I am the Entertainment Tycoon

Chapter 737: Tokyo Studios March 26th Weekly Meeting II



Three and a half weeks had passed since Theo announced the start of Tokyo Studios' two new projects: the Naruto anime series and the Spirited Away movie production. The initial excitement had settled into a steady rhythm of diligent work. The conference room, filled with the morning sunlight filtering through the large windows, was now buzzing with the focused energy of department leaders and key staff members.

"Okay, let's start with Naruto," Theo said, his voice cutting through the ambient hum of conversations. The room quieted instantly. "I'd like to hear updates on the pre-production phases: storyboards, character designs, background designs, and world-building."

Ryoko, who had been eagerly anticipating this moment, stepped forward. "Let's begin with storyboarding," she said, her excitement barely contained. "Jo Nesbo and his team have made significant progress."

The large screen behind Ryoko flickered to life, displaying a series of storyboards. The frames depicted dynamic action sequences and pivotal moments from the first few episodes of Naruto.

"Here's the storyboard for Episode 1," Jo Nesbo, the Storyboarding Chief, said as he highlighted the images. "We've ensured that each storyboard adheres to the high standards Theo has set. The narrative flow is clear, and the action scenes are designed to capture the intensity of the manga."

Theo nodded in approval. "The pacing looks solid. I see that you've incorporated the key elements from the manga effectively. How about the character designs?"

Pablo Zorzi, the Character Design Chief, took over the presentation. The screen shifted to showcase character designs-detailed and vibrant, capturing the essence of Naruto Uzumaki and his companions.

"We've designed the main characters with a focus on maintaining their iconic features while adapting them to fit our animation style," Pablo explained. "Each character design has been approved for consistency with the manga and to ensure they are expressive and true to their personalities."

The room murmured with approval. Theo's eyes lingered on the designs, noting the intricate details and the faithful representation of the characters. "These look excellent. Make sure the designs remain adaptable as the series progresses."

"Absolutely," Pablo affirmed.

Next up was the background design. Bruno Takehiro, the Background Art Chief, presented a series of digital renderings of various settings from the Naruto world.

"We've created detailed backgrounds for several key locations, including Konoha Village and the Forest of Death," Bruno said, pointing to the images on the screen. "Our goal is to make sure these environments are immersive and complement the characters and storylines."

Theo examined the backgrounds carefully. Having watched the anime in his past life, he knew exactly how it should look like.

"Hmm, it is close to what I envision. Ensure that these backgrounds are versatile and can be used across different scenes without losing quality. But let's change..." Theo started giving instructions on what and how they should change certain aspects of the background design.

"We'll change according to your instruction then," Bruno nodded as he noted Theo's instructions. "We're already working on creating variations to accommodate various scenes." "Great," Theo said. "Finally, how is the world-building coming along?"

Brianna Shiori, Head of the Art Department, spoke up. "We've been developing the lore and visual style to match the rich world of Naruto. This includes the intricate details of the Hidden Leaf Village, the various ninja clans, and their unique jutsu abilities."

The screen displayed a comprehensive world map and detailed sketches of different clans and their symbols. Theo was impressed by the depth of the world-building.

"This is fantastic work," he said. "Keep refining the details and ensure that all elements are cohesive and aligned with the established lore. But in the Uchiha emblem..." Theo once again spent a few minutes explaining what they should change.

Brianna and a few others even asked a few questions about things they had doubts about.

With the Naruto updates complete, Theo turned to the second project. "Now, let's discuss the Spirited Away movie."

Ryoko took a deep breath and began. "We've made great strides in the pre-production phase. I'll start with the storyboards."

The screen transitioned to storyboards for Spirited Away, showcasing key scenes from the film. The visuals were enchanting, capturing the magic and surreal quality of the original movie.

"These storyboards represent the major scenes," Ryoko said. "We've worked hard to retain the spirit of your script."

Theo admired the storyboards. "These are wonderful. The adaptation seems to be in good hands. What about the character designs?"

Brianna Shiori presented the character designs for Spirited Away. The designs were a beautiful blend of whimsical and detailed, reflecting the movie's fantastical elements.

"We aimed to capture the essence of the characters while adding our own artistic touch," Brianna said.

Theo reviewed the designs with care. "Hmm, it seems like I'll have to spend the next few weeks instructing you guys on how to produce the character designs," He said when he saw that they didn't manage to reach the designs from his past life, "Next week, I'll start working in the art department to instruct on how to produce the designs. I'm sure after I show you how to do it, you guys will recognize the unique style I envision for this movie."

"Okay, we'll be waiting, boss," Brianna replied, a little disappointed that they didn't manage to reach Theo's expectations.

Moving on, the background designs for Spirited Away were displayed. The intricate and fantastical environments were brought to life with vibrant colors and detailed artistry.

"The backgrounds are designed to evoke the magical world of the movie," Ryoko explained. "We've included detailed settings like the bathhouse and the enchanted forest."

Theo observed the background designs before saying. "Once again, I'll work with you guys to produce the background designs as well."

Finally, Theo asked about the world-building. "How is the world-building progressing?" Ryoko provided an overview. "We've been working on creating a cohesive and immersive world that aligns with the film's fantasy elements. This includes developing the lore and the various magical creatures."

The screen displayed sketches and concept art for the world-building elements. Theo was pleased with the progress which was much better than the character and background designs. "This looks promising," Theo said. "Keep up the great work, and make sure all elements are well-integrated."

As the meeting drew to a close, Theo addressed the team. "I'm impressed with the progress on both projects. You've all done an excellent job so far. Keep up the hard work, and let's continue pushing toward excellence."

With a few final remarks and questions, the meeting wrapped up. The team members filed out of the room, energized and eager to continue their work. Theo watched them go, feeling a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for what lay ahead.