LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Corporation is sponsoring and will provide technical support to the Japan KABUKI Festival in Las Vegas 2016 (produced by Shochiku Co., Ltd.), running from April 29 to May 7. Panasonic hopes to highlight a new approach to performing and enjoying Kabuki, the classical Japanese dance drama that dates back more than 400 years, by enlivening the performance of the art form with state-of-the-art technology to make it more engaging and accessible to contemporary entertainment seekers. Panasonic’s support includes the following initiatives:
A) Special sponsorship and technical support for
the first theatrical performance of Kabuki in Las Vegas: “Panasonic
presents Wonder KABUKI Spectacle ‘KABUKI LION’–The Adventures of the
Mythical Lion”
Dates: May 3 to 7, 2016 (five days, six shows)
Venue:
David Copperfield Theater at the MGM Grand Hotel
Technology
Details: Theatrical video production using high-lumen projectors
Panasonic
enjoys the world’s largest market share in high-performance, high-lumen
projectors (5,000 lumens or more); Panasonic will deploy nine
20,000-lumen PT-DZ21K digital projectors to support the production in
the David Copperfield Theater. By leveraging the projectors’ advanced
features, including their high lumen output, ample energy savings,
compact size, and high geometric adjustment technology, the projectors
will help to enable a more engrossing production and dynamic video
presentation.
Video production for this theatrical performance will
be undertaken by NAKED, a popular avant-garde Japanese space creation
company, directed by Ryotaro Muramatsu.
B) Trial of next-generation guest services at the
technology showcase “KABUKI LION Interactive Showcase” in David
Copperfield Theater’s Lobby
Dates: May 3 to 7, 2016 (five
days)
Venue: Lobby of David Copperfield Theater
Technology
Details:
(1) “3D KABUKI AVATAR” - Trial of interactive services for fans using
innovative 3D scanner
Visitors will be able to take a 3D photo of
themselves in the theater’s lobby, using a 3D scanner equipped with 54
Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras. The 3D photo can then be processed into
either an original Kabuki figurine memento or a movie in which the
avatar of the visitor dances just like a professional Kabuki actor.
Information to visitors will also be provided using Panasonic’s original
light ID technology, which enables the participant to collect additional
information by placing their smartphones adjacent to a light terminal
device. Also, selected participants may be invited to see the KABUKI
show, where their avatar might play a role in a video that will be shown
on stage.
(2) Trial of automated hotel services
Using an autonomous delivery
robot that has already been put into commercial use at hospitals in
Japan and overseas, a test demonstration will be held in which the
sociable robot circulates round the lobby, advertising the KABUKI show
and distributing free water to visitors.
C) Special sponsorship and technical support for
one of the world’s largest water screen projections: “Panasonic presents
‘Water Screen Digital Show by Shochiku X teamLab’”
Dates:
April 29 to May 7, 2016 (nine days)
Venue: Fountains of Bellagio,
Las Vegas
Technology Details: On the artificial lake at the
Bellagio thirteen 20,000-lumen PT-DZ21K projectors will digitally depict
the tale of an aquatic Samurai battle using the fountains as a huge,
300meter wide screen. The video to be projected will be produced by
teamLab, a digital creative company highly renowned worldwide for its
art works based on digital technology, and directed by Toshiyuki Inoko.
This will be the second visit to Las Vegas by this collaborative project between Panasonic and Shochiku Co., Ltd., which began under the theme “fusion of tradition and state-of-the-art technology” in Las Vegas, following the debut last August of “Panasonic presents KABUKI Spectacle at Fountains of Bellagio ‘Koi-Tsukami’–Fight with a Carp.”
Panasonic Corporation Senior Managing Director Yasuji Enokido, who leads the company’s worldwide solutions business, commented on the company’s plans to further develop solutions for specific industries: “Providing solutions for the entertainment industry is one of Panasonic’s strategic businesses,” he said. “Stadiums, theme parks and theaters around the world are constantly searching for new ways to deliver a better fan experience, and expectations of what we can do as a technology partner are rising. In addition to event production using our highly-renowned projectors, Panasonic is working hard to provide deeper and more diverse value to the fan or showgoer, as you can tell from the technologies we are deploying as part of this Kabuki Festival.”
Satoshi Takeyasu, executive officer of Panasonic Corporation in charge of Corporate Communications, Advertising and CSR, said: “We respect and identify with the efforts of Kabuki professionals who uphold a wonderful tradition that spans over 400 years, and yet are constantly eager to innovate and try something new to help more people enjoy their art form. This is why we have continued to collaborate with Shochiku and MGM following the success of last August’s Kabuki event in Las Vegas. This time, we are incorporating additional technical trials too.” Turning his attention to the Olympics Games, Mr. Takeyasu commented: “2016 is the year of the Rio Olympics Games and the Paralympics, and Olympism is about promoting cultural appreciation as well as sports. After the Rio Games, it’s Tokyo’s turn and the efforts to promote Japanese culture throughout the world will draw greater attention to Japan’s capital city. Japanese culture is full of wonders and we hope to share this legacy with the world in innovative and surprising new ways, using our latest solutions technologies.”
News and information about the performances and trials in the theater’s lobby will be available on the following websites
[Japan KABUKI Festival in Las Vegas 2016] special site
http://news.panasonic.com/global/presskits/kabuki2016
Kabukibito (Shochiku Kabuki official website)
http://www.kabuki-bito.jp/japankabuki/en/index.html
Related Links
Panasonic
Projectors Bring to Life One of the World's Largest Water Screen
Projections (2016/8/19)
http://news.panasonic.com/global/topics/2015/44077.html
(Video Report)
Kabuki Spectacle + Panasonic projectors @ Las Vegas
http://channel.panasonic.com/contents/16193/
