Tokyo – A recent seminar spotlighted the production complexities of the Japan–Finland co-production, Blood & Sweat, offering a candid look at the cultural and logistical hurdles faced during filming. The series,a collaboration between the two nations,highlighted important differences in working styles,labor laws,and creative processes.
the production team, led by AX-ON producer Daniel Toivonen, navigated a multi-stage scriptwriting process. Screenplays were initially drafted in English, then translated into Japanese, and subsequently refined to ensure cultural appropriateness and nuance. “initially the script is written in English, and we had that translated, but directly translated word for word, and then we had the actors speak those lines, to see if there was any discomfort and we rewrote from there, which took time,” Toivonen explained.
Beyond language, differing work cultures presented challenges.Finnish crews operate under strict union regulations prioritizing work-life balance, a stark contrast to Japanese filming practices.Labor costs are also higher in Finland. Toivonen emphasized the importance of time management, noting, “In Japan, going over by a couple of minutes is fine, but in Finland, the camera shuts off on time, sharp.” Finnish law limited filming to a maximum of four 12-hour days per week, typically Monday through Thursday, with Fridays dedicated to readiness. This contrasted with typical Japanese schedules of six-day work weeks or longer days.
The co-production also required additional English-speaking staff and increased budget allocation. Creative decision-making differed as well, with Finnish directors generally delegating more authority to department heads-such as, deferring to the wardrobe department on costume choices, stating, “This is Wardrobe’s job, and so I want to respect her thoughts.”
The seminar also introduced the Local Content Bank (LCB), a new initiative spearheaded by Miyazaki Telecasting Company. This online platform aims to centralize and streamline Japanese content for the global market by allowing regional television stations to upload thier programming, which is then categorized using AI for repurposing into new content and playlists.
