Update - just to let you know that this project has raised 121,000 USD - just a wee bit more to go! You can be part of this project by chipping in 1 USD.
We also uploaded an interview for the project too.
KickStarter - the platform that enables creative folks to crowdsource cash to make their ideas into a reality. Anime Studio Production IG has decided to embrace the platform for a project called Kick Heart.
Here I am with Yoshiki Sakurai (Ghost in te Shell, Evangelion, Blood +) to my left and on his left is the big boss of Production IG Ishikawa-san. The skills I gained during my Ninja training have enabled me to play a very low-key part in this project - all which will be revealed later on ^^;
Check out the pitch video below.
The KickStarter page for this project lives here and has already collected a few thousand USD - the aim is to gather 150,000 USD. Details about the project below copy pasted from the KickStarter page.
A love story between two people that each have a secret to hide. One a pro-wrestler, the other a Nun. Losing never felt so good.
The Story
Kick-Heart is a love story between Romeo, a successful pro-wrestler, and Juliet, a nun who lives a secret double-life as a female pro-wrestler. Romeo's secret is that he enjoys taking a beating in the ring, while Juliet feels invigorated when facing her opponents as a wrestler. When the two meet in the ring, the fireworks fly. Their story is set in the colorful backdrop of the professional wrestling world. Will Juliet reveal her true identity to the one she loves? Will Romeo be able to share his secret to the world?
The film is directed by one of Japan's most innovative and original animation directors, Masaaki Yuasa.
Why Kickstarter?
During the mid 80’s and 90’s Japanese animation directors, such as Mamoru Oshii, pioneered a new era of animation. Their films inspired animation fans around the world, including many well known Hollywood film directors.
Recently in Japan, its been very difficult for the next generation of innovators to create more artistically driven projects-- mainly because of the economic situation in Japan. Most of the focus has been put on creating projects that carry less risk-- such as remakes of older animation projects or well-known established properties.
So we had an idea: What if we use Kickstarter as a platform to connect the fans across the globe who want to see cutting-edge animation, with highly skilled anime directors? By using crowdfunding to help support and promote these talented directors, we can enable them to push the boundaries of anime to inspire others to innovate alongside them.
This is a bit of an experiment for us, and we are trying to see if is possible to make these types of artistically driven films with the help of crowd-funding. If this goes well, we would definitely like to pursue more projects like this in the future.
About the Film
Kick-Heart will be a 2D animated short film that will be approximately 10 minutes in length and will be written and directed by Masaaki Yuasa. This film has just recently completed pre-production and layout.
During the campaign, we will be providing live updates during production and backers will get exclusive access to:
- Production Artwork
- Storyboards
- Production blogs
- Interviews with Production I.G staff
The Goal
Our goal is raise a minimum of $150,000 for this project. After the film is completed, we plan on submitting it to film festivals around the world.
Here is how we intend to use the funds:
- Increase the quality of animation
- Increase the overall duration of the animation
- Help offset the current production costs
- Manufacturing costs for backers rewards (Blu-ray,Print materials etc)
- Digital distribution costs for backers downloading the film
- Festival Submission Fees
About the staff
Masaaki Yuasa, Director
Massaki Yuasa has been involved in many notable projects such as Crayon Shin-can, Hakkenden, My Neighbor the Yamadas, Samurai Champloo, leading up to his directorial debut with Mind Game. His animation is cherished by the people who are familiar with his work and his style of animation is unlike anything being made. His work plays with themes of slapstick comedy and human drama. His drawings at first glance may look unrefined, but this intentional look becomes very dynamic and expressive when they are brought to life using hand-drawn Japanese animation.
Mamoru Oshii, Project Consultant
Mamoru Oshii, is considered one of Japan’s most famous and influential directors. He has written and directed such films as Patlabor 2, Ghost in the Shell, Avalon, Innocence and Skycrawlers and is known as a pioneer in the Japanese animation industry. He has received and been nominated for numerous awards, including the prestigous Palme d'Or and Golden Lion. Oshii-san has graciously offered to help advise and consult on the film.
Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, CEO Production I.G
Ishikawa founded Production I.G with popular character designer Takayuki Goto in 1987. The company has since produced a number of acclaimed feature films, OVA (original video animation), TV shows, and video games. Ghost in the Shell, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, and Blood: The Last Vampire, have earned critical acclaim in Japan and all around the world. Innocence, directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, has been the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Festival de Cannes.
Have a look at the storyboard and concept artwork - if you think this project is worth your cash then head over to KickStarter and pledge!
So what do you get for pledging your hard earned moolah?
PLEDGE $5 OR MORE
[ The Schoolboy ] : Our sincere gratitude
PLEDGE $15 OR MORE
[ The Monkey flip ] : "Kick-Heart" Standard Definition (480p) Digital Download
PLEDGE $30 OR MORE
[ The Pumphandle Drop ] :"Kick-Heart" High Defintion (720p) Digital Download
PLEDGE $45 OR MORE
[ The Cobra Clutch ] :"Kick-Heart" HD Digital Download (720p) ＋ Character Designs PDF + Digital Storyboard PDF + Background Art PDF
PLEDGE $60 OR MORE
[ The Pile Driver ] :"Kick-Heart" Blu-ray (1080p) + "Making of Kick-Heart"(480) + "Kick-Heart" HD Digital Download (720p) + Character Designs PDF + Digital Storyboard PDF + Background Art PDF
PLEDGE $100 OR MORE
[ The Russian Legsweep ] "Kick-Heart" Blu-ray (1080p) + "Making of Kick-Heart" ＋ "Kick-Heart" HD Digital Download (720p) + Character Designs PDF + Digital Storyboard PDF + Background Art PDF ＋ Special "Silver Sponsor" website credit + Limited Edition postcard set (8 cards) featuring artwork from the film.
PLEDGE $250 OR MORE
[ The Spinning Spinebuster ] "Kick-Heart" Blu-ray (1080p) + "Kick-Heart" HD Digital Download (720p) + "Making of Kick-Heart" Digital Download (720p) + Character Designs PDF + Background Art PDF +Digital Storyboard PDF + 1 Giclee "Kick-Heart" illustration print signed by Masaaki Yuasa ＋ Special "Gold Sponsor" website credit
PLEDGE $10,000 OR MORE
[ The Michinoku Driver II ] :A private tour of Production I.G + A dinner with the Kick Heart’s Director, Masaaki Yuasa, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, the CEO of Production I.G and Mamoru Oshii, director of Ghost in the Shell) + Travel and Accomodation(1 night) in Tokyo + Blu-ray (1080p) + "Kick-Heart" HD Digital Download (720p) + "Making of Kick-Heart" Digital Download (720p) + Character Designs PDF + Background Art PDF + Digital Storyboard PDF +1 Giclee Background Art Print Signed by Yuasa ＋ Special "Platinum Sponsor" website and film credit
If all of this works out then it could also mean that you get to decide what you want more of - a second season to a particular anime title? Or how about your voice heard by the producers? Maybe bring back that dead character or bump off somebody that got on your nerves in the previous season?
Head over to the KickStarterproject page to keep an eye on the latest developments.
All images are © 2012 Production I.G
