class=attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail f-align-center alt= decoding=async data-lazy-srcset=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima.png 132w, https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima-100x100.png 100w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px data-lazy-src=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima.png />Koji Kojima Local 600 Steadicam Operator Koji Kojima takes us behind the heartbeat of Kylie Minogue's Grammy award winning Best Pop Dance Recording and the smooth moves captured with his ARRI ALEXA Mini powered by V-Mount DIONIC XT batteries.
A Journey to the West
Koji Kojima's journey to becoming a Steadicam operator started humbly. Originally from Japan, he moved to Los Angeles to improve his English and pursue a passion for filmmaking. Like many in Hollywood, his beginnings were a mix of student films, low-budget productions, and a steady climb through the ranks. The allure of the Steadicam came as he discovered its unique ability to create smooth, fluid shots while navigating dynamic sets. I always loved dolly shots, Koji recalls, but with Steadicam, you're not limited to a track. It's like a three-dimensional dolly that you can move anywhere.
This freedom of movement, combined with the intricacies of fine-tuning equipment down to the smallest screw, won Koji over. The big tools and grips didn't interest me. It's the small, precise adjustments that matter most with Steadicam. It's like an art form, he adds.
This freedom of movement, combined with the intricacies of fine-tuning equipment down to the smallest screw, won Koji over. The big tools and grips didn't interest me. It's the small, precise adjustments that matter most with Steadicam. It's like an art form, he adds.
Capturing the Energy
Shooting Kylie Minogue's Grammy-winning hit Padam Padam was a major highlight in Koji's career. With the star herself on set, the stakes were high, but Koji found his groove amidst the chaos. It was pressure, for sure, he admits, recalling the thrill of working with a pop icon. I used to listen to her songs back in Japan when I was in my twenties. Seeing her in front of me was surreal, but she was really down-to-earth on set. That helped ease the pressure.
The music video required navigating through tight spaces, particularly in a small motel room where Kylie performed, sitting on a countertop. It was challenging, he says, because I had limited room to move around, and I was using the Steadicam to keep up with the energy of the scene.
Despite these challenges, Koji thrived. He was part of a talented team, including director Sophie Muller and cinematographer Steve Annis. Their creativity and collaborative spirit added to the experience. Sophie and Steve are so creative. They gave me general instructions but allowed me to improvise within those guidelines, which is really rare in the industry, Koji says. That's one of the reasons the video has such a dynamic feel.
Padam Padam Power
A crucial part of Koji's success as a Steadicam operator is his meticulous attention to the equipment he uses. On Padam Padam, he worked with the ARRI Alexa Mini, a versatile camera that allowed for capturing high-quality footage while still being lightweight enough for Steadicam use. The Alexa Mini was perfect for this shoot. We needed something small but powerful, and it delivered, Koji notes.
Equally important were the Anton/Bauer Dionic XT batteries powering his Steadicam sled. These batteries are industry-standard, known for their reliability and long-lasting charge. I've been using Anton/Bauer for nearly 10 years, and they've never let me down, Koji says. In fact, during Padam Padam, I only had to swap batteries once during the lunch break, which is incredible when you're running around all day.
The batteries played a key role in keeping Koji's rig light and mobile. The Dionic XT's are not just reliable; they help balance my rig. I have a three-battery slot of my sled, one of the batteries power the sled, the other for my Small HD monitor and Teradek and the other is spare. I like the Dionic XT batteries as they counterbalance the camera perfectly.
Another critical piece of equipment was the Teradek wireless video system, which allowed real-time monitoring for the director and crew. The Teradek transmitter sends the camera feed to both the director and video playback monitors, Koji explains. That way, the director could see exactly what I was capturing and make adjustments on the fly. It's all about keeping the workflow smooth and efficient.
Dancing with the Stars
One of the most captivating elements of Padam Padam was the choreography of the dancers surrounding Kylie Minogue, and Koji had to keep pace with them, using his Steadicam to mirror their fluid movements. It's like a dance, Koji says of operating the Steadicam. You're constantly adjusting your body, the camera, and the balance of the equipment to get the perfect shot. It's a lot of physical work, but when you nail it, it's incredibly satisfying.
At nearly 50 pounds, the Steadicam rig isn't light. But Koji emphasizes that technique and muscle memory make all the difference. I'm not lifting the rig with my arms. The weight is distributed through my body, and my legs, which are my strongest muscles, support most of it. It's all about practice and getting used to the balance.
Koji's work on Padam Padam involved not only tracking the dancers but also moving backward, up and down stairs, and through tight spaces. We practiced a lot-walking backward, going downstairs, all the tricky stuff. It's the kind of thing that comes with experience. Your body gets used to it, and your mind follows.
alt= data-nectar-img
Europe Stories
04/03/2025
Rohde & Schwarz transfers Clipster Mastering Solution to CineCert Rohde & Schwarz has announced the transfer of its renowned Clipster mastering solution to Ci...
03/03/2025
To mark International Womens Day on March 8th, TVBEurope is showcasing some of the women who are helping to shape the media technology industry. We start with S...
03/03/2025
KT demonstrates full HD video transmission between GEO satellite and UE with Roh...
03/03/2025
Rohde & Schwarz and Murata jointly enhance power efficiency of 5G and 6G devices...
03/03/2025
The tested 4061 CORE+ Omni lavalier delivers an impressive sensitivity and a wide dynamic range (111 dB), handling sound pressures up to 144 dB SPL with no dist...
