Producer Nanako Fukui on Manifesting “Islands”
The unobvious artist…what does that mean? For every artist who is the focal point for an audience: an actor, a singer, etc., there is an immensely talented and unseen creative professional who empowers that performer. We know the names like Spielberg, Hitchcock, and others but there are also those like producer Nanako Fukui who are even more hidden from the public eye than others. This Japanese native who is known for her collaborations with American artist is often described as a perfect meld of eastern efficiency and western sensibility. From her work on award-winning films to high end productions for companies like Sony, Nanako seems committed to testing her own skill with a varying array of production types. She recently worked with San Francisco Bay area music duo Chow Mane and Michael Lanza for their “Islands” music video which was heralded with a host of recognitions including: Official Selection of the Lift-Off Global Network, Official Selection of the New York City Independent Film Festival, and Bronze Remi Award Winner at the 53rd Annual WorldFest- Houston International Film Festival.
Regardless of whether it’s your favorite restaurant, clothing designer, song, or film, the true artistry lies not in complexity but in the delivery of the desired response. Similarly, behind all these art forms, most certainly in regards to storytelling, there is much more effort to delivering something seemingly “simple” than the recipient ever understands. “Islands” the music video is a tale of two men (Mane and Lanza) shipwrecked on an island who are lured into the jungle by beautiful female sirens but behind the manifestation of this was a maze of scheduling, budgetary, and creative tasks, masterfully conducted by producer Nanako Fukui. Taken at face value, the treatment for this music video could have easily been a “break the bank” scenario with an island location, mermaids, and special effects. Nanako’s ability to see the potential for acquiring these facets within budget is the tipping point between creation of this award-winning video and it simply being a great idea that never materialized. The remote beach island location was actually Santa Cruz California. The Mermaid’s special effects make-up was the product of an LA based artist enticed by Nanako’s description of the story, while the more pyrotechnical special effects were created by a special effects artist who had worked on the Transformers movie franchise who was also acquired due to this producer’s powers of persuasion. She relates, “There’s always a moment when the compromise begins. There’s not only one way to procure what a production needs. A producer must see all of the possibilities, not just the obvious ones. When I need funds in one area, I might negotiate with someone we bring aboard like a make-up artist. It the rate is within reason and is best for the production, they will most often be open to this as they are artists and want to create the best production for all.” She adds, “Often the expense comes in regards to time. The hardest part of ‘Islands’ was finding the perfect beach and forest location. My search was extensive and took a great deal of time but the location I found was perfect and made things smooth for the shoot. If this part of the process costs more of my time, I’m happy to do so when it means that the cast and crew are well taken care of.”
“Islands” is both an audibly and visually enchanting experience. From the moment Chow Mane and Michael Lanza wake up stranded on a picturesque beach, confused by what has happened, the intertwined story and performance transfix the viewer. As the duo is enticed by mermaids and led through the forest, the drama of their situation is juxtaposed against the lyrics being rapped and sung which tell of an unexpected love. This is high-end music video production that bases itself in story rather than software manipulation and elaborate costumes; none of which would have seen fruition if not for the tireless work of a producer like Nanako Fukui.
