to Mark? I really would like to get ahold of them just in case I do become famous. I'd rather make the money from them Paris Hilton-style than someone else.

Hugs

Insomnia

Have had insomnia for over a week now, and it's really messing with my head. We're completely out of money again, so it's been difficult to work on the paper edit. Note for next film: have all of the money in place before going forward.

Tokyo Cowboys September Announcement

Dear Tokyo Cowboys Supporters,

Here's your monthly update from the Tokyo Cowboys team.

IN THIS MAIL
1) Sponsorship
2) New Investors
3) New Trailer
4) Early Diaries Now Online
5) Editing Update1)

1) SPONSORSHIP

Several of you have asked about sponsoring the film with small donations. You can now donate funds with your credit or bank cards and in several different currencies easily and securely directly from the website on the following page: www.tokyocowboys.com/sponsorship.html

ALL SPONSORS WILL BE CREDITED IN THE FILM, so if you want to see your name on the big screen, check it out.

2) NEW INVESTORS

Tokyo Cowboys welcomes three new investors. Thank you for your generous support. Our aim is to complete the budget by the middle of October. There are only 25 shares left at 500 pounds per share so get them before they are all gone.

3) NEW TRAILER

If you've been debating about whether to invest some of your hard earned cash into Tokyo Cowboys, debate no longer! We've just finished the final trailer, which will blow your socks off. If you are interested in investing and want to see some of what you're investing in, email daneeta@tokyocowboys.com for a copy of the new Tokyo Cowboys trailer.

4) EARLY DIARIES NOW ONLINE

For those of you who have been begging (you cheeky voyeurs, the early Tokyo Diaries are Online! There are literally hundreds of pages of these diaries, so it will be slow going to get them all up. I'll be uploading a few entries a day. For now, you can see the first few at the following address:http://tokyocowboys.blogspot.com

5) EDITING UPDATE

Paper Editing and Logging continue. Not being good at Maths, I didn't realize that logging 450 hours of footage takes longer than...well...450 hours. That's...let's see...450 divided by 8 hours in a day...oh forget it. Let's just say, it's going well.If you're in Covent Garden, drop by the office to see us. As you know, we serve Starbucks coffee...Fair Trade, naturally.

Keep in touch and

Hugs,

Daneeta

The Fog of War

Patrick and I saw "The Fog of War" on DVD last night. It was an amazing documentary. So much more controlled, skilled and, dare I say, European than "Farenheit 911." Obviously, this film is extremely one-sided and biased towards McNamera. But, the interesting thing is that McNamera, who tells his story in vivid and lucid detail, is not biased toward himself at all. He admits and takes responsibility for making mistakes which caused thousands of deaths. What I find interesting with the film is that it is about a man who "knows a thing or two" about war. His single message is "human beings have got to stop killing each other." And, if we truly want that kind of peace, we must study and learn from our past mistakes.

Sad, sad, sad

Today I am very sad.

Who knows the color of truth?

Hey Cassie,

I wish I were driving around LA with you in your big SUV.

I'm still logging and working on the paper edit. Still trying to get money together and working on the website.

I was watching Sans Soliel again last night, and thought about something. There's a scene where a couple are praying at a shrine. There's statues of cats everywhere. The voice over tells a story about a couple who go to this shrine in Tokyo to pray for their cat who had run away. When I first saw this film, something about the scene felt strange, but I couldn't put my finger on it. This time, I realized that it was not a cat shrine at all. It was sort of a good fortune shrine. The couple were there to pray for good fortune, and the voice over story had nothing to do with the image really.

It got me to thinking about Tokyo Cowboys. About how I can do anything I want because for me, there is no objectivity in documentary. I can construct the images and voice over however I want. I know some people might have a problem with this. They may say, "but that's not documentary." The thing is that I never really set out to make a documentary. I set out to make a film that revealed some kind of truth about the Tokyo experience. Hmmmm. I have to think about this some more.

