NNR Global Logistics — Corporate Brand Film, Japan
NNR Global Logistics, the international logistics company of Japan's Nishitetsu Group, invited three production companies to pitch for its corporate brand film. We won with a clear idea: present NNR as a global logistics company with Japanese DNA. From there we wrote the script, drew the storyboard, cast, shot and edited the film, and delivered it in five languages. It remains our clearest example of corporate brand film production in Japan from concept to final cut.
The brief and the idea
NNR wanted to be seen as a global company. Our view was that its Japanese values of care and respect are exactly what customers anywhere want from a logistics partner, so we put that at the centre of the pitch. We believe the idea and our straightforward approach to communication won it. So did our own make-up: we are an international team with roots in Australia, the UK, Canada, the US and Japan, and a deep understanding of how Japan works. In a way, our company's DNA is a lot like NNR's.
How we produced it
We wrote the script and the voiceover and drew the storyboard. Everything was presented in English with Japanese translations. Once the English message was locked, every other version was built from it.
We filmed at NNR's warehouse on the edge of Tokyo, casting six actors from a range of international backgrounds to work alongside NNR's own warehouse staff. Scenes were staged to read as both Japan and the wider world, and we combined them with stock footage from around the globe. We presented all the talent options to the client with our recommendations, then negotiated usage and residuals with the agencies. Clients often ask for perpetual usage, and model agencies rarely agree to it. Our job is to find the usage the client really needs, at a price the budget can carry.
The crew was a director, a DOP, a gaffer, a lighting assistant, a first AC, a production assistant, a producer and a make-up artist, with location vans and drivers.
What we delivered
The brand film went out in English, Japanese, Spanish, French and Chinese. The English and Japanese versions carry recorded voiceovers, and the other three are subtitled. NNR was extremely happy with the result.
See more of our corporate video production in Tokyo.
Client: NNR Global Logistics (Nishitetsu Group), direct
Location: NNR warehouse, Tokyo, Japan
Services: Pitch, concept, scriptwriting, voiceover writing, storyboard, casting, talent usage negotiation, production, editing, multilingual versions
Crew: Director Andrew Goldie, DOP, gaffer, lighting assistant, first AC, production assistant, producer, make-up artist, vans and drivers
Deliverables: Brand film in English, Japanese, Spanish, French and Chinese
