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"...ultimately we are concerned with how well we think (a title) will accepted by US audiences..."

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Urban Vision

with: Rhona Medina

Interview by: Matthew Anderson

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

Urban Vision. The name congers up images of hard boiled detectives, evil monsters and ultra violence. The leader in gritty, action packed noir anime, UV has shown us how mean the streets of anime can be!

By email, we interviewed Rhona Medina, Product Development Manager. She told us how Urban Vision got started, the truth about Vampire Hunter D, and Ninja Scroll 2: The Movie!

PAST:

DVJ: Why was Urban Vision started, and how did you come up with the company name?

RM – (We wanted) to bring the diversity of anime to the US. Our founder, Mataichiro Yamamoto came up with the name. The term “urban” has always implied something edgy, and back when the company was starting, he had great plans in store. Thus, Urban Vision Entertainment was created.

DVJ: How did Lil' Vision come about?

RM - We decided to try venturing into types of shows that were not typical Urban Vision Entertainment types of shows. Lil*Vision was created to indicate the difference between what the consumers know as Urban Vision Entertainment's style of programming and this new, more kid-friendly programming

DVJ: What was your first Lil' Vision release and how well did it do?

RM - Strange Dawn (13 episode series) was our first release. As an initial release in a new demographic, it has done all right.

DVJ: How did the Sammy Sosa Story come about? Who worked on it?

RM - Slammin' Sammy: The Sammy Sosa Story came about from SSA Productions; they wanted to do a humanistic portrayal of Sammy's life leading up to the 1998 home run race with Mark McGwire.

DVJ: Are there plans to release any additional Lil' Vision titles?

RM - In the future, we may release more, but right now we are focusing on Urban Vision Entertainment titles, as well as our new line of Spanish-language cinema, Ciudad.

DVJ: If you had to choose one release as the one that guaranteed you're place in the anime market, which would you choose?

RM - Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

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PRESENT:

DVJ: Let's put an end to the controversy once and for all. Which version of VHD came first, the English language or the Japanese language?

RM - For Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, English dialogue came first.

DVJ: How do you decide which titles to release in the US?

RM - We watch the title and think about a couple of things, but ultimately we are concerned with how well we think it will accepted by US audiences, and if we can make our investment back to do further projects.

VJ: How come not all of Urban Vision's titles are on DVD yet?

RM - It depends on the title - if we have the rights in our license to do a DVD format release; if we have the ability to get enough special feature material; or if we have good enough master material to create a DVD are all factors that we consider when deciding what catalog titles to release on DVD.

DVJ: Once you decide, how important is it to keep the story and script translations true to the original Japanese?

RM - We try to stay as true as possible to the original Japanese versions.

DVJ: In some instances, significant changes are made in character backgrounds and dialogue. Why?

RM- For dialogue, script adaptations are what they are – adaptations. There are a number of factors that come in to play – the comprehensibility of the script, the mouth flaps, the fact that some things, no matter how hard you try, cannot be translated into another language…. I do not think we have ever changed character backgrounds in any of our titles, so I cannot really answer that part.

DVJ: How did UV get the license to release the Streamline versions of Wicked City and The Professional and not Manga?

RM - All part of the licensing negotiation process.

DVJ: What are your feelings about fan sites and fan cons?

RM - Fan sites and fan cons are a good way of showing support and getting the word out about a title. Most fan sites ask permission for image usage, and we will often help by supplying additional information for their sites. Fan cons are good places to promote our titles, and we often send materials and screeners (and if we can, representatives) for them to use.

DVJ: What positive effects does fansubbing have on the anime community?

RM - Well, fansubbing in the past got the word out about anime releases, often bringing much attention to titles and working to get US distributors to pick them up, which used to be one of, if not the, main goals of fansubbers.

DVJ: What are the negative?

RM – Most people who download fansubs nowadays will not go buy the legitimate release version. While the statistics are not perfectly clear (who will admit to downloading fansubs and not buying the legitimate release when asked by a US company?), ask around and most people will tell you that if they have a fansub (or bootleg, in some cases) they will not feel the need to buy the title. Also, many fansubbers are more about speed and less about quality, sometimes portraying a show negatively due to their own poor work and not because of the show itself.

DVJ: How important is it for a fansub group to stop releasing a title when it is licensed?

RM - Extremely important. Most anime companies do not patrol fansubbers, but, with legally licensed titles, it is our right to do so. We not only act out of our own interest, but often represent the interest of the Japanese creative parties as well.

DVJ: What kind of legal action could a fansub group expect if they refuse to stop?

RM – Considering that it is copyright infringement and illegal distribution, a lawsuit is imminent if an initial request is not met.

DVJ: Were any of your titles chosen or have any of your staff gotten jobs because of their work on fansubs?

RM - No.

DVJ: If someone wanted to work for your company, what skills should they possess? What would an entry level position be?

RM - We prefer all our candidates to have a degree from a 4-year collegiate institution. Entry level positions are comprised, actually, of internships, usually unpaid. All interns are interviewed, and have been college students. We try to get course credit for the student, and often, if the intern is a hard worker, the position will become a paid part-time position.

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FUTURE:

DVJ: What projects are scheduled in the near future.

RM – Most we cannot talk about at this time. Right now, we have Ninja Scroll: The Series coming up, and then Ninja Scroll 2 (tentative title, I think) which will be an animated feature film due out in 2005.

DVJ: Are their any plans to produce another animated feature like Vampire Hunter D?

RM - Not any plans we can discuss.

DVJ: How did you get the rights to Ninja Scroll before the series is even completed?

RM - We helped produce the series.

DVJ: What was the main reason for choosing Ninja Scroll?

RM - We like working with Kawajiri, and the original Ninja Scroll is an exceptional film. The 13 episode series is the first step of many along the path of further realizing Jubei's world.

DVJ: Are any of the voice cast from the Japanese or Manga versions appearing?

RM - I am not part of the casting process, so I do not know at this time.

DVJ: Where do you see anime in 10 years.

RM - I think anime will have grown significantly, particularly in the US, in the next 10 years. We will see more co-productions and simultaneous releases.

DVJ: Where do you see your company in 10 years?

RM: - Doing a lot of co-production work and branching out into new areas.

DVJ: What involvement will you have in the anime network?

RM: – At this time we don't have any programs planned to air with the Anime Network, but who knows what is in the works.

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