Tsuyako

Day 1 - Good times at the airport...

2011-05-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Cannes France here I come!

2011-05-12T01:48:00.000-07:00

First of all, thanks to you John Palmer and Hanae Honna chan for designing such a beautiful post card and poster for TSUYAKO!

My days and nights are all upside down.. Now I'm off to Cannes in a few hours.
I will be showing you guys around of Cannes on video so stay tuned!

Color correction and final sound FINISHED!!

2011-05-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a quick and insane turn around with the final round of post production!
Many thanks to In A Place Post for doing amazing work, and Scott Lewis from Skywalker Sound for making TSUYAKO into a million dollar budget film! I can't wait for all to watch it!
All we have left is to transfer footage now. Then I'll off to Cannes in a few days >.<!

After the scoring session...

2011-02-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

I feel soooo grateful for having such a wonderful people in my life, making my dream come true each day...

After the session, I drove down to the beach for meditation and saw this beautiful sky...
Thought I would share it with you ;)

Scoring session = SUCCESS!

2011-02-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who is involved in this scoring session. I felt like I was watching my dream while I roll the camera. I am so overwhelmed with happiness right now.. I am the luckiest director on this earth to have such an amazing artists and musicians for creating wonderful music for my film. Thank you to everyone.. Much love to you all.

MANY Thanks to:

Marc Chester for getting most of the musicians from Cal State University
Michael Huang - Music Editor, Recording Engineer and Mixer
Jeremy Doss for his time in bringing the music onto music sheet - Orchestrator and Music Prepaeration
Tina Tamura & Mayreni Morel - Printing all the music for us! - Music Preparation

Wonderful / Talented musicians who came out:
Joohyun Park - Pianist
Yoshika Masuda - Solo Cellist
Rachel Melis - Solo Flute
Strings - Agnieszka Borzuchowski, Sabrina Cabral, Douglass Edward, Victor Fernandez, Judy kang, Mai Kurosawa, Robert Lee, Christopher McCarthy, Corinne Olsen, Moni Semeonov, Arianna Solotoff, Jennifer Tuinenga, Margaret Wu

Music scoring session in a few days!

2011-01-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

First of all, I want to thank our composer Pakk Hui, for scoring such a wonderful music. I know I am not a easy one to work with, especially when it comes to the score (I'm not gonna deny). After hours and hours of working together - finding the right tone, creating a theme that carry though our story - I am very pleased how Pakk made this incredible score for Tsuyako.

Also Tina Morris and the owner of The Village Studios - After contacting dozens of recording studios in greater Los Angeles, they were kind enough to donate their biggest studio for our session!

Musicians - We've put ad on Mandy.con, contacted Music department in the Universities around Los Angeles and Orange country, finally got extremely talented musicians who are coming out for the love of music and filmmaking. We are still few short on violins, but I know someone will come through.

Coming from music back ground - and having to hear the recording session of my film is one of the best gift I have ever gotten. I have to say, this is as much as exciting as filmmaking!

Foley recording - フォ−リー録音日

2011-01-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Dave Bingham, we were able to have foley session at his recording studio today. It's homemade style, but hey! as long as thesound is good, we are all good!

Dave Binghamさんのお陰で、今日，彼のスタジオでフォーリー録音をする事が出来ました：）ホームメイドスタジオでも，音さえよけりゃ問題なし！

Dave Bingham - Foley Recording Engineer

Kevin Senzaki - Our Sound Designer

Checking on the list...

Sound Design Begins!

2010-11-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Now we are picture locked, it's time to start the sound designing. The sound for TSUYAKO was something I really want to spend time on. I want the audience to feel what is like to be in the environment where all you hear is the sound of machinery... I hope to create the sound that can also effect us emotionally. We'll see!

編集も無事終了し，明日からサウンドデザインが始まります。音響はこの脚本を書いた時からとても重要な一部を果たす事を想像していました。この映画を見た皆さんが、この音響効果によって、鉄工所で働く人たちの環境をリクリエイト出来る様なものを作り上げたいと思っています。

Thank you for joining our fundraiser!

