Sunday, March 3, 2013

オスカー取って仕事を無くすハリウッド

最近SNSで蛍光黄緑色のプロフィール写真、良く見かけませんか?
これ、何かご存知ですか?
実は、抗議運動なんです。ハリウッドに対する。


先週、アカデミー賞が発表され、
「Life of Pi ライフ・オブ・パイ トラと漂流した227日」
は視覚効果賞を受賞しました。
非常に高度な映像美が見られるということで話題になっていますよね。
でもその視覚効果(VFX:3DCGを使って特殊な映像を作成し、実写映像と合成すること)を担当した会社Rhythm&Huesは会社更生法を申請し、
250人近くの従業員を解雇しました。
過去には300やトロンを手がけた業界最大手のスタジオでした。


原因はVFXのコストに対し正当な報酬が払われていないこと。
海外の会社との競争の激化のせいで、
アメリカ国内のVFXスタジオは5%以下のマージンしか得られていないと言われています。


先週のアカデミー賞授賞式の視覚効果賞受賞のスピーチの際、
不自然に音楽が切られ、長過ぎるスピーチがカットされたかのように放送されました。
しかし、実際にはVFXに対する低すぎる報酬を抗議していたのではないか
と言われています。
授賞式の前には会場付近でデモも行われていました。


私はエンターテイメントがもっとフェアなビジネスになればいいな、と思っています。
海外のスタジオと競合するのもひとつのフェアさなのかもしれない。
でも、自国の産業を守るという意味では、ハリウッドは何かをすべきだと思う。
私は気にかけているよ、と伝えるために
私もツイッターのプロフィール写真を変えました。
良かったらちょっとだけ考えてみてください。
英語ですが、プロテストのFacebookページです。
写真を見るだけでもわかりやすいので、覗いてみてください。


そして、日本のエンターテイメント業界も人ごとじゃないですよ。
どうやって生き残っていくか。
どうやって気持ちよくお金を払ってもらうか。
これから考えていかないとダメですね。うん、がんばろう。



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Way A Theatre Lover Saw New York Fashion Week - ANNA SUI

I had one of the most exciting experience...!

I went to New York Fashion Week to see ANNA SUI fashion show!!
Anybody ever thought an ordinary girl get a chance to go to a top fashion event?! 
It was my legendary first time to see a fashion show.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center
Hallway to the magic












ANNA SUI show was held at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 13th. Snow from blizzard NEMO was finally melting. I put on my heels on while wondering why I didn't get a new pair. I was so very pumped to see the amazing show.


I was truly lucky to have a seat on sixth row. I wasn't expected I could see the show that close!
The show started with a short dance routine with Kylie Minogue's The Loco-Motion.
(Sorry about the bad photo quality, but you can always see the professionally taken photos on fashion websites if you are interested in.)

Top of the fashion show
And the music switched to French Pops as the outfits shifted to cold colors. I very much liked the layers of colors, especially the one with burgundy&orange&pink. Simple sleek hair matched complicated patterns. I was really mesmerized how the designer put all together...!

End of the show

Another thing that made me excited was the gift for guests.
This set was on each seat!



Perfume which will be on sale from March 2013, and Lipstick from this year's spring collection. My perfume smelled sexy from "forbidden affair" and the rouge was smooth glittery pink. I guess now I can really be a lady who carries a lipstick.

Fashion show is already pretty much stylized and it seems there are not much freedom. Although the main purpose of the show is to publicize the brand's theme and design, it could be a magical stage to make people fall in love with the designs. ANNA SUI 2012 Fall/Winter show achieved that object by happy and girly back ground music. 


At last, I need to mention one more point I loved about Fashion Week. 
"People dress up to see a show."
Nowadays, more people dress casually to go theatres, and it maybe a good thing since they might be getting familiar with theatres. Yet I am a believer of dressing up to see a show. Fashion Week was where that spirit still exist.

I tired my best to fit into groups of fashionistas and show respect to designers. Around 10 random photographer asked me to take photos of me. If you find an Asian girl with red lip and gold sweater anywhere, please let me know. (Leave a comment here, tweet me, or send me a private message.)
I hope I'm not in the ugly fashion section! 
 

Thank you so much for the great experience...! <3 <3 <3




Saturday, February 9, 2013

Sunday, February 3, 2013

bare - The Musical

My last Saturday night was for... "bare" the musical.
I went to World Stage Theatre with my ticket I got it from Off-Broadway week deal. 
When I saw the stage covered by Instagram photos, it made me feel something new is happening here. I cannot find exact words to explain, but somehow it made me feel the story so real.

