Charles Atkinson is a junior at Biola University and has been involved in filmmaking for five years. On Jitensha, Charles filled the role of best boy/boom operator. This involved working closely with Skylar Wagner on production sound to effectively record high quality sound for the film. Charles plans to pursue a career in Los Angeles in the media management and producing end of filmmaking. Atkinson has produced several short films with substantial budgets. As a producer Charles has experience working with SAG and its members and representing lawyers in meeting the needs of talent during a production.
Sara Davis hails from Santa Rosa, a small town in Northern California. Currently a senior at Biola University, she majors in film production, but is also currently exploring the areas of journalism and media management. After graduating in May of 2009, Sara plans to pursue a career that will blend her two passions, film and journalism.
Sara was the script supervisor on Jitensha. Her role involved keeping track of continuity, as well as recording details of the process that would be helpful to the editors in post-production. Though a demanding task, Sara enjoyed every moment, and loved being a part of the creative process. She will always remember the viewing of the teaser trailer at the wrap party, and how proud she felt to have been a part of such an amazing venture.
Stephanie Eastman was born and raised in the Northern California foothill town of Auburn. Now studying Film Production and Business Administration at Biola University in Southern California, she plans to continue to pursue her goal of creating documentary or cultural feature films around the world. Producing and planning are her primary areas of expertise.
On Jitensha, Stephanie filled the role of 2d assistant director, as well as heading the Craft Services department for the entirety of the production shoot in Tokyo, Japan. She found the cultural barrier of Japan to be challenging, but inviting. Stephanie enjoyed the challenge of finding new, edible sustenance for the hard-working crew as well as working with Andrew Harmon on scheduling and call sheet procedures. In Japan, Stephanie most enjoyed the friendly people she met and talented actors she worked with during her time in the beautiful country. She looks forward to the opportunity of taking on other fruitful experiences in days to come.
Jadon Gauthier was born and raised in good old Bakersfield, CA. Although the town isn’t known for its film industry, Jadon was blessed to encounter individuals that mentored him in his interest in film before college. He is also grateful to have been able to attend a church supportive of the fine arts. Only a sophomore in the Biola film program, Jadon has produced and directed several short films and hopes to continue growing in the gifts God has given him. He aspires to work one day as a studio producer/director.
As Producer on Jitensha, Jadon contributed to bringing the Japanese film together as a whole and helping to achieve a film of high production value. He was involved in production management in all areas, finding a script, bringing on crew members, and overviewing the technical aspects of the production. From concept-to-completion, Jadon hopes that Jitensha will be able to glorify God and touch the lives of individuals everywhere, from those who were a part of its creation to those who will view the finished product.
A native Californian, Casey Manley is in his third year of studying film at Biola Unversity. Though he has enjoyed the process of filmmaking since high school, it is only recently that he has begun to take it seriously, and plans to make a career of it.
Casey Manley worked on Jitensha as Production Designer. He bought or created any props needed for the film, and costumed the actors. One experience in Japan that he will never forget, he says, was the day at the beach in Kamakura. Mt. Fuji, the ocean and the food all made for a memorable experience. Not to be forgotten, Casey says, was the experience of having his trusted teammates put vegetables up his nose when he fell asleep after a long day of shooting.
Paul is the director of Tokyo based "Studio Re:" a film production company with the vision of "impacting Japanese culture through redemptive films.
Nathan Mielke, although born in Inglewood, California, was raised in the beautiful Northwest city of Vancouver, which lies along the Columbia River in Washington State. Currently a student at Biola University, he continues to learn the crafts of directing and cinematography, hoping to pursue a career in music videos and eventually feature films.
On Jitensha, Nathan served as Director of Photography. Although the cinematography style of the film differs from his previous films, it was one he thoroughly enjoyed exploring. Though the filmmaking process was filled with many challenges, he was blessed with a hard working camera crew who made the visuals what they are. While in Japan, Nathan enjoyed keeping warm with cans of hot chocolate from various vending machines. He looks forward to seeing how the film is received by both the Japanese and American audience.