Objective Story Telling

I don't believe in objective story-telling. We're constantly editing, revising, re-telling. When I compare stories from childhood with my mother and sister, they never match up. It always ends in argument. My version, her version, your version. I think about how this relates to documentary story-telling...to Tokyo Cowboys. Am I telling the capital-T Truth? Does it really matter? Do I have a responsibility? I really don't think I do as long as I'm up front about it. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a faithful post-modernist. We don't believe in capital-T Truth. At least I don't. I think that if you tell a story that isn't exactly the way it happened, but it holds within it some sort of truth, then I am being truthful.

But, what does this mean for the film? I might mix it up a bit. Move back and forth in time...create drama from nothing...blur the border between fact and fiction (in fact, there is not border). And if this bothers people, so be it. I'm nothing but a story-teller. And I always have been.

It's my Birthday

Today is my birthday, so I'm going to take the day off. I remember writing on my birthday 2 years ago. I'm 39 today, and I have yet to make my first feature. I think that is how my agent would market me.

Thinking about the voice over. Sans Soliel style. San Soliel is a visual collage set to the poetry of the filmmaker's journey. American Movie is the journey of the subject. So, in my film, the filmmaker's journey is tied to the journey of the subject. We are on the same path. The process of filmmaking facilitates both journeys. The camera changes things. And, hopefully, we all learn something. It's a journey that none of us would have taken had it not been for the camera. This is all the intellectualization of things. But how do I make all of this concrete. I need the voice over. "It's the early 21st century. And I'm back in Tokyo." It has to be compact. That's the danger...to write too much. It just has to be compact.

The difficult thing is to know where to begin. Maybe not thinking about the beginning and the end...maybe focus more on the bits and how they fit together.

"And I'm back in Tokyo...only it's the early 21st century. I'm here looking for cowboys." But what do I mean by that? What is a cowboy? Someone who is free. Someone who takes risks. So freedom...that was the big thing. That was my assumption when I went there. they have all of this freedom, and it's the money that gives them this freedom. But, then I discovered that the job and the money was sort of taking freedom away from them. Or the lifestyle. They had this outrageous lifestyle. And in order to maintain it, they needed to make all of this money. So that wasn't freedom. Something about that New Order song..."I don't want to be like other people are...don't want to own a key...don't want to wash my car." (I'd love to use that song in the film.)

They went there to have freedom. You could go there and make a lot of money. Maybe it's a series of questions...maybe that's how to structure it...or maybe by the trips. Feeling overwhelmed. Time to rest.

Watched Takeshi Miike's Visitor Q and Nanni Maretti's Dear Diary today. A very strange combination.

Etsuko called from Japan. It was three in the morning her time, and she was drunk. She kept telling me not to compromise. She's right.

I went back to Tokyo in search of something. The new frontier? Maybe. I hated it when I left...couldn't wait to get out. But everyone around me, they seemed to love it. The said they felt free. I never felt that freedom. Or maybe I did and just didn't know what to call it. Maybe the question shouldn't be "does money buy freedom," but, it should be "does freedom buy happiness." Bauman says that "freedom is likely to bring more misery than joy."

Born Again Cowgirl

I'm back in Tokyo again. Only it's the 21st Century. I want to tell you the story of the Cowboys...the Tokyo Cowboys. Of how they reinvented themselves on the post modern urban frontier. It starts here...no, it starts here...no...I guess it doesn't matter where it starts or where it ends. We are constructing a kind of truth.

I realize that my reality in Tokyo...when I was living in Tokyo is totally different from my Tokyo reality now. It's as if they have constructed a new reality for me. By seeing it through their eyes, I was a born again Cowgirl.

Something between Sans Soliel and American Movie. Something that captures a time and a place and these people...documenting Tokyo, early 21st century. the last bastian of innocence. There is no darkness in Tokyo. That is reserved for the countryside.

