Tokyo 2020 Ceremonies

[Amanda Kisah Tauti]

On 10 July 2016 at 2:11 PM, TeamBlakeUSA said:

I Don't Remember That One.

Aww please dude, don't be like that

[Amanda Kisah Tauti]

On 12 August 2016 at 5:02 PM, Nemo said:

Maybe they'll do something like London, where they do a historical portion starting at a specific point later in history. Then again, I think Japan is so well know for it's specific artistry in ancient art, to manga and anime and even J-Pop that they could come up with something that goes outside the box of what we've come to expect. I think Japan will present an impressive show in 2020.

Yep..that's right..they must be the same as London 2012

[Amanda Kisah Tauti]

On 23 August 2016 at 2:44 PM, Ikarus360 said:

I think Japan, much like London in 2012, wants to give a more modern, upbeat and youthful presentation, rather than depending on tradition, and to show how much they've changed on the last years. They weren't used to be known to be self deprecative in the past but things have changed over the last decade and self deprecation seems to be something very usual these days (An example of how crazy they can be, they did a manga depicting the former PM Koizumi as an expert shogi player in Yu-Gi-Oh style, fighting many other popular figures in politics around the world). They often make some criticism/parodies of their own culture in many anime/comics).

I think their ceremonies will mostly focus on how they modernized. Maybe some small nods to ancient Japan but not taking the entire show. We already know how bad it was to do a 100% traditional ceremony back in 1998. And since reception to the handover has been very good I'm sure organizers have taken note and will try this approach once more for 2020. I think Shina Ringo might be involved once again in the ceremonies choreography-wise due to her marvelous work, though the director/producer might be someone different this time. Some of us want Ghibli but thinking about it again I think they would probably do something more traditional and storytelling-wise which would clash heavily with the futuristic message/theme they want to use.

Yes..this is true..I'm pretty sure they should be similar as London 2012

[TeamBlakeUSA]

The Flag Arrived To Tokyo Earlier This Week.

[Shadowriver]

On 8/24/2016 at 4:07 AM, Faiyez said:

How about an opening ceremony without a history lesson, no lecturing and no tragedy porn, for once?

I think thats not much possible, it too big opportunity for group of interests to miss, but knowing Japan i would not expect much of propaganda they quite neutral on many world affers. But i think 3.11 deserve a tribute it's quite on the back of Japanese people and i think history and culture presentation is a must or else it would ceremonies would lose there magic imo. Even pop-culture centric London ceremony has bit of it and i really liked it, ceremony should scream Japan and anime and jpop is not enough for that.

Also i found fun new tweet ;]

 

[Shadowriver]

Paralympic Tokyo promo looked very similar they even had same light boxes and it ended and begin the same way, minus anime minus mario prime minister, so it was not so wowy  . Rio paralympics closing ceremony stage setup was more for concert, but they handled it well in this limiting setup 

[Palette86]

18 hours ago, Shadowriver said:

Paralympic Tokyo promo looked very similar they even had same light boxes and it ended and begin the same way, minus anime minus mario prime minister, so it was not so wowy  . Rio paralympics closing ceremony stage setup was more for concert, but they handled it well in this limiting setup 

And for who missed to watch it.

http://sports.nhk.or.jp/paralympic/video/element/video=32982.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Nhl85_wIY

 

[JMarkSnow2012]

16 hours ago, Palette86 said:

And for who missed to watch it.

http://sports.nhk.or.jp/paralympic/video/element/video=32982.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Nhl85_wIY

 

YouTube video not available in the UK- but at least the Channel 4 has the whole ceremony (and much more) on http://paralympics.channel4.com/replays/ for British viewers.

[zigzag]

17 hours ago, Palette86 said:

And for who missed to watch it.

http://sports.nhk.or.jp/paralympic/video/element/video=32982.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Nhl85_wIY

 

 

Hey @Palette86 I'm curious to know is there an audio version for the vocal song at the later part of that handover?

[TeamBlakeUSA]

We Want To Thank You For Part of Rio 2016 Paralympic Opening And Closing Ceremonies See You In Tokyo 2020.

[JMarkSnow2012]

On 27/08/2016 at 4:12 AM, Shadowriver said:

I think thats not much possible, it too big opportunity for group of interests to miss, but knowing Japan i would not expect much of propaganda they quite neutral on many world affers. But i think 3.11 deserve a tribute it's quite on the back of Japanese people and i think history and culture presentation is a must or else it would ceremonies would lose there magic imo. Even pop-culture centric London ceremony has bit of it and i really liked it, ceremony should scream Japan and anime and jpop is not enough for that.

 

I'm hoping they'll theme their opening ceremony on something like Kurosawa's "Hidden Fortress"- but continuing the feel of the handovers to make a science fiction version with glowing swords and stuff.

