NHK Produces Telework Drama Episodes

NHK, which was forced to suspend production on projects due to Japan’s state of emergency in response to COVID-19, has created a trio of drama stories via telework.

Among the three stories is one centered on a couple whose plans for a Hawaiian wedding in the spring are canceled due to the coronavirus. Keeping in touch through video chats, they end up having a disagreement that exposes the distance between them. Another episode begins with a man receiving a video call from his late wife, while the third sees people’s souls swapped with those of people they wish they could meet.

With conventional shooting impossible, the NHK drama team called on the creative community to create the episodes by means of telework. The company conducted discussions, rehearsals and recordings without directly meeting. The performers were responsible for their own makeup and costumes, and for one episode, each controlled all of the equipment themselves—a single smartphone.

The scripts for the project were completed in ten days, shooting began four days later. The three episodes, which have all been shot, will start airing on May 8 on one of NHK’s channels in Japan.

Yukie Okamoto, a senior producer in NHK’s programming department, said: “Producing dramas in this unprecedented way was tough. But at a time when people are being urged to stay home and are experiencing ongoing anxiety, we wanted to bring them something comfy, heartwarming and funny. We’re grateful that the performers were also keen to be involved.”

Okamoto added: “Some of the actors performed together for the first time but without actually meeting. There were many constraints. For instance, camera angles were limited, and we had to stop shooting when internet connections deteriorated. Production team members pooled their expertise and found ways to move forward. I hope this experience will inspire more efforts to find new ways to realize dramatic expression.”