There are all of these pieces. I feel as if I'm sitting in front of a massive puzzle, and I'm trying to fit all of the pieces together. God help me. And keep thinking about Suzuki--it is impossible to arrange the dots out of order.

Marginalization. the "other"

Went to the bookstore and read some Bauman. I think I'm intellectualizing too much. I was so organic in shooting this, and now I'm being too...non-organic. trying to impose a structure on this thing just doesn't seem right. but you can't have an hour and a half collage of voices, sounds, images. people would get bored. there has to be a story, and how to integrate that story into the collage? that's the question. now i'm tired.

cliched images of japan...gozilla, samurai, geisha. then the bomb, paper cranes, economic prosperity, etc., etc. i used to watch gozilla movies on sundays when i was a kid. they came on after the cartoons.

Japan has always been in my consciousness. it's part of american history even if you don't study it.

Been looking at endless hours of Ken footage. He's always talking, I'm always talking. It's not until the later footage that I felt comfortable with just letting him be in front of the camera. We both learned how to be with the camera.

The Opening Sequence

I think I've had a breakthrough on the paper edit. I was toying with starting the film with archive footage--stuff from the 80s describing Japan as an economic tour de force. This would punctuate what Japan was like when the cowboys started to think about going to Japan. But it just didn't seem right. I kept thinking "This is Tokyo...early 21st century." And the archive footage would not go along with that idea. So, what would?

And I started to think about postcards.

We have so much "postcard" footage of Tokyo. And if the opening footage is a quick succession of loads of postcard shots, that would make more sense. Then the cutting would slow down, stop, speed up, stop, all to the rythm of the sound track. Then the voice over "This is Tokyo...early 21st century." I'm working on the rest of the voice over.

Everything I tell you is true.
There is no such thing as true.
There is no such thing as objective.
I have not been objective. I have been truthful.

I'm not sure if I have to state this. I mean...objectivity does not exist in documentary.

August Update

Dear Friends of Tokyo Cowboys,

Its time for another update on the progress of Tokyo Cowboys: the documentary.

The TC web site gets a face-lift

The Tokyo Cowboys web site located at www.tokyocowboys.com has been given a complete makeover. It has been literally handcrafted, and offers more new content and easier navigation. Future planned content includes up-to-the-week production diaries and clips from the rushes, which will be added in the coming weeks.

We want the web site to be vibrant, and you can help us out by participating in our first ever campaign "Spot a Cowboy." Armed with your keitai, go hunting for the cowboys. If you spot one of our cowboys, snap a picture, and email it to us with a caption. Well put it up on the web site. If you don't have a camera with you, tell us by email where you spotted them and under what circumstances. Well publish that as well.

Another way to help is to sign the guestbook. That way, we know who you are and what you like.

Editing

The first phase of editing has begun! We are now logging all of the footage, which means looking at 450 hours of footage and making notes on whats good and whats brilliant. At the same time, Daneeta is working on the paper edit. This involves writing out the edit on paper, which shots and sound bits will be used where and how the story will progress. The paper edit will be committed to the web site when its finished.

Investment

One more investor has joined the TC investment team. That leaves us with only 16,500 left of the budget to raise. The minimum investment is, as always, 500, so we have room for only 33 more investors. Remember, if you dont have the whole 500, you can go in with a mate or two with one of you being responsible for distributing the profit to the others. The remaining budget will be used to fund the postproduction of the project including logging, editing, grading and onlining. For more information on investing, please email us at invest@tokyocowboys.com.
Thats it. As always, wed love to hear from you. Write with any comments or questions.

Hugs,

How we got Pak-kun

--snip--

Hey Dan,

It's really strange how we got Pak-kun. Ken was going on and on about how Pak-kun was his idol and all. And, I was thinking "We really need to get an interview with this guy, but he's so famous, so how do we get to him?" Then, we were out at a stand up gig at the Fiddler filming Cloudy B., and Pak-kun stepped up to the mic (you gotta love synchronicity).

