The Final Sign (Live-Action Short Film)
Project Overview
Hey everyone, we're Kokoro Films a small indie studio pouring our hearts into our first original japannese short film— "The Final Sign" (最後の合図)! It's a short film set in a nursing home, It Blends Psychological Drama and Traditional Japanese Culture, Past Glory and Present Isolation, And Loss of Voice and True Connection. Super passionate project! Right now we're growing our remote team and looking for talented people who love Japanese movies as much as we do. Kickstarter is coming soon, so the project is gaining momentum. Remote-friendly, flexible schedule, and full credits on the final series. Small team, big dreams. The script is set, The next stage is making this film come to life with YOUR help. More roles will be added as the project continues.
A former professional rakugo (Japanese comic storytelling) performer who lost his voice after a surgery. He struggles with feelings of worthlessness because he can no longer make people laugh.
- male senior
(Quietly, without turning around) "What if I can't make them laugh?"
(Strained, taking a deep, trembling breath before looking up) "I can't make you laugh anymore. ... My master told me, 'You are a machine for making people laugh. That’s what you were born for. The moment you stop, you vanish. You become air.' I believed him. ... So when the surgery took my voice, I thought I had vanished."
Shohei in his prime as a rising, popular rakugo performer. Highly charismatic on stage with a polished, professional smile.
- male young adult
(Performing on stage, vibrant, projecting confidence and charm) "Once upon a time, in a bustling district of Edo, there lived a man who thought he knew everything about everyone!"
(Backstage immediately after the show, out of breath, bowing deeply and respectfully) "Thank you, Master! I will keep pushing harder for the next set."
A compassionate, persistent nursing home staff member. She pushes Shohei out of his isolation and organizes a small talk for him.
- female young adult
(Bright, encouraging tone) "I'm thinking of holding a small 'rakugo gathering' next week. Just a little enjoyment for the residents. ... You don't have to get up on stage. You don't even have to do rakugo. I just wanted to hear you speak. In your own words."
(Quietly, switching to a moment of deeply personal seriousness) "My grandfather was a woodcarver. When his hands gave out, he said the same thing. That he was worthless. He stopped talking to anyone. He died a year later. Silent."
Young Shohei’s strict, imposing traditional rakugo mentor.
- male senior
(Sternly, holding a fan like a baton) "You are a machine for making people laugh. That's what you were born for. That is your entire worth."
(Snapping a fan shut sharp and final) "Never forget it. The moment you stop making them laugh, you vanish. You become air."
An elderly nursing home resident in a wheelchair who delivers a pivotal line of empathy to Shohei during his talk.
- male senior
(Speaking simply and gently from a wheelchair, interrupting a long silence with warmth) "We can hear you."
Audio Engineer
We are looking for an Audio Engineer / Sound Designer for a 17-minute psychological drama short film titled "The Final Sign" set in a Japanese nursing home.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Dialogue Editing & Post-Production: Clean up dialogue recordings, balancing raspy/hoarse dialogue alongside normal speech levels.
Foley & Sound Effects: Craft precise audio cues essential to the narrative (e.g., folding fan snapping shut, room reverberation shifts between small halls and common rooms, ventilation hums, TV/radio atmospheric sounds).
Final Mix & Master: Provide a polished stereo mix (24-bit WAV format).
Requirements:
Experience with post-production audio mixing for film/narrative audio.
DAW software of your choice (Pro Tools, Reaper, Logic Pro, etc.).
- english
- japanese
*Say something you think would fit*
Video Editor
Seeking a Video Editor to cut a 17-minute psychological drama short film titled "The Final Sign".
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Assembly, rough cut, and fine edit of the short film based on script continuity.
Pacing sharp audio/visual transitions, particularly flashback sequences (e.g., snapping fan sound/match cut between backstage Yose hall and present-day nursing home).
Deliver final cut in 1080p/4K ProRes or MP4 format, with stems/AAF ready for color grading and final audio pass.
Requirements:
Proficiency in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro.
Portfolio showcasing narrative film or drama editing experience.
- japanese
- english
*Say something you think would fit*
Musician
Looking for a Film Composer to create an original score for "The Final Sign," a 17-minute Japanese psychological drama.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Compose a subtle, grounded, emotionally resonant score that supports key emotional beats without overpowering the quiet dialogue.
Provide separate high-quality WAV audio tracks/stems for the climax and ending radio sequence.
Requirements:
Experience scoring drama, indie film, or narrative audio projects.
Ability to work off a locked video edit.
- japanese
- english
*Say something you think would fit*
Director
Seeking a Director of Photography for "The Final Sign," a 17-minute Japanese psychological drama short film set in a nursing home.
Key Responsibilities & Visual Style:
Responsible for camera operation, framing, and lighting design.
Establish visual contrast between the warm, vibrant, high-energy lighting of the 30s Yose variety hall flashback and the muted, grounded naturalism of the nursing home common room/corridor.
Work closely with the director on camera movement, close-ups (focusing on hands/folding fan motifs), and slow-paced static framing.
Requirements:
Experience as a DP on narrative short films or drama projects.
Reel/portfolio demonstrating lighting setup and camera work.
- japanese
- english
*Say something you think would fit*
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