Narra no ki

For the last 4 years, Tomo has been working as an Art Department Coordinator / Art Director for many foreign projects shooting in Tokyo.

In the midst of the increasing need for bilingual film crew in Japan, he finds his skills and his background match perfectly for the need. Having worked in both Japanese and the US film industry as a production designer and art director for many years, he understands the difficulties for people who have different background to work together, especially in the extreme condition of the overseas film set, the short/intense prep and the principal photography where most of the crew don't speak the language. There always be many conflicts in such a condition, yet Tomo enjoys these situations and is willing to be in the middle of the conflict and solve the issue by reaching out both parties.

Tomo knows the US union system and what the expectations to the art department are. And he also understands well how Japanese crew work, and they work in a totally different, or unique, manner. If you have just a translator, there will be so many nuances and details lost in the process of translation, and you'll be sacrificing great artistic ideas. Tomo knows both the beauty and difficulties of executing great cinematic ideas, and willing to commit 100% to make it come true.

Please have him on board for your next project, and he will definitely be willing to accommodate you with these skills and facilities.

Knowledge of all local vendors, including Set shops, prop rentals, truck companies.
Knowledge of materials and where to get them in/out of Tokyo.
List of all art crew who are more 'cooperative' to foreign shoot. set decorators, set dressers, scenic artists, graphic designers, etc.
Skills: concept drawings, set renderings, construction blueprints, 3D graphics + printings.
Knowledge and experience of clearing company logos, trademarks, artworks etc. for commercial use. Reaching out the right owner in/out of the country and get the permission to use them for filming.
A big welcoming heart to all people from all over the globe.

Tomoya Imai

Managing Director of Narra no ki Inc.
プロダクションデザイナー/株式会社ナラノキ代表

Tomo has been working in the art department for 15 years, and 12 years as a Production Designer. He's been based in Tokyo and in Los Angeles, designing more than 1,000 projects including commercial clips, music videos, award winning feature films, acclaimed animated features, TV series, and a remarkable number of architectural projects.

The commercial client he worked as Production Designer includes Apple, Samsung, Honda, Sony, Microsoft, Shiseido and many more international brands.

2018 Nominated to Outstanding Production Design category of 45th Annie Award for the animated feature "Mary and The Witch's Flower"
2011 Winner of Thailand Academy Award Best Production Design for feature film "A Moment in June"

国内、海外のコマーシャル、ミュージックビデオ、また海外ドラマ、長編映画のプロダクションデザイン、アートディレクションを務めています。

携わった映像作品
CM: iPhone、UNIQLO、Samsung、Chrysler、NISSAN、Wendy's、Amazon、ALFACなど
ミュージックビデオ: Madonna、東方神起、Kis-My-Ft2、倖田來未、AKB48など
海外ドラマ「Constantine」「Justified」など
映画「A Moment in June」タイアカデミー賞最優秀美術賞、プサン国際映画祭コンペティション部門正式出品
長編アニメ「メアリと魔女の花」アニー賞プロダクションデザイン部門ノミネート
短編映画「Bicycles & Radios」「Latecomer」カンヌ国際映画祭出展

建築/インテリアデザイナーとしても活動し、海外の商業施設や、日本国内のレストラン、撮影スタジオ、ライブハウスなどのデザインを手がけています。

Winner

Thai Academy Award 2011 Best Production Design "A Moment in June" Production Designer: himself

Nominated

Emmy 2015 Outstanding Production Design "Constantine" Production Designer: Dave Blass

Nominated

ADG Award 2015 Short Format, "GHOSTTOWN" Production Designer: Emma Fairley

Nominated

45th Annie Award Outstanding Production Design "Mary and The Witch's Flower" Production Designer: himself

ビジョン

「NARRA」は、英語で「物事を語って伝える」という意味の「Narrative」から作った言葉です。英語で「Narrative Designer」と言えば、映画やテレビなど映像媒体の作家さんが、「脚本を書いて監督に渡して、後は干渉しない、ただのWriterになるのではなく、もっと広い視野で作品全体を見据えた脚本作りをしよう」という思いで作った言葉です。私たちは本を書くのではなく、現場でセットを作ったり飾ったりするのが仕事ですが、この作家さんたちと、想いは同じです。

映像作品は、フィクションかノンフィクションかに関わらず、人にストーリー（物語）を伝えるための媒体であり、私たちもそのプロセスに参加しているときが一番楽しいのです。脚本中に描かれたセットや小道具を、ただ用意して、現場で並べるだけではなく、常に作品全体のイメージを作り上げ、表現し、人にそれを感じさせるという意識で、それぞれの企画に取り組んでいます。映像に関わる上では、いつも「Narrative」の精神を忘れたくないものです。

また、「ナラ」は、家具などに使われる「ナラの木」の「ナラ」でもあります。ナラ材は一本一本の木目がはっきりしており、非常に美しく、高級家具にしばしば使われる材木のひとつです。私たちNARRAも、ナラの木のように育っていく中で、一歩一歩、美しい足跡を残していければと思います。