Natsuki: The Movie Director's Commentary (Feat. Natsuki) | ALSO Download Abroad in Japan Nightlife Photography | Patreon Exclusives

These pictures are stunning thank you Chris for all the content you’re creating!!!

Benjamin McKechnie

If nowhere else, the epilogue is your chance to be honest. If that means being a whingey bitch then go for it. Pretty sure your version of whingey bitch == snarky bastard, which is what we all come here for anyway. Consider not scripting it, just complain into the camera for an hour, about how you had a personal crisis about low quality daily vlogs, and then killed yourself living up to your documentary standards while putting up with constant bitching about how it wasn’t a ‘daily video’. Then cut out all the boring bits. Done! Or, consider having Sharla interview you instead. Her relentless positivity will really set off your whinging. Maybe cut Sharla being sympathetic together with Pete making fun of you for being an idiot. Or, you know, go epic, and have everyone who joined you film their own retrospective. Then you’d have another documentary... ^_^

Katherine Donaldson

Thank you! This is legitimately going to make my Christmas.

Dusty B

You can talk about anything you want, as long as you mention whatever happened to that glorious orange bike helmet! I think it’s cool AF, and even searched for it – but sadly it’s no longer being made. I actually spent a half-day binge watching the entire JAJ series and it was just as good as watching it the first time. You have to remember that there’s people like myself that enjoyed and lived vicariously through your never-ending cycle of despair (but without actually feeling the despair), so it’s okay to be a whingy bitch about it since it never really came across on camera. Maybe you were to do a JAJ part 2, the things you’d do differently this time around?

Eric Sison

So the learnings sounds like a great idea, there is a concept called retrospective where you could elaborate on what went well and what you could do better in the future. At the end it was successful project from my perspective as a supporter, hopefully the exercise is to reflect on your growth for the next project. As always, thanks Chris for your hard work! Looking forward to it.

Cesar S.

^^ this is a great idea!!👍🏼

I think 'Things I learned from JAJ' is a good angle, and I'd actually like to see it as 'The bits I loved and the bits that sucked about it'. It'd be a good way for us to learn from your experience and also LOL at your pain!

Where can I send you some liquor to drink while you’re doing commentary? ❤️

thefunkybrowngirl

These Sony phone cameras that Apple and over vendors have been using are really impressive. Your photos are great! I must say that tho that the last few pictures could do with less tinting :p the earlier once do better. This is motivation to get me back into hobby photography as well :)

Ideas for the JAJ epilogue, hmm...well, let's see! I remember after releasing Natsuki: The Movie, while you were proud of actually getting an entire well-produced movie done, you were sick to death of the actual project itself and immediately dismissed the idea of a sequel. But as time went on, the feelings of misery and stress you had went away and you were able to look back on it fondly (to the point of considering a sequel and now doing a director's commentary!) Perhaps the JAJ epilogue could be drawing a parallel between producing Natsuki: The Movie and Journey Across Japan, including the initial hopes for each projects, how said hopes were dashed and you had to adapt on the fly, and how you ultimately came out of both projects as a much better filmmaker. And then maybe link it to one of your previous Patreon posts about how you need some big sort of project to really continue motivating you/give you a sense of thrill, which could be a good lead-in to introducing the idea of the "Natsuki Abroad" series you want to try. Or you don't need to hint at that just yet since that's still just an idea and not anything set in stone. But regardless, I think reflecting on how both JAJ and Natsuki: The Movie pushed you to the absolute brink of despair but ultimately helped you evolve as a creator could balance the honesty of how much the projects nearly broke you but could be positive and uplifting in what you gained from them. Throw in a bit of sarcastic wit with how you commentate it and it would still be entertaining!

Give it a second try!

Abroad in Japan

Good point. I've earned that camera! I'm actually holding out until next year to see what Canon and Sony release, before I snap something up. Ever since I bought a GoPro2 one week before the GoPro3 came out, I vowed I'd never let poor timing happen again. (Then of course, it happened again last year when I bought a drone a few weeks before the new model came out. Fool).

Abroad in Japan

Chris, honestly so thankful for all the content you've provided thus far. I guess this is the first time I'm realizing how hard the cycle was on you and I feel sort of bad that I got all that joy out of your misery. So I guess, honestly, I'd love to hear your honest thoughts about it. It's less entertainment value and more of an educational thing, to put out a note on pitfalls for others. Also, not to be presumptuous, but I encourage you to make it something you can look back on in 3-5-10 years and be proud of. The epilogue should tell all the things you couldn't tell and should be an honest reminder to yourself of all the hard work you put in and all the things you learned. It should be as much for you as it is for us. I hope it helps you bring closure to something that you struggled with. Happy holidays, all the best... - Kap

Regarding your reflection on JAJ, you must include commentary on your magnificent yet controversial hige. Would Tony Stark ride a bike across the country? No, he'd just Iron Man it, which makes you the REAL Iron Man for having such a strenuous adventure! And not to sound all Perky Polly about it, but if you find the silver lining mixed in with the difficulties, it won't be a whingefest. Think of all the new things you got see, new food you got to eat, accidents that can't be duplicated - and yes, that's a good and bad thing, as accidents themselves are learning experiences.

Thanks for the photos Chris!!! As for the JAJ Epilogue, I get that balancing fun with despair could be a challenge.... My only thought is perhaps looking back on it and discussing A: What you learned but also B: What you would do differently to make it a more enjoyable and perhaps educational experience for you and your viewers?

Adam Penner

In your JAJ video, you could perhaps talk about the 10 best and 10 worst things about the trip. Alternate between them so that you don't rant for too long before smiling again :P

I tried it the first time it doesn't work but thank GOD it work the second time and now it's on my drive... Yeay... Big thumbs up for sharing it with us 👍 You should however stay true to your natural self sarcastic commentary person on doing the epilogue in which to some it kinda felt entertaining to watch you mumble on life while still manage to make AWESOME video...!!! Keep up the good work Chris...

Niken Larasati

Love the photos Chris! I have one as a background on my tv for listening to City Pop which has become an obsession thanks to you!

It says connection error for the pictures.. but will be waiting for that Commentary chris!

You did mention switching to a better camera once you hit 100k on Instagram. Now that you've accomplished that, I guess we will have to wait for the blue tick. Nevertheless, great photos.

Alev Akkor

Great work Chris, keep it up! And thanks for the wonderful pictures. They are now cycling wallpapers on my work PC

Chris Hunter

Love the photos Chris, great quality!

Strange, there should be a little download icon in the top left of each photo thumbnail?

Abroad in Japan

Strange - wont let me download the docs ☹️ but nonetheless im very excited for this!! It will be a great christmas present! Keep up the good work!