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𝔹𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕝, 𝕁𝕊ℂ

@rasbenjamin_777

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𝙹𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚎 𝚂𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜
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Thypoch Simera-C scene test with Chika Hiraoka.

I’ve been wanting to test the Thypoch Simera-C lenses since they were released. I was intrigued by the compact size, build quality, and competitive price point. Prior image examples I had seen were quite good and their availability in M mount made it even more accessible. The lenses are based off of their stills glass versions made for M mount. So it only made sense to pair the lenses with my Leica SL2. What I found was the lenses were sharp at T/1.5 with a beautiful falloff. Aesthetically the lenses are modern yet vintage (especially wide open), tack sharp but not harsh. Great color rendition. Overall beautiful lenses that reminds me of premium classic M Mount glass in cinema housing.

Special Thanks:
@chikahiraoka
@horizon_tokyo1

Camera and lenses from:
@thypoch_official
@leica_camera by @rasbenjamin_777

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24 days ago

Another short film from Benjamin Michel, shot on the Leica SL2.

Thanks @rasbenjamin_777 .

#thypoch #simerac #leicasl2 #leicam #photography #shotonthypoch by @rasbenjamin_777

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12 days ago

Light, texture, and character — captured through the Thypoch Simera-C. ✨

A short film from Benjamin Michel, shot on the Leica SL2.

Thanks @rasbenjamin_777 .

#thypoch #simerac #leicasl2 #leicam #photography #shotonthypoch by @rasbenjamin_777

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20 days ago

Thypoch Simera-C scene test with the Collazo Family.

In my second round of testing the Thypoch Simera-C lenses, I had to opportunity to work with one of my collaborator’s family. They are a talented creative family who all act as well. So I decided to shoot a scenario where they would act naturally. I got to test the lenses under mixed lighting and varied skin tones. Filming at Port Tomigaya in Tokyo was great location as it had warm soft incandescent indoor lighting contrasting against the outdoor bluish light. The lenses performed very well, giving off a warmth I like very much. Again I paired the lenses with the Leica SL2 shooting in L-Log in Cinema 4K.

Special thanks:
@b.c.noir
@collazotwins
@gingerly_clearly
@port.tomigaya
@horizon_tokyo1

Camera and lenses:
@leica_camera
@thypoch_official by @rasbenjamin_777

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23 days ago

These are frames from the proof of concept teaser for Flames of a Flower, my directorial debut feature film.

Flames of a Flower @flamesofaflower is a film especially close to my heart. It is the creative culmination of my artistic journey from West to East, from the US to Japan and everywhere in between. All the books read, films watched, life experiences, and observations have led to the making of this film. Albeit this is very beginning of the process.

For me, filmmaking has went from purely entertainment to an instrument to raise collective consciousness. As a matter of fact, I see no other genuine purpose of cinema other than to do just that. Cinema may not change the world but it certainly has the power to affect the human psyche and how we interact or relate to each other. This is indeed my aim with every work I produce.

I am eternally grateful to my cast and crew who believed in me enough to put their precious time and energy into this project. They represent a growing community of artists who see the value of independent cinema. Your humbleness and sincerity have touched my heart and I will always support you all in whatever way I can. We must continue to build cinema from the grassroots, it is the pulse of the worldwide film industry itself.

I am the director and cinematographer because I want no separation between the actors, the image, and myself. I felt the story is to close to me for such a separation. I look at the constructed scene as a canvas, and I want all the paintbrushes at my disposal, from thought to the manifested material.

From a technical standpoint, there were a few firsts. I chose my Leica SL2 to film although it is not commonly known as a cinema camera, it has powerful video features. I had previously tested the camera and found that it is capable of producing an image full of depth with exceptional color science. I wanted to shoot anamorphic because frankly the story called for it. It’s a story bigger than life, wider than how many may currently see. So we shot on the @leica_camera SL2 and the @dzofilm Arcana 1.5x Anamorphic Lenses. A first time for such a combination as far I know. taken in 東京 by @rasbenjamin_777

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3 months ago

A proof of concept teaser for the feature film, “Flames of a Flower” directed by Benjamin Michel.