Yu Shibuya lives in Tokyo, Japan. The writer of "Jitensha", parts of this screenplay were written based on events that occured in his own life. Shibuya's first produced screenplay "Gunjo,", or "Cobalt Blue," starring Masami Nagasawa, distributed by 20th Century Fox Japan, will hit theaters nationwide June 27, 2009. His poems and short stories have appeared in American literary journals such as "Black Warrior Review" and "Margie."
Kyle White is a senior at Biola University studying Film Production with an emphasis in Editing and Cinematography. In his third year at Biola, he is a transfer student from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Kyle has had the privilege of working on a number of different projects ranging from the simple and humorous summer camp video to professional sets with professional crews. He fell in love with moviemaking at a young age when he became entranced by the fantasy of time travel in the Back to the Future films. To work on movies is a dream for him, and when he is on set, the idea of it being his profession is laughable, because in no way does he consider it a job; rather, a gift. He looks forward to the long, hard, rewarding road ahead, and the stories he will be a part of, with the goal of impacting people for the better.
Kyle had the privilege of being the Gaffer on Jitensha. The gaffer’s role is to create a lighting setup that matches the director and cinematographer’s vision for the look and feel of the film. Lighting Jitensha was difficult, as there was not an abundance of lighting equipment available, but more often than not, creativity solved this problem.
Christian Young, a junior studying film at Biola University, hails from Saint Charles, Illinois; a suburb just west of Chicago. He enjoys all aspects of filmmaking, but loves being behind the camera the most. Christian loves storytelling, and plans to pursue his dreams of being an aerial cinematographer and documentary filmmaker around the world.
Christian shared the roles of steadicam/camera operator and 1st assistant camera with Daniel McNutt. The steadicam was a unique challenge for the camera crew, but hopes are high that it will prove to be a good aesthetic choice for the film. 1st assistant camera is in charge of various tasks including changing/cleaning lenses, pulling focus, and helping to set up the shot.
Christian enjoyed many aspects of the Japanese culture. Some of his favorites included the food/restaurants (where he had the chance to sample raw horse meat), the scenery, the architecture, and of course the people. He is grateful to have been a part of the production and is excited to be working on the completion of Jitensha in post-production.
Allan Bagge is from Wheaton, IL, a suburb of Chicago. He is currently a junior at Biola University in Southern California. He is majoring in Film Production and obtaining a minor in Business and Bible. Allan is interested in pursuing a career in the business/management side in film production.
On Jitensha, Allan filled the role of key grip and was responsible for the equipment and grip department for the film. A key grip is in charge of safely rigging and moving equipment as well as packing supplies. It was sometimes challenging to work with the limited amount of equipment brought over from Biola University, but a solution was always found. Throughout filming he was able to experience much of Tokyo and the surrounding area. An amazing opportunity for Allan was to see Mount Fuji without any clouds, apparently a very rare occurrence. Allan looks forward to the post-production process and has faith that God will take this project far!
Born and raised in the small farm community of Dinuba, California, Andrew Enns has developed a passion for recording and editing sound and music. He is currently a senior at Biola University graduating in May 2009 with a BA degree in film production. Using his strong emphasis in sound, he seeks to bring a new ear to the world of film as well as music.
Andrew has joined the Jitensha team solely for the post-production process providing a fresh and objective view of film. He has taken up the role of Sound Editor, which will likely prove to be a challenge, but a challenge he is more than willing to accept. With the knowledge and experience gained from past projects, guidance from professors and industry professionals along with aid from his peers, Andrew anticipates an excellent outcome for Jitensha and his future in the film and music industry.
Austin grew up in the Wenatchee Valley of apple rich Central Washington. He moved to La Mirada, CA at age 18 to attend Biola University to see what they knew. At Biola, Austin is a film major whose focus is directing and directing (what is he doing Producing?) and is also currently the President of the Guerilla Film Society and the Star Wars Club (stereotype him).
