My favorite commercial project to date, and a labor of love across teams of collaborators who put in maximum effort over two frigid days in February 2021. Also a continued endeavor for those who kept its flame alive for the months — and seasons — that passed until YAMAHA was ready to launch it.
This a film about following a dream. About dedication to a craft, even in the hours when no one is watching. And it’s about the communities that uplift us, when we need their support the most. Hopefully every onetime-athlete, or really anyone passionate about the way they spend their time, can relate.
We pushed hard on this one; ourselves and our client. Shout out to the agency friends who brought me onboard and worked with me to fight for representation… to make sure that the individuals and the communities that aren’t often seen on Japanese TV, would be, and would be presented proudly.
Writer/Director: Dan Buyanovsky
DP: Mikul Eriksson
Agency: Monopo
Creative Director: Chace Fedor
Account Director: Georgi Roberts
Agency Producer: Julie Guillot
Producer: Yuumi Aoyama
PM: Michie Hamaya
ACs: Mikael Senninge, Sam King
Gaffer: Arata Ijichi
HMU: Erika Yoshida
Stylist: Soichiro Kobayashi
Sound: Skirmantas Ivanauskas
Set Designer: Jeanette Moncada
Edit: Andy Nagashima
Color: Simon Boissonneaux
Music: Antuan Herriott
Stills: Will Goodan
Starring: MK, Hal Hirata
Featuring: Yoyogi Park Ballers, Monoliz Dancers