Shokunin
Japanese Arts
and Crafts
Across Borders
Docuseries Treatment
Shokunin
Japanese Arts and Crafts
Across Borders
Introducing a groundbreaking documentary series that explores how international artists and craftsmen preserve centuries-old Japanese traditions around the globe.
Synopsis
While Japan's pop culture has taken the world by storm, traditional Japanese arts and crafts are facing a perilous decline. As the country's population ages and shrinks, many artisans find themselves without successors. To revitalize ancient techniques from Japan, young artists and craftsmen around the globe find new ways of honouring tradition in a contemporary setting.
Trailer
Join us on a fascinating journey around the world to meet international artists and craftsmen who dedicate their lives to preserving Japanese techniques. From a shamisen luthier in Spain to an indigo dyer in Mexico, Shokunin: Japanese Arts and Crafts Across Borders explores centuries of tradition through the prism of contemporary makers.
Shokunin explores many topics that resonate with global audiences of today: the importance of cultural heritage and international exchange, appreciation for handicraft products and sustainable practices, and a yearning for authentic, meaningful experiences.
Target Audience
With stunning visuals, a memorable cast, and universal themes, Shokunin holds the potential to resonate with audiences worldwide. The docuseries taps into a diverse and expansive demographic:
Art Enthusiasts
Travel Lovers
Japanophiles
Creatives
Sustainability Advocates
Unique Value Proposition
Shokunin offers a unique perspective on the present and future of Japanese arts and crafts by featuring a multi-national cast of highly skilled artisans. The docuseries takes a deep dive into Japanese heritage from an outsider’s view, allowing audiences to see Japan with fresh eyes.
Authenticity
With each episode, we explore a different art, weaving together tales of shamisen making, katazome, sashimono, and more
Artistry
As we shed light on the struggles and triumphs of modern artisans, we uncover the essence of Japanese craftsmanship
Appreciation
These remarkable stories are a testament to the universal appeal of Japanese crafts that hold the power to transcend time and borders
Video Tales combines a passion for storytelling with a deep understanding
and appreciation of Japanese traditions. We collaborate closely with experts
in the field to ensure an authentic depiction of traditional arts and crafts.
Production Team
Director
Director, producer and editor, Victoria Protsenko, was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Spain at the age of 22. In the decade that followed, she received a Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies, and has worked on a wide range of projects, including several Japan-centred productions and independent films. Victoria has travelled Japan extensively, learning about the culture and traditions, and launched Video Tales with the aim to create original, thought-provoking content like Shokunin.
Tone & Style
Tone & Style
1
Immersive
Shokunin immerses the viewers in a world of beauty, skill, and cultural significance. From precise movements of chadō to the haunting melodies of the shakuhachi, our docuseries offers a stunning portrayal of Japanese techniques and the people who work tirelessly to preserve them.
2
Thought-provoking
Shokunin taps into the personal stories of craftsmen, exploring their struggles, triumphs, and the profound connection between their art and identity.
3
Inspirational
Shokunin seeks to raise awareness, promote cultural appreciation, and inspire action in Japan and beyond.
Format
Shokunin: Japanese Arts and Crafts Across Borders is a documentary series comprised of 10 standalone
episodes (20 min on average). Each instalment explores a different art or craft, conveying a harmonious
fusion of Japanese traditions and international perspectives.
You can watch the pilot episode - featuring shakuhachi shihan Horacio Curti - here:
Production Timeline
1
Pre-production
September 2022 Research & planning, storyboarding, location scouting, scheduling, budgeting
2
Production
November 2022
Principal photography across multiple locations
3
Post-production
February 2023 Crafting an immersive narrative, curating soundtrack, finalizing visual effects
4
Marketing
November 2023 Launching the website, promoting on social media, fundraising
5
Distribution
April 2024 Screening at film festivals & cultural events, signing distribution deals, and the official release
Marketing & Distribution
Online Presence
Sharing exclusive content on social media and website to build awareness
Screenings
Reaching a wider audience with festival & community screenings, Q&A sessions
Collaborations
Partnering with cultural organizations & experts to boost engagement
Marketing
Marketing on social media serves to build awareness, generate buzz, and gain international following. Particularly in Japan, it is an excellent way to reach younger audiences with little prior interest in centuries-old crafts:
102M active users (81% of population)
91% penetration rate in the 13-29 age group
59M users
19M aged 13-29
Second largest user base after the USA
49M users
(>40% of population)
Gen Z & millennials spend >100M hours each month
19M users
6M aged 13-19
The youngest user base in Japan & globally
Distribution
· Screenings at film festivals as well as Japan-themed events to gain exposure
· Signing distribution deals with streaming and/or broadcasting services to maximize exposure & impact
· Reaching a wider audience in a different format (feature film, TV episode, podcast)
· Community screenings to engage with the public directly (Q&As, panel discussions with the craftsmen and experts)
Impact
Shokunin is not merely a docuseries — it is an urgent call to action. By shedding light on the perilous decline of traditional arts and crafts, as well as the challenges faced by their practitioners, we seek to raise awareness and inspire action.
We believe that, with the backing of cultural organizations, initiatives like ours can encourage emerging craftsmen, foster cross-cultural exchange, and help to preserve Japanese heritage for future generations.
Shokunin is an independent production with the ultimate goal of promoting cultural preservation.
Video Tales seeks the help of organizations and individuals who feel as strongly as we do about preserving Japanese heritage to take part in bringing this docuseries to audiences worldwide.
For inquiries, collaborations, partnership and investment opportunities, please reach out to our team
Contact
Trailer
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