(2003) Statement of Agreement (Killing All the Flies / Mogwai) - JET Program

[dmcd077]

This remains for me the most emotive of videos which always makes me reflect on my Japan experiences with gratitude. You have made a defining piece for so many people. My thanks.

[wongjp]

@dmcd077 Thank you, dmcd077.

[jetlifari]

Amazing...I rode a tsunami of emotion while watching this. As I left JET last year everything is still fresh in my mind. Will never forget the things I experienced as a JET teacher, neither will I forget the great JETs from all around the world that I was lucky to have known....

[gaidaiuni]

Since middle school I had an interest in Japanese language and culture. But stumbling upon your website (when searching for Yoko Kanno's music) in high school and seeing this video and your photo diary on SOA are what pushed me to pursue Japanese language studies in college. It's been 5 years since my first Japanese language class as a freshman. I spent a year in Osaka as an exchange student. I'm not sure if I'll teach, but I can't wait to get back. My life is waiting there.

Thank you. So much.

[wongjp]

@gaidaiuni I'm glad to have positively influenced you, gaidaiuni. It really means a lot to me. Best wishes in your future endeavors as well.

[heywowitsfelipe]

i watched this video so long ago on the hindsight project website. It actually was what inspired me to start looking into the Jet Programme. I still come back every now and then for inspiration. Its a beautiful track and the footage is amazing. Thanks so much for making this :)

can I ask you, what program did you use to make this video? thank you so much again!

[wongjp]

The HIndsight Project is long overdue isn't it? I've begun writing again... hopefully it will be as nice as this video. It's really challenging for me to think of something just as "experiential" to make.

At the time I actually used After Effects as well as Adobe Premiere (it's also mentioned in the end credits @5:23

You're absolutely welcome. Thank you so much for coming back and watching it from time to time.

Did you go on JET?

[trinidadsky]

I love your perspective.  Thank you for this.

[wongjp]

You're welcome :) Thank you so much for watching.

[robinsao]

Awesome JET video. It was very emotional and heart-filling at the same time. I hope to be doing the same very soon. Thanks.

[MellowIndie]

that was a great video, i am actually going to college right now so i can teach english in japan, the pictures of your students made me really happy that in a few years i will be doing the same.

have you heard of mogwai's song "i chose horses"

[wongjp]

Yes I have :) I have that album as well. I actually like "Friend of the Night" quite a bit also.

[MellowIndie]

yes, have you seen the official video for it? it is really intense, i am seeing them in mass in less than a month. they are supporting their new cd :]

[myargonauts]

well done! Thanks for sharing. I'm pretty sure I saw this back in 2006 when I was searching YT for JET related vids. Not finding many, I decided to make my own. I got emotional watching the goodbye letters go by - it's gonna be tough to leave soon - I hope I have the courage to turn my camera on and record my feelings and thoughts - I want to remember everything about living here. Peace.

[Shigater]

NISHI w

[mrkmoua]

Great video.

[dookerbaby]

this should be featured

[BRAINCONSTRUCTION]

Have you seen All About Lily Chou-Chou?

Very nice.

[osullivan85]

nice job.

[PurgatoriX]

Very touching. I liked the sense of movement & change throughout the video, & the coice of music was perfect. I'm a current JET & I can only hope that, when I'm ready to leave, I have created some change or movement within my students as you obviously did in yours.

[dookerbaby]

this is a brilliant. brilliant. video. On so many levels it is so great. the photographery is excellent. It is really moving. I favorited it a long time ago and just watched it again. I was even moved more the second time. I have been in Japan one year on the JET program myself, so it touched me deeply. Have you entered it in any film contests? I wish I could see more of your work. What are you doing now?

[ilikemilkdoyou]

I finished 5 years on JET in two prefectures, and am teaching privately now. This was an outstanding video.

