Japan Locations, Generative AI, Virtual Production in Focus at Tokyo Festival MPA Seminar

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a deep-rooted love for Japanese cinema, I’ve been following the developments in Japan’s film industry with bated breath. The recent Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has been a veritable treasure trove of insights into the evolving landscape of global production and the impact of emerging technologies on this captivating world.


Experienced professionals convened at the yearly TIFF Motion Picture Association meeting in Tokyo for a discussion about the changing terrain of Japanese filmmaking and the effects of new technologies on worldwide film production. They emphasized potential benefits as well as obstacles in drawing foreign productions to Japan.

The financial incentive program for businesses in Japan, providing a refund of up to half of eligible expenses within the country (up to 1 billion yen per disbursement or approximately $6.66 million), is now active. Meanwhile, an abundance of materials extolling the beauty of almost every Japanese prefecture can be found at TIFFCOM, the parallel market event associated with TIFF.

At the start of this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), Ishiba Shigeru, the newly re-elected Prime Minister of Japan, mentioned a recently enacted Japan-Italy co-production agreement. Interestingly, Italy is a spotlight country at TIFFCOM, with five Italian projects being showcased at the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market.

The MPA event held on Wednesday commenced with Edward B. Neubronner, who serves as the MPA’s senior VP for regional operations, communications, corporate affairs, and administration in the Asia Pacific region, taking the stage. He expressed that Japanese films, TV shows, games, and adversaries are rapidly advancing a strategy known as the New Cool Japan, which Neubronner described. In previous TIFF MPA events, he noted, we’ve witnessed the government adopting incentives that drastically alter the landscape in a short amount of time, captivating international creators who wish to realize their visions on Japanese soil. Furthermore, Neubronner emphasized that the global anime market is currently worth over $31 billion.

Additionally present were Evan Felsing, Economic Minister Counselor from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, and Futoshi Nasuno, representing the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters within the Cabinet Office of Japan. Notably, Futoshi drew attention to a report issued by the cabinet office that emphasized the significance of Japan as a filming location.

Alex Boden, who produced the successful Max series “Tokyo Vice,” shared insights from his experience filming two seasons in Japan, gave a key address on the topic.

The filmmaker highlighted crew training as an essential aspect needing improvement. “I hadn’t anticipated how small the industry would be… I didn’t foresee that we’d struggle with finding crew in so many diverse areas,” Boden explained, promoting efforts to make the industry more enticing for new recruits. “Things are moving in the right direction, and they can continue on this path, making Japan an exceptional destination for projects of all sizes,” Boden added.

George Murphy, an Oscar-winning VFX supervisor known for his work at Dimension and DNEG 360, recently held a seminar on virtual production. He discussed the potential impact of advancing technology on location shooting in Japan, suggesting that economics will likely play a significant role. If financial incentives are offered, there will be competition, he asserted, using New Zealand’s industry evolution as an example. Initially relying on imported Western talent, New Zealand’s own team at Weta has now grown significantly.

Movie director Ryota Nakajima presented a keynote speech on generative artificial intelligence, highlighting diverse responses from various industries. Notably, he pointed out the stark difference in reactions to his AI-generated movie “Who Said Death Is Beautiful?” at Annecy in France, where there was resistance towards AI, and Bucheon in South Korea, which welcomed it. He expressed that James Cameron’s decision to join the board of Stability AI signified that the director of “Avatar” had a keen foresight into future technologies.

As a movie buff with a keen eye for innovation, let me tell you this: The integration of AI in filmmaking seems unavoidable. It’s like a speeding train barreling towards us, and regardless of whether we’re ready or if we think it’s right, it’s destined to become an integral part of the movie-making landscape.

Despite the progress in technology, it was decided among the filmmakers that on-location filming continues to hold significant value for maintaining cultural accuracy and fostering creative motivation. Boden remarked, “The experience is incredibly immersive. It’s incredibly potent and believable.

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2024-10-30 12:17