randyrockhard
10-05-2017, 03:28 PM
http://www.unitednews.org/new-jav-studio-hold-auditions-male-actors-singapore/
Almost 18 months since the first Japanese AV studio held auditions to recruit male actors in Singapore, a newly-formed producer based in Tokyo plans to hold casting this month to source local talent. In September 2015, JAV studio 夢精スタジオ held auditions in Singapore for a number of male roles; however, despite a large number of applicants only a handful of hopeful actors were offered contracts.
Katsuo Ayumu, an executive producer with 夢精スタジオ who was involved in the previous rounds of JAV casting, noted the challenges of casting for male roles. “Many of the men who applied were clearly fans of watching JAV movies,” he told a Japanese magazine in February 2016, “but that doesn’t necessarily translate into being able to perform well as a JAV actor.” Despite these challenges, one of Japan’s newest AV studios has announced it will hold casting for male actors in Singapore in May 2017
One of the newest entrants on Japan’s crowded AV scene, Tokyo Dreams (TD), has already amassed a loyal following among JAV aficionados for its unique plots and exotic settings. While the majority of JAV titles are filmed within Japan, TD has focused on producing films abroad, taking advantage of the fact that this exempts them from the censorship requirements most domestic studios face. While Tokyo Dreams is not permitted to sell uncensored content to local customers, they have overcome this loophole by providing Japanese customers with a free VPN connection with any digital subscription.
Since forming in early 2016, TD has already been able to poach some of Japan’s hottest female JAV talent by offering generous contracts. A typical performance fee for a tier-one JAV actress ranges from 2 to 4 million JPY (USD$20,000 to $40,000), but TD has been able to outbid many of the more established JAV houses by offering contracts upwards of 6 million JPY for the most sought-after stars. “The strategy adopted by Tokyo Dreams in somewhat unique in the industry,” commented one JAV expert, speaking to a local newspaper. “There is some debate about how the studio is being financed; some sources claim the producers have ties to the Yakuza, which may explain how TD is able to offer such generous contracts and film in expensive, overseas locations.”
While a Yakuza link may be propping up TD financially, it doesn’t help with the nation’s existing issue of a male actor shortfall. Japan’s male AV actors have been retiring in droves, and there simply isn’t enough younger talent interested in a career in AV to replace those leaving the industry. At present, despite an estimated 10,000 female actresses nationally, there are less than 100 Japanese men employed as AV actors. “It’s a crisis that has been brewing for some time,” said Katsuo Ayumu, when interviewed during the first round of Singaporean auditions in 2015. “That’s why we’re exploring Singapore and other markets in South-East Asia for potential talent.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Tokyo Dreams, who plan to hold their own auditions for male actors in Singapore this month.
“While the auditions in Singapore in 2015 enjoyed limited success, we feel there’s still potential to uncover male talent,” commented Ms. Tachibana, a recruitment executive with Tokyo Dreams. “Our view is that the studio involved in the previous Singaporean AV casting didn’t offer generous contracts and terms, and this discouraged many men from applying.” Under the contracts signed by 夢精スタジオ in 2015 and early 2016, Singaporean actors were only offered a base salary of 500,000 JPY ($5,000 USD) per film, with a 3% royalty. “We’re offering a minimum of one million yen per title, and a minimum 5% royalty, subject to the film meeting revenue targets,” said Ms Tachibana.
With this enhanced offer, Tokyo Dreams hopes to encourage some of Singapore’s best male actors to apply for AV positions. “We would, at a minimum, recommend only those with documented acting experience to apply,” said Ms Tachibana. “However, inexperienced parties are still welcome to submit an application. Our producers are looking for talent with unusual skills, our customers have an eye for the exotic, and we hold high hopes that Singaporean men have plenty to offer in this regard.”
Almost 18 months since the first Japanese AV studio held auditions to recruit male actors in Singapore, a newly-formed producer based in Tokyo plans to hold casting this month to source local talent. In September 2015, JAV studio 夢精スタジオ held auditions in Singapore for a number of male roles; however, despite a large number of applicants only a handful of hopeful actors were offered contracts.
Katsuo Ayumu, an executive producer with 夢精スタジオ who was involved in the previous rounds of JAV casting, noted the challenges of casting for male roles. “Many of the men who applied were clearly fans of watching JAV movies,” he told a Japanese magazine in February 2016, “but that doesn’t necessarily translate into being able to perform well as a JAV actor.” Despite these challenges, one of Japan’s newest AV studios has announced it will hold casting for male actors in Singapore in May 2017
One of the newest entrants on Japan’s crowded AV scene, Tokyo Dreams (TD), has already amassed a loyal following among JAV aficionados for its unique plots and exotic settings. While the majority of JAV titles are filmed within Japan, TD has focused on producing films abroad, taking advantage of the fact that this exempts them from the censorship requirements most domestic studios face. While Tokyo Dreams is not permitted to sell uncensored content to local customers, they have overcome this loophole by providing Japanese customers with a free VPN connection with any digital subscription.
Since forming in early 2016, TD has already been able to poach some of Japan’s hottest female JAV talent by offering generous contracts. A typical performance fee for a tier-one JAV actress ranges from 2 to 4 million JPY (USD$20,000 to $40,000), but TD has been able to outbid many of the more established JAV houses by offering contracts upwards of 6 million JPY for the most sought-after stars. “The strategy adopted by Tokyo Dreams in somewhat unique in the industry,” commented one JAV expert, speaking to a local newspaper. “There is some debate about how the studio is being financed; some sources claim the producers have ties to the Yakuza, which may explain how TD is able to offer such generous contracts and film in expensive, overseas locations.”
While a Yakuza link may be propping up TD financially, it doesn’t help with the nation’s existing issue of a male actor shortfall. Japan’s male AV actors have been retiring in droves, and there simply isn’t enough younger talent interested in a career in AV to replace those leaving the industry. At present, despite an estimated 10,000 female actresses nationally, there are less than 100 Japanese men employed as AV actors. “It’s a crisis that has been brewing for some time,” said Katsuo Ayumu, when interviewed during the first round of Singaporean auditions in 2015. “That’s why we’re exploring Singapore and other markets in South-East Asia for potential talent.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Tokyo Dreams, who plan to hold their own auditions for male actors in Singapore this month.
“While the auditions in Singapore in 2015 enjoyed limited success, we feel there’s still potential to uncover male talent,” commented Ms. Tachibana, a recruitment executive with Tokyo Dreams. “Our view is that the studio involved in the previous Singaporean AV casting didn’t offer generous contracts and terms, and this discouraged many men from applying.” Under the contracts signed by 夢精スタジオ in 2015 and early 2016, Singaporean actors were only offered a base salary of 500,000 JPY ($5,000 USD) per film, with a 3% royalty. “We’re offering a minimum of one million yen per title, and a minimum 5% royalty, subject to the film meeting revenue targets,” said Ms Tachibana.
With this enhanced offer, Tokyo Dreams hopes to encourage some of Singapore’s best male actors to apply for AV positions. “We would, at a minimum, recommend only those with documented acting experience to apply,” said Ms Tachibana. “However, inexperienced parties are still welcome to submit an application. Our producers are looking for talent with unusual skills, our customers have an eye for the exotic, and we hold high hopes that Singaporean men have plenty to offer in this regard.”