[Arashi] +act mini - 2010 vol. 10 - VS Arashi
Following HnA, this is the interview with the producer of VS Arashi from Arashi's latest +act mini article. Even though his blurbs on each member are shorter, I think I like this even more than the HnA interview for reasons you'll soon find out yourself. :)
Almost forgot to add: Thank you to arashi_no_jidai for the scans! ♥
+act mini vol. 10
Interview with producer of HnA
+act mini - 2010 vol. 10 - VS Arashi
Producer interview
VS Arashi
Futagawa Masafumi
First, please allow me to talk a bit about Arashi and I... In the past, I was actually posted at a division in Fuji where events are planned and produced. This happened about seven years ago, but in the midst of the concerts, stageplays and so forth that Arashi was doing, what brought the fans closest to the group itself was an event called "Fan Tour in Hawaii". It was a project where Arashi went with 1500 of their fans to Hawaii, divided themselves up into five teams and had fun in various events. We came up with ideas together with Arashi at the time, and sweated together... To that extent, it was an event in which Arashi sacrificed sleep and rest for us, and what was most pronounced about it was how our working relationship with them grew even more intimate. After that, I was transferred to other shows in the variety center and was always working on different programs, but I was transferred about a month ago, and was finally able to work again with Arashi after so long. When I introduced myself and said "I'm going to be in charge of this show", all of them remembered me despite it being 6~7 years since we last met, and said "Ah~ it's been a while!"... it made me happy just how candid they were in speaking normally with me. I got the sense that Arashi's current popularity and momentum truly has reached new heights at the time. They were all extremely personable even back in the day, with their consideration towards the staff, and being gentle and tactful. Not only that, Arashi is fundamentally close to one another amongst themselves to begin with. That this group is an extremely good group is something I've thought before, but just as expected all sorts of other people feel this way too. It occurred to me all over again that it was precisely why they've grown to this extent. Basically, regardless of past or present, Arashi truly is Arashi. The fact that they haven't changed whether for good or bad is an amazing aspect of theirs.
Getting back to the main topic, when it comes to "VS Arashi", above all else we keep their safety in consideration so that accidents won't ever happen. Then, so that everyone appearing on the show can keep their spirits up as much as possible, we are also dedicated to trying to change the sets as quickly as possible so the recording can go smoothly. Holding prior meetings with Arashi themselves is something we basically don't do unless they're going to play a new game; instead, we just await the recording dates. While there are times when we'd direct them to talk about certain things regarding the guests, for the most part we leave the conversation topics up to them and let them talk in their own words.
All of us staff are very nervous at the very start of each new game when they're actually being used for filming. Even though the staff had already through numerous simulations beforehand, things we would never expect do happen when the talents use them for real, so we'd watch over everything in fear but also anticipation. For example, the game that made its first appearance in the spring special, "Bound Hockey". When we had various distingushed guests on the set in the forms of the Yajima Biyoushitsu team and the Wagaya no Rekishi team. The truth is... up until two hours before the recording, the puck still couldn't slide very well. The designers and staff were all going "Ahhh what should we do!" "This is really bad!"... (laugh) Our solution at the time was to add three silver screws to the underside of each puck, and it ended up sliding reaaally well. That was all thanks to the superb intelligence of a set designer in quite the nick of time before recording began. It was really great that we could make it in time. Including Hockey, the attraction games that became prominent are mostly established now, but we still make tweaks and changes to them even now. We're always thinking up ideas for new games, and since I think there are various forms of games too, we try to look at them in new perspectives... we're trying to expand the range of games further if possible, such as two teams competing at the same time and other different ways of presentation. The existing games are also different now that plus one guests have been added. What's good about the plus one guests is that they can bring out different sides to Arashi. Since the guys in Arashi have played these games countless times, they're definitely more or less used to them more so than the guests, right? But if you add in a plus one guest, the teamwork and balance might be shaken, or they might pull off an upset victory thanks to that plus one guest; it's possible for all sorts of drama to happen. With that sort of spice added to Arashi as a team, it's interesting to see the Arashi team become a slightly different team each time.