[Palette86]

8 hours ago, zigzag said:

 

Hey @Palette86 I'm curious to know is there an audio version for the vocal song at the later part of that handover?

@8:23?? Maybe this song.

 

[gotosy]

Special panel formed to discuss 2020 opening, closing ceremonies

 

Sports Mar. 25, 2017 - 06:33AM JST ( 4 )

TOKYO —

The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee’s executive board on Friday approved a panel of experts in various fields to advise on the production of the opening and closing ceremonies.

The 12-member panel, which will be chaired by 2020 Honorary President and Chairman/CEO of Canon Fujio Mitarai, will decide the general theme of the ceremonies as well as their artistic directors.

The panel includes the likes of Yoshinobu Miyake, weightlifting gold medalist at the last Tokyo Olympics in 1964, author Ayako Sono and one foreigner, David Atkinson, a former analyst with Goldman Sachs based in Japan who is now a cultural expert as head of Konishi Decorative Arts and Crafts.

Hidemasa Nakamura, 2020’s chief financial officer, said the experts will discuss how the ceremonies can help define what will be the legacy of the Tokyo Games.

“The 1964 Games left a huge influence on Japan. It was an event with great historical and social significance,” Nakamura said. “We need to ask ourselves what kind of significance the 2020 Games will have for Japan as we move forward.”

Organizers on Tuesday also announced that as of April 1, they will begin recycling metals at 2,400 NTT Docomo outlets and public buildings in all 47 prefectures to produce the medals for the Tokyo Olympics.

The metals will be extracted from small household appliances such as mobile phones, computers and digital cameras. Approximately 2 tons of metal will be needed to produce 5,000 medals in the three colors for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

 

© KYODO

https://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/special-panel-formed-to-discuss-2020-opening-closing-ceremonies?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[gotosy]

Filmmaker Yamazaki likely to direct 2020 Tokyo Olympic ceremonies

 

TOKYO

The organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics is planning to appoint film director Takashi Yamazaki among others to direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2020 sports events, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.

Yamazaki, 53, best known for his film series "Always -- Sunset on Third Street," is expected to play a key role in creating the format and stories for the ceremonies, the sources said.

Yamasaki's "Always" depicts life in a close-knit Tokyo neighborhood after World War II and its third episode features the Japanese capital in 1964, when the previous summer Olympics was held. He also directed the war drama film "The Eternal Zero" and animation film "Stand By Me Doraemon."

The production team of the Olympics and Paralympics ceremonies will also likely include those involved in the performance by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, during which the premier played the role of Mario, of Mario Bros., according to the sources.

Pop singer Ringo Sheena and traditional Japanese kyogen actor Nomura Mansai are also likely to join the group, the sources added.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will each be presented in four parts, based on such themes as peace, coexistence, reconstruction and the future.

© KYODO

 

https://japantoday.com/category/sports/olympics-filmmaker-yamazaki-eyed-as-director-of-2020-tokyo-olympics-ceremonies?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Ikarus360]

Well, with Pyeongchang 2018 now over (save for the Paralympics) I guess we can start to focus now on the 2020 show. I admit i'm embarassed that I missed this article because of my focus back then on the PC show preparations. 

It seems Japan wants to continue the trend started by Beijing 2008 of putting Film directors in charge. Takashi Yamazaki will join the likes of Zhang Yimou, Danny Boyle and Fernando Meirelles. I don't know much about Yamazaki, besides the Stand by Me movie, but I can tell he knows how to convey lots of emotion. The fact they brought someone who did a film about the 1964 olympics might also means the Organizing Comittee will play the nostalgia card. I mean, they already did it brining back the old 1964 Enka theme song back. 

We also now know the official  themes the Ceremonies will be using: "Peace, Unity, Recovery, Future, Japan/Tokyo, Athletes, Participation, and Excitement." . In Summer 2018 we will know the main directors of each Opening and Closing ceremonies as well.

Very glad they are also getting Sheena Ringo back for the production team. After the successful handover of 2016, it would had been weird if she wasn't considered. I trust a lot on her work for the 2020 show. Also, we're apparently also getting Genki Kawamura as part of the team. He was one of the producers of the anime movie "Your Name" (2016), which was a huge sensation back in the day, almost to the level of Miyazaki films. A big part of the story happens in Tokyo. 

http://www.japantrends.com/2020-tokyo-olympic-opening-ceremony-planning-team-announced/

Quote

The initial team of people who will supervise and direct planning for the opening ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games has been announced.

The officially confirmed eight figures come from Japanese music, dance, traditional theater, film, and advertising.

They include pop star Ringo Sheena and Perfume choreographer Mikiko, who were both previously involved with the Rio de Janeiro Olympics handover ceremony in August 2016, which received a positive public response.

