BCA Holds ‘Behind the Scenes’ Movie Making Event at West LA Temple

It Showcases Wealth of Filmmaking Talent in the Sangha

The BCA held “Behind the Scenes: an Insider Look Into Movie Making” on April 12 at the West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple. 

The gathering was not only fun and informative, it was an amazing display of the wealth of filmmaking talent that exists in the BCA Sangha. The delicious lunch served after the presentations and catered by West Los Angeles favorite Feast From the East only enhanced the experience and was a great way to draw a close to an exciting day.

Six members of the BCA’s new Film & Video Committee shared their experiences in various aspects of movie making. 

Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada kicked off the event with his presentation, “Buddhism and Movie Making.” He spoke about an encounter that Rev. Takamaro Shigaraki once shared with him. 

One day, Rev. Shigaraki was riding in a taxi and it began to rain. At times, rain can be viewed as a hindrance, but Rev. Shigaraki recalled the cab driver saying, “Just as humans shedding tears can clear their vision, the rain clears the smog from the sky.”

Rev. Harada pointed out that when we begin to apply Buddhism in our everyday lives, we start to realize that we can hear the teachings from anyone and at any time. It is, in this sense, that movies and Buddhism are connected. 

Rev. Harada mentioned many explicitly Buddhist movies such as “Kundun,”  “Little Buddha,” and “Seven Years in Tibet.” Yet, it may have been his sharing of the Buddhist themes in Akira Kurosawa’s “Ikiru” that most powerfully made the point. This film, about a civil servant who upon receiving a terminal diagnosis finally learns what it means to live, revealed how we can come to deeply hear the Dharma in the flow of everyday life, if we are listening.

Ming Lai’s “Indie Filmmaking” was a deep dive into what it takes to make independent film and was equal parts sobering and hopeful. Sharing what it took to create his company, Humanist Films, and his recent film, “Craft of Speed,” Lai detailed the fortitude, networking and collaboration that it takes to achieve success. 

In discussing how the formula for independent filmmaking is evolving, he shared a critical read for budding filmmakers, Alex Ferrari’s “Rise of the Filmtreprenuer.” 

Lai encouraged filmmakers to retain control of their own art through learning the holy trinity of the trade: funding, filmmaking and distribution. Most important, Lai urged those interested in pursuing a career as an independent filmmaker to get started today by learning all they can about the craft and taking advantage of the technology already available to them and in their pockets: their cell phone.

Rev. Ko’e Umezu’s “Storyboarding Live Action Feature Films,” was an amazing look at the role of visual artists in creating the visual blueprints of film. 

These blueprints of film’s most pivotal moments are eventually turned into the thrilling live action sequences that we see on the big screen. Rev. Umezu shared that most of the commercial and major film productions that we watch begin with storyboarding.

Interestingly enough, though the global community of professional live-action storyboarders is quite small, they quickly produce a shockingly large amount of material. Rev. Umezu was also keen to mention the importance of unions in the film industry. While live-action storyboarding is not an easy field to break into, Rev. Umezu encouraged those with the passion and drive to work hard, follow their dreams and get to drawing.

In “Journey from ‘Joy Luck Club’ to ‘America’s Got Talent’,” Kenn Kashima, ACE (American Cinema Editors), took the audience on his journey through the film industry. 

Kashima shared the story of his days as a young college student and the inspiration he found in an article his mom sent him about Steven Okazaki, the Oscar award-winning Japanese American filmmaker. 

He discussed the importance of seeing someone that looked like him thriving in the industry. He also shared his first big break as a video systems playback editor on the set of “The Joy Luck Club,” and his harrowing rite of passage during filming of successfully soldering together a damaged wire in front of the entire cast and crew. 

Kashima’s greatest accomplishment, however, might be the video he shared of his hilarious appearance on the early 2000s show “Blind Date,” where he went on a first date with the woman who would become his wife, Karin. He praised his wife for always being his rock. 

In reflecting on the film industry, Kashima shared a deep gratitude. He mentioned being able to recall — by name — at least 100 people that were key in providing him with pivotal opportunities, including Tamlyn Tomita, Patrick Markey and Mary Jo Markey. This deep gratitude has encouraged him to pay it forward and be a source of help for others determined to make it in the industry.

Gaylen Kobayashi’s “Finishing — Fix it in Post” was not only an eye-opening look into the realm of post-production, it was a testament to persistence. 

Kobayashi got an early start in his engagement with film starting in the fourth-grade. Though initially drawn to editing, he eventually found his passion in the broader and highly collaborative world of post-production. 

Though the viewing public often connects most deeply with those in front of the camera, Kobayashi’s presentation revealed how much of a role post-production plays in the final product that we consume and the emotional connections that we make. 

From the startling sound of a window breaking to the energy and vibrant color in a nighttime shot of a city that never sleeps, post-production is where the raw materials from the set are polished by audio engineers, film colorists and a host of others. 

Kobayashi’s presentation was particularly informative for helping those interested in careers in film understand the breadth of opportunities that the industry offers.

Glen Tao, the chair of the BCA Film & Video Committee, presented “Photography and Videography,” a very practical and easy to understand grounding in the basics of filming. 

This was an excellent presentation for those ready to take heed to the Ming Lai’s encouragement to get started. Tao covered the crucial role that sound plays in creating a satisfying movie-watching experience. 

He discussed the importance of composition, thinking carefully about what is in the frame while filming. Additionally, he discussed the emotional impact that different kinds of shots (long shots, medium shots, closeups, etc.) can have in conveying a filmmaker's vision. Topics like the importance of camera stabilization and how to effectively use supporting footage to create richer stories was also covered. Tao’s presentation tied together all of the topics covered at the event and provided beginners with a highly approachable starting point.

What the “Behind the Scenes: an Insider Look Into Movie Making” event made clear is that the BCA contains a deep well of Sangha members who are skilled in the various aspects of filmmaking. 

The hope is we discover even more of this talent with future events. It was difficult to leave this event without thinking that maybe Rev. Harada’s dream of Jodo Shinshu films being on the big screen becomes a reality soon.