Interview with Lanapoint, producer and director of the music video "Anata"

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Lanapoint, the producer of the music video “Anata”, found time to give Hey-Ai an interview and explain about her video. Thanks a lot, Lanapoint!

 

Lanapoint: I hope you like the video =)

What inspired you to create this music video?

Lanapoint: While in Tokyo, I met a Japanese band and was listening to one of their songs. I was inspired by the story that their melody unfolded. As I continued to listen, all these visual ideas came to me and I figured it would be a good experience for me to shoot a Japanese music video in Japan.

How did you manage to make the girl disappear out of the photos?

L.: To create the disappearing effect I had to organize all my ideas in advance. I could then use them in my storyboard when I knew where I wanted to fade her out ….. (Secret) … a little hint: just don’t move!!!

How did you achieve the ray of light from the window when the guy receives the text message on his cell phone?

The light was created using a composition in Final Cut and After Effects Lightning. There was also a light setting in the background on the balcony.

Is there any reason why you chose a Caucasian female as the guy’s partner?

I think it’s quite simple. I felt it would be harder to explain why the guy was so sad if it were just an Asian guy and an Asian girl or a European guy and a European girl. These days, just seeing a plane flying doesn’t mean the person is too far away. We can just fly within our countries. By presenting an interracial couple, we can convey a stronger message to show that they are not simply just apart, but they could be across the world from each other.

When the two musicians start singing, it is daytime, but by the end of the video, it is night. Is there any significance to this?

That means the story has finished and a new day has come. At the end, the future is shown as a new start in the morning.

Is there a special reason why you chose the place where the musicians are standing (on the bridge, surrounded by high-rises)?

The Tokyo Gakuen Tower is a well-recognised landmark in Shinjuku. I wanted to show the artists as storytellers who could see everything looking down from above. Hence, I chose a high bridge in a quiet place.

Is there a significance to the order in which the pictures disappear?

The pictures showed the first moments they fell in love, when they lived together and when they got engaged. The disappearing pictures are adapted to the lyrics of the song.

You’ve spent some time in Japan. How did you imagine the country before you arrived? What did you think of it when the year was over? Would you go again?

I spent 2 years in Japan. The first year I was an exchange student in Hiroshima and studied animation and the following year I lived in Tokyo and did my internship at a media company.

I really like Japan and didn’t feel like leaving. I’ll try to go back as soon as possible.

Did you experience a so-called “culture-shock” in Japan? If yes, describe it.

The people didn’t express how they felt. It was hard for me to realize what people wanted or didn’t want because they have their own rules on what they show. THEY NEVER SAY!

Is there one thing you didn’t understand about Japan?

I still don’t understand why Host Clubs and Pachinko are so popular.

I understand you worked as a model in Japan. What was your experience like?

I just went to an agency in Tokyo. They always have a need for blonde foreigners. I could also get some EXTRA jobs in movies or commercials. I also met some people on the streets and had funny creative photo shoots there.

Recently there are many girls who want to spend a year in Japan, or even live there. Do you have any advice for them?

Think really hard about it and why you want to go to Japan!! I didn’t go to Japan because of Anime or Cosplay. Actually the Japanese are a bit annoyed by those kind of tourists.

But if you are friendly and try to get to know the people (don’t be shy) you will meet some great characters there.

Why do you think has Japan become the most “fashionable” Asian country?

Japan is the “TRY OUT” country and therefore they are not afraid of new fashion.

And one question that surely interests our readers: Who is the guy in the video? ;-)

He’s not my boyfriend and he is still single… I think! ^_^)/

 

Did you like the video?

Sadly, www.lanapoint.com is no longer available.

Please subscribe to her youtube channel and recommend her to your friends, so that we can hear more cool stuff from her in the future =)

 

Liked Sugarbaby? Listen to another song here:

Click here to open "Pickles" in a new Tab

And see a cute short by Lanapoint showing a Japanese guy and a German girl exploring each others cultures:

Click here to open "Aufgeklappt" in a new Tab