As I said initially, a colleague spent a whole week in Tokyo doing research and building a support network for us. We also had a Japanese production manager dealing with the locals for casting and location, and these efforts really paid off.
But one of the key people we made contact with before the production and someone my colleague had a meeting with on his first trip was a famous Japanese photographer named Yone. After a breakfast together at our hotel, he made a few phone calls and it was like the cork had finally come out of this Tokyo bottle-neck! Suddenly the 12 syrupy modelling agencies we were trying to deal with WANTED to work with us.
One could say he saved our production, and only because we did our homework before leaving :)
His slogan is “YONE MAKES YOU HORNEY!” :)
What better guy could we have found to be our saviour? See some of his work here: http://cexwork.com/
And go to today’s film to see us cruising Tokyo by night together.
For the rest of the day another two models were captured – Anna Takizawa and Ito Yurie. Beware, though, because for the remaining 4 days of this journey you’ll see some of the most amazing girls coming from the land of the rising sun.
More adventures to come,
p.
These were great models and an awesome shoot!
I figured it wasn't you. You generally have a more intelligent and easy-going approach, but there will always be morons and drunks out there looking to have their little snickers behind the screen.
Keep up very good works,
Best regards..
As a non-tourist to Japan for the past several years, I agree with the basic premise of your post but certainly not the presumptuous tone. While I would not question your business credentials, it's questionable for you to do the same onto others.
Anyone one who has tried to do business in Japan with other than large multi-nationals has gotten the same impression about it being run by organized crime. You may disregard comments from those who have only been there as tourists but want to seem like they know something. (Canadians & Angelinos) First time in any country is difficult. First time in Japan make others seem simple.
To whomever posted RE: Woof! as "The Guy": please grow some brain cells and think of your own nickname. I have been using that moniker for years. Perhaps your problem is more testes than brain cells. (Though clearly not much of either).
You've come to the conclusion that "[m]ost of Japan is run by organized crime" after only two trips? That's the problem: you've only been to Japan twice and therefore you're not really in any position of authority to make such a claim.
When doing any type of business in Japan, however, it is quite important to know the business culture and customs beforehand as well as have local representation. Petter, it would have been much much easier for you and your crew had there been a Hegre-Art Japan office already established. Although i fully realise this wasn't possible for this trip, it underscores how vital it is to establish a trusted presence in Japan for all business dealings in that country. You have to prove yourself first and then they'll trust you.
Anyways, as a professional, you've seemed to work your way past the initial tension. I look forward to seeing more of your work from Japan :)
best regards H
Unless you are speaking of the girl in pink in the last pic you desperately need a testosterone injection or a transplant to replace your ovaries with testes.
P.S. loose Konata
As they might say there: ganbatte Hegre.
Can't wait to see the rest of the travel journal for your visit to Tokyo. I spent many years there - fascinating and frustrating at the same time....