Alone in Tokyo HD on Vimeo

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24. A guide to the Reflecmedia Litering

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23. PDW 700 overview

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22. Love from Southend... HD

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21. Alone in Tokyo HD

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20. Kubalsky's Shibuya: EX1 and Letus Ultimate HD

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18. Red Red Rocks HD

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16. Sony XDCAM EX3 review HD

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15. 3 Days in April HD

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14. Life Of Crime: Bruce Reynolds HD

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13. Autumn in Richmond HD

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12. Homeless Portraits

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11. Newquay, Cornwall. Fistral Beach Sunset HD

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10. The Tramway HD

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9. Canon HV20/ Letus Extreme mini test HD

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8. Tent Rock HD

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Filmed in Tokyo in April/ May 2008 using the Sony EX1 and the Letus Extreme/ Letus Ultimate and some shots just using the EX1.

Music is by Air called "Alone in Kyoto"

Edited on a 17" MBP using FCP 6 and graded with Magic Bullet looks.

Thanks to Alex and Dean for their help.

philipbloom.net

Credits

3,407 Likes

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Tags

Underground Planet 3 years ago

Not sure what it is about this one but it stands out as one of my favorites of yours that I've seen. Great mood, texture, and timing. The time lapse with the guy sleeping on the sidewalk was stunning.

- Ray
GASP CREATIVE 3 years ago

I agree with Ray some stunning work Mr Bloom probably made extra special because I have visited some of the places shown. Next time you go I would recommend to visit the Tokyo Fish Market some really good shots could be captured there.
Can I ask if you color grade using the magic bullet looks in FCP or AE?

Glyn
Amenon 3 years ago

Second Ray's comments. At times I thought how odd that Tokyo should feel so similar to many other metropolitan environments, at times so different. I would have been tempted to close with the fellow raising his glass - but closing with sleep works perfectly. I liked your compassionate look at the homeless. Marvellous stuff.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

thanks guys. Amemon you hit the nail on the head, I wanted to show how different Tokyo was but at the same times just like any city I have been to.

When I arrived I felt like I was on an alien planet, then by the the time I left a week later I felt it was just like home in so many ways. That is what I tried to capture.
Brase 3 years ago

Beautiful piece!!!

I was just in Tokyo a few weeks ago, and I felt the same way the first time I went. You really feel out of place if you're American, but after a few days you feel part of your surroundings. I absolutely love Tokyo, and always enjoy visiting. Everyone is extremely nice and friendly.

I miss Tokyo.
matthew strong 3 years ago

your work is amazing.

i'd love to work with you one day.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

Cheers Matthew
Taylor Doyle Gillespie 3 years ago

Wow Philip, you've outdone yourself here.

Amazing stuff.
Haidar Hakim 3 years ago

Very nice video Philip, these pictures telling so much, i love the editing.
Emmanuel Tenenbaum 3 years ago

Well, I was actually editing a similar video and I just saw yours today... And it's fantastic. You have some very valuable footage, probably because you entered more in their intimate lifes.

It's strange how unconfortable I was feeling in Tokyo when I was filming. It's the country of the cameras, but I never dared film as close as you did, and in close places like the metro. I felt observed and as if I was stealing them their privacy.

But only the results counts and your film is FANTASTIC and BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for these 6:00 of great pleasure.
Londonmark Films 3 years ago

Phil, I thought this piece was really good...Your editing was spot on and great choice of music...Liked the Hitchcock moment and the treatment of the credits. Well done...Mark
Sami Sänpäkkilä 3 years ago

really great! loved the first slow mo shots especially.
Steven Dempsey 3 years ago

Very nice Phil. Great choice of music and spot on editing. Quite poignant too.
Kjewbee 3 years ago

You really have a gift capturing people falling asleep ;) hehehe

I love the slo-mo function on the ex1... I wish I had that function too on my XHA1 :(
Stephen Lewis 3 years ago

Great idea cutting it up into 4 or 5 distinct pieces! You captured the warm human element of kids, family, etc.... as well as the colder industrial element of inner city life with neon lights, crowded streets... homelessness. A great short yet again, can I say I have been to Japan now?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

cheers Stephen. Not a huge amount of slow mo in this one!

