Maxon: CG Director Shimon Tanaka Discusses Work with BABYMETAL

CG Director Shimon Tanaka has been a key figure in developing the visual aesthetic for the Japanese band BABYMETAL. His involvement spans the band's inception, including directing their debut music video, designing album art, and creating visuals for live performances.

In an interview with Maxon, Tanaka outlined his extensive career, which began with stop-motion animation during his university studies. His collaboration with BABYMETAL started with directing the music video for their first song, "Doki Doki☆Morning." Since then, he has contributed to their single and album covers, as well as the increasingly elaborate visual elements for their live shows.

Tanaka utilizes a variety of tools in his work, including Red Giant effects such as Looks, Primatte Keyer, Particular, Form, and Mir. He particularly values the Looks color grading tool for its efficiency and ability to make extensive adjustments within a single interface. He likens Red Giant tools to brushes and paints for an artist, constantly discovering new functionalities.

His creative process begins with developing rough concepts in both video and still image formats. For live performances, these visual concepts inform stage design, such as the integration of traditional Okinawan Shisa statues for BABYMETAL's Okinawa show. For music videos and concert visuals, Tanaka immerses himself in the song's mood and emotions, aiming to translate them into a visual experience.