In order to convey the appeal of musicals to Japan’s young generation, Gekidan Rafu have produced a series of short musical films called “Emotion Rangers Episode 0.” The works feature Miho Shikinami, Hiroaki Ito, Shingo Saito, Yuka Ishibashi, Suga Oropesa Chizuru and Ikuma Takahashi, who have successful careers in musicals. Gekidan Rafu members did everything themselves, from producing the music to filming and editing. The 12 one-minute films were released on social media platforms. All of the films were shot using smart phones in vertical video format, with a vertical angle of view. The group has set itself the challenge of producing vertical video, rare in the world of musicals in Japan and overseas, in order to appeal to the smart phone generation.
Gekidan Rafu
Launched in January 2020, Gekidan Rafu was started by a group of friends who met in a musical club while they were at university. They all worked at companies and were just settling down into adult life, but when they realized they did want to make musicals after all, they got together again and started up the company while they still had jobs. With the aim of creating musicals which everyone can watch in a casual and easy way, the group also focuses its efforts on video productions as well as stage work.
Gekidan Rafu
kikaku@gekidan-rafu.com
Online