Honestly, what's great about their friendship and closeness is the fact that it hasn't changed at all from what I first sensed from them seven years ago; they've stayed close all this time. I think, just as expected, that the popularity of this group called Arashi is linked to the closeness you can feel even through the television screen. Taking into account things such as the goodness of their nature, their consideration for one another, their niceness towards others... really, that closeness doesn't change regardless of whether the cameras are rolling or not. They truly stay the same, all of them. I think they're an incredibly good group. In regards to Ohno-kun, while he does have the position of being the leader, it's more about the sudden blurting of words during filming (laugh). He has amazing reflexes, and would sometimes say a single thing that would settle the entire matter at once. That's why you often see the other members do all sorts of bantering but leave the ending to Ohno-kun, upon which Ohno-kun would react splendidly and pop out a single quote that neatly concludes the whole thing. Leader seems like he's just zoning out at first glance (laugh), but in doing so I think his presence is actually one that brings the group together and really helps Arashi strike a balance.
Next, Sakurai-kun is "the reliable one". While his position in Arashi is often similar to that of an emcee, he really handles the whole situation for us a lot. We're very thankful for that. And while he's handling it all, he would also put in the effort to help make the conversations more interesting... if I was to make a soccer comparison, I think he would be like a midfielder, in a place where he can give commands.
Ninomiya-kun gives off an indifferent feeling at first glance, but he often thinks about show-related matters, and is actually very considerate and passionate... he does have that sort of side to him. Not only that, he looks like he's having a lot of fun during recordings, and his conversations with the guests are also very lively. He can interject with quips easily, he can play dumb himself; things turn interesting when Nino's there because he's so dexterous. He's unreserved in a positive sense of the word. I think that "lack of hesitation" aspect is actually very important. Not only that, there isn't a sense of resentment or contempt. He's got a favourable impression, a very genuine feeling when you look at him.
And Matsumoto-kun is hot blooded. Er... serious. He's the most serious out of them all (laugh). That's a good thing though. You don't get the sense that he's the youngest; he has the compelling power to take the lead of even the older members. He hates losing after all. "VS Arashi" is a show that definitely cannot do away with its basic premise of having Arashi duke it out seriously with the guests, so we're very thankful that we have someone like him around. He also puts in serious thought regarding the games, and conversely even give us suggestions of "Do you think a game like this would be doable?"; you can sense that he cares a lot about the show. And it's not all enthusiasm either; he's also someone with a calmness that allows him to really take in his surroundings as a whole.
Lastly, we have Aiba-kun. Hmmm... Aiba-kun has a very extraordinary air about him. I'm a man, but there are times when I've thought "Ah, I bet this sort of thing really invokes motherly instincts in others". Aiba-kun has the power to soften up the entire mood just by simply being there. His presence alone is comforting, but there's also a bit of cuteness about him with the silly remarks he makes and so on (laugh). The way other members of Arashi would correspond accordingly with teasing quips and further expand into other different topics is, I think, a remarkable part of Arashi's appeal.
Every member of Arashi hold equal screen time when the episodes go on air without fail, or rather, there is always enough room for each of them to display their own distinctive characteristics. For example, we've never had Matsumoto-kun alone standing out the entire time, or have only Sakurai-kun getting screentime even after undergoing editing. Everyone is extremely well-balanced. I'm sure that sort of teamwork comes up naturally, but... that is something amazing. Even when they're not playing the games, when they're bringing up their own highlights during "MDA (Most Dame Arashi)" and so forth... when you watch it in the end, you find that they always turn out well-balanced somehow. Of course they have that star quality to them too, but I'm sure there's also a "God of Variety" of some sort watching over them. They definitely "possess" something, all of them. It's really envy-inducing (laugh).
I really do hope that Arashi won't change from the way they are now. I want them to never change, and bring us joy with their activities as Arashi as a whole. I think singing and holding concerts is an essential part of Arashi's appeal, and so are their acting-related work in dramas, movies, stageplays and more; but playing games in variety programs like this is a part of it too, and you can also get a sense of Arashi's charm when they appear on shows from other stations. I'm sure they probably have their own different goals, but I really think that if they continue working and having fun as they are now, five or ten years later down the road, they'll become an even better group than before. Nothing would make me happier than having "VS Arashi" and Arashi continue their growth together.
