So what's up with the Japanese Sesame movie?

[beaker]

Yeah that's right, as was reported awhile back a Japanese Sesame motion theme park ride movie was in the works. Just wondering if anybody(maybe one of the insiders?) knows whats up with that.

In case anyone didnt know, the Japanese are enamored with all things Sesame...sadly this obsession inexplicably does not extend to the Classic Muppets/Muppet show, but nonetheless it is encouraging. I mean they got the coolest Sesame merch hands down on the collector market(while the US gets stuck with lame toddler toys)

Anyhoo, just wondering what the latest on this was.
The first new Muppet movie since VMC, or something we'll never get to see unless we somehow get lucky and get airfare to Japan?

 

[Phillip]

It's not a full-length movie. It's a 3-D feature that's being produced for Universal Japan (not unlike Muppet Vision 3-D). Part of the agreement (for the time being anyway) was that it would only be shown at Universal Japan. Last I heard the target date to have it viewable for the public was within the next twelve months or so. I'm sure we will hear a lot more about this from our overseas friends as it gets closer.

 

[beaker]

Originally posted by Phillip Chapman
It's not a full-length movie. It's a 3-D feature that's being produced for Universal Japan (not unlike Muppet Vision 3-D). Part of the agreement (for the time being anyway) was that it would only be shown at Universal Japan. Last I heard the target date to have it viewable for the public was within the next twelve months or so. I'm sure we will hear a lot more about this from our overseas friends as it gets closer.

Wow, 3d short film eh? I wasnt quite sure what the exact deal was. I wish there was some Japanese folks on the forums, as I hear theres a lot of cool Sesame coolectibles there(that I'd sure like to get!)

anyways, man those Japanese have way too many cool stuff...grrr. Anyways, if anybody finds out more about this let us know!

 

[Gonzo]

Hunh. I have a friend who's going to be in Japan for six weeks from May-June, and then again for all of 2004...and Melissa, Miles and I may visit him in 2004. I wonder...

Best not to make plans. Yet.

Quinnnnnnnnn

 

[muppet maniac]

Just found this(it's all in Japanese though)...

http://www.usj.co.jp/sesame4D/web3d_index.html



and I also found this...

http://216.239.37.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.usj-i.net/wf/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DSesame%2BStreet%2B4D%2BMovie%2BMagic%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8

 

[frogboy4]

Very cute site. Kind of busy, but interesting use of Shockwave/Director/3D. I like the pseudo change in perspective. I worked on a project like that, but never liked it enough to develop it into a portfolio piece. Lingo isn't my bag.

 

[muppet maniac]

There Is a Sesame Street 3D Movie In Universal Studios in FL.

Hmm..that's strange,because I went to the Universal Studios Florida Website,and they didn't say anything about it.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

It's probably not officially part of the park yet so it's not on the site. Luckily it will open in time for my next visit....btw, did you guys know they have entire stores devoted to Sesame Street in Japan? On my last trip there I saw one in Kobe and it was great, tons of stuff you don't see here.

Reminded me of the Muppet Stuff stores (sigh) memories.....

 

[frogboy4]

I'm guessing these are similar to the Sesame Street General Stores that failed in the US. I enjoyed those stores. However, I always found it troubling that they didn't have any other Muppets. That could have increased its popularity. The lady at the store I worked at said a day didn't go by when someone didn't ask for something Muppet Show related.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I never knew about the Sesame Street General Stores (guess they never made it to Canada) but I don't think it's the same retail concept (though they're obviously similar). The Sesame Stores in Japan are run by a chain that usually operates several "character-branded" stores in the same Mall.

In Kobe the same shopping centre also had a Snoopy Store, a Hello Kitty store, a Pokemon store and a sort of "odds and ends" character store with Wallace & Gromit, The Nightmare Before Xmas Characters, Mon Chi Chi (remember those??) and so on. I imagine some of them probably turn over to new characters every few years as fads come and go. It's a pretty unique idea that's only in Japan I think, unless you count some of the stores in North American theme parks.

The Sesame Stores do carry classic Muppet merchandise (mostly Kermit, Fozzie, Piggy and Gonzo), but not alot because the characters just aren't as popular over there and the focus is really on Sesame Street. I haven't been back for a few years, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bear in the Big Blue House was big there too now.

In general though, Japan is licensed character heaven! I love shopping in Tokyo's main shopping district - they have much cooler toys and toy stores than we do here!