Shogun

‘Shogun‘ ⁣Success Echoes Strategies of Japanese Producers Behind ⁢’Kokuho‘ and ‘Renoir‘

LOS‌ ANGELES – The global phenomenon of⁢ FX’s⁢ “Shogun”⁣ is spotlighting the ⁤rising influence of Japanese producers on ‍the ‍international stage, a trend underscored by recent conversations with the creatives behind hit‌ films like “Kokuho” and the critically acclaimed “Renoir.”⁢ These producers reveal‍ a nuanced approach to filmmaking, blending artistic ‍vision with keen understanding of both domestic and international markets.

The producers-Kaori Miyagawa,‍ Junko Murata, and mizuno Gray-shared ⁤insights into ⁤what makes a producer valuable, the challenges of navigating different production models, and the importance of connecting ⁢with‌ global audiences. their experiences offer a blueprint for future collaborations and a deeper ‌understanding of the factors driving the current wave of Japanese content resonating worldwide.

Miyagawa emphasized the ⁢importance of empathy and clarity. “I think empathy goes a long way,” she‌ said. “Really try to put yourself in⁤ another person’s ‌shoes and‌ know where their priorities ⁤are coming from. Also, have clarity ​in ‌terms of what⁤ your goal is ⁤and what story you want to tell.”

murata,whose‌ work includes the record-breaking drama “Kokuho,” modestly attributed its success to the ‍collaborative efforts of the directors,crew,scriptwriter,and actors. However,‍ she noted her experience​ proved⁢ invaluable in connecting ⁢with international film festival programmers and filmmakers, who provided crucial​ input. These​ industry professionals expressed ‌a longing for films reminiscent of ‍the masterpieces‌ of Ozu, Kurosawa, and other titans of Japanese cinema’s Golden Age, prompting Murata to pursue “Kokuho” as​ a “grand studio ‍film” with lavish sets, a decades-spanning story, and a three-hour running time.

in contrast to Murata’s corporate role, Mizuno Gray operates as an autonomous‍ producer, requiring a highly selective ⁤approach to project selection.‍ “You ⁤have​ to be‍ very selective,”⁤ she stated, prioritizing‌ “understanding the creator’s vision and reasoning and ⁣storytelling.” gray focuses on building personal connections with filmmakers, aligning visions before committing to a project. “So first I will try to get know filmmakers not⁢ just for their creative ability,⁤ but also as a person,” she added.”And if we can align our vision‌ I will try to ​make it happen as a producer.”

Miyagawa highlighted the significance of “packaging”-balancing the director, scriptwriter, cast, ⁤and the story itself. “It’s really the balance of all ‍of that,” she explained.⁣ Murata, as a⁤ company employee, prioritizes projects that generate‍ revenue, a goal demonstrably achieved with “Kokuho,”⁤ which ‍has earned $109 million since its June release, becoming the third-highest grossing live-action Japanese film ever. She added,‌ “Talent⁣ is also‍ very, very critically important. Because this business is all about bringing money into talent.”