This is test footage to showcase the film’s concept, overall tone and visual style.

We shot this teaser with the @leica_camera SL2 and the @dzofilm Arcana 1.5x Anamorphic Lenses.

About FLAMES OF A FLOWER:
Set in Tokyo, Japan in the late 1960s, a young Afro-Japanese woman looks to avenge her parents who were mysteriously murdered during the US occupation of Japan. She follows the Way of the Bow to exact justice.

PROOF OF CONCEPT TEASER CAST/CREW:

CAST —
Leiya Salis the.fickle.writer
Aki Fujii @aki_fujii_221
Mari Kusu mari_kusu_official

CREW —
Producers:
Ivan Collazo @b.c.noir
Benjamin Michel @rasbenjamin_777

Director, DoP:
Benjamin Michel, JSC @rasbenjamin_777

1st AD:
Takumi Yamazaki @takumifone

Gaffer:
Ben Gonzalez @ben.r.g_visuals

1st AC:
Akira Otaguro @rantania

Camera PA:
Raymondo Rinaldi @raymondopasqualray

Hair and Makeup:
Kaye @kayemaykeup

Wardrobe:
Ai Collazo @gingerly_clearly

Kyūdo Instructor:
Yosui of Kyūdo Japan @kyudo_japan

#flamesofaflower #東京 #映画 taken in 東京 by @rasbenjamin_777

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4 months ago

We’ve been selected to screen with the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival! This is our first film festival selection! Big thanks to all our cast and crew for their wonderful work. Equally thanking everyone who supported us making this project! Stay tuned for more news. taken in 東京 by @rasbenjamin_777

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6 months ago

KYŌDAI - OFFICIAL TRAILER

Cast/Crew:

• Tomo Kawaguchi @tomo_kawaguchi_123
• Ryunosuke Funayama @ryu.f_official
• Shintaro Funayama @shintarofunayama5

Director and DoP:
Benjamin Michel, JSC @benjamin.michel_jsc 🫡

Producer:
Ivan Collazo @b.c.noir

Associate Producers:
Michiyo Funayama @tothebeachmichi
Masa Usui @masahiro_usui1203

Chief/1st AC:
Akira Otaguro @rantania
2nd AC:
Raymondo Rinaldi @raymondopasqualray

1st AD:
Takumi Yamazaki @takumifone
2nd AD:
Amane Ishihara @baison.am

Gaffer:
Ben Gonzalez @ben.r.g_visuals
Lighting Assistant:
Hiro Kawata @kawata_hiro

Sound:
Kiyomi Samukawa @tycn36

Hair and Makeup:
Yuki Horiguchi @yuki.horiguchi

BTS Photography:
Adam Benedicto @benedan__
Nobushige Fujimoto @nobu_fujimoto

Lenses provided by:
Cooke Optics @cookeoptics
NAC Rental @nac_rental

Special Thanks:
Junichi Hosoda @hosovsuma
Daigo Kawai @ringmasters

Production:
The Cinema Canvas taken in 日本 by @rasbenjamin_777

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a year ago

Frames from my latest film, Kyōdai 「兄弟」filmed in Tokyo, Japan. Official trailer coming soon!

