Takeshi Seyama

Takeshi Seyama (瀬山 武司 Seyama Takeshi, born in 1944) is a Japanese film editor from Tokyo. Seyama is the editor of many anime series and movies from Studio Ghibli, Katsuhiro Otomo, and Satoshi Kon, including hits such as Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, AKIRA, Venus Wars, Steamboy, and Paprika.

In 1992, Seyama founded the "Seyama Editing Room," which specializes in editing anime.

History
Born in Tokyo. Seyama first worked at an architecture-related profession before moving into editing TV dramas and films. He began as a regular collaborator of Isao Takahata, editing Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Dog of Flanders, Anne of Green Gables and 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother. He would go on to edit his films as well, beginning with Grave of the Fireflies, and so on. He also edited many of Hayao Miyazaki's early films at Studio Ghibli such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, etc.

Seyama explained his job during an interview, "Editing an animation is the same as a live-action film. However, the schedule of modern animations has been cut down more and more, and it has become commonplace to edit the entire film in isolation. Originally, editing a film involved having all the cuts, produce an editing plan while watching it with the director, then actually cut the film before its consider the finished product."

"You have to edit without looking at the big picture. I'm cutting the film in my head even though I don't know what the end will be. However, that happened because there are many unavoidable circumstances such as schedules, and the director and editor (editor) are not aware of how to do it in such a situation. I don't have to. The director thinks "Maybe he will cut it like this", and the editorial side can do the irregular way as it is now if they can understand each other "Maybe the director wants to do this". .. On the contrary, it is difficult for new people to enter."

Seyama also remarked on his longtime partnership with Katsuhiro Otomo, "AKIRA was my first directorial work, so I felt nervous, and many things in my workflow felt a little inaccessible. I've gained much experience in the years since, and recently it has become more rounded, and the work has become something that even children can understand. My work definitely has evolved in time."

In 1992, he went independent and founded "Seyama Editing Room,". He is one of the Studio Ghibli's most invaluable staff.

Official

 * Seyama Editing Room Official Site