On Set: Home Is Where the Heart Is
Networking can feel like a full time job, especially in a new country. Finding the right people to collaborate with takes time, but every project is a chance to meet talented creatives, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections.
Recently, I joined a two day independent film production in Konohana Ward, Osaka. I started as a Production Assistant (PA) but quickly took on additional responsibilities throughout the shoot, something I was happy to do.
Along the way, I captured behind the scenes photos of the cast and crew while watching Monica Avtar O’Reilly's vision come to life. It was a rewarding experience and a great reminder that filmmaking is built on collaboration, creativity, and the people you meet along the way.
Home Is Where the Heart Is is an upcoming independent film directed by Monica O'Reilly, starring Tamaki Horibe and Scarlet.
Born and raised in Osaka, Tamaki Horibe is a Japanese actor, dancer, and singer. She studied acting at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, performed in Off-Broadway productions, and co-founded a Japanese artist collective that develops original stage works. Returning to Japan in 2025, she began immersing herself in traditional arts and is currently studying Butoh to further expand her physical and emotional range as a performer.
After reading an early portion of the screenplay, the story appears to follow two strangers whose chance meeting in a record store sparks an immediate connection through their shared love of music. Their conversation eventually leads them to continue the evening over drinks, where they begin discovering more about one another.
What makes the screenplay compelling is how much it deliberately leaves unsaid. Rather than revealing where the relationship is headed, it invites the audience to wonder whether they are witnessing the beginning of a lasting friendship or the first chapter of a romance. That sense of restraint gives the story its charm, making the finished film something worth anticipating.
The film was shot entirely in a handheld camcorder style, using mostly static compositions that allowed the actors' performances and movement to drive each scene. The visual approach reminded me of Wes Anderson, giving the audience the feeling of quietly observing intimate moments as they naturally unfold.
During production, I assisted with sound recording and consulted with first time director Monica O’Reilly on camera framing, shot composition, and lighting as we worked through each scene. It was a collaborative process that evolved from setup to setup.
The crew represented several countries, and as the only American on the production, it was inspiring to work alongside filmmakers from around the world. That diversity of perspectives made the experience even more memorable and reinforced how filmmaking can bring people together through a shared creative vision.
Home Is Where the Heart Is a film by Monica O’Reilly is expected to be released sometime in 2026.