I jumped on him after his set. I was really clumsy, pushing my card in his hand..."I'm doing a movie. Will you be in it." He was really nice...almost too nice, and I thought, "this guy is going to blow us off." But he didn't. We only shot one interview with him on that trip, and it was on the street, so the sound sucks. At the beginning of the interview, he got mobbed by fans. It was so surreal. I asked him what it meant to be a talent in Japan, and he said "it means you have no talent."

On the next trip, we shot loads of stuff--him doing his TV show, him doing his radio show, and him at home with his wife. He is a really cool guy...very humble...very thankful. It's good because it shows what Ken is aspiring to be. And, it shows the sacrifices that Ken might have to make to achieve his dream. Interestingly, that guy works so much! He never has vacations. I don't know how he does it.

--end snip--

I've been thinking a lot about Ken. He's the one that has the really big story arc. We've been filming him since the beginning. The other Cowboys sort of represent possibilities of what Ken's life could have been, what it might have been had he made a different choice here or there. It is so interesting to think of the film in that way. Like, Ken would have been like Mark had he stayed in Head Hunting and formed his own company. If Ken hadn't have found Aki, maybe he would have been like Dave. The film is becomming something bigger than just this thing about some guys I know in Tokyo. It's about life, freedom, sacrifice.

Michael was right. The more I look at the footage, the more things become clear.

Robert and Helen are buying us dinner tonight. Today is a really good day.

It helps to have friends!

Hello Daneeta,

Thanks for keeping me updated about your project and you. I wish I were as creative and active as you.

I have a news for you. I am going to publish a book this year. It will compile of the articles on movies that I write regularly on newspaper. I will mention your project somehow so that my readres will find your project interesting.

Don't expect so much. But I think I can be of a little help to you.

Take care. Have a nice day.

Kazu.

Here is my turn...

Web Site Up and Running

I finally got the website up and running. That took weeks. It seems that the pics on some screens are really dark. Not sure what to do about that. They look alright on some and not good on others!

I got a list of Japanese companies in the UK that sponsor the arts from DB at the Embassy. He's been really supportive of me and the project. I think there were six companies. I called all of them today with my spiel. All of them said "no," and one said "write a letter." The thing is that I know I have a great film. I've seen the rushes...I know the story...the characters. It's just trying to convice people of that...trying to convice people with money of that.

Been talking a lot to Aki and Ken over email. They encourage me. In fact, I'm getting so much encouragement from Japan...from the cowboys and from the community at large. It makes these really lean times better.

Mindnumbing

Just spent a mind numbing 2 hours transcribing and logging one, yes one, tape.

Appreciate the Rain

I'm reading this book called "Zen mind, Beginners' mind" by Shunryu Suzuki. He says "Some people will be annoyed if they hear the rain when they are lying in their beds in the morning...because they do not know that later they will see the beautiful sun rising from the east...we will think "Now it is raining," but we don't know what will happen in the next moment. By the time we go out it may be a beautiful day or a stormy day. Since we don't know, let's appreciate the sound of the rain now."

Daneeta Responds

Could you tell me more about the story?

As for the story, because it is documentary, you sort of find the story in editing, which we are just, just starting. BUT, it is about how the western male reinvents himself in this post-modern urban frontier. When we started shooting Ken, for example, he was working as a freelance headhunter. He called it his "starving waiters job" because he really wanted to be a "tarento" on Japanese TV. Throughout the 18 months of filming, he got married, had a baby and worked his way up from cheesy TV shows (ones that made fun of gaijin) to commercials, to comedy talk shows to the tops: a Taiga drama on NHK (similar to a BBC drama). Half way, he quit his headhunting "starving waiters job" and took on a new one--performing Christian weddings. All of his friends said he was crazy, stupid, etc. for chasing this seemingly impossible dream. But, he just didn't care.

The film is about re-invention...constructing your own reality...and taking responsibility for that reality.
I hope that helps.