No, you haven't been to Japan!!!
Stephen Lewis 3 years ago

Ha! Yes, you captured the dreamlike-atmosphere splendidly!
Daisy 3 Pictures 3 years ago

Very nice, Philip. This would be a wonderful gift to the engineers at Sony who created the EX1. What MB filter was this, Buffalo? Maybe at about 85%? And curious what lens you used; still using the Nikons?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

Cheers Mark. In Magic Bullet Looks used a very customised version of "AG FILM STOCK"

Lenses were mostly just two lenses. 17-35mm f2.8 nikon and 80-200 f2.8 nikon. At night I also used my 50mm zeiss f1.4 and 85 zeiss f1.4 and i think I may have used my 100mm Zeiss f2 macro too...
Daisy 3 Pictures 3 years ago

Don't want to drive you crazy, but are they Zeiss PL or Zeiss for Nikon mount? Am awaiting delivery of my Letus Extreme and lens shopping... And thanks for the AG Film Stock tip...
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

i use that preset a lot, it is often my template as it has a nice retro feel, especially in the last short Shibuya and Tramway. All Nikon mount lenses!
Daisy 3 Pictures 3 years ago

Thanks Philip! Will keep checking KEH Photo for Zeiss Nikon mounts. Looks like finding that 17-35mm Nikon is going to be a bear...
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

i was lucky enough to find a v cheap one on ebay as the auto focus was broken. The Zeiss lenses are wonderful but try and get one or two fast zooms as you are less likely to miss that shot, that is if you shoot stuff like me, less important for narrative stuff.
Daisy 3 Pictures 3 years ago

Thanks Philip; just ordered a couple cheap zooms from KEH - Sigmas, which will have to do until I can find some Zeiss and some more Nikkors. Have a few Contax/Zeiss, but no Nikon/Zeiss.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

beware of cheap zooms, they are normally very slow on the long end making them useless for 35mm adaptors. The nikons i have are f2.8 all the way through.
Daisy 3 Pictures 3 years ago

Yeah, figure as much - but plan on using them on very bright exteriors, if at all, on an upcoming music video. Will test them beforehand and see if they measure up. Don't want to be limited in my range of lenses for this project.
alexander thebez 3 years ago

wow.

wo.
[ PIXEL VIKING ] 3 years ago

Cool stuff. I think we all have to do some things that feel uncomfortable sometimes - filming-wise.

This one got me thinking about Ron Fricke's 'Baraka' from 1992 - did you see that one?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

no but recently heard of it. A bit Koyaanasqatsi esque?
[ PIXEL VIKING ] 3 years ago

I think Baraka is his best one and I have all the 'sqatsi' movies... and to think he did this on film :)
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

my dream job would be to make a film that on lower budget 35mm adaptor HD. Any backers??
[ PIXEL VIKING ] 3 years ago

I'll help you carry your gear around :D
Jazzwall Arts 3 years ago

Hey Philip, your work is so inspiring. Count me in for your 35mm adapter film. Question is, how do I get to work with you man?!
The Eyeslit-Crypt 3 years ago

The opening shots at Shinagawa station are gorgeous as is the rest of the video. It's amazing how you transformed the reality of Tokyo into this vivid poetic meditation. The Air song works quite well, too. I have found the music of Fennesz to gel with Tokyo.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

thanks will look that up. Just found out they used that song in Lost in Translation too!
Peter Salvia 3 years ago

Love the under crank pan montage. Do you have a motor on your tripod to achieve the constant pan rate or just very steady hands?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

yep. check out the two last blog entries here: web.mac.com/philip.bloom/Blooms_Blog/Blooms_Blog/Blooms_Blog.html

also it wasn't undercrank it was interval with slow shutter. 1 frame every two seconds or 1 frame every second.
Underground Planet 3 years ago

So is it just me or does your focus ever seem to go soft when you switch to slow shutter? Obviously I get a good focus before turning on slow shutter, then switch on slow shutter, then dial down the iris as everything gets blown out but several times I have then looked at what I shot full screen and it seems like it's just not as sharp.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

yeah it does. Its a mare trying to get it bin sharp with slow shutter 16. it is possible though! Just difficult!!
Underground Planet 3 years ago

just makin sure I wasn't going crazy or the only one. And yea, it's a bit whacky but thanks for confirming. =)
Carlos Canhisares 1 year ago

Hey, Philip! Great work!! I just watched it for the first time and I have the same question Peter did. The problem is the link you mentioned won't open - maybe because it is from 3 years ago ;). Could you please tell me how you did the uniform pan with timelapse from 2:45 to 3:26?

