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NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world.

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NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

NOPPERABOU Japan-US Short Film

I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world.

I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world.

I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world.

I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world.

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5 Campaigns |
Tokyo, Japan
$2,266 USD 48 backers
113% of $2,000 Fixed Goal Fixed Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 5 Projects Mountain Filled 5 Projects

Short Film "NOPPERABOU"


(Japanese campaign page is from above/日本語ページは上記より)


Nopperabou (のっぺらぼう)

Noun -  faceless ghost, is a Japanese legendary creature.
The name of the best cross cultural short film in Japan to US!

"Nopperabou" is sometimes included in Japanese textbooks for first or second year students.  This story from the Edo period about the woman with no face scared me when I read it, but I really loved it.  I thought it was so cute that Japanese people gave names to their different ghosts!  These kinds of stories have no chance to go to Americans who don't speak Japanese.  I really want to show not just America but the world that there are many sides to Japan.  Not just Tokyo and anime and video games, but a beautiful country full of mystery, history, and wonder. 

The staff and cast of Tokyo Cowboys we all feel this way.  Let's introduce our world to Japan and our Japan to the world!

Story
Dave (Kyle Card) and Brian (Christopher McCombs) are two Americans who have come to a small town in Japan for a year long intensive language study program.  Upon arrival, the brooding Tanaka (Kintaro Aoyama) explains that the town is still and quiet.  An ideal place to study and learn.  It is also dangerous to be out after night and he firmly advises them to get indoors before dark.  At their first day of school they meet the straight talking Deni (Camilla Ståhl) and Brian discovers the legend of the weeping faceless ghost Nopperabou in one of his textbooks. 

That night, though Tanaka warned him, Dave and Deni head to a bar for a few drinks after school.  With no car, Dave is forced to walk the dark country roads alone.  As he drunkenly makes his way he comes across a crying woman in the street and the horror begins.

Traditional Japanese country life meets the modern American man.  A famous Japanese legend brought into a modern setting.  A short film that is both thrilling and touching. 

Tokyo Cowboys is proud to present "Nopperabou."

Cast 

Christopher McCombs as Brian
American born print/catalogue model and actor, Chris has been performing since the age of 15. He has appeared in various commercials, magazines, music videos including Namie Amuro and DJ Makidai, as well as television dramas. He recently starred in the NDJC 2012 short film The Secret Keeper and will appear in Miracle Devi-Kuro-Kun no Koi to Mahou winter of 2014. He also appeared as a regular on Tokyo MX's Gojinimuchuu. Chris is currently based in Tokyo, Japan and is represented by Freewave Entertainment.

Camilla Ståhl as Deni
Camilla Stahl was born in the Swedish archipelago. She began acting lessons from a young age and has been modeling since the age of 12. Looking for adventure and warmer climate she moved to Tokyo at the age of 19 where she pursued her modeling and acting career full time. She has worked for various clothing brands, television commercials, magazines, music videos including Gackt and Yamashita Tomoshisa, regular on the tv Drama Nihon-Jin No Shiranai Nihon Go (The Japanese which Japanese people don't know) and other various tv shows. Camila also appeared in the 2014 movie Judge!  Her future dream is to do more movies, both in Japan and abroad. Camilla is represented by Freewave Entertainment.

Kintaro Aoyama as Tanaka
Kintaro was born in 1978 in Yamanashi, Japan. Since he was a child, Kintaro often watched movies with his mom who worked at a video store and became very interested in entertainment  as a result. After coming to Tokyo at the age of 20, he got a role in his friend's film and became interested in acting professionally. From 26 he primarily focused on performing in stage plays, but is currently working mainly in television, commercials, and movies.


Present by Tokyo Cowboys


Tokyo Cowboys is a short film production company based in Tokyo Japan that specializes in cross cultural entertainment. We are proud to introduce untold stories from Asia to America and Europe. 

We will also bring beloved stories from the west to Asia for the first time. Our production team has staff from around the world and is tirelessly working to provide quality entertainment. In our first year, we are very proud to present four different short films. Each film will be made with the same production team and performed by the same actors and actresses in new roles.

