report

Today's sub-title is "Johnny Goes to Brillia Shorts Shorts Theatre in Yokohama!

The Shorts Shorts organization has built a beautiful new theatre dedicated just for short films in the Minato-Mirai area of Yokohama. A very popular harbor-side shopping, eating, & entertainment area that includes theme-park rides & other attractions.

The theatre has luxurious seating, a cafe, and excellent audio/visual equipment. It shows 90 - 120 minute short film programs throughout the day so you can go just about anytime and enjoy a program with it's own unique variety of short films.

We started the day with the Neo Japan program C. This is a non-competition program that features the best of the Japanese short film-makers with some "heavies" being featured as well. The films were highly original with exquisite drama, a biting sense of humor & irony, striking images & an extraordinary level of originality.

The 1st Q & A came on the 2nd program of the day, International - G.

We had A.J. Eaton who brought his "The Mix-Up" to the competition. In the Q & A, he told us the story was based on his grandfather who for over 40 years would "fix" whatever was need around that he & AJ's grandma lived in. Apparently AJ's grandfather was more successful in his attempt rather than in the result. A charming tale of mistaken identity that had me wondering if there was any reference to Hal Ashby's classic "Being There". AJ had not seen the film but was asked immediately upon showing the film to friends if he had drawn any inspiration from the film. Seeing the film later, AJ realized he was honored to be mentioned in the same breath as the great Hal Ashby!

Other interesting points from the Q & A: He built the set of the TV studio. He used to work @ a small TV studio where he got a lot of his ideas. He had the most trouble gathering extras for the studio audience crowd.

A. J. Eaton - a nice & cool guy, talented, & I think we'll be hearing a lot more about him soon.

I had more Q & A's in the programs from the rest of the day but I'll pick-up on those from the Tokyo location where I'll be presenting those directors there over the next few days!

See-ya.

DJ John