Almost forgot to add: Thank you to arashi_no_jidai for the scans! ♥
+act mini vol. 10
Interview with producer of HnA
+act mini - 2010 vol. 10 - VS Arashi
Producer interview
VS Arashi
Futagawa Masafumi
First, please allow me to talk a bit about Arashi and I... In the past, I was actually posted at a division in Fuji where events are planned and produced. This happened about seven years ago, but in the midst of the concerts, stageplays and so forth that Arashi was doing, what brought the fans closest to the group itself was an event called "Fan Tour in Hawaii". It was a project where Arashi went with 1500 of their fans to Hawaii, divided themselves up into five teams and had fun in various events. We came up with ideas together with Arashi at the time, and sweated together... To that extent, it was an event in which Arashi sacrificed sleep and rest for us, and what was most pronounced about it was how our working relationship with them grew even more intimate. After that, I was transferred to other shows in the variety center and was always working on different programs, but I was transferred about a month ago, and was finally able to work again with Arashi after so long. When I introduced myself and said "I'm going to be in charge of this show", all of them remembered me despite it being 6~7 years since we last met, and said "Ah~ it's been a while!"... it made me happy just how candid they were in speaking normally with me. I got the sense that Arashi's current popularity and momentum truly has reached new heights at the time. They were all extremely personable even back in the day, with their consideration towards the staff, and being gentle and tactful. Not only that, Arashi is fundamentally close to one another amongst themselves to begin with. That this group is an extremely good group is something I've thought before, but just as expected all sorts of other people feel this way too. It occurred to me all over again that it was precisely why they've grown to this extent. Basically, regardless of past or present, Arashi truly is Arashi. The fact that they haven't changed whether for good or bad is an amazing aspect of theirs.
Getting back to the main topic, when it comes to "VS Arashi", above all else we keep their safety in consideration so that accidents won't ever happen. Then, so that everyone appearing on the show can keep their spirits up as much as possible, we are also dedicated to trying to change the sets as quickly as possible so the recording can go smoothly. Holding prior meetings with Arashi themselves is something we basically don't do unless they're going to play a new game; instead, we just await the recording dates. While there are times when we'd direct them to talk about certain things regarding the guests, for the most part we leave the conversation topics up to them and let them talk in their own words.
All of us staff are very nervous at the very start of each new game when they're actually being used for filming. Even though the staff had already through numerous simulations beforehand, things we would never expect do happen when the talents use them for real, so we'd watch over everything in fear but also anticipation. For example, the game that made its first appearance in the spring special, "Bound Hockey". When we had various distingushed guests on the set in the forms of the Yajima Biyoushitsu team and the Wagaya no Rekishi team. The truth is... up until two hours before the recording, the puck still couldn't slide very well. The designers and staff were all going "Ahhh what should we do!" "This is really bad!"... (laugh) Our solution at the time was to add three silver screws to the underside of each puck, and it ended up sliding reaaally well. That was all thanks to the superb intelligence of a set designer in quite the nick of time before recording began. It was really great that we could make it in time. Including Hockey, the attraction games that became prominent are mostly established now, but we still make tweaks and changes to them even now. We're always thinking up ideas for new games, and since I think there are various forms of games too, we try to look at them in new perspectives... we're trying to expand the range of games further if possible, such as two teams competing at the same time and other different ways of presentation. The existing games are also different now that plus one guests have been added. What's good about the plus one guests is that they can bring out different sides to Arashi. Since the guys in Arashi have played these games countless times, they're definitely more or less used to them more so than the guests, right? But if you add in a plus one guest, the teamwork and balance might be shaken, or they might pull off an upset victory thanks to that plus one guest; it's possible for all sorts of drama to happen. With that sort of spice added to Arashi as a team, it's interesting to see the Arashi team become a slightly different team each time.
