Local 81 is a Tokyo based creative production company producing film/tv content. This site is testament to our mantra of integrity in our work. INTEGRITY means keeping your word and doing what it takes to get the job done. "For us to live any other way was nuts" -- Goodfellas. Contact: miracles-included@local81.jp

Local 81 is your source for highly experienced, bilingual production staff for shoots in Japan. "Speak the language" by maximizing our bailiwicks of locations, casting and creative staff. This opening page is just a brief summmary. Look inside for more.

Local 81 along with owner/operator Christian Storms have produced over 50 hours of award winning documentaries, reality shows, music videos and commercials with 81's A-list production crew (local producers, location coordinators, camera, sound, art, etc.). Our clients keep coming back for our "pro-active dedication" in accomplishing their shoot goals. Offering advice comes with the job. Christian has produced television content in ten Asian countries and South Africa.

BROADCAST Top Gear The BBC's most popular and longest running show. Local producer, production manager, location managers, coordinators, PAs, casting, transport, aerial photography. Raced the Nissan GTR versus Japanese public transport (local train, bullet train, subway, bus, ferry, ropeway, bike). Other segments below.
Nissan GT-R R35 on the Fuji International Speedway. Mitsuoka Orochi & Mitsuoka Galue Toyota Chair (iReal)
I wanted so to say a huge thank you on behalf of us all here in the UK!! We all have really enjoyed working with you, and do hope that we can work again on more projects in the future. I'd be really grateful if you could also pass on our thanks to all your team over in Japan who have worked so hard on the shoot. I do hope perhaps that you will be over in the UK sometime, so that we can meet you in person. Many thanks again for all your hard work on the project - hugely appreciated!! Susie Cooper Production Manager, Top Gear Entertainment, BBC Vision

RECENT PRODUCTIONS


- The Last Explorers (BBC 1) The life of Thomas Blake Glover and his contributions to modernizing Japan. 1 month recce/shoot. The presenter is Neil Oliver from the COAST series. Local Field Producer filming in Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Kyoto, Tokyo.

- Chopin Changed My Life. Channel 4 Television (UK) Chopin and in particular about Ballade Number One in G Minor and what the piece means to those who play it. Made by the team who produced Holocaust - A Musical Memorial from Auschwitz (BBC). Local field producer filming a 15 year old Japanese girl in Sendai.

- Do We Really Need Satellites (Commissioned by BBC2 and produced by BBC Scotland) Science doco presented by Dr Maggie Aderin Pocock. Local field producer/soundman.


 
REALITY TV THE AMAZING RACE ASIA Season 2 Japan (AXN/Active TV) Local Facilitation, Line producing, locations, PM, LM, 20 PAs, cameramen, art department, transportation, hotels, visas, arrival/departure out plans.
Field Producer (Season 3, all episodes).
2008 THE AMAZING RACE ISRAEL (Japan episodes) After two races, Local 81 knows that producing 8 locations simultaneously is the most exciting production challenge in the business.
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Season 3 (UPN/Ten by Ten) 3 episodes in 2 weeks. All levels of production from locations, local crews, transport, art, lights, fashion photo shoots/fashion show, high level security, production services, catering. 50 staff plus models.

SPORTS 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa (FIFA/HBS) Country Producer (Japan). Produced footage/interviews for the pregame and post game shows. If you saw Japan play, you saw my work. Stayed at team hotel, travelled with team, conducted nightly long interviews for use by world broadcasters. Country Cameraman (Japan) Chris Shepherd
Much More Than a Game (Sportsbrand TV) Field producer/director (Christian Storms). Cameraman (Chris Shepherd)
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player
Badminton World Magazine: 2011 (Total Sports Asia). A half-an-hour feature show about the Yonex Open Japan Super Series. Field producer/director (Christian Storms). Cameraman (Chris Shepherd).
FIVB Volleyball World Cup Japan
UEFA Champions League Offical Store Opening (Story at UEFA.COM)

 

NEWS Nick News: "In Harm's Way: Japan Through the Eyes of Its Kids" (Emmy Award Winning Children's show) Shooting in the earthquake and tsunami regions of Kesennuma, Ofunato, Rikuzentakata, Ishinomaki and Fukushima. Intimate access to children and their families.
iTunes Podcast Episode 9
For viewers inside of Japan
For viewers outside of Japan
Tohoku Japan Earthquake Field Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Transport for Channel 7 Sunday Night (Sydney), Russia Today TV.


COMMERCIALS
NIKE - Where's the Next Ronaldinho (Traktor/W+K) After 50 soccer fields and 150 actor auditions, in the true Traktor style, we cast a real-life high school coach plus 20 of his students and the lead boy shooting at an actual high school with two 16mm cameras plus two steadicams, art, lightening, hair/make-up, sound, transport, catering, on the subway with 50 extras and finally a noodle shop.

 

Canon HD XL H1 Our team of consisted of: line producer, production manager, location coordinator, prod coord, camera assist, AD, grips (panther dolly and jimmy jib) lightening, casting, art, wardrobe, hair/make-up, transport, catering for the London based creative house COAST group of director, cameraman and producer. This one minute commercial was shot in a bamboo forest using an action star.

 
   
   

 

 

J POWER CM (location coordinator)

Services include:

  • line producing, production coordination, location scouting/management, permits, local crew/gear, casting, travel arrangements, transport & customs/carnet as well as meticulous pre-production
  • location scouting/selection/negotiation/management. FTP location library/uploads.
  • casting with name or non-name Japanese talent.
  • A list crew (directors, DOPs, ACs, sound, ENG, art, hair/make-up, gaffers, steadicam, behind-the-scenes)
  • camera gear (all camera systems from Super 16/35 to HD to Sypdercam to 4K to Canon7D (4K RED ONE/Mysterium-X, HD High Speed Phantom HD GOLD, HD Cineama Cameras Arri ALEXA PLUS, Sony CineAlta F23, HDCAM, HDV, DVCPROHD, P2HD, the list goes on)
  • aerial photography
  • lights from HMI, Halogen, FLO, LED & EL (feature kits via Kurosawa Film Studio)
  • grip gear (from techno cranes to Panther dollies, whatever you need) We share office space with a grip company SJP Inc. Demo reel
  • stunt men/action filming, horses and stunt cars. Local 81 works with the stunt men from Miike Takashi films like Sukuyaki Western Django and 13 Assassins.
  • transport: car/mini-van/location buses and drivers. High end insurance package/car navigation system. Picture vechicles as well.
  • full production insurance (crew/kit/location)
  • airport pick up/return
  • hotel discounts with broadband connections
  • security for high profile celebrities
  • International cell phones. Non-Japanese cells generally WILL NOT work in Japan.
  • meal planning/catering
  • full financial/transparent accounting
  • W - whatever you want
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