The chance to work on a film with his friends in Japan was a no brainer for Austin; he worked on the film and subsequently lost his brain. Working on Jitensha was an incredible experience for him and he is honored to have been privileged to work with such a fine crew in the process. In his spare time Austin enjoys spending time with girlfriend Kelly and friends, watching movies, studying independent film, talking way to much about Smith and Linklater, listening to records, playing tennis, considering Star Wars and reading comic books. When he graduates, Austin looks forward to his future as a filmmaker.
Andrew Harmon is a proud native of Colorado Springs, CO and a junior in the film program at Biola University. When he graduates he plans to begin working in Christian ministry with the hopes of one day becoming a creative pastor in a local church.
In Japan, Andrew worked as the 1st Assistant Director. It was his job to keep the shoot running smoothly, field questions from the crew, but most importantly to make sure that the film was finished on schedule. Trying to coordinate a shooting schedule in a foreign country, managing locations that he had never seen, and using a train system that he had never ridden was a major challenge and test of faith for him. Off the set, Andrew loved sampling as much of the authentic Japanese food as he could. He was also quite amused by the working farms that were nestled right in the middle of the regular suburban neighborhoods.
Daniel McNutt is originally from Lompoc, a small town on the central coast of California. Currently a film production student at Biola University, he plans to pursue his passion of Documentary and Action Sports filmmaking after he graduates. The camera department is where feels most at home.
On Jitensha, Daniel shared the role of Steadicam Operator and 1st Assistant Camera Operator with Christian Young. Using a steadicam system is not an easy task and Daniel experienced this first hand. Some of the shots were challenging, but well worth it, as you can see for yourself in Jitensha. Japan is a beautiful country and an amazing place to film. While filming in Japan, Daniel really enjoyed using the heated toilet seats after being out in the cold weather shooting. He looks forward to see what God has in store for him in the future.
Dana Niu has worked in the film music industry in Los Angeles for the past 10 years. She grew up in Endwell, NY, began playing piano and flute at age 4 and graduated from the University of Southern California with a BM in music composition/film scoring. Her composing credits include music for the upcoming film HURT, the TV series BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and the French film PUBLIC ENEMY No. 1, from which the score was nominated for the César award; France’s equivalent of the Oscar. Her orchestration credits include LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS and the recent hit FAST & FURIOUS.
Yugo Saso was born in Shiga, Japan. Following high school, he traveled to Vancouver, Canada. For six years he studied acting at Gastown Actor’s Studio. In addition to his studies, he was very active in local theatre productions, including the CTC Best Production in Canada staging of Rashomon in which he played a principal role. Mr. Saso worked extensively with the UBC Film School as well. After returning to Japan, he continued to work on his acting craft.
In 2001, his training and dedication caught a sight of Masayuki Yui from Akira Kurosawa’s Shadow Warrior, Chaos, Dreams and Not Yet, and won him a role along with Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle in Argyll Film Partners feature film, To End All Wars (2003/USA). In 2002, the film brought him a nomination of Best Supporting Actor at the 4th Method Film Festival in the States.
A native Japanese speaker, he also speaks English fluently and converses easily in Chinese. Beside acting, Yugo Saso’s credits include producer for an independent feature film Moon Overflowing(2003/JPN), while continuing to make use of his talents in both Japan and the United States.
Skylar Wagner, a senior at Biola University, is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He majors in film production and is primarily interested in film editing. Skylar's goal in studying film is to share great, meaningful stories with the world.
Skylar's role on Jitensha was that of Production Sound. He worked closely with Boom Operator, Charles Atkinson, to record the best possible sound for the film. Skylar enjoyed traversing the city nightlife in Japan and practicing the little Japanese he knew with strangers.
Having received his MFA in film production from the University of Southern California, Dean Yamada works as a professor at Biola University and makes films. His short film The Nisei Farmer won the grand prize for best short film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival. Jitensha marks his second endeavor of bringing a class of college students to Tokyo to shoot a film. The first collaboration, Mujo No Kaze, won first place at the Inigo Film Festival in Sydney, Australia.
Dean has traveled to over two dozen countries and considered it a great privilege to travel to Japan with the crew of Jitensha despite their overall desire to eat McDonalds and Subway.
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