Why we chose Japan?

From a young age, I have always had an interest in Japan and Japanese culture.  After modeling in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for several years, I used the money I saved up to study Japanese at college and then move to Japan.

Moving to Japan was difficult.  At first it was very hard to get used to life here.  Everything is so different.  But-Japan has been amazing to me.  I have made many friends and these friends have become family. These people have really made me fall in love with Japan and Japanese culture. 

Working in entertainment in Japan has been like a dream!  The Japanese art of storytelling and structure of Japanese stories are world class.  I want to share these stories and this craftsmanship with the world. (by Chris McCombs)


Team


Director - Tomori Tsubasa

Born in 1983 in Okinawa, Tomori came to Tokyo at the age of 19 to pursue a career in the film industry.
After studying at Nihon Kougakuin Hachiouji Digital Film School, he worked at a television studio as an assistant director and began working on his own film projects. Tomori continues to work freelance making short films, music videos, and event promotional films.

Director of Photography - Miki Yamato

Born in Tokyo in 1986, Miki has been working with a camera since the age of 10, and rented her first darkroom at the age of 14. She began studying photography and design full time at art school from the age of 15 while continuing to work as a professional cameraman.
Continuing her education, Miki began studying special effect camera techniques and holding one-woman exhibitions. After graduation, she opened her own photo studio chain (Yamato Studios) and continues to work in fashion and portrait work while experimenting with film.

Producer - Chris McCombs

"Taking risks. To forge ahead even when there isn't a road. Working hard.
Not giving up. This is the American Cowboy spirit, we want to infuse with the Japanese sense of teamwork and sophistication to create new and exciting ways to tell beloved and classic stories. I hope you'll come with us on this adventure.

Tokyo Cowboys' first short film, "SURE THING".

As our first and previous work, we created "SURE THING".
"Bill and Betty" is called "Sure Thing" in America and it is a well loved short play.  We added many things to the story and decided to give it a name easier to understand for a Japanese audience.  We really wanted to introduce a new story to Japan as well as introduce ourselves at the same time. 

Story
SURE THING is a romantic comedy about getting a second, third, fourth, and even fifth chance at love.

Bill (Chris McCombs) is out for a coffee, but when he arrives at his usual coffee house, he finds it is completely packed. The only empty seat is in front of Betty (Camilla Stahl). When the two finally meet, will they have a happy ending or not so happy? Only time will tell in this playful romantic comedy of redos, retries, and replays. (Runtime/22 mins.)


"SURE THING" First Screening event in Tokyo

We organized a premier screening event at Baloque Caffe in Asagaya, Tokyo in September 2014.
We had 3 sessions to show "SURE THING", each time the seats were almost sold out and totally about 150 people came to watch!
We had a special talk show and raffle with great prizes at the event, the people who came here gave us a lot of positive comments, as well as we are very much happy with sharing the moment beyond the cultural distance.

Why we need this crowd funding

When we were making Sure Thing, I provided all of the money we used from my personal savings.  I really believed in this project and wanted to see how far we could go without money.  I was very lucky to gather a professional cast and crew who all felt passionate about making quality entertainment and were not worried about getting paid. 
Having said that, shooting with little to no budget was difficult.  There were many pieces of equipment we wanted to rent or buy, for example better sound equipment or a stabilizer, but there was no money for it.  We had to use what we had and improvise.  It was amazing to see everyone use every bit of professional knowledge they had to make it work. 
Moving forward, we have agreed to keep working without pay on Nopperabou.  We all want to put every bit of money we have available to us into this project.
I am very proud of what we did with Sure Thing, but it is my hope for Nopperabou to have access to higher quality equipment to make a higher quality film.  I want to step up our game.  (By Chris McCombs)

Perks

$5 : Arigatou Message
◆Thank you message from Tokyo Cowboys via email, eternal gratitude from us

$30 : Online 2 films Screening
Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Exclusive Online screening of "NOPPERABOU" and our previous work "SURE THING"
◆Original sound track date

$65 : DVDs & Posters
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works

$115 : Special supporter
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
(The event will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)

$115 : Signed premiere item
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You receive a unique signed item by Tokyo Cowboys staff&casts, this item will be used in the film. (The item will be random.)

