The audience for Anime content continues to skyrocket. Re: Anime films will be the first Live action Anime production company creating films that are authentic and true to the original stories.
Hello! My name is Nik Shaw. I’m a filmmaker and cinematographer in Los Angeles and I think Hollywood can make better live-action anime.
To show you what I mean, I've just released my first live-action anime short film - the origin story of "Death Note".
It's posted on my new YouTube page, Re:Anime - Made by Fans. For the Fans. Check it our here!
I'm sure you’ve all seen the $40 million version from the ‘streaming network that shall not be named’. So many of us were disappointed! That’s why I decided to make my own Death Note.
I wanted to show Hollywood it’s possible to tell the story of Light Yagami the way it’s meant to be told. For this Death Note film, I teamed up with producer Scott Carper and an awesome cast and crew of 33 super talented people – every one an anime fan. No, we didn’t spend $40 million but we paid for this one out of pocket - and to make more films, I need your help!
'Erased': So, if you love our version of 'Death Note', please help us with our next project. We’re going to do ‘Erased'. It’s dear to my heart because it taught me so many life lessons and made me a much better writer. It truly inspired me. Ken Sanbe thanks you for telling your beautiful story. I want to translate its beauty and meaning into my next film!
Money Well Spent: The money raised will go to pay cast, crew and related hard costs. This includes, the actors, director, cinematographer, set and equipment rentals, sound recordist, music and sound design, production design, editing, make-up, lighting gaffer, steady cam operator, script supervisor, colorist, and CGI effects person. So no, this is not a shoot with your phone in someone’s basement kind of deal. But the quality I’ll deliver would cost at least $25,000 using a ‘standard’ production house. I will donate my time to create the project and manage the production from start to finish.
Timing: Once funding is in place, we expect to deliver the film in 6 to 10 weeks. Below is the 10 week schedule.
In place now: The script is done. Weeks 1-4: First we'll cast the film, gather the crew. choose locations and begin pre-production planning. Week 4: Shoot the film. Weeks 6-10: We go into post-production. That includes editing, adding music and sound design, colorist work, CGI special effects, etc. We may need to reshoot a scene or add one.
My Creds: Being a cinematographer has been my passion since I was a young teenager when I started my first YouTube channel. And now, at 22, I've worked on over 200 professional productions in various capacities but for the last couple of years primarily as Director of Photography. I've also worked on in key production areas such as electric, Movi and drone operator, gimbal operator, and 1st Assistant Camera.
You can take a look work here: www.nikshawfilms.com
I've lensed music videos for Wiz Khalifa, Sean Kingston, Angel Haze, Blackmore, Tim Schou and others. I did some principal photography for documentarian Robert Greenwald’s The Real NRA, and have worked pro bono for the non-profit Celia Center. Some of my commercial work includes Digornio Pizza, the Movember Foundation and Arizona Mead. Aside from working in the Los Angeles area, since 2016 I've spent three weeks in Denmark lensing a series of music videos, a month-long job DPing a travelogue in Thailand and a 30-day film shoot in Puerto Rico. This December, while the Kickstarter campaign takes place, I'm booked on a feature film as Director of Photography.
My Long-Term Goal: Ultimately, I want to produce and shoot a full-length live-action anime feature film. I believe the best way to get there is to create more short films like this version of Death Note, bring together a base of anime fans like we all are, and prove to Hollywood that a beautifully written and filmed story, made with authenticity that stays true to the original story is the key to success. Us anime lovers make up a huge fan base. We have power. You can help us be heard!
I hope my vision resonates with you. Please let me know which animes you'd like to see come to life as well! I'll try my best to make it happen!
Thank you all so much!
Nik
Risks and challenges
We've completed the first live-action anime, Death Note, and worked through production flow issues particular to anime live-action - a solid benefit for this follow-on production. Occasionally there are production delays, but with the exception of illness or severe weather events, the film will finish on time. Because we are not selling the films, or tickets to see the films, or allowing advertising on the Re:Anime page, we are not infringing on any copyrights. If delays or adverse events occur, we will inform all of our subscribers. The purpose of this project is to have fun and share the final film with anime fans everywhere.
