Juju Noda

Project: Profile, short-form documentary
Role: DP/Camera
Producer/Director: James Copson
Format: Media and PR / Online
Camera: Sony FX 6 A CAM / FX 3 B CAM +
G Master & Cooke SP3s lenses

This short-form documentary profiles Juju Noda, Japan’s first female racing driver to compete in Super Formula. The film offers a glimpse at Juju’s life—both at home in Okayama and during her debut race at the Suzuka Circuit.

Narrated by Juju herself, the story is framed through a retrospective, upbeat lens, reflecting on her journey so far and looking ahead to her future ambitions. The film combines a mix of archive footage, onboard car camera material, and newly shot cinematic visuals to create a dynamic portrait of a rising motorsport star.

Behind the Scenes

The project was captured over several days, split between Juju’s home in Okayama and the Suzuka Circuit. We worked with a two-camera setup—Sony FX6 and FX3 paired with Sony G Master lenses—to provide maximum flexibility across different shooting environments.

At Suzuka, one camera remained mobile, covering action around the pit lane, while the second moved between different vantage points around the circuit for cutaways and trackside coverage. This gave us comprehensive visual coverage while allowing for dynamic, immersive angles during the race.

The in-car sequences filmed in Okayama were shot using a gimbal rig for added stability and control, capturing Juju driving through her hometown in a more relaxed, off-track context. For the home scenes, we used the newly released Cooke SP3 lenses offering a distinctly "Panchro" look, providing a cinematic softness and beautiful separation from the Suzuka material—visually distinguishing her personal world from the high-pressure race environment.