The mysterious world of VAYA and Yumi Sonoda

Welcome VAYA, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.

Who is Yumi Sonoda and how did your passion for filmmaking begin? 

Japanese Director Yumi Sonoda, whose work includes visual (system) design for stage, documentaries, and experimental film. I mainly create videos related to performing arts. 

I was inspired by 'Film No. 4 [Bottoms] (1966) by Yoko Ono' to start creating videos. Additionally, I was influenced by '[S/N] (1995–2005) by dumb type' to step into the world of performing arts. Furthermore, through Yoko Ono, I discovered the art movement 'Fluxus' and voraciously consumed many works of experimental video and music. The experimental spirit of predecessors deeply influences the foundation of my work.

Can you tell us about your previous work?
The first stage production, [On time One time] (2006), involved three artists creating a trans-genre collaborative performing environment in an old sake factory building, which provided a unique atmosphere. We also had a shorter version in France (2007). Since then, I've been working with various artists such as dancers, stage directors, musicians, poets, designers, architects, and more, to generate many ideas. 

Main recent works: 

Film × Performance [Lonely People], a collaboration with French poet Jean-Michel Espitallier (2012), showcased in Bordeaux, France, and Fukuoka, Japan. 

Experimental film [Ketsu noh], a collaboration with Butoh dancer Yasuo Fukurozaka (2017), WIRED presents Creative Hack Award 2017 Finalist. 

Music Video [SEXUAL], a collaboration with artist VAYA (2019-2020), selected for Demetera International Short Film Festival 2021.

Experimental film [Gamelan Mandala], a collaboration with composer Mamoru Fujieda (2021). 

Live Projection [VAYA | BRUTAL LIVE in JAPAN 2022], a collaboration with artist VAYA (2022).

CONVERSATION ABOUT: PULSE

How did your personal experiences and beliefs influence the themes explored in "PULSE"?
I believe that by skillfully utilizing stage-specific metaphors rather than direct expressions, it was possible to create space for viewers to find answers within their own stories.

"PULSE" integrates various artistic forms such as dance, music, and poetry. How do you approach blending these different mediums seamlessly?

This time, by structuring the narrative, I feel like time and characters naturally come alive, allowing for seamless integration of different media.

What's the most memorable behind-the-scenes moment from the making of "PULSE"?

The expression and expressive power of the protagonist, the boy Theodore, left a particularly strong impression. His facial expressions changed like different individuals depending on the scene, and I couldn't take my eyes off him for a moment. Also, his dance at the end of PULSE was an improvised performance, shot in only one take. He is a very charming character.

Were there any innovative techniques or technologies used in the production of "PULSE" that you found particularly exciting or challenging?

This short film is the first time I have collaborated with stage artists and lighting designers. By involving individuals who are not experts in film, we aimed to experiment with and discard the norms and conventions that are commonplace in the world of visual storytelling, thus allowing for the emergence of new forms of expression. We approached filming with only a broad framework in mind. I embraced a method of constructing the narrative from the happenings on shooting and the intuitively captured footage. This challenge included the risk of chaos on set and potential delays in editing. Each of these challenges was aimed at pushing the boundaries of expression beyond what our minds could conceive.

What do you hope audiences will take away and what emotions or reactions do you aim to evoke through your storytelling? 

I would like to create some kind of change where everyday mundane scenery takes on a completely different perspective before and after watching the video.

In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore as a director?

I am not particularly fixated on genres. I think it would be interesting to mix genres or create new ones through experimentation.

Can you tease any upcoming projects or themes you're excited to explore in your future works?   

I would like to explore creation methods that blur the boundaries between film and stage.

This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artists, VAYA and Yumi Sonoda. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.

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