2010-11-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to those who came to our event, music performers (Pauli Pettit, The Gods of Macho, and Nate Weiner), two fabulous helpers - Bethe Gordon and Jill Blackledge, donors of silent auction (Irene Chavira at Amoeba Music, Emily Ford at Ford's Filling Station, Michelle Nigro at Lunch, Kari at Rush Street Culver City, Vince Williams at Honey's Kettle, Nanbu Bijin, Farfalla, Trafuku, Yoga Works, Golden Bridge Yoga, and Tammy Jame for her Pilate lessons), and Steven Melendrez for hosting this event at his store, The Living Room.

It was a great success, with great spirited people, great music, and was so wonderful too see beautiful smiles all around the venue ;)

ファンドレーザーに来て頂いた皆様、参加してくれたPauli Pettitさん、The Gods of Machoのメンバーの皆様、 Nate Weinerさん、飲酒提供南部美人、サイレントオークション提供者ーAmoeba MusicのIrene Chaviraさん、LunchのMichelle Nigroさん、 Rush Street Culver CityのKariさん、Honey's KettleのVince Williamsさん、Ford's Filling StationのEmily Fordさん、レストランFarfalla、寿司Trafuku、 Yoga Works、Golden Bridge Yoga、そしてピラテレッスンを提供してくれたTammy Jameさん、最後に、このイベント会場を提供してくれた The Living RoomのSteven Melendrezさん、本当にありがとうございました！

皆さんのお陰で、この度のファンドレーザーも大成功に終わりました。後は映画の仕上げを目標に頑張ります！

Our fabulous editor Thomas A. Krugger!

Donors:

Pciture Locked!!

2010-10-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

After many many days and nights, we are finally picture locked!!
Time to cerebrate!

Join us at Fundraising party at The Living Room in Silver Lake!

2010-10-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

The Tsuyako production team cordially invites you to share a good time with us on the evening of Saturday, November 6th at The Living Room.
We are raising funds for the post production in order to complete the film!

Come enjoy live music performances by Pauli Pettit, The Gods of Macho (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gods-Of-Macho/124665422889), and Nate Weiner (http://www.nateweiner.com/).
Meet new friends, enjoy wine tasting and handcrafted hor d'oeuvres.

$20 Ticket includes:
- Unlimited Drinks and hor d'oeuvres
- Raffle Ticket
- Silent auction
- Great music, and good times with beautiful people ;)

Hope you can join us ;)

PS: This event is not the screening.

Test screening Part 1 SUCCESS!

2010-10-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for those who came to the test screening. Each every one of their opinion were so valuable. We got notes, now back to wor~k!

FIrst round of test screening! 第一回テスト試写会

2010-10-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

The last couple of months, Thomas and I have been working pretty much everyday to edit. I am so pleased how professional Thomas is, and what he has been bringing to the table. Through this film, I found an editor that I want to work with for rest of my life!
We are now getting ready for our first test screening. Pretty nerve wrecking feeling I have to say, but I'm excited to see people's reaction to the film.

８月頭から始まった編集は順調に進んでいます。トーマスの仕事ぶりに毎日感動。これからもずっと一緒に映画を作り続けれるパートナーを見つけました！
後２日でテストスクリーニングをします。緊張と楽しみがごちゃ混ぜ状態の私です。

Ediiting Bigins! 編集開始！

2010-07-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Since I got back to the states, we had an opportunity to meet great editors in Los Angeles who are interested to edit our film - Thomas Krueger was one of them. Out of many talented, working editors, he stood out from the crowds. When I first saw his IMDB credit. I was like "WOW, is he really going to cut this for absolutely no pay??" After having a nice conversation at a coffee shop in Silver Lake, I felt his passion in editing a film that is meaningful. We also found out that he is an alumni of USC film school.

Before we made the final decision, I visited his apartment to pick up his reel. I felt the immediate comfort in his empty, simple editing bay, and I thought myself then, "This will be where I am going to spend next 4 months."

Currently, he is in the process of trans coding all the RED footage into Final Cut. I have to be patient for the next 5 days until he finishes, and I get to see all the dailies!

The time has come. It's time to edit.

