It is nice that you have come up with a plot to explain the need to film Tokyo scenes in Hong Kong. Is it really necessary that the detective partners meet on a street with a lot of street signs? Hanging street signs could be difficult as the producer definitely has to apply for multiple permits from the buildings’ management and the government. Perhaps it could be shot in an alleyway, so the audience would not know if it is HK or Tokyo. You may even add a character who is a ramen/ sushi chef who exits from the back door of the restaurant and meets the protagonists in the alleyway. He/she could speak in Japanese. Also, would you consider using establishing shots of Tokyo streets before the scenes where the camera follows the detective, so to make the audience believe that this is Tokyo? What other Tokyo elements can be utilized for props/set making? Vending machines and convenience stores come to my mind. To mimic a place we have to be very meticulous and observant. Using neon lights is a good start but I am sure there are a lot of interesting details worth delving into! Overall, you all have contributed to various roles and have given sensible instructions to pretend filming in Tokyo.
It is nice that you have come up with a plot to explain the need to film Tokyo scenes in Hong Kong. Is it really necessary that the detective partners meet on a street with a lot of street signs? Hanging street signs could be difficult as the producer definitely has to apply for multiple permits from the buildings’ management and the government. Perhaps it could be shot in an alleyway, so the audience would not know if it is HK or Tokyo. You may even add a character who is a ramen/ sushi chef who exits from the back door of the restaurant and meets the protagonists in the alleyway. He/she could speak in Japanese. Also, would you consider using establishing shots of Tokyo streets before the scenes where the camera follows the detective, so to make the audience believe that this is Tokyo? What other Tokyo elements can be utilized for props/set making? Vending machines and convenience stores come to my mind. To mimic a place we have to be very meticulous and observant. Using neon lights is a good start but I am sure there are a lot of interesting details worth delving into! Overall, you all have contributed to various roles and have given sensible instructions to pretend filming in Tokyo.