Filming in japan

[guntis]

Calling all mixers with japan experience, especially with wireless issues. Any information helpful as i head over there with feature film for a few weeks. Especially in regards to wireless frequencies in tokyo, but also interested in general conditions, power issues etc. Appreciate any and all help. Thanks in advance,guntis

[Michael Kennedy]

Hey Guntis,

I've shot in Japan several times, most recently in March of 2010. We spent a lot of time shooting in Tokyo, as well as other parts of the country. I was using Lectro blocks 24, 25, and 26 with no issues whatsoever. Hope this helps somewhat, and have a great trip. It's a fantastic place...I hope to get back there soon myself!

Cheers,

Michael

[Jon Gilbert]

DO.A.SEARCH!

[Eric Toline]

Doesn't Japan have a 10mw limit on wireless?

Eric

[Jon Gilbert]

I think it is 10mw Eric, they're also the strictest country I've encountered when it come to putting LIon batteries on the plane.

[studiomprd]

" Appreciate any and all help. "

Thanks, Jon... (cha-ching)

this has all been discussed here before...

...the 10mw max power and all !!

" feature film for a few weeks. "

a "real" feature film, as in major, with a real budget ??

they should get you in touch with the local people on the ground there...

As you are a Lectrosonics customer, contact the Japan Lectro distributor...(this has also been covered!)

[Jason A]

Hi Guntis- I was in Japan just a month ago shooting for a travel show. We where pretty low profile so I was able to bring in and use my block 470, 20, 26 SMQVs with no problem. Actually the cleanest scans I've ever had where in down town Tokyo. These blocks aren't approved there though so if customs would have pressed me on it they could have held them if they wanted. I listed them as mic power units. I did quite a bit of research before I went and you wont find much of it here with a search. Feel free to pm me and I'll pass on what I know.

[Jon Gilbert]

FWIW Customs couldn't give a rats arse about what block your radios are, they never have and never will. Their interest is excise and duty evasion and the importation of prohibited items. Radios on unlicensed frequencies are not prohibited to own or import, just to use.

[Peter Mega]

Guntis did do a search before he posted this thread.

He PM'd me to say he found a Japan frequency document I posted to a thread some time ago by, guess what, a search.

So how about everyone lays off the "do a search" boring posts for a while.

Guntis is one of the good guys, so thanks to all who tried to help.

[Jason A]

+1

Guntis did do a search before he posted this thread.

He PM'd me to say he found a Japan frequency document I posted to a thread some time ago by, guess what, a search.

So how about everyone lays off the "do a search" boring posts for a while.

Guntis is one of the good guys, so thanks to all who tried to help.

[guntis]

Hi wveryone and thanks for all your posts.

Honestly i was looking for anecdotal evidence from soundies who had worked in japan, because after extensive research i was still a little nervous about what might happen when i push the faders up in tokyo on day one.

We do have people on the ground but they dont seem very sure of what the situation is either. Little by little though we are getting there.

There does seem to be a 10mw output restriction in japan, but my belief is that i can purchase some sort of a special licence to go above and beyond that.

Cheers, guntis

[Predrag]

Hey Guntis,

In 2010, I used block 24,25, 28 and Micron (795 to 815),

8 radios in the above freq range,

working close to talent, on the go , and they all work.

Customs didn't check going in,

and only checked serials going out.

Good luck, look forward to hearing the film.

Predrag

[studiomprd]

" Guntis is one of the good guys "

never said he wasn't

" and they all work. "]

there you are! your specific accurate complete authoritative be-all-end-all answer.

of course Japan is a big country, and just Tokyo is huge.... so maybe: it depends.

[gavin]

Hi Guntis. Steve ravich went over there for Catalyst a couple of years ago. they certainly have a 10mw limit, and I think he ended up renting over there. Pm me and I'll give you his number

[guntis]

Thanks everyone,

The shoot is going well here in tokyo and ive used block 24 and now block 27, neither of which are perfect but scraping through.

Of course technically the wires are illegal but in the end there is little choice, the local wireless systems are not worth the effort it seems. Strange situation for a country which makes quite a lot of films. There doesnt seem to be any governing film body, so maybe thats part of the explanation.