[wongjp]

Thank you :)

[danone19]

Like Willypete2171, I spent nearly 5 years in Japan (two in Yokosuka in the USN and three in Saitama).  The reverse culture shock is a real deal and the stay away from the haters and the zeros who instantly become heros. The video is an outstanding piece of work. My three years on JET was an awesome experience. Great job!!

[buukamisama]

Beautifully done video, great musical choice which underscores the "visual crescendo". As a 2005-2007 JET, this almost brought a tear to my eye, especially by the end when the classrooms and hallways are empty.

Reading all the laudatory comments brought me back on Earth though - for all its amazingness and wonderfulities, Japan does have some dark sides. I would urge anyone who plans to go there to go well-prepared. Learn the language *before* you go!

[EvolovE]

That was amazing! The visuals were stunning -- you took some really great pictures! Along with the video clips at just the right moments... really great video! Very inspiring.

<3

[chibichan03]

Aww, such a sweet video. I am currently applying for the 2008 JET Program. I hope I get an interview.

[mixedgrain]

Yeah. Japan is special isn't it? Wasn't a Jet - worked for an eikaiwa because I wanted to be sure that I went to Tokyo and not sent to the boonies. 2002-2006. An amazing parallel universe of a country. Like a dream still. Lovely.

[mvanaalst]

Was a JET ALT in Niigata, Japan from 1997 - 1999. This video brought me back... and made me cry.  Beautiful, thank you.

[twopushcharlie]

I was a JET for 2 years in Akita-ken, coming back last year, best years of my life, I'd recommend it to anyone, definitely not as easy to get on as it used to be though, you need a level of Japanese language now apparently and the placements are becoming more and more sparse, good luck to anyone who tries though.

Mogwai are great as well.

[davetx41]

great video and very inspirational... thanks

[wongjp]

Thank you :)

[WhiteMatrix2006]

I was my fiancee's name mandycandy22087. Everything that I wrote on that name, is also on this name. LOL!

[mandycandy22087]

I just finished my freshmen year in college. I'm definitely going for this once I graduate. I really I get chosen cause I've been wanting to live in Japan for a while now. Question though. After you're done with the JET programme, are you able to stay in Japan and do something else. Or do you have to go back to your home country?

[willypete2171]

I spent nearly 6years in Japan with the Marines on Okinawa & Mt Fuji then Jet. After the Marines & collge I went to Fukui-ken on the Jet Program. I loved every second of my Japan experience. The ppl, women, experiences... Some advice, stay away from the "haters", they will bitch and complain. Also, be prepared for reverse culture shock when you eventually return. I became a recruiter in Tokyo after Jet. Enjoy!

[ihatefall]

After the JET programme is over, you can stay in Japan BUT you have to find visa sponsorship. The Programme just went up this year to Five years from three. It is seriously going though a downward flux right now, because many cities do not like the restrictions it imposes or how much it costs. Towns are switching to private companies very quickly. So by the time you graduate it might be a little tougher to get in.

[shaznie]

Im on the alternate list for the JET programme, I really hope I get to go!!!!

[EgolandTed]

hey dude, i just got a call this morning, offering me a place on JET, thank you for putting this up!

[kainvamp86]

That was put together very nicely, the music you put in really goes with it. I'm still in uni, but I hope to make it onto the JET programme when I'm finished.

[vasag0]

Im not american nor japanese, but this video is amazingly well done... keep doing them.

[wongjp]

Thank you vasag0

[w0man1nr3d]

You must miss it terribly... what a life experience!

[infernalbbq]

Well done. You've captured life and the JET prog here really really really well. Fair play!

[lolitztoeknee]

That was a great video, when I first heard about JET, I instantly knew it was for me, only one problem, college money. I want to learn Japanese so much I joined the military to get my college funds and possibly a chance to be stationed in Yokota. I've been losing my mind as of late but this video really reminded me of why I joined and what I've been willing to subject myself to in the hopes that one day I might go or possibly live in Japan. Thanks a lot dude!

[jrwproof]

awesome video; very heartfelt. it makes me that much more certain i want to do the JET program.

