Deep in the mountains of North Japan, one of Japan's biggest mining towns lies abandoned and forgotten. Shot in 8k. Starring Quinlan from Go North Japan: bit.ly/gonorthjapanyoutube Filmed & Edited by Chris Broad: / abroadinjapan
NOTIFICATION SQUAD: I often talk more about wanting to be a filmmaker than I actually spend out in the field filming. So this week I grabbed a brand new camera (for the upcoming series of Journey Across Japan), and put it to use following my good friend Quinlan out into the mountains of North Japan to the eerie abandoned mining town of Matsuo. As a student of filmmaking and cinematography, it was a dream come true to spend half a day shooting on location and hearing Quinlan's reasoning for his weekly escapades out in the mountains was weirdly inspiring. A huge thanks to him for letting me follow him around, be sure to check out his RU-vid channel at Go North Japan (bit.ly/gonorthjapanyoutube). Shot and edited in two days, I hope you enjoy this short documentary! They never do well, but they're a lot of fun to film.
As Quinlan was talking about walking around the place alone and whether it was creepy or not, I couldn't help but think of Chris behind the camera making a sarcastic retort like "what am I then, part of the peeling wallpaper?!" Beautifully shot. No idea if I actually got much difference using the 4K setting with my 1080p monitor, but there weren't any issues with buffering so I went for it :D
Quinlan: "sometimes I've turned around a corner seeing a footprint right there in the snow. Makes me wonder if there's somebody wandering around another corner of the building." Me: It's freaking Chris "Abroad in a Lens"
I agree an "abroad in japan" production featuring you, Chris, Natsuki, Ryotaro ,all the Tokyo creative crew and the trash taste boys... it would be epic !
There's something just serene about these kinds of videos. I get why they aren't as successful because they're not as boisterous as the usual ones but they are still masterpieces
A lot of times I've wondered to myself, well, he's already at documentary level work, there has to be a capping point where he's just satisfied. But then I see stuff like this, and Chris just 'always' takes it up a notch, always has to challenge himself to make the videos that little bit better. It's really appreciated by us viewers, loved this one.
I have to admit I got goosebumps at certain points in the video. The music choice was impeccable and so were the drone shots through the snow. Great job building the atmosphere, Chris!
Okay, I want everyone to try this. Play this video, then go to another tab and just listen to the audio. It's that damn good. The sounds of Quinlan just exploring interspaced with his very calm and detached style of narration. This *needs* to be a podcast, Chris.
Chris, that shot at 5:16 is gold! Great use of the natural decay of the building in your composition. Your documentary videos are always highly impressive and this was no exception - some killer drone footage too.
In Japanese, abandoned buildings are called "Haikyo", and it's a popular thing for young people to explore the past Japanese lifestyles by exploring the abandoned buildings. They are beautiful and horrifying at the same time.
These short documentaries truly are masterclass. Your way of filming draws you in and doesn’t let you go. You forget that this is a RU-vid video and not a documentary on Netflix or whatever, I might even say some parts are better than some Netflix documentaries. Amazing job, never thought I’d be so amazed by how a video was shot, makes you wanna pick up a camera and film something and then be disappointed that you’re bad at it
I'm very impressed with the cinematography and editing on this one, well done man. But also can we take a moment to acknowledge that Quinlan is a great narrator, his voice is weirdly soothing.
I loved the video don't get me wrong, but we never saw a mine. We saw where miners presumably lived, and an aerial shot of some sort of power or processing facility. Mines were presumably in the area. But no mines.
Chris this is a masterpiece! You should be extremely proud of yourself! I had full on chills by the end. And wow those drone shots were incredible! Quinlan did a great job narrating as well. His voice set the perfect tone. Overall, fantastic!
This was great, not only the 8K footage, but the editing, Quinlan's voiceover, the soundtrack... It was very real, intense and beautiful. Thanks, Chris!
I know you said they don't normally do well, but I'd love to see some more documentaries in this format. Maybe a mini doc for each of the other JTubers you know? Either way, looking forward to more!