Tacos

Spent all day working on the website. I'm sick of it. The good news is that we got paid the 25 quid for the sound equipment. That means food. And, today, I made tacos. We both stuffed ourselves.

LFS End of Term Screening

Ah, the LFS end of term screening. I like to go to every one. I'm always hoping to find a good DoP there. This year, the best DoP was...Patrick Jackson for Jules' film. I was really proud of him. Jules told him to go to the party to get his ass kissed, as he certainly deserved it. E & Y were the only ones who kissed his ass.

The other reason we go is for the food. Again, I stuffed myself. The only meal of the day, but what a good one. I got sick later for stuffing myself. There is an old lady that goes to the after party every year. She must be in her 70s. She's always a bit scruffy, and she piles her plate up with food. I don't know where it all goes as she's bone thin. I was standing next to her in the food queue, and I thought to myself "That's me in 40 years." Scrounging for food at the LFS end of term party. Hell, that's me now.

Spent most of the week working on the website. I'm hoping to use it as a tool to raise the rest of the cash to finish the film. The frustrating thing is that I know I have the film--a beautiful, wonderful film. But, it's amongst the 450 hours of tapes I've got sitting on my bookcase. And, the reality is that, without the money, the film will remain within those tapes. Oooo, a bit morose today.

I've been logging as well. As I sit in my darkened room and watch the rushes, I am hit by this overwhelming desire to return. I miss the smells, the food, the neon. But, most of all, I miss the cowboys. Patrick says this is normal. I write to them, thinking this will quench my desire. They write back, tell me what they are up to. This only makes it worse. I realize that the time I spent shooting this film was my happiest time in Tokyo. Those memories have successfully wiped out all of the negativity that I left Japan with--7 years of perceived bad luck gone in an instant! And there is a larger lesson to be learned. Our lives are just a collection of memories. All of this bullshit about living in the present...there is no present. There is only memory. And, if this film represents a collection of honest memories of Patrick and me and the cowboys, will that be good enough to achieve greatness?

Filmmaking is Glam

I have to do whatever I can to get the rent paid and to finish this film. People think filmmaking is such a glam job. It's only glam for the famous, and even then, it's a nightmare. So why do we do it? I was talking to Cassie about it. She says we do it because we want to create something beautiful...we're artists. Maybe that's true for her, but it's sort of bullshit for me. I do it because I have all of this shit inside of me that if I don't let it out, I would explode. Hmmm...that's a bit too Freudian for me. In any case, it's not glam. Begging for money, working for free, no cinema, no new clothes, my face is a mess. I think I should stop this self-pity now before i kill myself.

Bed Head

Patrick's dad bought us a bed for Patrick's birthday. It was delivered today, and our lives just got better. After two years on the floor, we now have a mattress that we can put on the bed frame that Vonda and Ross gave us months ago.

This is a picture of our mattress.



This morning I woke up, and for the first time in 4 and a half years my body didn't hurt.

Just to Continue

"Just to continue should be your purpose." Suzuki again. Been reading Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shinryu Suzuki. I've had the book for over 10 years, but I've never been able to get through it. This time I'm flying like the wind. It's informal talks on Zen meditation, but I find it helpful to apply his advice to finishing Tokyo Cowboys. It's funny how it applies. Maybe I should start meditating as well.

Desperate

I was so desperate for cash that I was a doorman for an hour for 15 quid. That will get us food for the next two days. It was fun anyway. I got to meet an old time alum from LFS.

Logging is going well. Michael is right. The more I look at the footage, the more things start to solidify in my head. And transcribing is really helping as well.

Independence Day

Independence Day. I met with a potential editor today. A good guy, but only the initial meeting. I think the most important thing is to be able to get along with the guy. I feel comfortable with him. We're gonna meet again after he sees the trailer and some of the sequences Patrick and I cut together ages ago.

Nothing on the money front.

