Japanese Godzilla Producer Looks For Future Collaborations In New Zealand
“I wish to explore seeds for collaborative production,” he says.
The President of Toho Studios – well known for his contribution to the Godzilla film series – is one of the most respected movie makers in Japan with a career spanning over more than 35 years.
A big fan of special effects, Tomiyama is no stranger to large scale productions with Hollywood-like budgets. The final Godzilla film he produced in 2004, Godzilla: Last Wars, cost around US$19,500,000, the most expensive Godzilla film Toho had produced over the series’ 50 years.
The studio veteran says that forming meaningful relationships in New Zealand will need to start from humble beginnings.
He explains “it might be needed to start with a smaller budget project to achieve our relationship.”
He also adds that similarities Japan and New Zealand share as island nations could be helpful towards finding “common sympathies” as a starting point for co-productions.
The 5-year-old APN network currently has 15 members from New Zealand and Tomiyama feels that a a solid foundation has now been built..
“After an experienced five year annual assembly, it’s time to start discussing specific projects. We need to develop concrete ideas to implement,” he says.
While Hollywood is the obvious super-power in the world of film, the success of the industry in smaller markets such as New Zealand’s may very well depend on the ability to develop cross-cultural relationships with partners in Asia. An ability which Tomiyama suggests is more likely to be achieved by the younger generation of film-makers.
But New Zealand is not the only party which stands to benefit from Asia-Pacific partnerships. Tomiyama says that Japanese cinema was hit with a 20% drop in audience receipts this year and there is a real focus on how to gain back the lost crowds.
Increasing challenges faced at a domestic level have resulted in greater recognition of the international market, even for non-English speaking countries. In Japan Tomiyama heads a number of project teams under UniJapan, the government organisation established to promote Japanese cinema abroad.
He says the APN offers the perfect opportunity for the leaders of Asia-Pacific film to come together to discuss solutions to challenges and achieve common goals.
“It [APN] is most significant for providing international support and co-operation any time, simply by making a telephone call,” he says.
The 2011 Asia-Pacific Producers’ Network Symposium will be held at Unitec, Mount Albert from November 11-13.
This will be Shogo Tomiyama’s first visit to New Zealand and he says that he is looking forward to meeting the people, seeing the city of Auckland and experiencing thegreat nature of New Zealand.
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