Recent happenings report by Nomura (yes, as in, Tetsuya)
(TL note: pls note that the emoticons are all put there by me, vspirit, and
not nomura-sensei himself. I put it there to illustrate the tone of voice in which
he used to express himself in Japanese so you guys will get a better idea of the
kind of person he is xD)
So this is, like what, the 3rd time? OK, I know you guys are just itching to go
"NOT YOU AGAIN?!" so I'll save you all the trouble. Yes, unfortunately, it is I,
Nomura again. As the actual staff are all occupied with work, I've decided to take
things into my own hands (and deliver this report to you myself). No, this doesn't
mean that I've got lots of free time in my hands, it's more like I'm feeling real
bad for all the slow updates.
Well, let's see now, there're lotsa stuff to say so where should I begin...? Since
there're so many things, I guess I'll have to double up on my efforts in typing
this up, huh?
Venice International Film Festival
I believe I've mentioned this before in the previous update, and even now it's /still/
unbelievable to me, but we were able to screen our work there.
When I first arrived there, I was completely overwhelmed by what I saw and went,
"What? You mean it's really here? HERE?!!", and made a total fool of myself. 'Cos
the mode of transportation is mostly by vessels, making the whole place literally
a water capital, exceeding even the most absurd of imaginations. From the look of
the store and houses on the streets, to the people living there, everything was
so new and wonderful to me that I could only gape in amazement. And so, I've decided
then and there where my next vacationing spot would be.
As we were strictly here on business, so it was all work and no play =( While we
were stuck in the hotel terrace sweltering in our formal business attires, giving
one interview after another, the beach was just spread there tantalizingly in front
of us. We could only gaze longingly at the beach and all the people frolicking and
enjoying themselves on it in their bathing suits, and they, in turn, seemed to stare
mockingly back at us. And thus, I reinforced my decision of making this place my
next VACATION spot.
So, on to the Film Festival itself, then.
More than being happy, I was more relieved that the whole screening went by smoothly
without any hitches.
At any rate, the equipment managed to project everything smoothly right up to the
last moment (whew!). There were many fears involving the sound adjustment and whether
or not the screening will be able to run smoothly all the way through.
When we first received this great offer, we had no choice but to refuse because
it wasn't completed yet. Then, when we were told that it's fine even if it's only
half-completed, we had to refuse because we couldn't very well afford the time to
show people an unfinished piece of work when we could very well be using the time
instead to actually try to finish it.
But because we were overwhelmed by the zeal in their insistence, the staff (of course
them xD) and everyone else involved all got together and somehow managed to put
together something that's at least appropriate for screening purposes.
As I'm sure you all already know, just like how every media has reported it, we
really did receive a favorable response all the way until the curtains fell, honest!
On the last night, during the soft launch at a local street corner restaurant, as
I was sitting all alone on the front table smoking, the FF series and KH-related
things all running a marathon inside my head, Hashimoto-san, our producer, came
up to me and said, "This is going to sound all philosophical and the like, but well,
we've finally made it this far. So, any plans on what you'll be doing next?". He
uttered those words with such strong and deep feelings behind them that he made
me suddenly realize how true what he said was. Aw, but c'mon, Hashimoto-san....we
haven't even completed AC yet, ya know?
TGS
Right after our return from Venice, we were plunged straight in to preparing for
this. We had so many titles to present this time around that it became really busy
for us. This year's TGS lasted for 3 days and as I had slipped to be amongst the
crowd, I was able to gauge the audience's reaction live. Huhu, no one paid me any
mind at all. Looks like I blended in really, really well. I even participated fully
in the KH premiere party, but I guess that's all right.
BC-FFVII-
Distribution has begun and to honest with you, the public's reaction to it has far
exceeded our initial predictions and because of this, we created some trouble for
ourselves.
And to think that it's just began with something which I wrote up as a proposal
within a day all in one shot, too. But look at the splendid-looking game it has
become now.
