The concept for Yanagi Studios was born out of a Skype call covering the approx. 4800 miles between the UK and China, as myself (Tom, in Chongqing at the time), and Gareth discussed possibilities for collaboration for film and writing projects. I had recently put the finishing touches on my first film; Bucket, and Gareth’s main areas of focus of the time remained music (in particular soundtracks for films and games), and writing fiction.
Since then we’ve collaborated on further film projects (Princess of Death, Misaki’s Death Café, and Twitching Wilbur). 2020 saw us create this website, our YouTube Channel, and complete the editing and soundtrack work for Misaki’s (subsequently uploaded to the channel). It’s also been a productive year for writing. The scripts for Twitching Wilbur and The Receptionist having both been completed this year, and the feature, The Gift started. What with one thing and another there have been disruptions to the filming of Twitching Wilbur but we have been able to take the aspiring ornithologist and his demonic companion out for a some shoots this year nonetheless!
2020 also saw us launch our short story and poetry website; Notepad Stories. Initially only contributed to by myself and Gareth, we have since been delighted to welcome Ernest M. Judd and A. O. Wallat to the writing team. Stories have ranged from time travelling lovers to trippy tribal rites to vengeful Teddy Bears with insatiable blood lusts! A full list of each writer’s works for Notepad in 2020 are listed at the end of this post.
Yanagi Studios would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, whether by lending practical support to our film productions, working in cast & crew, submitting stories and/or feedback to Notepad, or just by watching and reading our creative output. Or in the case of Cinema of Mystery and Imagination, providing additional forums for our work to be viewed!
Happy New Year to All! (and please bear in mind that although it can be too early to sex a bucket it’s never too early for whiskey!)
Notepad in 2020:
Thomas Caterer:
The Teddy Bear Principle (parts I-III)
Confession of a Drainer
In the Shadow of the Sun God
A Place Where He Speaks
In Hope of a Good Harvest
Gareth Godliman:
The Dorian Falls
Well Played
The Spirit of Grandfather Herber
He Couldn’t
Gareth’s Idea
John’s Task
Ernest M. Judd:
Nothing Remains
Confessions in Time
A. O. Wallat:
Company
Dreams Are the Opposite to Reality
Robert Artisan:
A Collie and a Wally
Panda’s Painting
Dissy’s Day Out
Grandpa’s Advice
The Vitamin D Army
A Helping Hand
Twin Stories
I Said Stop! Not Stomp!
Our World
Yanagi Studios 