The other members of the team are the film producer and novelist Genki Kawamura (responsible for producing the hit anime Your Name.), Yoshie Kris, who is known for her work with disabilities and design, creative directors Hiroshi Sasaki and Kaoru Sugano (also both part of the handover ceremony), the traditional Kyogen performer Manzai Nomura, and the film director Takashi Yamazaki, who is best known for his crowd-pleasing hits like the Always: Sunset on Third Street trilogy and the controversial, nationalist war film The Eternal Zero, which was accused of downplaying the reality of kamikaze pilots.

The inclusion of Yamazaki on the team indicates that the opening ceremony may well seek to draw on nostalgia for the successful 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which helped cemented Japan’s return as a world power after its defeat in 1945, and memory of which stand in stark contrast to the debacle of the 2020 Olympics’ preparations so far. The organizers of the 2020 Games are largely from the baby boomer generation for whom 1964 was a landmark event. As such, they are apt to wax lyrical about a time when the Japanese economy was on the up.

“We chose members from the generation of people who will continue to perform actively after the Games,” remarked the 82-year-old honorary chair of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, who is leading the sessions of “experts” held by the committee. One such session decided on the concepts for the ceremonies, comprising the following eight elements: Peace, Unity, Recovery, Future, Japan/Tokyo, Athletes, Participation, and Excitement.

Few concrete details have been announced so far, other than that there will be four linked ceremonies for the respective opening and closing of the two Games, which will be planned and shaped by the team of eight. The basic planning is set to finish by summer 2018, after which directors of each ceremony will be announced.

“It’s possible that the director might be chosen from the planning team,” admitted the chief ceremony officer of the committee, suggesting that Yamazaki may well get the job.

 

[Ikarus360]

Some of the films Yamazaki have done, to make ourselves an idea of what to expect in the probable scenario he's picked as the Opening director

Doraemon Stand By Me

The Eternal Zero

Last but not least, his most recent movie released in 2017 "The Tale of Kamakura"

 

[baron-pierreIV]

Uh-oh.  Not a good feeling about this.  He may be great as an animated director, but that doesn't mean he'd be good as a "stadium-theater" director (not unless he consults with Zhang Yimou).  Definitely a lot of animated exposition -- and I guess manga and Anime art for the ceremonies.  

[Chrishigh765]

39 minutes ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Uh-oh.  Not a good feeling about this.  He may be great as an animated director, but that doesn't mean he'd be good as a "stadium-theater" director (not unless he consults with Zhang Yimou).  Definitely a lot of animated exposition -- and I guess manga and Anime art for the ceremonies.  

The only person that I can think of to produce the ceremonies is Ric Birch

http://spectak.com/

[Faiyez]

6 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Uh-oh.  Not a good feeling about this.  He may be great as an animated director, but that doesn't mean he'd be good as a "stadium-theater" director (not unless he consults with Zhang Yimou).

What the heck is a "stadium-theater" director, and why do you think anyone in the opening event committee would benefit from consulting some Chinese dude? You realize this is the TOKYO Olympics, right?

I'm assuming the British didn't feel any need to consult any Chinese dude for their own thing, did they? So why bring up Chinese dudes now?

[Ikarus360]

Baron, if you actually did read my posts well you would realize the only actual animated thing Yamazaki did was Stand by Me. He often works as a live action director. Also, no problem if they use anime/manga in 2020. To be honest I kind of wish their ceremonies are full of ridiculous yet cool references just like the references to english culture we had in both London ceremonies. I also hope they don't completly disregard some traditional aspects, as long as they dont turn the whole show onto it. I'm looking at you, Nagano. 

Also after the soulless 2022 handover, I think Zhang might be a little bit too overrated, to be frank honest. Not dissing his work in 2008 which was awesome and everything, but he's not the only talented person in the world. Also, knowing how nationalists many in Japan are, I highly doubt they're ever going to hire either a chinese/korean person to do their ceremonies. 

Some of us had fears about Danny Boyle doing the London opening but overall I think it was pretty good. Also I admit i was very afraid at first for the PC2018 ceremonies since the director only did a relatively successful musical show (Nanta) as a live audience experience, but in the end everything went smoothly. 

[baron-pierreIV]

1 hour ago, Faiyez said:

What the heck is a "stadium-theater" director, and why do you think anyone in the opening event committee would benefit from consulting some Chinese dude? You realize this is the TOKYO Olympics, right?

I'm assuming the British didn't feel any need to consult any Chinese dude for their own thing, did they? So why bring up Chinese dudes now?

"Stadium-theater"?  Doing theater in a stadium, i.e., gigantic-venue-setting, not a 1,000-seat proscenium theater.    Get off your high horse.  Many of these Ceremonies, and even the bid committees alone, use foreign technical experts and consultants when they formulate their bids and shows.  Much of that happens in the background and is not publicized.  I KNOW that is Tokyo.  I was just giving my opinion and of course, Tokyo will just go ahead an do what they want.  Perfectly fine with me.  