Well, I guess the distribution method was faulty as well, but for something to come
to this well-developed stage this fast is a first for me. It's still only at the
beginning stage, but we already have many characters planned to make their appearance
soon so look forward to that, k? Fine, so I have yet to finish writing and drawing
up all of them...but they'll be ready by the time the next distribution period comes
around...Anyway, just between you and me, the fellas we'll be revealing in December
are all gonna be terrific ^_~
DC-FFVII-
The announcement for this was kinda sudden, wasn't it? It was in the preparation
stages for some time now but all of a sudden, we're now making a really huge development
progress on it. The producer, Kitase, has put forth a ton of effort on it and the
result is shocking, indeed. A whole new and original mystery has been completed
and fitted into the story, and because it features Vincent, new parts need to be
drawn up, as well as the parts of other characters, so all in all it's become a
real piece of work, I tell you. It's set apart from AC as a full-length animation,
yet with minute cross-references to it, that's what DC will be about.
Montreal International New Cinema Festival
After the screening at Venice, we received yet another invitation to go on location,
but this time, I simply couldn't make the time to go. However judging from what
I heard from our advertising producer, I now regret that I didn't. I really should've
gone and been there for myself even if it would've killed me. I heard things like,
when the movie logo was displayed over the projection screen at the end of the screening,
some guy from the audience literally shouted "YES!!!!!!!" at the top of his lungs
and the echo literally reverberated all throughout the entire building. Aw, I would've
totally enjoyed seeing the pleased faces of the audience there...
CC-FFVII-
The announcement of this one, I think, came totally as a surprise. Hey, I was caught
literally unaware myself. Other than that, I guess everything's still hush-hush
about this.
Tokyo International Film Fest
This one was pretty recent. Well, we have always wanted the Japanese fans to be
able to see it on big screen, so to be able to hold the screening at a theatre usually
only reserved for private use has made us really glad.
Woooow...screen 7 sure was huuuge, wasn't it? But again, we had encountered some
complications with the equipment, so we spent the night before the event right up
to the morning of it tweaking them up, and I ended up getting home only at 5 in
the morning. Although during that point in time, we still haven't been able to configure
the settings to 5.1ch, fortunately we were able to mere minutes before the curtains
rose. (phew!)
[TL note: 5.1 channel ---> really really top notch sound quality]
Actually, as quite a number of staff and myself were present on the grounds, the
applause after the end of the screening really left a deep impression on us. I thank
you all very much for that.
And to those of you who took the trouble to come all this way, I would have loved
to personally greet all of you but due to matters related to the screening, I wasn't
able to. For that, you have my deepest and sincerest apologies.
And to those of you who took pictures and such, if you could be kind enough to keep
them to yourselves, I'm a-thinking that when the whole thing is finished, we might
hold a premiere on big screen. When that happens, I'd like to be among the audience
and soak in the movie together with all of you.
Extra edition: KH: COM (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories)
Before I touch on the key point of this subject, please allow me this small little
shameful plug: the finished work is really, REALLY amazing, I tell ya! It'll be
finally going on sale on the 11th of November, and has already been publicized.
Well, I ended up being long-winded again this time but since I'm running a little
short on time we'll be skipping the reviews this time 'round. Dang, I really need
to get someone else to take over writing this for me or this whole thing might all
just end up going down the proverbial...
Also, about the release date of AC, I know I said something along the lines of "Til
winter comes 'round..." but....I'm sorry!!! I really, really am! I know winter's
already around the corner...T.T
Actually, due to various matters, and furthermore, our wanting to present something
that's really excellent, we just need a little bit more time. I am truly very sorry
for having to make you all wait some more.
In order to be able to announce the release as soon as possible, we are now in the
process of fine-tuning it. So please wait a little while more, ok?
Oh, and about my recent health issues, I'd like to express my sincerest gratitude
to those, both foreign and domestic, who have been concerned over my wellbeing.
So, thank you very much.
Actually, the recent med check-up I had was the first in several years now for me.
Seems that I've become even healhier now than I was before.
...
Well, I guess I'm just one tough guy, even if I have to say so myself. Oh well,
time to get back to work. They're a-multiplyin' by the dozens even as we speak.
xD
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Translation by site translator, vspirit
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