Arranging the Dots out of Order

Suzuki says "It is almost impossible to arrange the dots out of order." I know this is supposed to be a comfort, but with 450 hours of footage, I keep thinking that it might be possible to fuck it all up.This whole project has been overshadowded by money...or the fact that we don't have any. Patrick says this is what independent filmmaking is. And I guess he's right. But it must be just a little easier when you are the heir to the Speigle catalogue fortune. We will be completely out of money by Monday. Enough to pay the rent, but food will be a luxury we can't afford. And is this affecting the film? I wonder...

Get it on Amazon

Lunch out with the Girl

Met with HP, one of the TC investors today. She took me out for lunch, and I really appreciated that. We're so broke that it was my only meal. I stuffed myself on bread and sucked every last fishbone dry. It was awesome. She gave me 150 quid to get my visa. I am truly looked after, and I am thankful.

Zygmunt Bauman

Met up with Ben, who is an independent producer. He's acting as a sounding board. I babble about what the film is about, and he plays devil's advocate.

I've also been calling all of my contacts in Tokyo trying to get money to finish the film. No luck yet. I've made a list, and I'm calling round every day.

There's a guy called Zygmunt Bauman. He's a professor at Leeds Univ., and he's written loads of books on postmodernism. My library is the Boarders on Charring Cross Road. There's a coffee bar there, and they don't mind if you bring their books in. So, I use it as a library. I must remember to thank Borders in the credits of the film. That's also where I did all of the research for the film. And, of course, that's where I discovered Bauman.

Francois' Birthday

Francois' birthday. We got too drunk and stuffed our faces on Claire's free food. It was the only meal we had today, and the only beer we've had for ages. But it cost us 4 quid to get the bus there, and that was a hit. We rented the sound equipment out to F & D for 25 quid. That will last us three days of food and travel. Today, color me thankful.

Cancer of the Knee

Patrick does not have cancer of the knee. He does, however, have oesto-arthritus. The good news is that we'll be able to tell the weather by his knee. So, he was shooting for 6 weeks, walking up and down stairs and humping all of that equipment with arthritus. He's a saint...an angel sent from heaven.

Simon the Composer

Met with Simon Rogers. He was something that dropped out of the sky. I put an ad on shooting people looking for a mentor. Three people responded--a producer, an editor and Simon. Simon is a composer and has been in the business for a long time. He sent me a CD last week, and I really liked his stuff. I went by his studio today, and we talked about him scoring TC. Some of my ideas were to sample cowboy voices with different strains of music to create a theme for each one of them. I'd also like to keep it Western as this is western. Some of my references are Dead Man, Zatoichi and Rabbit Proof Fence. Dead Man because of the Western themes only replacing some of the traditional western instruments with Japanese ones. That's where Zatoichi comes in. The music was amazing. Then, in Rabbit Proof Fence, Peter Gabriel used a lot of sounds from the desert landscape. I told Simon that I'd like to use sounds from the urban landscape to make up the layers of the score. It was a good meeting, and Simon is coming on board.

This is Simon in his Studio, which happens to be in his back garden!

WIIF

Went to the Women in Independent Film networking party tonight. First of all, I think it's funny how the English refer to it as a networking "party." The English network in a different way to the Japanese. The English get drunk, then they can network. I guess we got drunk in Japan as well, but there seemed to be more networking and less drinking. Anyway, there were about 150 young desperate women filmmakers, me included. Is that what it is to be a woman in independent film? Most everyone was a director looking for a producer, which means, they were looking for someone to find them money. The producers were mobbed. In any case, it's good to go to these things. It's good to keep up the skill of networking.

Rage

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light..." not Suzuki.

Looking for an editor. This could go on for ages. But, the thing is that we can't start editing until we get the funding. But, I guess I'm not ready to start editing yet. I have to have a paper edit. I have to review footage. There is a lot to do. So the fact that we don't have the money is not such a bad thing. Trying to write what I see in my mind's eye.