The 63rd Kyoto University Future Forum was held in the Clock Tower Centennial Hall with a lecture given by guest speaker Mr Kei Kurube, Chief Producer, Program Production Department, Nippon Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), who is a graduate of Kyoto University's Faculty of Letters.
In the lecture entitled "How to Produce TV Dramas -- Reality of the Work of a Producer", Mr Kurube gave a detailed explanation of the role of a producer, including how to decide on scripts, how to effectively present leading players, and other topics, taking examples from the scenario of the first act of "Amachan", a smash-hit TV drama series broadcast in 2013. Then, after watching the 15-minute act with the audience, Mr Kurube shared some anecdotes about producing the program, such as an early meeting with the playwright, Mr Kankuro Kudo, in which they decided that the drama would basically be about "countryside", "revitalization of the area", "a local idol", and "a mother who used to be an idol". The 90-minute lecture, including occasional lively conversations with participating students, was followed with intense interest.
Comments by participants included: "I was so moved as I watched the drama from the beginning on the stage because, after learning about the strategies he adopts to realize what he wants to express through attention to the smallest detail, such as word choices, mode of expression, and number of the lines, I really felt that I was seeing all of that effort evolving into this impressive work"; "I learned how great Mr Kudo is as a playwright through the eyes of Mr Kurube as a producer"; "I was impressed with his strong convictions based on which he would never present images of the areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and his decision to hire actual victims of the disaster as extras".
Full house in the hall
Mr Kurube delivering his lecture
