News Sushi: Morsels of News from Japan and Beyond #32
It is Friday and that means it is time for the World Famous, soon to be Intergalactic Famous, News Sushi from our very own, Hamish Downie. Hamish brings us a decidedly different slant on Pop Culture as viewed through the lens of a non-native living in Japan.
Thank you Hamish, for your insights.
Welcome back, fellow traveler. ’tis the month of all hallows eve, and some are wondering about their decorating. Asking the age old questions…
When do dust and cobwebs become Halloween aesthetic and not just me needing to clean?
— Spookgay 🎃🏳️🌈👻✨ (@McClellandShane) October 3, 2018
We’ve got a bumper issue for you today, with an interview with Mark Jones, a Tokyo-based Model, and as always, News Bites from cooking to Dance to Film to Wise Womenary. Enjoy!
NEWS SUSHI… LISTENS
Something a little different (and short) from Paul Leeming… some lounge music, enjoy!
NEWS SUSHI meets MARK JONES
TGG: This week we have a fellow Aussie living in Japan for you, Mark Jones. So, let’s get to it… Mark, can you please introduce yourself? And can you answer the million dollar question, what brought you to Japan (and made you stay over 18 years)?
MJ (not Michael Jackson): Hi Hamish, thank you for taking the time out with me today. Well technically I’m an Aussie by default as I gained citizenship through my birth mother, originally I was born in NZ.
When I left NZ I headed to Melbourne worked there for a few months and then moved to Sydney. I started working in a sushi restaurant for no particular reason other than I needed a job and I kind of knew the owner.
A Japanese woman that was working there on a working holiday took a liking to me and asked if I’d be interested in going back with her to Japan, so I said why not! We ended up getting married and opening a bar called “BARLINGUAL” in Shonan [TGG: a Beachside town 90 minutes outside of Tokyo] about a year later.
Well about 6 years on we separated and I moved to Tokyo. I continue to live in Japan as I have a base here, it’s accessible to other parts of the world for travel and I have a 5 year old daughter.
TGG: So, how did you get into modelling?
MJ: Well I got into it initially from being scouted by a photographer from Tokyo, after he saw an interview about me in SHONAN STYLE MAGAZINE which featured about 5-6 foreigners that were living and working in the Shonan area. From that job I made some connections and was able to wrangle other work.
My background is in media, design and communications so I was enjoying doing something creative and working with like minded people.
TGG: When people outside Japan think of modelling here, they probably think of either ‘Zoolander’ or that scene in ‘Lost in Translation’. What’s been your experience of the industry? Do you have any advice for people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
MJ: As far as work goes it varies from person to person, I have seen cases of favoritism exists between agents and the talent on their books and sadly if your not a hot commodity or money earner for them, they may not contact you as often. Ultimately, the final answer usually rests with the client and whether or not you fit the criteria of what they are looking for. Apparently, most Japanese reference Hugh Jackman when the see me, I don’t see it, but I guess there’s no harm in it.
As far as advice goes, always, I mean always be punctual, be polite, even if you have an opinion about what you should do or the product you’re promoting don’t voice it unless someone asks you for it.
If your booked for a job, make yourself available for that whole day/time don’t complain if the shooting goes over the specified time as it often does.
Be helpful to the crew, they’re often freelance so chances are you’ll see them around again on your next job! Lastly, be prepared, be presentable, be present, be positive!!! By the way, the four Ps I just invented that now.
TGG: Nice! Good advice for anyone on a set, I’d say. You recently featured in a Music Video. Is acting something you’d like to get more into?
MJ: Definitely, if the opportunity arises, I’ve been modelling more than acting, which I don’t mind. Occasionally I do narration, reporting and voice acting which I enjoy also. It’s all part of being creative so I’m enjoying the learning process of the work I’m doing, mostly it’s on the job training which can be sink or swim, but always rewarding!
Music video with Korean singer Jiyoung:
TGG: I noticed that you love cooking (I feel like this is turning into a dating profile)… what kind of food do you like to make?
MJ: Yes I do, again it’s another part of creativity that I enjoy, it’s visual, sensual and hopefully tasteful! I don’t have a particular genra of dishes that I like to make, however I tend to lean towards fusion cooking with a certain ethnicity.
TGG: Finally, what in store for Mark Jones in the future?
MJ: To continue working and learning in creative fields utilizing my unique combination of skills alongside likeminded people.
TGG: Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed today. Could you let us know where to follow you on social media, and how to support you (links to your work etc)?
MJ: Certainly, My instagram: markjones.official
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=577036742
Trend micro spyware commercial
https://youtu.be/VoYPNGg8fcE
NEC Commercial
https://youtu.be/-du8LbT9YXg
TGG: I’m sure we are all looking forward to seeing where Mark Jones goes in the future, so we’ll be keeping tabs on him!
NEWS SUSHI… SHORTS!
Congratulations on the success of the film “One Cut of the Dead” – a Japanese Zombie/Hollywood film. If it makes it’s way to your town – check it out!
My favorite experience at #FantasticFest2018 has to be getting to see the “One Cut of the Dead” with a crowd. I have never been on a journey with an audience like that and I highly recommend the experience to anyone who loves the art of film#OneCutOfTheDead #FantasticFest pic.twitter.com/SUypF8qkN8
— Nick Thyes (@NickThyes) September 30, 2018
No more real life Nintendo go carts!
Learn how to make Japanese Pickles!
Learn the ways of the wise women…
If you want to learn more about Wise Womenary, I suggest reading through this great post. Andrea (a favourite of this column) has a facebook page dedicated to her work as a wise woman, and here, she explains the difference between being a wise woman, and being a witch:
Learn about the Dance of Utter Darkness…
Famous Japanese Golfer comes out
Well, that’s all for this week, thanks again for joining, we hope to see you again soon… while you are here, why not check out all the other great content available on this website!
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