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| © Character Samanosuke by © Fu Long Production,
© CAPCOM CO., LTD. 2004 ALL RIGHT RESERVED. |
Excellence Prize
「"Onimusha 3" Opening Cinematics
Visual Image
Artist : KURASAWA Mikitaka
(Japan)
KURASAWA Mikitaka
Born in Tokyo, and Graduated from Nihon University, College of Art, Department of Cinema. He worked in the field of TVCM production, Ad Agent, and CG Production, then joined ROBOT COMMUNICATION Inc., in 2000. He mainly works in CG, VFX and animation. In the past ten years, as a producer, he developed CG and cinematics of many games, especially world acclaimed ONIMUSHA Trilogy which employed the movie-director. Received many awards from both in and outside of Japan.
"Can I produce the world class entertainment work by forming the partnership with the best creator of the world?" This is the self- question that arose in my mind during my trip to CG Conference abroad. I sincerely thank the staff for my hard demand during the long production period, and all the people in CAPCOM for their kind support.
This work has indeed exceeded the scope of promotion, and fully attained a high level of accomplishment and attractiveness as a video product. Bold camera work skillfully developing from the opening scene shows exquisite harmony with the story and never fails to capture the viewer's attention. In full CG videos, scene cut and story development tend to be redundant. This work, however, seems to have placed greatest importance on being entertainment. This directorial intention is successfully reflected on the screen. We have awarded Onimusha 3, since it can be positioned as a model work for those who seek a CG directing career.
What kind of medium did you choose for your work when the first time you were aware of your "creation"?
A pencil, a color pencil and a crayon, etc.
And, how old were you and what did you make?
Before entering kindergarten. It is awkward to name a piece of work for me, but the beginning was when I drew heroes from TV or films or my original characters.
Do you have any consistent subject matter or theme through your works?
To give novelty, betrayal as the least expected thing, surprise and emotion. And realism. I mean not realism as true to nature but the visual image and story have reality.
When do you feel the connection with the technology in your creative activity?
What is the difference of the sense of Media Art from the one of traditional fine art?
What is the difference of the sense of Media Art from the one of traditional fine art?
I create a work while facing a computer which is a steadily evolving technology, and the technology is a tool for me which has the same meaning as a pencil and drawing paper. Regardless of methods, the most important thing is human imagination and in this sense (the definition is slightly obscure but…), the media arts and the arts have the same roots, in my opinion.
How does your choice of medium affect on your works?
In another words, what kind of expression does your choice of medium allow you to make?
In another words, what kind of expression does your choice of medium allow you to make?
When I made a request to create Computer Graphics when I was working for a CM production company, I felt a computer requires difficult and sophisticated professional skills and “it may be easy to be controlled by technology”. However, when I joined Computer Graphics production later, I grew to believe that “Computer Graphics allows a high degree of freedom and it can seek after a new presentation” by seeing that markets and the scope of expression can broaden dramatically. Since then, I encourage collaboration with visual creators in films, animation or advertising, who are not using Computer Graphics and am aspiring to the presentation of high quality invaluable imagination.
Do you feel that your theme of your works and the digital art will change along with the shift of the society?
I believe the presentation will be transforming although its nature will not change, because the market is shifting with the times and the human imagination has no limit.
What kind of field you are best at in your works?
And how do your works fit within and affect on this society?
And how do your works fit within and affect on this society?
Commercial potentiality. I place the ultimate priority on the market.
What is your motto?
“Ichi-go ichi-e” (Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur).
What kind of situation in every day life do you get inspired most?
When I am on my own regardless of location. However, it can hardly be said to be an inspiration. The solution will be found after going through many conversations and interviews with other people, experimenting with lots of materials, employing all of my experience and knowledge, and thinking and thinking again and again.
What kind of vision do you have in your future development as the creator?
In the world market which becomes more borderless, I would like to create content and a business everyone can enjoy.
Please name of the people or phenomena that you have got most influenced by as the creator.
YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA
One of the things which gave me the largest cultural shock in my life: the existence of a producer who I was aware of for the first time in my life was Hosono Haruomi, the leader of YMO.
Ridley Scot
The director of the movies Alien and Blade Runner. I was shocked by the formidably beautiful visual images which cannot be competed with.
Fukasaku Kinji
The best filmmaker in Japan. When I worked with him, I learned various things which meant more to me than words could say. Especially the direction of action drama became the starting point for the idea of the “Onimusha 3” Opening Cinematics.
Dragon Quest II “Akuryo no Kamigami”
IThe game I went crazy about for the fist time. I felt that it was entirely new entertainment in its established scenario and game system.
Japanese comics, animations and visual effects
These are things which I have been familiar with since I was a small child. It can be said that they are the resources of my creative activities.
One of the things which gave me the largest cultural shock in my life: the existence of a producer who I was aware of for the first time in my life was Hosono Haruomi, the leader of YMO.
Ridley Scot
The director of the movies Alien and Blade Runner. I was shocked by the formidably beautiful visual images which cannot be competed with.
Fukasaku Kinji
The best filmmaker in Japan. When I worked with him, I learned various things which meant more to me than words could say. Especially the direction of action drama became the starting point for the idea of the “Onimusha 3” Opening Cinematics.
Dragon Quest II “Akuryo no Kamigami”
IThe game I went crazy about for the fist time. I felt that it was entirely new entertainment in its established scenario and game system.
Japanese comics, animations and visual effects
These are things which I have been familiar with since I was a small child. It can be said that they are the resources of my creative activities.
