In the summer of 2025, our Osaka-based production team at Daisho Inc. / DFS Productions embarked on an ambitious filming project in Shiga Prefecture, working alongside an international client to capture the essence of Japanese industry and culture. What began as a simple concept evolved into a technically complex shoot — requiring coordination, adaptability, and precise on-site execution.
The Mission
The Shiga Project was designed to showcase innovation and craftsmanship at a local industrial facility, reflecting Japan’s blend of tradition and modernity. Our responsibility was to oversee all aspects of on-site production: camera work, logistics, and local crew coordination — ensuring that both the creative and technical expectations of our overseas partners were met.
Pre-Production and Coordination
Early in the process, communication between Japan and the client’s European team was key. Time zone differences, language nuances, and the need for real-time decision-making made remote coordination challenging. To streamline this, our producers handled all local permit applications, crew recruitment, and technical supervision under Daisho’s corporate framework, maintaining compliance with Japan’s strict filming regulations.
The Shoot: Efficiency and Precision
On location, the production day began before dawn. Our team set up multiple camera systems — including cinema cameras and gimbal rigs — to capture both dynamic movement and intimate interview moments.
Despite logistical hurdles such as industrial noise and limited lighting options, the shoot proceeded smoothly thanks to careful pre-planning and the adaptability of our local assistant crew.
Challenges: Communication and Remote Direction
One of the distinctive aspects of this project was remote direction. The overseas director monitored the shoot in real time via a digital collaboration platform. While this allowed creative alignment, it also tested the limits of technology and patience — requiring robust internet connections and contingency workflows.
Even so, the synergy between our on-site crew and remote creative team ensured that no detail was missed.
Post-Production and Delivery
Following the shoot, all footage was securely transferred and organized through our hybrid delivery pipeline, combining proxy uploads for quick review and full-resolution footage via encrypted transfer services.
This approach minimized downtime and allowed our partners to begin editing within hours of wrap.
Takeaways
The Shiga Project reaffirmed our belief that high-quality filmmaking in Japan depends on more than equipment — it requires cultural sensitivity, operational discipline, and trust between international teams.
Our role as both production coordinator and creative lead ensured the project met its goals on time and within budget, despite the inherent challenges of cross-border production.