This film was made in collaboration with Cooke Optics (@cookeoptics) and NAC Rental (@nac_rental) ✨

KYŌDAI Cast/Crew:

• Tomo Kawaguchi @tomo_kawaguchi_123
• Ryunosuke Funayama @ryu.f_official
• Shintaro Funayama @shintarofunayama5

Director and DoP: @rasbenjamin_777 🫡

Producer: Ivan Collazo @b.c.noir

Associate Producer: Michiyo Funayama @tothebeachmichi
Associate Producer: Masa Usui @masahiro_usui1203

Chief AC: Akira Otaguro @rantania
2nd AC: Raymondo Rinaldi @raymondopasqualray

1st AD: Takumi Yamazaki @takumifone
2nd AD: Amane Ishihara @baison.am

Gaffer: Ben Gonzalez @ben.r.g_visuals
Lighting Assistant: Hiro Kawata @kawata_hiro

Sound: Kiyomi Samukawa @tycn36

Hair and Makeup: Yuki Horiguchi @yuki.horiguchi

BTS Photography: Adam Benedicto @benedan__
Nobushige Fujimoto @nobu_fujimoto

Special Thanks: Junichi Hosoda @hosovsuma

Production: The Cinema Canvas taken in 日本 by @rasbenjamin_777

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a year ago

Behind the scenes of the short film called ‘Kyodai’ 「兄弟」another passion project completed. I’m so thankful for the amazing cast and crew that helped me bring this project to life!

This film was made with the generous support of @cookeoptics and @nac_rental providing the Cooke SP3 lenses. For me using Cooke lenses has been part of my journey as a filmmaker. From the first time I used an old 16mm Cooke Kinetal lens I knew this was a special lens manufacturer. This influenced my choice of using the Cooke S4 lenses later which I fell in love with. Cooke lenses have created a look that speak to me emotionally as a cinematographer. They continue to be the lenses I gravitate towards for cinematic narratives. When the opportunity arose to create a project with their Cooke SP3 lenses I was thrilled. The SP3 lenses are a perfect fit for smaller scale projects like ‘Kyodai’ which still deserve heightened visuals to tell the story. No other lens matches the Cooke Look and the SP3 lenses have that DNA. So being able to have that look in such a small package is amazing. I’m looking forward to sharing what we were able to capture!

KYŌDAI Cast/Crew:

• Tomo Kawaguchi @tomo_kawaguchi_123
• Ryunosuke Funayama @ryu.f_official
• Shintaro Funayama @shintarofunayama5

Director and DoP: @rasbenjamin_777 🫡
Producer: Ivan Collazo @b.c.noir
Associate Producer: Michiyo Funayama @tothebeachmichi
Associate Producer: Masa Usui @masahiro_usui1203

Chief AC: Akira Otaguro @rantania
2nd AC: Raymondo Rinaldi @raymondopasqualray

1st AD: Takumi Yamazaki @takumifone
2nd AD: Amane Ishihara @baison.am

Gaffer: Ben Gonzalez @ben.r.g_visuals
Lighting Assistant: Hiro Kawata @kawata_hiro

Sound: Kiyomi Samukawa @tycn36

Hair and Makeup: Yuki Horiguchi @yuki.horiguchi

BTS Photography: Adam Benedicto @benedan__
Nobushige Fujimoto @nobu_fujimoto

Special Thanks: Junichi Hosoda @hosovsuma

Production: The Cinema Canvas taken in 日本 by @rasbenjamin_777

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a year ago

TVCM for Macnica

Director: Kakiuchi san
DP: Nobushige Fujimoto
B-Camera Cinematographer: 🫡
Production: AOI Pro

Cameras: Sony Venice 2, Sony Burano
Lenses: Sigma Aizu, Canon K35, Zeiss Compact Zoom

This was a fun one. by @rasbenjamin_777

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a year ago

In the blazing summer heat I had the opportunity to collaborate with the legendary cinematographer Nobushige Fujimoto @nobu_fujimoto on a commercial project. We primarily used the new Sigma Aizu Primes, Canon K35s, and Zeiss Compact Zoom on the Sony Venice and Burano. The Aizu lenses rendered beautifully organic looking images with a subtle softness while maintaining detail. We were very pleased. Special thanks to Hosoda-san @hosovsuma for his expertise on various lenses and allowing us to test them early on. It was a great experience with an amazing crew. Thankful for everyone involved and for the support of AOI Pro @aoipro taken in 日本 by @rasbenjamin_777

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a year ago