[knightyaccha]

great video..

Thank you

What are you doing now? you can PM me..

[kkimky]

This is a great video! It bring back old memories of my 3 years stay in Japan. I miss Japan!

[wongjp]

As do I, kkimky. But I'll be back ;)

[angelusofdeath]

Wow this was really something!

My motivation of applying for Jet next year is already at 100%(im currently learning japanese) and this video just made it like 120%!

Awesome video.

[wongjp]

Thank you angelus. Best of luck to you.

[MatthewKeehan]

totemo kirei desu yo! absolutely beautiful! i have applied to for 2007, and your video has inspired me! arigato gozaimasu!

[berryz4ever]

ill go in march for a year.

[distillerdude]

Amazing work mate :)

[taccun]

i cant wait till i go to japan

[markchrisbarrett]

wow man. amazing video. its inspired me to make my own too! ill try and get it up before i leave japan at the end of july :D  can i ask you what file type you used to render the video at such high quality? microsoft video 1?

[iheartpringles]

awesome ^_^

makes me wanna run away from home and go japan-visiting XD

[vism]

Still my favorite video of yours. It always makes me miss Japan, and I've never been there.

[carrieko]

I'm right in the middle of preparing to embark on the JET programme, and this video is incredibly encouraging. There's so much emotion that can be felt inside each image and video clip. It's actually giving me a lump in my throat! *kersniffle* It's great to see what a great time you must have had, and I can only hope my experience is just as good. :) Bravo!

[funkofme123]

im goingto japan now byebye

[Smartbad]

I saw this video back in fall of 2003 when I started on the JET Programme, so not long after you finished it up. It is now 7 weeks prior to the end of my 3 year stint. After the first time I saw this video, I was inspired to make my own. It took me awhile to finish, but I finally got around to it. I just uploaded it, so I don't think it's searchable yet, but if you view my profile your should be able to find it. It's called, "Bang Your Head," and it was inspired by your video.

[joeXmaspunk]

I want to be a JET, but this video amazing. The music is perfect, and you didn't flood it with moving pictures and kept it personal with out putting yourself in it.

[mrkitezero]

damn, seriously made me teary eyed thinking of all the good times i had in japan

this video is perfect in everyway for people like us

i wish there were more videos like this out there

[SeventhSun]

This is nuts.

[NatsumiKazama]

Wow, I watched this in my japanese 9 class and it was really awesome! You made a really great video about japanese life. I think the footage really worked with the music.

[Gus122000]

Bravo Bravo! encore go back to japan and teach ! if i find out where you live ill kick your ass and ill keep kicking untill you go back to japan they miss you awwwwwwwww

[n8thegr8]

Awesome movie. Very somber but right on mark. It's because of this movie that my friends and I really decided we wanted to document our time in Japan. Thanks a lot. Late.

[thomasconolly]

I enjoyed your montage. I lived in Japan for just over a year (2004-05), working for Nova in Tokyo, and spent a lot of time of trains listening to Mogwai. It seemed the perfect music for those journeys. I was fortunate enough to see Mogwai play in Ebisu, a phenominal show, but I had to spend the night in one of those capsule hotels afterwards. I couldn't sleep for the porn noises coming from the next capsule. Bloody Japanese businessmen!

[akitakev]

Perfect song, perfect footage, perfect edit. Life as an ALT. Watched it a thousand times. Solid!

[babiieguryl]

Hey, do all the students in class pay attention like dead serious attention? 'cause thats what I've been hearing.

[wongjp]

Hi. It depends. In some cases they are very shy, in some cases they are defiant. It really depends on where you teach. Regards.

[kilreli]

Wow...all i can say is..awesome. im currently a highschool exchange student in japan, but seriously considering the JET program once i get out of college. Ive read up on it a bit, a guy who has a sort of blog/editorial thing going who is in kyoto for JET, but this video is just amazingly put together. i love everything about it and the editing is great. VERY nice work