Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission .
On June 20, I attended the Japan FC General Meeting held in Sasebo, Nagasaki.
The morning session was dedicated to the board meeting, followed by the general meeting in the afternoon. Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, we successfully marked the beginning of the new fiscal year, 2024.
After the general meeting, we held a special symposium, a tradition where the hosting film commission (FC) showcases the regional charm and possibilities through its supported productions. This time, the theme was “Capturing Nagasaki Through Film & Visuals,” featuring two distinguished directors:
- Director Matsuyama, who worked on the 2024 winter drama Kimi ga Kokoro wo Kuretakara
- Director Miki, known for films set in Nagasaki such as Kids on the Slope.
I had the honor of serving as the moderator for this session.
A Warm Welcome & Lighthearted Conversations
It was my first time meeting both directors, but they were incredibly friendly. When I asked, “Is it okay if we go off-topic sometimes?” they both responded, “Of course, no problem at all!” That’s when I knew the symposium was going to be a success.
As we welcomed an audience of over 100 people, I began by saying, “Welcome home, Director Matsuyama and Director Miki, to Nagasaki (Sasebo)!” I wanted to express the feelings of the local attendees, and it worked— the room immediately warmed up, and the audience broke into applause.
And it really was a homecoming! Director Matsuyama was returning for the first time in six months since his drama shoot, and Director Miki hadn’t been back for several years.
The conversation flowed naturally, and before we knew it, we had already veered into unscripted topics (as expected!).
When Director Miki commented, “Filming is always fun!” Director Matsuyama quickly countered, “For me, it was pure stress. I had stomach pains every day—fun was the last thing on my mind!” The audience erupted in laughter.
Advice for Aspiring Directors
Since there were many students in the audience, one of the key questions was, “How can someone become a director?”
- Director Miki: “First, start creating and build experience.”
- Director Matsuyama: “Make small projects and share them on YouTube or other platforms to gain experience and visibility.”
Director Miki, who started his career with music videos, added, “It’s okay to work in a company first.”
Meanwhile, Director Matsuyama, who works at Fuji TV, shared, “You can’t jump straight into big-budget productions, so getting involved in various projects within a company is also a good way to learn.”
Wrapping Up with Applause
Before we knew it, time had flown by. The discussion was lively, filled with behind-the-scenes stories, career advice, and laughs. As the session wrapped up, the audience gave a thunderous round of applause, bringing this memorable symposium to a perfect close.