Thank you very much!
Brian Boudreau 3 years ago

Wow that was incredible the pans and time lapse are nuts. great music selection
Tom Guilmette 3 years ago

its cool you just go out and do this stuff for fun. not for money or fame, just because you love it. i will try to do something like this in boston. you gave me a few ideas. thanks phil.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

look forward to it Tom, your baseball pans inspired me here. You are one of the most naturally talented people on here.
Tom Guilmette 3 years ago

glad you got to see the baseball pans before i had to pull them due to possible copyright infringement with major league baseball....even though i shot them! thanks for the kind words.
Jimmy Swift 3 years ago

Philip,

Yet another stunning video! I lived in Tokyo for a while and its amazing how you were able to capture a different side of tokyo that most would never see and with such elegance.... your stuff is nothing more and nothing less then 180% pure inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Gabriel Florit 3 years ago

wow, another great video. i'd love to be your apprentice. heck i'd pay to work with you.
Goa 3 years ago

i'm lovin it
ofa 3 years ago

Amazing work as usual.
I have one question...i was wondering how you deal with people to have them on the camera and also do you have autorisation or it's gorilla style?

Thank you for the inspiration it's always a pleasur to see your videos.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

do u mean do i offer them bananas? :-)

i just go for it guerilla style like in the station (apart from with south bank when i had permission in waterloo station), i just looked very confident like i had permission i ended up filming for close to 2 hours before they kicked me out!

thanks for your kind comments by the way!
Nathan Pierce 3 years ago

Love this video man!
Samu Ainesmaa 3 years ago

POSSIBLY my favourite from you, philip. The panning timelapse fades were just mind-blowing. It created a spectacular effect!!! The music was also great as usual; love your taste :)

I keep every now and then doubting whether I really should pursue film and invest in the EX1 like I plan to...then every time I see a new film from you I slap myself awake and convince myself that it really is what I want :)

Five stars!
Rick Horton 3 years ago

But Phil,
It's fun filming guerilla style, don't you agree!!!
Jon Carpenter 3 years ago

the circle effect created with the pans was my favorite also the time lapse with the homeless man was pretty amazing.
How odd is it that even the homeless take off their shoes before entering the "homes".
ofa 3 years ago

AHAHAH nothing like that.
i was trying to shoot in brooklyn in a crowded park and i got nicely asked to stop shooting. i didn't want to call it a bluf with NYPD Finest..

but thanks for the anwser
probe3 - Mark Wisniowski 3 years ago

Wicked ! That's all I have to say ! Wicked !

If you are ever in Chicago please look me up (mark@probe3.com), I would love to be an assistant.

Wicked ! :)
Ivan 3 years ago

Philip, this is like 'Lost in translation', but only better! I love your work, and this movie has a clear message: even in a metropolitan city, people can be very lonely.
Michael Brodner AKA Bones 3 years ago

1:19-1:32 OMG!!!
AndreasF 3 years ago

great video
Voxinabox 3 years ago

Wonderful. Great... everything from start to finish. A complete film. Congratulations.
pda.pl 3 years ago

This peace is pure beauty - well done! Love it!
Encript 3 years ago

This was very amazing. I enjoyed this very much, and coming from nyc I know what metropolitan life can be like. When I was working on a project like this for my self I was too timid to get close to people. Or to film in the subways for fear people would look at me strangely. However I noticed no one seemed to give you a problem and almost welcomed you filming them. Well Done.
Alexander Comana 3 years ago

amazing... i'm going to live in tokyo next year and this just made me want to even more
Brad Holt 3 years ago

