Support "Running Japan" Documentary
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Who am I?
My name is Chandler Collins. I am a University of Virginia student, a professional photographer, and an aspiring documentary filmmaker. At the heart - I am a storyteller. From working as the Chief Photographer of Anniston, Alabama, to documenting my Grandmother's battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, I have been drawn to using images to craft narratives. This desire to tell stories has led me to documentary filmmaking and to create Running Japan.
I can't create this alone. I will be assisted by my fellow UVa students Blaise Sevier (Co-Producer), Keelyn McCabe (Co-Producer), and Gabriel Aguto (Assistant Director). As a final project for our Mobility and Community Forum, we'll be studying abroad at Hitotsubashi University and documenting how long-distance running in Japan fosters community growth.
What is Running Japan?
Running Japan is a documentary following Japan's 2nd largest sport - long-distance running. We will be looking at how this sport fosters the growth of communities at the national and collegiate level.
Two members of the crew - Blaise Sevier and Keelyn McCabe - have a background in long-distance running. They hope to join our host institution's running club so that we can experience and document what life is like for distance runners in Japan. Additionally, we're establishing contacts with other runners in Japan as well as former runners who can provide us with the film's historical context.
At the center of the film is the Hakone Ekiden, a 2-day relay race between teams of elite male runners from Japanese universities. This race runs a 217.9 km loop from Tokyo to Kyoto and back and draws a 30% TV audience share - comparable to that of the Super Bowl.
Since the race takes place over Japan's New Year celebration, many people are a part of the race, whether they're lining the course or watching with their family at home. This race, similar to America's Super Bowl, draws families and the nation together. We'd like to explore this and get personal accounts of how this race and distance running in general binds together the country.
What would the funding be used for?
The funding raised via GoFundMe would be used for gear expenses required for the film's production:
Filming Equipment (Lighting Gear, Lenses, Support Equipment and Cameras), Post Production (Data storage and Editing Software) and Music Licensing Rights.
Additionally, the funding would be used for travel within Japan to follow the Hakone Ekiden as it winds across the country.
We would be eternally grateful for a donation of any amount. For each of us, this film is an opportunity to grow and funding would help us to explore our individual passions outside of our comfort zones.
We hope you are as excited about the film as we are. Please support us by donating and helping us by sharing this story with others. If you'd like to follow the film's progression, stay tuned to #runningjapanfilm on Instagram.
My name is Chandler Collins. I am a University of Virginia student, a professional photographer, and an aspiring documentary filmmaker. At the heart - I am a storyteller. From working as the Chief Photographer of Anniston, Alabama, to documenting my Grandmother's battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, I have been drawn to using images to craft narratives. This desire to tell stories has led me to documentary filmmaking and to create Running Japan.
I can't create this alone. I will be assisted by my fellow UVa students Blaise Sevier (Co-Producer), Keelyn McCabe (Co-Producer), and Gabriel Aguto (Assistant Director). As a final project for our Mobility and Community Forum, we'll be studying abroad at Hitotsubashi University and documenting how long-distance running in Japan fosters community growth.
What is Running Japan?
Running Japan is a documentary following Japan's 2nd largest sport - long-distance running. We will be looking at how this sport fosters the growth of communities at the national and collegiate level.
Two members of the crew - Blaise Sevier and Keelyn McCabe - have a background in long-distance running. They hope to join our host institution's running club so that we can experience and document what life is like for distance runners in Japan. Additionally, we're establishing contacts with other runners in Japan as well as former runners who can provide us with the film's historical context.
At the center of the film is the Hakone Ekiden, a 2-day relay race between teams of elite male runners from Japanese universities. This race runs a 217.9 km loop from Tokyo to Kyoto and back and draws a 30% TV audience share - comparable to that of the Super Bowl.
Since the race takes place over Japan's New Year celebration, many people are a part of the race, whether they're lining the course or watching with their family at home. This race, similar to America's Super Bowl, draws families and the nation together. We'd like to explore this and get personal accounts of how this race and distance running in general binds together the country.
What would the funding be used for?
The funding raised via GoFundMe would be used for gear expenses required for the film's production:
Filming Equipment (Lighting Gear, Lenses, Support Equipment and Cameras), Post Production (Data storage and Editing Software) and Music Licensing Rights.
Additionally, the funding would be used for travel within Japan to follow the Hakone Ekiden as it winds across the country.
We would be eternally grateful for a donation of any amount. For each of us, this film is an opportunity to grow and funding would help us to explore our individual passions outside of our comfort zones.
We hope you are as excited about the film as we are. Please support us by donating and helping us by sharing this story with others. If you'd like to follow the film's progression, stay tuned to #runningjapanfilm on Instagram.
Organizer
Chandler Collins
Organizer
Charlottesville, VA