03/03/2025
Arvato Systems & DSCVOLLEY launch DSCVOLLEY Kids
Social engagement in Dresden as part of the Experience Diversity campaign
G tersloh/Dresden - In autumn 20...
03/03/2025
Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that Friday Night Baseball, a weekly doubleheader available on Apple TV+, is set to return for the 2025 regula...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
SHIFT, the German pioneer in sustainable and ethical handset manufacturing, has partnered with Thales, a global leader in advanc...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On the occasion of IDEX-NAVDEX 2025, EARTH, an e...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales subsidiary, Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI), has been awarded a contract for Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD)...
01/03/2025
It was the start of a new cycle and a new era in terms of venue sizes, Pike recalls. Solotech were able to help us out in terms of budget, so for our first gi...
28/02/2025
Awards season is a celebration of cinematic excellence, but the best stories often start on the page. From a beloved Wizard of Oz retelling to the captivating b...
28/02/2025
As summer in Argentina comes to a close, the music coming out of the South American country has been a vibrant reflection of its rich cultural diversity. From b...
28/02/2025
Operational since April 2024, O3b mPOWER has been successfully activated for spe...
28/02/2025
This March, RT is delighted to support St. Patrick's Festival, along with 20 other amazing arts and cultural events all over Ireland spanning theatre, film...
28/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Munich, Germany - February 28, 2025 - A signific...
28/02/2025
RT Commercial has today announced Travel Department as the new sponsor of RT R...
28/02/2025
An bhfuil c pla funny focal' agat?
T RT ag ceili radh Sheachtain na Gaei...
28/02/2025
South Carolina broadcaster WGGS chooses the Rohde & Schwarz TE1 Liquid-Cooled Tr...
27/02/2025
It has been 10 years since the world lost corridos tumbados godfather Ariel Cama...
27/02/2025
With over 200,000 square feet of production space, the studios aim to meet the needs of any production
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 27, 2025 Upd...
27/02/2025
Hotcam employed a combination of Sony FX9 and FX3 cameras linked to the gallery ...
27/02/2025
Luxembourg, 26 February 2025 -- SES S.A. announces financial results for the year ended 31 December 2024 with solid operational and financial performance leadin...
27/02/2025
Luxembourg, 27 February 2025 - SES S.A. today acknowledges the announcement by Appaloosa LP with respect to agenda items it intends to propose at SES's upco...
27/02/2025
Rohde & Schwarz and ELT Group join forces to deliver cutting-edge EW systems for...
27/02/2025
MWC25: Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates unique UWB radar target simulation with NXP ...
27/02/2025
Rohde & Schwarz advances AI/ML-powered neural receiver testing in collaboration ...
27/02/2025
Wuppertal February 27, 2025
Riedel MediorNet Boosts Rec4Box OB Production and ...
27/02/2025
Pete Distad Joins Fox Corporation as CEO of Upcoming FOX Direct-To-Consumer Serv...
27/02/2025
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
As he prepares to visit Washington, Taoiseac...
27/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Cubic, a leading global provider of software-def...
27/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales, a world leader in cybersecurity for crit...
26/02/2025
BOSTON - February 26, 2025 - Brightcove, the world's most trusted intelligen...
26/02/2025
class=attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail f-align-center alt= decoding=async data-lazy-srcset=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima....
26/02/2025
class=attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail f-align-center alt= decoding=async data-lazy-srcset=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Shabiron-200...
26/02/2025
Panasonic also intends to launch a new Flow app to enhance production workflows across short films, documentaries, music videos, and corporate promotional video...
26/02/2025
New partnership combines SES and Quvia's expertise in technology and innovat...
26/02/2025
FOX Renews Hit Medical Series Doc for Second Season with 22-Episode Pick-Up Only One More Explosive Episode Until the Highly Anticipated Season Finale on Tues...
26/02/2025
26 Feb 2025
VEON Highlights Role of Investments in Rebuilding Ukraine, Renews ...
26/02/2025
CMX500 AI Scripting Assistant from Rohde & Schwarz facilitates mobile device tes...
26/02/2025
Rohde & Schwarz and u-blox validate module compliance with the new Chinese GNSS ...
26/02/2025
Rohde & Schwarz to uncover consumer benefits with 5G Broadcast commercial networ...
25/02/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
25/02/2025
The companys administrators said the economic headwinds which are affecting comp...
25/02/2025
Hotcams head of engineering, Hugo Santos, explains the value of mentorship and personal development to TVBEurope
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 25, ...
25/02/2025
Wayne, N.J., February 26, 2025 - Vision Research announces the release of its Ph...
25/02/2025
NETWORK MODERNIZATION, UPGRADED CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT, AND RECORD-HIGH DIVIDEND - ...
25/02/2025
Sky announces June return for The Walking Dead: Dead City and debuts opening min...
25/02/2025
Rohde & Schwarz launches new R&S ZNB3000 vector network analyzer ideal for high-...
class=attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail f-align-center alt= decoding=async data-lazy-srcset=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima.png 132w, https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima-100x100.png 100w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px data-lazy-src=https://www.antonbauer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Koji-Kojima.png />Koji Kojima Local 600 Steadicam Operator Koji Kojima takes us behind the heartbeat of Kylie Minogue's Grammy award winning Best Pop Dance Recording and the smooth moves captured with his ARRI ALEXA Mini powered by V-Mount DIONIC XT batteries.