Honestly, what's great about their friendship and closeness is the fact that it hasn't changed at all from what I first sensed from them seven years ago; they've stayed close all this time. I think, just as expected, that the popularity of this group called Arashi is linked to the closeness you can feel even through the television screen. Taking into account things such as the goodness of their nature, their consideration for one another, their niceness towards others... really, that closeness doesn't change regardless of whether the cameras are rolling or not. They truly stay the same, all of them. I think they're an incredibly good group. In regards to Ohno-kun, while he does have the position of being the leader, it's more about the sudden blurting of words during filming (laugh). He has amazing reflexes, and would sometimes say a single thing that would settle the entire matter at once. That's why you often see the other members do all sorts of bantering but leave the ending to Ohno-kun, upon which Ohno-kun would react splendidly and pop out a single quote that neatly concludes the whole thing. Leader seems like he's just zoning out at first glance (laugh), but in doing so I think his presence is actually one that brings the group together and really helps Arashi strike a balance.
Next, Sakurai-kun is "the reliable one". While his position in Arashi is often similar to that of an emcee, he really handles the whole situation for us a lot. We're very thankful for that. And while he's handling it all, he would also put in the effort to help make the conversations more interesting... if I was to make a soccer comparison, I think he would be like a midfielder, in a place where he can give commands.
Ninomiya-kun gives off an indifferent feeling at first glance, but he often thinks about show-related matters, and is actually very considerate and passionate... he does have that sort of side to him. Not only that, he looks like he's having a lot of fun during recordings, and his conversations with the guests are also very lively. He can interject with quips easily, he can play dumb himself; things turn interesting when Nino's there because he's so dexterous. He's unreserved in a positive sense of the word. I think that "lack of hesitation" aspect is actually very important. Not only that, there isn't a sense of resentment or contempt. He's got a favourable impression, a very genuine feeling when you look at him.
And Matsumoto-kun is hot blooded. Er... serious. He's the most serious out of them all (laugh). That's a good thing though. You don't get the sense that he's the youngest; he has the compelling power to take the lead of even the older members. He hates losing after all. "VS Arashi" is a show that definitely cannot do away with its basic premise of having Arashi duke it out seriously with the guests, so we're very thankful that we have someone like him around. He also puts in serious thought regarding the games, and conversely even give us suggestions of "Do you think a game like this would be doable?"; you can sense that he cares a lot about the show. And it's not all enthusiasm either; he's also someone with a calmness that allows him to really take in his surroundings as a whole.
Lastly, we have Aiba-kun. Hmmm... Aiba-kun has a very extraordinary air about him. I'm a man, but there are times when I've thought "Ah, I bet this sort of thing really invokes motherly instincts in others". Aiba-kun has the power to soften up the entire mood just by simply being there. His presence alone is comforting, but there's also a bit of cuteness about him with the silly remarks he makes and so on (laugh). The way other members of Arashi would correspond accordingly with teasing quips and further expand into other different topics is, I think, a remarkable part of Arashi's appeal.
Every member of Arashi hold equal screen time when the episodes go on air without fail, or rather, there is always enough room for each of them to display their own distinctive characteristics. For example, we've never had Matsumoto-kun alone standing out the entire time, or have only Sakurai-kun getting screentime even after undergoing editing. Everyone is extremely well-balanced. I'm sure that sort of teamwork comes up naturally, but... that is something amazing. Even when they're not playing the games, when they're bringing up their own highlights during "MDA (Most Dame Arashi)" and so forth... when you watch it in the end, you find that they always turn out well-balanced somehow. Of course they have that star quality to them too, but I'm sure there's also a "God of Variety" of some sort watching over them. They definitely "possess" something, all of them. It's really envy-inducing (laugh).
I really do hope that Arashi won't change from the way they are now. I want them to never change, and bring us joy with their activities as Arashi as a whole. I think singing and holding concerts is an essential part of Arashi's appeal, and so are their acting-related work in dramas, movies, stageplays and more; but playing games in variety programs like this is a part of it too, and you can also get a sense of Arashi's charm when they appear on shows from other stations. I'm sure they probably have their own different goals, but I really think that if they continue working and having fun as they are now, five or ten years later down the road, they'll become an even better group than before. Nothing would make me happier than having "VS Arashi" and Arashi continue their growth together.