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James

@__copsy

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followers

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Director & filmmaker
Working across moving image and photography
Commercial & documentary
UK / Japan
Open for projects

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Risshaku-ji, Japan.

Yamadera’s literal “Mountain Temple”

Mt. Hoju, northeast of Yamagata City. Follow a 1,000-step ascent through a mystical forest which leads to the temple complex Yamadera perched on the mountaintop. Yamadera’s temple buildings dot the slopes and lead to one of the best views in Northern Japan.

The temple feels completely still in autumn. The red and golden leaves rolled across the valleys while people quietly stopped to take in the view and reflect for a moment.

Japan has a way of making even simple moments feel cinematic and deeply calming. Places like this stay with you long after you leave.

#ruraljapan #northernjapan #autumnjapan #temple #risshakuji taken in Yamadera Risshakuji Temple by @__copsy

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5 months ago

Juju Noda behind the scenes during her debut Super Formula race weekend in Japan.

I was inspired not just by Juju’s focus and determination, but by the relationship around her too. The connection between Juju, her dad Hideki, and the wider family felt incredibly strong throughout the trip.

Former F1 driver Hideki Noda has supported Juju’s racing journey from the very beginning, from karting at a young age to driving her to races across Japan in their camper. You can really feel that support around her, but at the same time, it’s equally clear that Juju is carving her own path. The pressure, focus, and determination all come from her.

That balance between support and independence was really special to witness.

#insidemotorsport
#racing family
#womeninmotorsport
#HumanConnection
#motorsportlife taken in 日本鈴鹿賽車場 - Suzuka Circuit by @__copsy

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5 months ago

I am super happy to finally release this one. Following Juju Noda through her debut Super Formula race in Japan was genuinely a dream come true.

From the intensity of Suzuka Circuit and the pressure of race weekends, to the quieter moments back home in Okayama, this film was about capturing the person behind the helmet as much as the racing itself.

Juju became the first Japanese woman to compete in Super Formula, one of the fastest and most demanding single-seater championships in the world. Spending time alongside her, her team, and her family was a reminder that motorsport is built as much on people, culture, and sacrifice as it is speed.

Really proud to share this piece, and huge thanks to @slicks.mag for featuring the film, Juju’s interview, and stills from both the project and my photography in their latest edition. (Go buy it)

Huge thanks to @juju_noda / @jujunodaeurope, @tgm_grandprix, @koken_europe, @hidekinoda1, @takashi_kohno_1010, @suzukacircuit_official @mikihouse.official @fordays_japan @superformula_official @honda @hondajp @koken_europe and everyone else who supported the project and welcomed us into their world.

Dir. @__copsy 👋
Prod Co. @anattic
Created by James-2
Prod. @karinsugiura
DoP. James Stier
Editor. @lemarmaynard
Japanese Dialogue Editor. @wakushoji

#RaceCulture
#MotorsportStories
#HumanStories
#SportsDocumentary
#MadeInJapan taken in 日本鈴鹿賽車場 - Suzuka Circuit by @__copsy

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5 months ago

Okayama, Japan.

Filming people eating always feels intimate. It’s simple, but it lets you sit with them properly. It’s something Hayao Miyazaki often does in his films, and you understand why when you’re there.

We filmed this with Juju and her family at home. After the track, everything slowed down. It felt relaxed, familiar, a completely different pace.

Once we’d finished filming, they invited us to sit and eat with them. A really kind gesture, and one of those moments that stays with you. Juju’s mum made shabu shabu, and it was genuinely one of the best meals I’ve had. No surprise Juju is a powerhouse with food like that and a family around her.

I also discovered yuzu kosho for the first time, simple, but unreal.

We said our goodbyes after that and headed back to Tokyo. If we’d had more time, I’d have stayed longer. There’s definitely a bigger story to tell around Juju.

#JujuNoda
#DocumentaryFilmmaking
#VisualStorytelling
#EverydayJapan
#BehindTheScenes taken in Okayama Japan by @__copsy

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6 months ago

Away from the circuit, everything slows down.

Driving through Juju’s hometown was a completely different rhythm to Suzuka. Quiet roads, open space, and her Mercedes-Benz W108, which feels worlds apart from the Super Formula car.

This is where she grew up. Where the noise of race weekends fades and things become simple again.

Being there, you start to understand the balance. The intensity, precision and pressure on one side, and something much calmer on the other. Both shaping the same person.

It’s part of what I love about Japan, that contrast between nature, stillness and modern life, all sitting comfortably alongside each other.

These moments matter just as much as what happens on track.