アメリカに帰国してからちょうど２週間が経ち、その間、TSUYAKO のエディター捜査を行い、ロスアンゼルスに住む沢山のエディターの方達と面接、その中にトーマスがいました。恥ずかしそうに少し緊張ぶりな態度を示した彼のクレジットを見た私達は、彼の経験の深さに超ビックリ！　“っていうか、ほんまにただで編集してもらえるの？”と不安に思う私の気持を悟ったかの様に、彼はにっこり私に微笑み、“意味のある映画を編集するのが僕の夢だから，是非参加したい”といってくれました。ちなみに彼は私の通っているUSC大学の卒業生。

最終結果を下す前に，彼のアパートにリールを貰いに行きました。殺風景で，シンプルなアパートに一人暮らしの彼の編集場所は、とても整頓された居心地がよいものでした。その瞬間、“これから４ヶ月間ここで編集するんや。。。”と感じました。

現在彼は、日本で撮影したフッテージのトランスコーディングをしています。後５日で、撮影したすべてを見る事が出来る！わくわくドキドキ、今は小学校の遠足が待ちどうしくてたまらない様な気分です。

もうすぐ編集開始！

That's a WRAP!! 撮影無事終了！

2010-07-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to begin... I am so grateful for this amazing experience and opportunity to make an incredible film with incredible crew and cast. This was by far the best filmmaking experience I had in my life, and I know, I will continue to make films, and I can't wait!
Thank you, to all of my great crew and cast, and volunteer staff - I am so grateful that I got to know each every one of you, and I hope to continue make films with you guys in the future!
I love you guys, with all of my heart. Thank you.

今の気持をどういう風に伝えればいいのか、何処からスタートすれば良いのか、毎日が感無量の日々でした。素晴らしいスタッフに見守られ，素晴らしいキャストと一つになり、皆のお陰で作り上げたこの映画は，私が今まで作って来た中での最高の作品です。ラインプロデューサーの福嶋美穂さんが撮影前に言った言葉にホント同感します。

“映画制作ってね、文化祭が毎日続くって感じなんですよね。”（笑）

これからも，沢山の映画を製作して行きます。ごめんなさい、今心は感謝の気持が一杯でそれしか言えません。
製作スタッフ、キャスト、ボアンティアの皆様、本当にありがとうございました。これからも一緒に沢山の映画を日本，そしてアメリカで作って行ける事を願っています。

愛を込めて。光代


　

Shooting is about to bigin! 明日から撮影開始！

2010-06-27T02:22:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of pre-production. Tomorrow, we are going to have photo shoot for the film. All I want to say at this moment is that I feel so blessed to have such an amazing crew, amazing supporters who have been working so hard just for the passion of filmmaking.
I would like to thank Mrs. Ueno at Tenriyo temple for letting our actors stay for a week, and introducing us to their restaurant who is going to provide us great meal for the next 4 days. I would also like to thank Mr. Horibe for the housing of my crew, and Mr. Nakaseko for his generous donation towards the production, and donating wood pieces for our set.

I won't be able to update probably until the shoot is done. But I'm sure I have so much great stories to tell you.
Thank you.

明日から待ちに待った撮影が始まろうとしています。明日は映画で使用する写真の撮影予定です。今，私の心は映画制作を心から愛する制作部の方達や、沢山のサポータの方達への感謝の気持で一杯です。天理教会の上野さん、役者の方達の宿泊を受け入れて頂いた事，とても感謝しています。堀辺さん、スタッフの宿泊を担当して頂きありがとうございます。そして、中瀬古さん、心あたたかいご支援、そして、セット製作の為の木材寄付本当にありがとうございました。御陰さまで、素晴らしいセットが出来上がりました。
撮影が明日からなので，終了までブログを書く事が少し難しくなりますが、終了次第写真などをアップロードします。楽しみにしていて下さい！みんな本当に有り難う！！全力疾走で頑張るぞ！

Back in Tokyo!

2010-06-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Tokyo, and things are moving fast!

I had two very amazing rehearsal sessions with my actors. I couldn't have asked for better talent - the performances, so far, are very strong. I hope you'll agree when you see the finished film...

I was also invited to lecture at a prestigious acting school here in Tokyo. I gave a presentation about filmmaking in Hollywood and how to make it as an actor. The group of students were absolutely wonderful. I had a great time - we even got a chance to do some workshops. It was a great experience!

