We are creating a 35-minute documentary short film about the adventures of 13 amateur bicycle enthusiasts and their journey to ride fixed gear bikes from Tokyo to Osaka; a 350 mile undertaking. Brought together by their enthusiasm for bike culture and fascination for Japan, we watch the highs and lows of this epic journey as they struggle to reach the city of Osaka.
Our film is an exciting look at those who have embraced the popular ‘fixed gear’ bike culture and are attempting to take that enthusiasm to the next level; a 350 mile ride in the country of Japan. The 13 loosely associated friends from widely divergent backgrounds attempt to ride further than any of them have ever ridden before, and in a foreign land pushing the limit on what’s physically possible. We follow these amateur athletes as they snake through the Japanese countryside making their way southwest to the city of Osaka.
A good story is often found in the journey, not only the final destination. Starting in the city of Tokyo, the film follows the team as they experience Japanese culture and sight see in the city before the adventure. Then as the team sets out, they encounter countless pitfalls, flat tires, navigational issues, sleeping problems, and various challenges making this endeavor all the more exciting. We also meet the various characters they encounter along the way who aid them in their challenge. A week long ride, averaging 50 – 100 miles a day brutally affect the condition of these enthusiastic youths resulting in some having to give up and take the train back while others push on.
Tokyo To Osaka is an inspiring story of determination and exploration told through the personal accounts of those who experience one of the most physically challenging events in their lives. Through individual pre and post interviews with all the riders, we hear them anticipate the ride and later reflect back on their experience to see how they’re affected by this life-changing event. Through the pre-interviews we meet the quirky cast of characters and watch them train in their natural environments (San Francisco, Los Angeles, & New York).
We capture the entire trip with real-time footage; everything from the journey is documented, from arriving at the airport to the celebration in Osaka, the viewer experiences the challenges and excitement of this adventure. We feel the journey not only from an outsider’s perspective watching the story unfold in true high definition quality (1080p HD) but also through an up-close perspective via personal attachment cameras capturing the point of view of the individuals themselves. These two perspectives once edited together will create an exacting feel for the audience while taking them along for the journey.
The culture shock they experience and the people they meet along the way also affect the team differently and we watch this unfold throughout the trip. By meeting up with Japanese bike enthusiasts and other Japanese friends they have in Tokyo and Osaka, we get a look into the growing fixed-gear culture in Japan. Our driver Tommy, a heavy-set native New Yorker cheers our team on and provides healthy doses of comic relief giving the film its humorous edge.
The editing of the film will be fast paced and set to an intriguing soundtrack of hip hop, rock, and experimental music while incorporating elements of action, humor, drama, and plenty of stunning cinematography of bike riding through the cities and country side of Japan. By renting a large supply van to follow the riders we enable our cinematographer John Murillo to capture the experience from multiple points of view of the riders. In addition to shooting from the van, we also use a motorcycle to follow the riders weaving throughout traffic and obstacles making for stunning actions shots and a compelling film.
