Capturing Tokyo’s Underground Football Scene: A Day with Kei Chisaka

With the film now graded and out in the wild, this is a follow-up post about my recent project with footballer Kei Chisaka.

As a Director of Photography, there’s always a thrill in uncovering unique stories. This project in Tokyo was no exception. Following local footballer Kei Chisaka, we ventured into the city's heart—through bustling streets, hidden corners, and underground football hubs—to explore a subculture that redefines the beautiful game.

Kei is more than a footballer; he’s a community leader, someone who’s found a way to merge sport with Tokyo’s vibrant Otaku subculture. His story demanded a visual style that was both raw and intimate, and we embraced that challenge head-on.

The choice of equipment was critical. The Sony FX6, paired with Cooke SP3 lenses, was the perfect combination for this agile, one-day shoot. Tokyo’s tight, vibrant streets required a setup that was lightweight yet powerful. The FX6’s excellent low-light performance brought the city’s energy to life, while the built-in ND filters allowed us to move quickly without compromising exposure.

The Cooke SP3 lenses, with their cinematic quality and distinctive characteristics, were the unsung heroes of this shoot. Their ability to render faces beautifully and create a classic, organic aesthetic gave the film a texture that perfectly complemented Kei’s journey and Tokyo’s layered urban landscape.

We deliberately decided to shoot in 4:3—a throwback to the days of classic film and early television. The narrower frame brought a nostalgic, timeless quality to the project while focusing attention on the central action. It was a clean, cinematic 35mm look, using the entire sensor to achieve a subtle intimacy that made Kei’s journey feel personal and grounded.

Regarding post-production, I decided to break away from my usual film emulation LUTs and opted for the Dehancer OFX plugin in DaVinci Resolve. This tool was a revelation. Unlike traditional LUTs, Dehancer allowed for manual control over film-like characteristics, from grain to halation and bloom.

The halation effect simulated that subtle red glow around bright light sources, adding authenticity, while the bloom effect softened highlights with a nostalgic glow. The organic grain, applied dynamically across tonal ranges, added a tactile quality to the footage. Together, these tools created a look that was both timeless and gritty—a reflection of Tokyo’s underground football scene.

Shooting with Kei was exhilarating. From crowded markets to quiet coffee shops, we captured the essence of Tokyo’s football subculture—an alternative scene more akin to skateboarding culture in the UK. The energy, the passion, and the creative fusion of sport and community were palpable at every turn.

This wasn’t the polished, commercialised football we’re used to seeing. It was something raw, authentic, and deeply connected to the city’s spirit. With the support of director James Copson and the team at Anattic, this small-budget project became a labour of love—a snapshot of a culture that’s as much about creativity as it is about the game.