Yeah, London did not and look how messy their opening was.  At least, that's how I found it.  "Why bring up the Chinese now?"  OK, how about later, then??  LOL!!

[JMarkSnow2012]

4 hours ago, Faiyez said:

I'm assuming the British didn't feel any need to consult any Chinese dude for their own thing, did they?

Well, they did hire Crystal CG, who did the graphics for Beijing 2008's amazing scroll and roof videos, to realise the animation for 2012's audience pixels etc. 

[JMarkSnow2012]

3 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

"Stadium-theater"?  Doing theater in a stadium, i.e., gigantic-venue-setting, not a 1,000-seat proscenium theater.

It gets problematic when "stadium theater" is also a television event. Even Zhang Yimou had to compromise and over-simplify his set-pieces for the benefit of the TV audience, meaning that the stadium audience, who couldn't cut between different shots of the same action every few seconds, got a much slower-paced experience.

[mattygs]

8 hours ago, Faiyez said:

What the heck is a "stadium-theater" director, and why do you think anyone in the opening event committee would benefit from consulting some Chinese dude? You realize this is the TOKYO Olympics, right?

I'm assuming the British didn't feel any need to consult any Chinese dude for their own thing, did they? So why bring up Chinese dudes now?

I think Baron gave a pretty good explanation of what stadium theatre is, it's been around for some time, just another medium of entertainment (which can often be coupled with public events production).

Tokyo of course won't consult *with the Chinese* for the sake of it, however it would be logical for a production of this scale to tap into the international major events production family. There are very few people internationally who have the expertise in the production of these events, Tokyo would struggle to go it alone. 

The production of ceremonies can go off in a few different directions. Usually, either the OCOG will appoint an artistic director/local creative team (of late these have been film makers, stage directors etc) and then appoint a production company to bring those ideas to life. They will provide the expertise on how to translate those to the field of play (and yes of late this will include how it translates to television - even more so recently where ceremonies have become a set of tableau images rather than a gigantic movement of people and props on the stadium floor).    A few examples....

Barcelona 92: Pepo Sol (with support from Spectak - Ric Birch). Also commissioned a number of Catalan theatre companies to produce segments. 

Athens 2004: Dimitris Papaioannou (produced by Jack Morton Worldwide)

Beijing 2008: Zhang Yimou (locally produced, granted the Chinese have a lot of experience with their own National Games ceremonies with assistance from international producers)

London 2012: Danny Boyle (produced by 5 currents via a specially set up ceremonies company)

Sochi 2014: Konstantin Ernst (produced by 5 currents)

Alternatively, a production company may bid for the entire ceremonies which also includes the creative side, often they will then bring in locals to help with the creative side. These kinds of ceremonies will often include the travelling roadshow of ideas before committing to a script. 

Baku 2015: Dimitris Papaioannou (produced by 5 currents)

 

Vancouver 2010 / Doha 2006: David Atkins Enterprises

Auckland 1990: Logan Brewer Design

Brisbane 82: Spectak 

Sydney 2000: Spectak 

Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006, Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018: Jack Morton Worldwide with David Zolkwer as lead artistic director.  (seems JMW and The Com Games have a thing happening)

Atlanta 96: Don Mischer Productions (also worked on Salt Lake 2002)

I think Tokyo will go for the first model, purely on the basis that I haven't seen that many Japanese names being involved in ceremonies worldwide. 

 

 

 

[baron-pierreIV]

Plus, Fayez, you know that upcoming host cities get to send advance teams to observe, schmooze and check out the latest Olympic Games, CWGs, etc., being played out -- so they will have a feel of how it goes when their turn comes.  I believe Paris 2024 and LA 2028 already had observer teams in PyeongChang (even if LA had already done it some 34 years ago; but Paris probably needs a refresher course.    ).  Don't you think they schmoozed, tossed out ideas, picked each other's brains, had Q&A with each other, i.e., informal "consultations" with their colleagues/rivals who perform the same things?

Yes, eventually, Tokyo will of course, use home-grown talent but, and with the IOC's approval and encouragement, they've certainly kicked the tires with those who have done it before, including the Chinese and the Koreans.  

And to add to Matty's list above:  Rio's Ceremonies started out with getting Marco Ballich (Torino) and Ric Birch to set-up and build the C's unit ( a new entity, Ceremonias Cariocas, was formed).  They then took on local partners and talent -- as all of them do.  Birch, eventually bowed out due to "creative differences," but Ballich (who I believe just had a stint w/ Sochi as well), stayed on for the completion of the Rio job.  

Edited March 4, 2018 by baron-pierreIV