Jacob Halajian, one of the producers, is now in Japan helping me prep for the shoot - I'm calling action on the 29th of this month! Along with the help of Tomoya, another one of our producers, and Miho, our line producer, I've been location scouting, prepping the factory for the shoot, finalizing the script, scheduling, and continuing our fundraising efforts.

Here are some photos from the train station and factory locations:

In these last couple of weeks, we'll need all the help we can get - if you can donate, please do so by visiting our website and clicking on the PAYPAL button! We could really, really use your support.

www.tsuyakothefilm.com

Day 3-5 - Hyogo to Okayama to Shimane prefecture

2010-03-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

March 22-24, 2010

Searching for old train station is endless... I called every Film Commission offices in Kansai area, Chugoku area, some were good, but the trains were too modern looking. Finally I came across Mimasaka Takio station in Okayama prefecture, it looks so perfect, but again I have to see it with my own eyes.

Since it's about 6 hours of drive, and only two hours away from old family friends, we decided to make a small trip to Shimane prefecture to visit Kono family, my grandmother's best friend's brother. We also stopped Tanbasasayama city, Hyogo, on the way there to check out another cherry blossom street.

.. it again, looked perfect on a news paper, but the huge utility pole was too noticeable, and I couldn't pan left or right because of modern houses...

We then drove to Mimasaka Takio station. In 1989, one of the most acclaimed Japanese films "Futenno Torasan" was shot at this train station.

... and right next to the rail, there was a farm.

It was such a fresh air to see how country side people are living in Japan...You will never see this in LA.

Day 2 - More cherry blossoms!

2010-03-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - Fri March 19, 2010

Mission: Cherry blossom- Part 2
Hamadera park in Sakai city, Osaka.

I unexpectedly found a photo of Hamadera Park in a newspaper, and visited there very next day.

This park will be so beautiful with cherry blossoms...and it only cost 1,700 yen ($18) to shoot at this park! I better figure out the rest of the location quickly!

Back in Japan! Ready for Location scout!

2010-03-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

I am finally in Japan... I am so excited and little nervous since I am about to face the reality of filmmaking. My first mission is to find locations - streets surrounded by cherry blossom trees, old house, streets, factory, train station, but the surroundings has to look like post war Japan...

After searching on line and calling film commissions around Kansai Area, I found some amazing spots for cherry blossom scene.

Day 1 - March 18, 2010

We drove to SHIGA Prefecture (about 2.5hours from Osaka) to check out three locations:

Mission 1 - Cherry blossoms street:
When I first saw this location on line, I thought this place was more than perfect, but the asphalt street didn't exist back then... should I put dirt on the street? hahaha ...no.

:This is how would look during the blossom season.

This area was owned by Tenrikyo temple - the houses on the right were built in 1910, and still original. Tenrikyo monks gave me permission to shoot inside of their property.

Ohmihachiman - Suigou: Street

Mission 2 - Train Station:

YOKAICHI Train staion was built in 1913. I was curious to see the surroundings of the station. The station looked pretty good, unfortunately, it was surrounded by new houses and buildings.. hmmmm, sucks, but won't work.

Mission 3: Bamboo Forrest

Just around the corner from the station, I found a bamboo forest. It was almost too perfect location, there is even a drive way to put dolly tracks! I got so excited!! ... but man, who owns this forrest?!

After knocking on couple of houses, I found a owner of this forrest. She lives next town so we head out right away. On the first bell, she answered the door, and her answer was YES!

I feel little better after getting good answers, but Shiga is almost 3 hours away, I must continue to search for the best locations...

Thanks to my mother and sister for driving me around in Shiga!
...to be continued.

Amazing time with amazing supporters!

2010-03-05T16:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for coming to our fundraising event at Catherine Malandrino! It was so encouraging to talk to each supporters/great friends. I'm so hyped to go to Japan and start to prepping for the film!
Also thanks to the staff team of Catherine Malandrino, as well as all the donors of our silent auction - Catherine Malandrino, Mark Sacro, Kerry Krenzin - Photographer, Prive Salon, Mi Piace, Heirloom Bakery & Café, Domenico, PAWZ, Barney’s Beanery, Mr. Yasumasa Kawabata at Agura Sushi, Mission Street Yoga, Kai Greg Saari, Leonida’s Chocolate Cafe, Cigar’s By Chivas, and 21 Choices, and our wonderful friend Vince Gonzales for capturing great moments of the evening -

Please stay tuned for more updates!