Brilliant work! The music is a perfect match!
enmimente 3 years ago

Woooow!. truly the best.
Dan C 3 years ago

Wow, superb editing, lighting, and choice of shots in this video. I was in Japan 6 months ago and this brought back some good memories. I loved hanging out in Shibuya when I was there. Good job Phillip.
Pierre 3 years ago

Wow. The use of speed changes and colors work inspiring: I'm ready to give it a try. Great piece of art Philp.
I wonder how you manage to carry around your camera gear and set up your tripod shots without too much attention to you in such a busy city.
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

it's knackering carrying the gear, mostly the lens bag to be honest, but the tripod is small, the camera is bigger and I am bigger still. Especially in Japan!
Matt E 3 years ago

Really enjoyable and inspiring once again Philip. Those time-lapse pans are excellent.
Ryan Humphreys 3 years ago

Brilliant work Philip. I think the music hit the nail on the head too. It just makes me think that I'm lucky for having a roof over my head, and how much I take it for granted.
Aurélien 3 years ago

very good, and relaxing
RogerB1 3 years ago

I have not seen this film as yet, but I am downloading it first. I know I will like it. :o)
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

did you like it?
RogerB1 3 years ago

Are you kidding? I loved it! I am your number one fan. I always appreciate quality work. As you know, I save all your films. :o)
Tim Barrett 3 years ago

Hi Phil, I love your shooting and editing style.

Could you step through how you achieved the the panning timelapse? Did you have some sort of device to rotate the camera at a constant speed as it looks stunning and seemless? If so is it a device that would also work with a DSLR camera?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

i have a motorized tripod head, very cheap too. Go to my blog to read about it Tim.
Kingofpunk 3 years ago

In Japan do we need any kind of authorization to film on the street or in the train station like in Paris France ?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

it was filmed guerilla style with no permission.
Leon Grant Bussinger 3 years ago

New all-time favorite.
Denis Davydov 3 years ago

It is just amazing!!!! Thanks for sharing!...
Xynthetic 3 years ago

really really nice dude, beautiful!
Andrea b 3 years ago

cool
Sam Nothing 3 years ago

I was curious if the crop factor applies when using the Letus and the EX1 with Nikor lenses.

Or does the 1.5x not apply because of what the letus does and the EX1 sensor(s)

Assuming your using 35mm film SLR lenses
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

no crop factor as it's a full size 35mm frame on the letus unlike a DSLR. It is in fact bigger so you can if you want get .8x
walt 3 years ago

did you find the soul of tokyo?
Stephen Lewis 3 years ago

Hey Phil,
What bitrate did you encode this with, 7mpbs?
Philip Bloom 3 years ago

5mbps Stephen
JP Alano 3 years ago

how did you do the shots for the panning timelapse? don't tell me you had a motion control rig? or was it as simple as panning your tripod a little as the camera was on pause for the interval shots. cuz ive done that panning the camera a tad but never got the same effect that a motion control rig brings.
JP Alano 3 years ago

nm just saw ur comment motorized tripod rig. heh. sorry.
Patrick Moberg 3 years ago

Man, the color on this looks really nice.

The 3:52 silhouette shot is great.
Nick Holmes 3 years ago

I really liked this a lot. Excellent mood.
Sean Cruser 3 years ago

not much to say that i'm sure you haven't heard already. stellar work as usual.
Bill Craven 3 years ago

Phil, Sean just took my line, I agree with all the previous comments and would again emphasize "SPECTACULAR". In the difference, the familiar seems to dart in and out of the picture! It also seems strange to see the same "homelessness" in stark contrast to the opulence of the surrounding Metropolis! Thanks for sharing your talents!
gremm 3 years ago

that was wicked. thanks for this.
Mike Hedge 3 years ago

nice work. what's the trick with the timelapse panning?
Tris nic 3 years ago

awesome work
George Mason 3 years ago

This is T.S. Eliot's "The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock." Absolute must see. The music and the video contrast to tell us we do not know what "real time" is; we only live in it. Watch this, read Prufrock again, and tell me I'm wrong.
Philip Bloom extras 3 years ago

thanks very much George!
machasan 3 years ago

very cool!
Thomas Charbit 3 years ago

the colors are soo amazing....