Why I've Had the Week from HELL 🍿 | Also. CDawgVA back in the Studio & LEARNING Japanese From Day One (Patreon)

This week has been a challenge.
A frustrating, stressful, wall-banging challenge.

I wish I could tell you that the best things require little effort. But the truth is every major project we’ve done on Abroad in Japan has come with its fair share of frustration.

You just have to hope that it’s all worth it.

“Sure…but what the hell are you talking about?” You might be wondering. Especially if you've seen me cryptically ranting on Twitter in recent days.

(And no, surprisingly my week from hell has nothing to do with Connor either).

Two weeks ago after a lengthy edit locked in a room for eternity, to great celebration, I finished work on the Ken Watanabe documentary and promptly came on here to make a song and dance about it.

Little did I know the worst part had yet to begin.

Because Japan has the most antiquated copyright laws in the known universe, every screenshot from Ken’s films - every image - requires submissions to be made to every relevant film company. Something I didn’t particularly anticipate, because usually you can get away with fair use on Youtube. And even then, I didn’t use any clips from his films, just mere images.

But unfortunately, because it’s Japan, we’ve needed to do it.
That’s meant contacting everyone from Warner Bros and Toho, to the Lincoln Theatre in New York to use the desired images, that I felt were necessary to tell Ken’s backstory.

Sadly, it’s been far more difficult than I’d anticipated, hence why the documentary still isn’t out. When I should be out filming videos, I’m trying to convince Warner Bros to let us use an image from the Last Samurai. (Currently, they’re saying no).

We’ve found some ways around it - for example Ken has appeared in quite a few Samurai dramas on Japanese TV and we’ve been able to license images from NHK (at great cost), so we can at least show images from his performances. And the Lincoln Theatre were very kind indeed.

There’s also been some final issues on getting the green light from certain other parties and hidden costs popping up. All in all, it’s been a real headache, though of course it’s not Ken’s fault. It’s part of the stress of working on a documentary rather than just a humble Youtube video.

Honestly, many of the best Abroad in Japan videos and projects have been born out of stress and challenges (the original Journey Across Japan or Hyde documentary springs to mind) and when this eventually goes up - fingers crossed in late February - it’ll all have been worth it.

Often when you’ve completed a project, a lot of the suffering and nightmares you went through to get there melt away and you’re left with something special.

But the whole ordeal has temporarily drained the life out of me and I’m only just finding my feet again, so apologies for my absence these last week or so guys.

NOW on to more positive news...
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⛩️NEW VIDEO! Feat. CDawgVa ⛩️

In between shooting a new episode of Wacky Weekend this week, Connor popped into the Abroad in Japan studio this week where we shot a sequel to our episode talking about Overrated things in Japan.

This time we’re talking UNDERRATED foods, places and things. We’re also exposed to Connor’s questionable presenting skills when he struggles to say the phrase “Lobster Roll”. Brace yourselves.

10 Most UNDERRATED Things in Japan
🍜 Watch: https://youtu.be/FkHk_G_zNxg

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⭐ BRAND NEW CHANNEL | Abroad in Japan Clips ⭐

I noticed in recent times that tons of channels have been pinching Abroad in Japan clips and uploading them on to Youtube where thousands of people are watching them. Honestly, I’ve never minded as it’s extra publicity, but it made sense to have an Official Abroad in Japan Clips channel where we can share the highlights and moments that’ve defined this crazy 10 year journey.

As well as clips, it’s also a great space where I can share moments (say if I whip out my camera and film something there and then), that I’ve been unable to do on the other two channels.

Case in point, today saw the release of a rant from a live show where I hypothesised about how awful the Abroad in Japan tour of Japan would be (a tour that’s been worrying well received).

Why I'm Japan's WORST Ever Tour Guide
🇯🇵 Watch: https://youtu.be/ZRT6DfGukZY

And don’t worry this isn’t going to be an outlet where we share Patreon exclusive content. On the contrary, I hope Abroad in Japan Clips will promote this Patreon community better going forward - something I’ve been dreadful at over the years.

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🇯🇵 JAPAN RE-OPENING & LEARNING JAPANESE from Day One 🇯🇵

Finally I’ve had a quite a few folks ask me about learning Japanese from scratch recently. I think as it’s still February and people like to embark on challenges in the opening months of the new year (before enthusiasm for life runs out by April).

Recently I’ve been giving advice to the Abroad in Japan editor (Dave), as he’s hoping to visit Japan this year when the doors finally burst open, and he wants to arrive here knowing how to order at a restaurant and introduce himself at the very least.

Essentially, I’ve just told him to download the app Human Japanese and go from there, as I did almost 10 years ago. To date, it remains the greatest app or learning software I’ve ever bought and I’ve not encountered anything half as fun or educational.
https://www.humanjapanese.com/

There’s also Intermediate Human Japanese one you’re completed the first one. Beyond that I’d recommend the Genki Textbooks as well.

But Abroad in Japan is one of the most comprehensive resources on learning Japanese from Day One on the internet, and I recommend checking out this playlist if you’re just embarking on that lengthy, but incredibly rewarding journey!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSOR9_iNzVfn51EOjTy_mBY8fCCcYvVOp

If this is a topic you'd like me to dive into further on Patreon let me know!

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For now guys, enjoy the videos and if you’re wondering where I’m typing this from here’s a photo! It’s still trippy as hell sitting in the Abroad in Japan studio.

Despite this week from hell, I'm incredibly grateful for the most part and I still can’t believe this is a thing.

Chris