You never heard of this musical?
Here's a description from their website
"A contemporary rock musical, BARE follows a group of teens wrestling with issues of identity, sexuality, and religion at a co-ed Catholic boarding school. Provocative, raw, and unyielding in its exploration of how today's generation navigates the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood, BARE examines the consequences of baring a soul-or hiding it from those who matter most."

I first assumed this musical is something like Spring Awakening.
Although bare has  similar theme, teenage sexuality and identity crisis, the show contained a lot more jokes and ironies. Plus I really liked that the contrast of new and old - SNS and Shakespeare. Something has changed; social media is crucial for reputation and now kids are checking it all the time which allow a story to spread right away. Yet something is still the same; young lovers' straightforward and unstoppable feelings.


It wasn't kind of a show that excites me badly, yet it left me something to think. Threw a question on me.
I suggest you to go see the show, especially it would be hard to find the next chance if you miss it.
If you are still not sure, check out their website for videos and free music download.  



And the theatre, New World Stages is awesome venue.
They have full bar that open before and after the show. You can go early and enjoy a pre-show drink, or stayed later to talk about what you just saw.
On the day I was there, the bar put up a sign that says "Free comedy show! Stay here it's warm!"
It was very very good idea, especially New York city was snowing that night... 




Friday, February 1, 2013

STOMP NYC

I just need to say, STOMP was amazing.

I luckily got special price tickets, otherwise I would have not gone.
I didn't imagine the show could be that enjoyable, especially I have seen them performing on TV.

Yet I must say I was wrong.
The excitement of live performance was totally different from watching on screen.
Performers are there with you, and you, as an audience, are creating the moment together.

Although performers never spoke, I could totally feel what is going on between them.
All the characters were very clear, and it was because of their strong ability of dance and rhythm.
STOMP was like watching pantomiming, dancing, percussing, and acting all at the same time.

Oh, and what impressed me more was the design aspects of the show.
The stage design told the setting of the story very clearly, and it was very efficient.
I first questioned why the designer made this set, but at the end I totally understood. It was perfect.
And lighting design. OH MY GOSH.
The lighting effectively highlighted the tension of performance.
It seemed everything was per-considered; timing, spotting, and even reflection.

For the last, I would like to send applause of appreciation to stage manager and backstage people.
I cannot imagine how hard to prepare all stuffs for the cast members perfectly on time.


I loved it so much.
I strongly recommend you to go see STOMP at off-Broadway.
Trust me, it's worth it.




P.S.
If you got time and some sweet craving before/after the show, try Spot Dessert Bar on St. Marks.
My favorite so far is Chocolate Green Tea Lava.
Warm chocolate cake that filled with melted chocolate and green tea sauce.
You probably have to wait in line, but I don't mind it for that cake, honestly.


Monday, October 15, 2012

My New Voice-over Work

Do you remember I told I'm doing monthly (twice a month, actually) Marukai commercial?
I finally could get the video!
I'm playing both narration and character (her name is Maru-chan)'s voice.
You might have seen on TV Japan, but those of who cannot see the channel, here is one of those :)

私がナレーションとキャラクターボイスを務める、
テレビジャパンにて放送中の日系スーパー、MARUKAIのCMです。
月2回の特売をお伝えしています。
ビデオが手に入りましたので、良かったら見てやってください:)





Sunday, October 14, 2012

Masquerade Ball hosted by Japan Film Society

Have you ever heard of Japan Film Society?
Japan Film Society is an organization that hosts Japan Eiga Fest in December at Egyptian Theatre.  
They have a event next weekend so you can get to know more about the organization and have some Halloween fun!

Japan Film Society will be hosting its annual Halloween Event on Sunday October 21st at Good Hurt.
http://www.facebook.com/events/292464044195544/


We'll be doing

  • Screening of the crazy Horror Film "Dead Sushi" where Sushi attack Human Beings
  • Live performances by Lancifer and Layla Lane
  • A Halloween Kimono Demonstration by Kimono Stylist Toshiko Okawa, 
  • Photo session with Kimono Models
  • DJ, Music, Dance
  • Costume contest
  • A raffle 
We'll be giving out free Pocky as well. Hope to see you guys there!