Chris the shots you got for this video are the best you’ve ever captured. I don’t mean what you’re showing (though the buildings are really cool) I mean the angles, lighting, that kind of thing. I know it’s not just the new camera. This was amazing and you have come such a long way. This might be weird to say as basically a stranger (Long time follower though), but I’m proud of you! Can’t wait to see more from you and how far you’ll go in your career. You have a bright future :)
I love walking around abandoned buildings myself, just learning about the history, finding things about other people who have been there and everything like that
This video just makes me want to see Chris create a new series, "Broad vs. Wild". Chris out in the wilderness fighting bears, Japanese hornets, and finding the legendary yokai Ryotaro. All in 8k of course.
Chris. I'm absolutely floored. In all sense of the word, this is magnificent! Amazingly shot, and stunning collaboration. You need to enter this into short film contests. Bravo gents 👏👏👏👏
WTF! The production quality in this video is amazing. Well done Chris you have out done yourself. This is what your channel should be. Please Keep them coming please
Chris' is definitely showing off his greater cinematographic skills here. And for ages he's been exclaiming how much he enjoys these kinds of productions. Very well done, absolutely beautifully done.
Quinlan has such captivating voice. I always enjoy when he explains stuff, but this time it was completely on a different level. He gave his best! I hope his channel gets more recognition.
It makes those places less lonely when you think about the history and the people who used to work there... I love ruins and the way nature takes back its own is beautiful
I find them beautiful. They show us how all of us and our creations are merely here for a brief moment and in the end nature reclaims the world to restore the balance.
Ikr, you picture Japan being all warm and humid, with maybe the north getting some mild winters. But Aomori is literally the snowiest city on earth. That blew my mind.
I lived in Tohoku for a year spending time over Aomori, Miyagi and Iwate and it has such a different feel to the south. I generally think more people need to come explore there instead of always staying in the more 'glamorous' south Honshu areas
This is excellent. Really good narration from Quinlan and that's some movie worthy camerawork there Chris. Certainly nice to have these videos in the mix.
This video is actually one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen not just The cinematography but what He was speaking about of reflecting on life and nature I appreciate this a lot
Should've known it'd be Quinlan, this is all beautifully done and the exploring looks like an awesome hobby, my 1080p monitor loves the 8K, also seeing a fresh footprint that's not mine is an easy Nope from me
Your documentaries are stunning Chris. I love the humour of your light hearted stuff, but when I recommend watching your channel, which is often, I always suggest the Tsunami and inside Fukushima documentaries. You are on an ever more amazing journey and we are enthralled with all your content. Keep bustin' them new moves, love the discovery 💪💪👍👍
So glad to see this! Love what Quinlan does, you choose just the right one for such a film, and the film itself - this feels like you really enjoyed it, like you got something that makes things fall into place and turn out beautifully. Filmmaker indeed.
I found you through Japan content, but what made me want to be your patreon-supporter was "Inside Fukushima", "After the Tsunami" and "Journey Across Japan". Goosebumps from the audio in this one (the ambient sounds, so crisp!)! It was very nice to watch, I wish you more success with these documentary-style videos.
The haters might hate but you have to admit that’s Chris’s drone skills are amazing. The shots and angles taken are so good they don’t really belong on RU-vid, but rather on some documentary you’d see on the BBC. Incredible work as always Chris!
“It’s really not a great idea to go in there” proceeds to wander around in there 😂 But great job on the cinematography and documenting-Quinlan did an amazing job and the whole video had amazing shots of...well...everything.
Chris you always surprise me. What an interesting idea and well done. I also follow Quinlan so a great surprise. I think you are a great film maker. More please.
I really liked it. I liked the snow, and desolation, the quiet. I'm from Buffalo, New York, and this reminded me of the many travels I took alone in the snow, and the quietness of it all. The buildings abandoned, the man alone, only with his thoughts. Good job!