$165 : Act as an Extra!
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
◆You will be able to act as an extra in this film.
◆You get the scenario book.
(This shooting, event will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)


$215 : Debut as an actor/actress
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
◆ You will be able to perform as a role in this film! Of course you will speak!
(This shooting, event will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included, You will be required to speak English or Japanese.)

$215 : Participate in our party!
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
◆You participate in our private party with all of Tokyo Cowboys staffs&casts, the place will be at the cafe where we shoot "SURE THING".
(All events will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)

$315 : Become a Nopperabou
◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
◆You participate in our private party with all of Tokyo Cowboys staffs&casts, the place will be at the cafe where we shoot "SURE THING".
◆You can experience the special effects makeup to be a Nopperabou. After you make up, our photographer takes a photo of you to make a your Nopperabou's poster. As well as you receive the unique poster.
(All events will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)

$1,000 : Welcome to Japan!

◆Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email
◆Original sound track date
◆Fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts
◆Signed posters of both works
◆You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter,
◆Your name will be appearing at the event.
◆You participate in our private party with all of Tokyo Cowboys staffs&casts, the place will be at the cafe where we shoot "SURE THING".

◆Tokyo Cowboys members will pick you up at the airport in Tokyo, after that let's go to our recommend places in Tokyo! For instance, a great sushi restaurant and some traditional temples, Japanese shopping places! Of course you can request where you want to visit!
(2days plan, accomodation&transportation fee isn't included, English or Japanese support is available.)


Thank you very much for reading!

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Choose your Perk

Arigatou email

$5 USD
Thank you message from Tokyo Cowboys via email, eternal gratitude from us.
4 claimed

Online 2 films Screening

$30 USD
Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email as well as Exclusive Online screening of "NOPPERABOU" and our previous work "SURE THING", plus original sound track date.
10 claimed

DVDs & Posters

$65 USD
Thank you message from TOKYO COWBOYS via email as well as an original sound track date, you receive fisical DVDs of NOPPERABOU and SURE THING with signed by staffs&casts, plus signed posters of both works.
5 claimed

Special supporter

$115 USD
$65 perk, plus; You will be invited to the premium screening event as a special supporter, your name will be appearing at the event. (The event will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)
2 claimed

Signed premiere item

$115 USD
$65 perk, plus; You receive a unique signed item by Tokyo Cowboys staff&casts, this item will be used in the film. (The item will be random.)
2 out of 10 of claimed

Act as an Extra!

$165 USD
$115 park(Special supporter), plus; You will be able to act as an extra in this film as well as you get the scenario book (This shooting will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)
1 out of 10 of claimed

Debut as an actor/actress

$215 USD
$115 perk(Special supporter) plus; You will be able to perform as a role in this film! Of course you will speak! (This shooting will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included, You will be required to speak English or Japanese.)
1 out of 2 of claimed

Participate in our party!

$215 USD
$115 Perk(Special supporter), plus; You participate in our private party with all of Tokyo Cowboys staffs&casts, the place will be at the cafe where we shot "SURE THING". (It will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)
0 out of 10 of claimed

Become a Nopperabou

$315 USD
$215 (Participate in our party!) plus; You can experience the special effects makeup to be a Nopperabou. After you have your make up done, our photographer will take a photo of you to make your own "Nopperabou poster." (Make-up event will be in Tokyo, transportation fee isn't included.)
0 out of 3 of claimed

Welcome to Japan!

$1,000 USD
$215 perk (Participate in our party!) plus; Tokyo Cowboys members will pick you up at the airport in Tokyo, after that let's go to our recommend places in Tokyo! For instance, a great sushi restaurant and some traditional temples, Japanese shopping places! Of course you can request where you want to visit! (2days plan, accomodation and transportation fee aren't included, English or Japanese support is available.)
0 out of 1 of claimed
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