Yasuko transforms into "Atsuko"! A behind-the-scenes look at the TV commercial shoot!

The "SKY PerfecTV! Enthusiasm Fes" is being held from October 1st to November 30th.

The "SKY PerfecTV! Enthusiasm Fes" is a campaign where SKY PerfecTV! provides a wealth of "enthusiastic" content that allows fans to further expand their fun experiences, not only through broadcasting but also through streaming, virtual spaces, and real-life events.

And this time, to let many people know about this campaign, we had Yasuko, ranked #1 in the Oricon 2023 First Half Breakout Comedian Ranking, appear in the production of the "SKY PerfecTV! Enthusiasm Fes #Don'tThinkItsJustTV" commercial.

In the new commercial, Yasuko becomes the character Atsuko, with her hair standing up, aggressive makeup, and the character for "heat" (netsu) on her forehead, unlike her usual self, as she hypes up the viewers by shouting, "Are you guys fired up?!"
This time, we snuck behind the scenes of that commercial shoot.

#0 The flow of commercial production

Before sneaking into the shooting location, let's first learn about the flow of commercial production.
Commercials are generally produced in the following flow:

1) Planning
2) Storyboard
3) Shooting
4) Editing
5) Delivery

Interview with the Enthusiasm Fes planning teamThe planning concept, as discussed in the interview, is discussed and aligned with advertising agencies and production companies, and the concrete image is incorporated into the storyboard.

And once the storyboard is finalized, it's finally time for the shoot. Since shooting is basically done in one day, the schedule is planned so that the performers and production staff can finish the shoot smoothly, and various ingenuity is applied.

One of them is the stand-in. A stand-in is a job that checks the performer's standing position, camera angle, and lighting on behalf of the performer. It is an important role where a stand-in with a similar build to the performer is often hired, allowing the shooting staff to check the image and the performer to concentrate on the actual shoot.
Actually, Yasuko, who appeared this time, is 154cm tall, and the stand-in was 156cm (+2cm), wearing a short haircut and camouflage clothing for the test.

And when the shooting is over, the footage obtained from the shoot is connected and edited, and then MA (Multi Audio), which is sound editing, is performed, and it is delivered.

Many people are cooperating, and after long meetings, the commercial is produced.

#1 Enthusiasm Fes Opening! Tent Cut

Now that we have learned the flow of production, let's sneak into the shooting location immediately.
The first shot was the cut where Yasuko announces the opening of the Enthusiasm Fes at the beginning of the commercial.

Since we are here, let's look at the cut in the storyboard.
As the curtain of the venue opens, reminiscent of the start of an entertainment show like a circus or musical theater, the Enthusiasm Fes logo emerges...

Yasuko appears from below, spins... and transforms into Atsuko in an instant!

"Are you guys fired up?! The SKY PerfecTV! Enthusiasm Fes is starting!"

It is a production full of impact that one would never imagine from the usual Yasuko.

We are finally allowed to observe the shoot.
In front of the set covered with black cloth, a tent with the Enthusiasm Fes logo is set up.

This tent, which creates a sense of excitement, was made by the art staff.
It is packed with attention to detail, such as canvas-style fabric, wood-grain for the signboard part, and velour-style glossy fabric for the curtain.

The black cloth visible under the tent has a hole for Yasuko to stick her face out, and she can stick her face out vigorously from this hole.

And now, the transformation cut where Yasuko turns into Netsuko.
For the scene where Yasuko spins vigorously, the key is this device set up under the tent.

It is a mechanism where a black disc-shaped platform rotates 360 degrees; Yasuko stands on this platform to film the spinning scene.
(Although it spins at high speed in the commercial, please rest assured that during the actual shoot, it was moving at a slow speed, and Yasuko was holding onto a bar on the device while spinning!)

To change from Yasuko to Netsuko, a makeup change is also performed at this time.
After the makeup change, the set buzzed with excitement at seeing Yasuko in makeup completely different from her usual look.

We film the spinning cut as Netsuko and the lines announcing the start of the Enthusiasm Festival.
"Are you guys getting fired up! The SKY PerfecTV! Enthusiasm Festival is starting!"

#2 High impact! The cut where Yasuko bursts through

Next is the cut where Yasuko shouts "SKY PerfecTV!" and bursts through the campaign information.
Although this is the final cut in the commercial, it was filmed right after the tent cut at the beginning.

Here is the storyboard.

"SKY PerfecTV!"

It seems like a lot of force is needed to burst through and appear, but what kind of set is it exactly...

Here is the answer.

Under a platform covered in green paper, Yasuko stands by in a hunched position.
There is a slit in the paper for her face to poke through, and this slit serves as a marker for Yasuko to burst through.

"Alright, we're going to film now, so please go whenever you're ready, Yasuko!"
The timing of the jump is left up to Yasuko. Amidst the suspense of not knowing when she will appear, Yasuko bursts out from below with great energy.
"SKY PerfecTV!"

#3 Enjoying it on TV, smartphones, and at events! The user enjoyment cut

Finally, we film the cut of users enjoying themselves at the Enthusiasm Festival.

Here is the scene from the storyboard.
First, Yasuko holds a TV and shows it to the user.

This time, Yasuko kindly shows it to the user on a smartphone as well.

At the event, she even joins the users in responding.

Just like the tent set, these sets are also packed with the art team's attention to detail.

For example, this room used in the cut of users enjoying the event broadcast might look like an ordinary room at first glance, but...

Believe it or not, these goods are all part of an otaku room created by combining free materials.
It's crafted with the perfection of a real idol or character's room!

Since users participating in the fever festival appear in this cut, we first hold a rehearsal with stand-ins and actors playing the users.
After checking the camera angles and acting, and making adjustments, Yasuko enters the set to confirm the flow.

We film the same cut several times for practice and the actual take, and finally, we record the audio.
To ensure the audio can be edited to be clear and natural, we record multiple takes of Yasuko's and the actors' voices separately.

(The set was warmed by Yasuko, who entered with a smile saying, 'Thank you for having me!', and after the shoot, bowed to the co-starring actors and staff saying, 'Thank you! I'll do my best so we can work together again!' She's just wonderful...!)

#4 The commercial is complete!

Here is the commercial completed after a full day of shooting.

The 'excitement' of the fever festival is brought to the forefront.
And the energy and passion of 'Netsuko,' which is different from her usual self, feels great.
By the way, Yasuko, who grew her hair out for 'Netsuko,' seems to have been suspected by those around her of 'being in love.'
*Click here for articles about the behind-the-scenes of the commercial shoot and Yasuko's wonderful personality.

Yasuko, and everyone involved in the production of this commercial, thank you very much for your hard work!

If watching the commercial made you want to get excited along with Netsuko, please join in the fun at the SKY PerfecTV! Fever Festival.

(Reporting/Writing: Yama)