THANK YOU!

Love,
Mitsuyo, Jacob, Michelle, and Natalie

A FEW OF OUR LOVELY SPONSORS:

Fundraiser Party at Catherine Malandrino Maison on March 4th 2010!

2010-03-01T00:33:00.000-08:00

Special Thanks to Jenny at Catherine Malandrino Maison for hosting our first fundraiser party!

Please join our Fundraiser Party to support the Japanese-American student production Tsuyako.

$20 suggesting donation ticket includes:
- Unlimited Drinks
- Hor d'oeuvres
- Raffle Ticket (includes latest DVDs, gift certificates, etc)
- Silent auction (Catherine Malandrino selected items, etc)
- good music, and good times with beautiful people ;)

Catherine Malandrino is also having a special sale for this evening only. 10% of total sale will be donated to our film, so bring your check book if you are Catherine fan.!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsuyako production team cordially invite you to share a good time with us on the evening of March 4th at Catherine Malandrino Maison. Come meet new friends and enjoy wine tasting and handcrafted hor d'oeuvres.

Your support can help make this film great! We ask for a small donation ($20 per guest) at the door to go to the production of our film. If you would like to give more, we will send you a DVD copy of the film upon completion.

RSVP to TsuyakoTheFilm@gmail.com at your earlierst convenience, and invite friends to network, relax, and enjoy a beautiful evening with us.

ADVOCATE Magazine Article is UP!

2010-02-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words | Film | Advocate.com
http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Film/A_Picture_Worth_a_Thousand_Words/
A film student who discovers her grandmother's forbidden love for another woman honors her in the way she knows best — she and her producing classmate are hitting the road to Osaka for one hell of a thesis project.

First Fundraiser for TSUYAKO this Wednesday!

2010-02-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

Come support Tsuyako this Wednesday with our first fundraiser at Club Betty!

A message from our friends at BETTY:

Start Time:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 8:00pm

End Time:
Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 2:00am

Location:
Fubar Los Angeles
7994 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046-5109
(323) 654-0396

Its already Feb!....dont have a valentine yet??! come find one this wed!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

We will also being helping our good friends out as they try to raise money for their independent film, shooting in Japan this spring. A bio of the film is posted at the end of this invite. Please take the time out of your crazy day to read about this amazing film and if you are at all interested in supporting a indie film from the ground up you will have your opportunity this Wednesday.

8-10 HAPPY HOUR- two for one drinks

DJ HAIZEE and
DJ SARATONIN

bring you the best of both worlds spinnin Electro and Hip Hop all night long

FREE! FREE! FREE! with RSVP

thebettyla@gmail.com

"Tsuyako" is a USC thesis film that will be shooting in Osaka, Japan this Spring. Since we will be shooting out of the country, we wont be able to use the equipment and other resources our school would provide for local thesis projects. We would love your support in helping raise money to make this film a reality. Opportunity to donate towards Tsuyako will be held on Feb.10 at Betty. Though its not mandatory, we'd appreciate any contribution. So please come out, dance, drink, meet our team and see what Tsuyako is all about.

ABOUT THE FILM

film's website www.tsuyakothefilm.com

"TSUYAKO" Summary

During Post-War Japan, Tsuyako lives a demanding life as a mill factory worker, obedient wife, and loving mother. When an old female lover, Yoshie, pays a surprise visit, she reignites a passion in Tsuyako - one that Tsuyako has repressed herself from feeling again, and has kept hidden since their separation. After Yoshie witnesses how Tsuyako’s new family mistreats her, she begs Tsuyako to leave with her to Tokyo, to live the life that they had always dreamt of together. Tsuyako must choose between her duties as a woman and the promise of freedom, while struggling to maintain the Japanese traditions of culture and respect of her family.

Thank you!

2010-02-02T23:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks millions to our generous supporters! - Anna Harlan, Jonny Lewis, Kei Ogawa, and Marc Apel! We much appreciate your kindness!

Team Tsuyako!

Interview with ADVOCATE

2010-02-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

We are so thrilled to announce that we had our first interview with Advocate - The US-based national gay and lesbian newsmagazine. Will let you all know when our interview is up on their website! Stay tuned!

