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April 2012, Week 3

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Subject:
From:
Mark Nornes <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:41:02 -0400
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Greetings all, 

I am bringing one of the top professional benshi to Univesity of Michigan for a residency this fall. This makes it easy to bring him to your campus or festival. Information on how to do it follows.

Let me know if you are interested. 

Markus



_________________________________
A. M. Nornes
Chair, Department of Screen Arts and Cultures
Professor, Department of Asian Languages & Cultures
Professor, School of Art & Design
University of Michigan
North Quad 6F, 105 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1608
Phone: 734-763-1314
FAX: 734-936-1846


Bring a Benshi to Your Campus this Fall!
KATAOKA Ichiro

 

Benshi Kataoka Ichiro will be on the University of Michigan campus the fall semester (September through December) for an artistic residency at the Department of Screen Arts and Cultures and the UM Center for World Performance Studies. This puts him easily within your reach. Here’s how!

WHO: Kataoka Ichiro is one of the top professional benshi in Japan. He was the star pupil of the undisputed master benshi, Sawato Midori. He grew up in Tokyo, and studied theater at Nihon University, where he graduated in 2001. He began his studies with Sawato in 2002 and shortly thereafter began performing. He also studied traditional kami shibai (storytelling accompanied by picture cards) with Akiyama Houei, and also violin with Fukuoka Utaji. He performs with films globally as a benshi, but he also acts in film and theater. He has also worked as a voice actor for video games. He has recently taught at the college level, and actively writes about his experiences as a benshi. He is particularly attractive to us at UM because he is a true historian as well. Kataoka has plunged into the archive to intensely study the history of the benshi. He has amassed a collection of over 600 78s, all recordings of benshi from the silent era. In Ann Arbor, he will appear every Friday evening for a silent Ozu season at the Center for Japanese Studies; he will also lead a workshop on “becoming a benshi” (join us!—details will follow).

WATCH: Kataoka Ichiro in action: http://youtu.be/W-SBXG4xY_M

PRINTS/RIGHTS: Kataoka has written performance scripts for nearly 250 films, mainly Japanese and American; however, he also has performed for many European, Korean, and Chinese films (a list of many is available upon request). His setsumei are all in Japanese, so you will need English subtitles. With a minimum two weeks notice, he can prepare the narration for a new film.

We recommend three sources for subtitled videos and films:

·      Criterion Collection DVDs/Janus Prints: Criterion will sell you one-time exhibition rights to its DVDs, which have nice music soundtracks. Janus has a number of 35mm prints, nearly all by Ozu. They also have many Western silent films available on 35mm. Contact Brian Belovarac, Janus Films, 215 Park Ave. So., FL 5, New York, NY 10003; ph: 212-756-8761, fx:  212-756-8850; [log in to unmask]; http://www.janusfilms.com.
·      Digital Meme: Digital Meme has a large number of Japanese silents on DVD. They will give you exhibition rights for $250. Their discs already have benshi soundtracks, so you would need to prepare other musical accompaniment. Please contact Larry Greenberg: [log in to unmask]
·      Matsuda Film Company: Matsuda has prints of many silent Japanese films. The prices are outlined on the website below. They charge the same for DVD showings (the discs are easy to buy) or prints (which must be shipped from Japan). http://www.matsudafilm.com/matsuda/e_pages/e_de.html
 

MUSIC: Benshi performances always have music in the background. Kataoka is happy to work with any genre of music. There are few ways to go about this.

·      Show DVDs that have music on the soundtrack. (Note: Digital Meme discs already have benshi soundtracks, so you would need another source of music.)
·      Show films with CDs playing in the background.
·      Show film prints that have music on the soundtrack.
·      You may also hire your own band or accompanist.
·      Our favorite!: Little Bang Theory: Frank Pahl, a famous composer here in Michigan has written a delightful score for Ozu’s I Was Born, But… (performance rights for 35mm or video can be arranged through Janus above). This three-member band is delightfully unique: all the instruments are toys Pahl has collected (eg., ukulele, whistles, a Barbie drum set, etc.); so a band of toy instruments for a film about the world of children! It’s perfect, incredibly charming, and an unforgettable experience. Little Bang Theory premiered this score at the University of Michigan in 2011, combining it with their score for Starevich’s The Mascot 1933). Frank is developing one more score for the Ozu retrospective, probably That Night’s Inn.  They will accompany Kataoka for $1,000 (transportation included for Lower Michigan performances). Email Pahl at: [log in to unmask]
 

o   Frank Pahl homepage: http://www.frankpahl.com/

o   Interview with Frank Pahl: http://blog.mlive.com/citpat-pluggedin/2008/04/an_interview_with_frank_pahl_o.html

o   Sample and purchase Little Bang Theory on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/toy-suites-and-themes/id433285861



KATAOKA HONORARIUM: $1,000 plus transportation. For institutions on a budget, he is willing to consider a homestay to defray the cost of hotel. He is also happy to enter classrooms or participate in discussions during any campus or museum visit.

COMING THIS FALL in Ann Arbor: Kataoka’s residency will include:

·      A weekly performance every Friday at the UM Center for Japanese Studies film series, which will be an entire season of silent Ozu on 35mm.
·      A free multi-session “How to be a benshi” workshop for people in Lower Michigan. The pro will help us craft setsumei for scenes we can use in our own classes.
·      A free one-weekend “How to be a benshi” workshop for out of towners.

To arrange a visit or receive regular information about Kataoka’s residency and performances, please contact Markus Nornes (University of Michigan): [log in to unmask]

 
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Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite
http://www.ScreenSite.org

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