Japan Media Arts Plaza - interview with Tomino ZG ANT

A while back Japan Media Arts Plaza posted an interview with Tomino. Here, Tomino answers questions about getting into the anime industry, concerns about the anime production staffs, skills anime staffs should possess, digital technology, and his thoughts on Zeta Gundam movie.

Following are some of the comments by Tomino: (Warning - these are only fractions of his entire comments)

Question: You have been quoted, "Don't watch anime!", to those who are interested about entering this business.
Tomino: There are lots of people saying "I want to do anime", but anime is not really a work. It is one form of the media. The creators are the ones making the work. Creators can make a series without knowing any anime technology. In other words, "creating a work" and "making an anime" are two completely different things. Depending on the circumstances, creators use a media called anime, media called movies, media called theatre, and media called music. The important thing is the "heart" to create a work. I'll flat out say that a person who has only watched anime in his/her life can not create a work. Most of the time an anime created by anime junkie turns out to be boring.

Q: Problems you encounter during production with staffs who have grown up with anime?
T: First, ordinary daily conversations don't happen during meetings anymore. I distinctly became conscience of this when Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam was being made. I did however started seeing a trend during First Gundam. 25 years ago, it perfectly fits the period when the public was recognizing anime as a business. When I entered into this business, I felt like we used more ordinary daily conversations. At that time, the staff had the strong spirit to enter into society and could properly use words. Today, they're completely useless! I really do beg to the anime-grown or visually-grown young generations to learn how to hold a daily conversation.

Q:What are your thoughts on the minimum knowledge people/creator should obtain if they want to enter into the anime business?
T: The basic education taught in elementary, middle, and high school especially the most important ones; moral training and morality. In other words, think about individuality in regard to the public. I want them to fine tune those senses. Releasing a work out in the public is a deed.

Q: Anime productions are quickly becoming digital. What are some things that have been lost during this transition?
T: A lot. The most lost are the texture like feel of pictures. Due to the lack of rough texture, the picture doesn't look realistic even after drawing microscopically using digital technology. Therefore, you have to think how to recreate the rough texture using digital technology. However, we are approaching the limit of technology theory. Unless we use the principles depicted in myths, legends, or aphorisms, you probably won't able to create a production which connects with crowd even if you draw a gun realistically.

Q: Starting next year, Zeta trilogy movie will premiere. How come a movie version of a 20 year old TV series now?
T: Because there was an offer. Unlike George Lucas or Steven Spielberg, I never thought of making my own production company. In order words, I'm a pitiful person who didn't take any action in society. Unless someone makes an offer, I cannot create a work. However, I could have refused. I was offered to make one 10 years ago, but I declined. This time I accepted it in order to close a chapter on a series I felt most dissatisfied of. I believed now was the perfect time. After doing it, I'm glad I took the offer as I found out I had the strength to do it.

Source: http://aeug.blogspot.com/2004/12/#110339155455578692
http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/museum/animeister/200410tomino/interview/index.html