Film dropping soon: @anattic & James2

Production @anattic

#japanlife
#mercedesw108
#MotorsportCulture
#JujuNoda
#Okayama taken in Okayama Japan by @__copsy

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6 months ago

Super Formula, Suzuka Circuit.

Suzuka has been iconic to me for as long as I can remember. Motorsport’s always been there in the background, something I’ve followed closely, so to end up in the pit lane, alongside Juju’s team, filming as it all unfolded, felt pretty surreal. One of those moments you’ve been chasing without really realising it.

The smell, the sound, the constant movement. Mechanics and engineers working through every detail with total focus, then the contrast of the grandstands, the noise, the energy, the fans.

The part I’m drawn to is the culture and stories behind the stats and results, the quieter moments behind the headlines.

Shout out to @slicks.mag and @essesmag for championing this side of motorsports

Production @anattic

Love to:
@karinsugiura
@juju_noda / @jujunodaeurope
@tgm_grandprix
@superformula_official
@hondaracingglobal

Here’s to Juju’s future at @3tree_jp and @jaguarracing

#SuperFormula
#SuzukaCircuit
#Motorsport
#MotorsportCulture
#racinglife taken in 日本鈴鹿賽車場 - Suzuka Circuit by @__copsy

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6 months ago

Juju Noda, pre-race at @suzukacircuit_race

Her debut in Super Formula, and a significant moment as Japan’s first female driver in the series. These were the minutes before getting in the car, routine, focus, and everything narrowing down to the race ahead.

Spending time around Juju and the team at this stage was a real privilege. There’s a calm and clarity to how she approaches it, which makes it clear why she’s become such an important figure in motorsport.

Production. @anattic

@superformula_official
@tgm_grandprix
@mikihouse.official
@koken_europe
@hondajp
@honda
@fordays_japan
@takashi_kohno_1010
@slicks.mag

#jujunoda
#superformula
#suzukacircuit
#womeninmotorsport
#hondaracing taken in 日本鈴鹿賽車場 - Suzuka Circuit by @__copsy

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6 months ago

Behind the scenes with Juju Noda.

Read her full interview with SLICKS in Issue 03, out April 30.

Pre-order now.

Credits:
Agency: @anattic
Production: James²
Prod/Dir: @__Copsy
DP / Colourist: James Stier
Local Prod/ Fixer / Translations: Karin Sugiura
Editor: @lemarmaynard
Japanese Language Editor: @wakushoji
Archive: Zinox, the Noda Family, Super Formula

Thanks to:
The Juju Noda family
Team TGM
Muraji by @__copsy

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6 months ago

Juju Noda | SLICKS Mag Issue 03

Our short film following Juju’s @superformula_official career is now live on YouTube.

Credits:
Agency: (@anattic)
Production: James²
Prod/Dir: (@__Copsy)
DP / Colourist: James Stier
Local Prod/ Fixer / Translations: Karin Sugiura
Editor: (@lemarmaynard)
Japanese Language Editor: (@wakushoji)
Archive: Zinox, the Noda Family, Super Formula

Thanks to:
The Juju Noda family
Team TGM
Muraji

#magazine #physicalmedia #motorsport #jujunoda #printsnotdead by @__copsy

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7 months ago

Juju Noda is a motorsport trailblazer as the only female driver in @superformula_official

We had the rare opportunity to talk to Juju earlier this year, with a full story coming in Issue 03 of @slicks.mag.

Pre-order your copy at the link in our bio.

#jujunoda #superformula

DP: James Stier
With thanks to @__copsy and @anattic for setting this up by @__copsy

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7 months ago

Shinjuku skyline, Tokyo.

Kei took us up above the city to a spot he knew, looking out across one of the busiest parts of the world. Places like this make you realise just how vast Tokyo is.

Grateful to @by.kei_ for showing us around and letting us see his city from a different angle.

#Shinjuku #Tokyo #TokyoSkyline #JapanPhotography #TokyoView taken in Shibuya, Tokyo by @__copsy

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7 months ago

Kei Chisaka, Tokyo.

Futsal player, shaped by the rhythm of the city. The small courts, quick touches and constant movement that define Tokyo’s street football culture.

Shot outside the Japan National Stadium, a place that represents the highest level of the game, but also sits at the centre of a city where football lives everywhere, from neighbourhood futsal pitches to the biggest stage.

Timeless style, effortless and unforced, the kind that grows naturally out of the culture around it.

#TokyoFootball #FutsalCulture #TokyoStyle #JapanFootball #StreetFootball taken in National Stadium (Tokyo) by @__copsy

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7 months ago