test 2

test 2 from hikaru toda on Vimeo.


a really rough test. and a rougher edit.
got a bit fixated on the smoke. up it goes.

test 1

test 1 from hikaru toda on Vimeo.



A little test I did before the upcoming doc shoot.
I feel so under prepared for the shoot next weekend...
I will be "shooting" stills.

I'm assisting directing a new documentary directed by Stephen Burton, produced by Claire Lewis ("The End of the Line", "The Up Series"). It is a visual exploration of how autistic children sees the world. More on the doc later...

Philippe Parreno @ Sepentine Gallery

So I am exporting and have time to kill while FCP cuts me out of all of its other functions. They should really try to fix that...
Anyway, I went to this exhibition on its last day and am glad I managed to make it. I'm breaking out of the usual pattern of earmarking places and events to go and realizing I missed them months after. Let's try keeping up with my wants and curiosities.

I really liked how he used the space of Serpentine Gallery to herd us audience through one projection to another, guiding us with sounds both part of the projection and of the gallery and its surroundings. One annoying thing was that after each projection you are given about a minute and a half according to my own rough estimation to get yourself to the other projection space before the second one starts. This gives you very little time to enjoy the fake snow falling outside the window with the backdrop of Kensington gardens misty with early evening rain, revealed as the shutters open to announce the end of the projection, or the people wandering off and meandering around the space in silhouettes, whispering their way to the next destination. I like watching still people against the background of moving light or moving people casting shadows on the perforated screen making it a bit translucent but not if you don't squint.

Oh export finished. Better get back to work.

Menstruation Machine for boys

Making of Menstruation Machine from hikaru toda on Vimeo.

A Making of I made for artist Sputniko! for her upcoming MOMA show.

During the fitting of the prototype, the product designer Naoki Kawamoto was subject to the torture of the abtronix used in the machine to simulate period cramps. He looked like he enjoyed it. If only we can enjoy period cramps like he enjoyed the muscle paralyzing electric shock...

And yes, she caters for curious girls as well and has a Penis Cybernetique for girls who want to wear a penis as a fashion statement as well as their statement of excitement.

will be sleeping furiously

Sleep Furiously (2008) Gideon Koppel

Watched this nicely titled doc by Gideon Koppel. I like the name, it's baffling and fitting at the same time. Will you be sleeping furiously during the film? Maybe, if you are one for epic plots and mazes of narratives. Or is he challenging us not to by suggesting it in the title, to us rebellious type of audience...? Maybe, either way anyway. Aphex Twin provides the soundtrack to the calming landscapes of a Welsh village I forget the name.


My type of doc. It's nice to see the way someone observes their environment can reveal such a gentle and loving gaze. Placing oneself at a distance as if coming closer will break the vulnerable veneer of the people and the village moving in slow pace in the quickly changing times.

I like it because I know I look at and present things in a completely different way. I find his way pleasing to watch but challenging to do myself. But I appreciate it, and know I need to learn to be patient in seeing things so discovery can follow that can't be found through flickering ways that I normally see things. Need to zap out of my zapping ways!

There are many animals in it too. Can't go wrong with cute little animals. Piglets mistaking mama pig's ass for her milky nipples and agitated dogs and too cool for everything cats. I almost peed with excitement when John managed to herd his 3 sheeps into the gated compound as part of a competition. The judges observing John's struggle cheer him on secretly from their seats in the truck parked off-field, giving a modest woohoo when he finally manages. Yay John and his dog! Oh forgot to say, spoiler alert!

And so I sign off my first blog. Need to click preview and i imagine i should do some layouting or something? let's see...