What we were up to last night...

2010-01-22T00:05:00.001-08:00

Last night, I suggested to Mitsuyo and Natalie that we should stop by a club my friend, DJ Saratonin throws, called Betty. It's at the infamous FUBAR, in West Hollywood, (some of the boys out there reading this may be in the know) but unique on Wednesdays as being a night for the ladies.

We all walked in, absorbed the great tunes, and a drink over some conversations with the crowd within. Once I was able to pin down the busy DJ, Saratonin, I asked her if she was supportive to the idea of hosting a night for us there to raise awareness and gather donations for the film. Being a long time friend and supporter of the arts, (especially those backed by women), Sarah didn't flinch and agreed with much enthusiasm. Mitsuyo, Natalie, and I are are quite excited about the news as well and will be updating you with an exact date once that is confirmed.

Production Meeting at Jacob's House

2010-01-21T23:54:00.001-08:00

After piecing together our production bibles last weekend, we had a meeting to discuss locations and strategies for fundraising with Natalie and Jasmine ( our new events planner on-board).....

Production Bibles are done!

2010-01-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

The day has come...our beautiful production bibles are done...next step, mailing them out to potential donors....our baby needs money to grow :)

ECHELON MAGAZINE covers TSUYAKO!

2010-01-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

Echelon Magazine covers Tsuyako the film. Check out "Budget vs. Student Film," on www.echelonmagazine.com!

Features :: Budget Vs. Student Film :: Echelon Magazine, a Gay Magazine For LGBT Business Profession

www.echelonmagazine.com

Echelon is a gay magazine for GLBT business professionals. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

Website Complete!

2010-01-14T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today, we finalized our website, and it's looking super awesome! Thanks to Kris Fitz creative for his amazing work (http://www.krisfitzcreative.com), and Pakk for creating a beautiful music (http://www.PakkHui.com). I am so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing artists.

Today was another productive day. I met up with Andy Yamada, my editor for Andrew W.K. 's video (http://www.andrewwk.com), location scouting for a commercial I'll be directing (http://www.CrystalNoodle.com), and finishing up our website! It's going to be a crazy month before I leave for Japan, putting everything together, contacting Japanese filmmakers, and shoot a commercial before I leave! Never ending but I love it ;)

I just wanted share how pumped up and energized we are! We got some great news to update, but will wait until when it all happens ;)

Stay tuned!

MITSUYO M.

After the meeting with our mentor..

2010-01-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

After our team met with our USC Grad Thesis Mentor, Brenda Goodman, Mitsuyo and I drove to Los Feliz village to discuss what our next plan of action would be....

First Days Of Progress

2010-01-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

In the past few days, Jacob and I explored businesses in the city of Burbank, California, to see who may be willing to donate their services in order for our production bibles to be made and ready for potential investor's viewing.

... and here is the list of generous donors ;)

Jonathan at Copy Central:

http://www.copycentralburbank.com

Gustavo at Staples,

Rojeh at A-Express.

Thank you very much for your support!

Gratitude

2010-01-03T18:45:00.000-08:00

Exactly a year go from today, I found a picture that inspired me to write our film Tsuyako. It's been a long journey creating the story from a photograph, to exploring different ideas, which led to the final script. With all this, I hope that I can make a film that speaks to our souls, and perhaps, give my grandmother a little smile ;) We have completed our production bible, and are getting ready to fundraise for our film.

I must mention, I would not able to come this far without the tremendous support from my friends, professors, Kris Fitz Creative who created our beautiful website, my amazing team: Michelle, Gabriel, Jacob, Christina, Natalie, Daniel and our mentor Ms. Brenda Goodman. I am thankful, feel extremely fortunate, and grateful for each every person who has believed in me and in the story, and spent hours with me to create our production bible, and to make me realize that we have something very special to create together.

When I watched the first sunrise of 2010, I saw our film rolling in front of my eyes. I was filled with excitement and gratefulness of what's to come in this new year 2010.

We have a lot to accomplish before we begin our production. But I know, we are going to make a beautiful film... and I CAN'T WAIT! :)

Happy New Years Everyone!!

Much Love,

MITSUYO M.