
Pre-Production Services
The team provides worldwide exceptional production planning and creative development and logistics services which protect your schedule and budget and maintain your creative vision.
Creative
Scriptwriting, storyboarding, and pitch-ready treatments.
Logistics
Permits, budgeting, scheduling, and crew coordination.
Delivery
Production-ready plans with worldwide coverage.
Planning with Precision
Comprehensive Pre-Production Services
From initial concept to production-ready plans, our team sets the foundation for successful films, TV, commercials, and digital content around the world.
Creative Excellence
Writers and directors who've worked on NHK, TV Asahi, and international co-productions—shaping scripts, storyboards, and visual treatments for Japanese and foreign audiences.
Strategic Planning
The budget uses yen currency to present Japanese vendor price quotes while the project timeline follows the Japanese holidays of Golden Week and Obon. The project requires special attention to Tokyo because of its unique logistical needs.'s unique filming restrictions.
Japan Expertise
The Japanese Film Commission together with ward office permits and cultural consultation services enable international productions to operate without issues during their production in Japan.
Service Catalog
Our Pre-Production Services
Every phase is covered—creative development, casting, permits, budgeting, crew, logistics, and compliance.
Creative & Development
Linked ServicesScriptwriting
The team works on two main tasks which include adapting international scripts for Japanese viewers and creating new storylines and making sure all dialogue matches Japanese or English or both languages.
Script Consultation
The team performed a cultural assessment to improve dialogue accuracy because the scripts needed to function properly in Japanese settings which preserve their traditional customs and audience preferences.
Storyboarding
The visual content follows Japanese visual storytelling conventions through its transition from anime-inspired sequences to photorealistic commercial boards.
Concept Development
The development of production-ready concepts from unrefined concepts needs Japanese market research data and location assessment and budget constraint analysis.
Creative Direction
The role of Art directors and creative leads who connect Western creative ideas with Japanese design principles and manufacturing capabilities.
Moodboards
The reference packages draw their elements from Japanese architectural styles and street fashion and traditional design elements and modern Tokyo visual elements.
Pitch Decks
The content includes Investor and broadcaster presentations which are designed for Japanese networks and international co-productions and streaming platforms.
Casting & Talent
Linked ServicesCasting Services
The agency provides access to Tokyo talent agencies and regional actors and bilingual performers and specialized extras who can work for period and contemporary and commercial productions.
Voiceover Casting
The company provides Japanese voice actors who perform narration and dubbing and character work as well as bilingual talent for creating international versions.
Talent Coordination
The person needs to handle Japanese talent scheduling and maintain agency relationships and follow established rules for booking celebrities and idols.
Union Management
The process of working with Japanese performer guilds requires understanding their rules about usage rights and their specific talent fee payment systems which differ from those in other entertainment industries.
Location & Permits
Linked ServicesLocation Scouting
Finding locations across Japan's 47 prefectures—from Tokyo neon to Kyoto temples to Okinawa beaches and snow-covered Hokkaido.
Location Management
The process requires direct site management to work with Japanese property owners and building managers who maintain strict Japanese property standards.
Permit Acquisition
The process of obtaining a ward office permit and police authorization for street filming and the complex system of Japanese public space approvals.
Site Surveys
The team conducted technical recces to evaluate power supply conditions and vehicle entry points and noise limitations and operational challenges of Japanese locations.
Production Insurance
The company requires Japanese liability coverage and equipment insurance from local brokers who offer policies which fulfill owner requirements for the specific location.
Budgeting & Scheduling
Linked ServicesProduction Budgeting
The budget uses Yen-denominated funds with Japanese vendor pricing and it includes consumption tax calculations and it uses actual crew expense estimates.
Cost Estimation
Accurate quotes from Tokyo equipment houses, location fees, and the true cost of shooting in Japan's premium market.
Production Scheduling
The system includes Japanese holiday schedules together with seasonal events which include cherry blossom and autumn foliage and time-based restrictions that apply to particular locations.
Call Sheets
The production team needs bilingual call sheets which include Japanese addresses and train station information and the exact time schedule that Japanese crews require.
Crew & Logistics
Linked ServicesLine Producing
The Japanese line producers who handle yen-based budgeting and maintain local workforce regulations while ensuring timely completion of international film productions.
Crew Hiring
Our team will construct Japanese crews by selecting DPs and gaffers and sound mixers who have experience working with international production standards.
Local Fixers
The bilingual fixers at this company provide complete solutions which include both fast permit issuance and immediate location adjustment services throughout all regions of Japan.
Travel Logistics
The system allows users to reserve Shinkansen tickets and domestic flights and find crew housing near their destinations and arrange ground transportation throughout Tokyo because the city lacks car-friendly infrastructure.
Equipment Planning
Coordinating with Tokyo rental houses like Imagica and NAC for camera, lighting, and grip packages.
Catering Services
The company provides Japanese bento services together with craft services setup and catering options which fulfill dietary needs and follow traditional Japanese dining practices.
Legal & Administrative
Linked ServicesContract Management
The company uses Japanese-language contracts and crew deal memos which fulfill local labor law requirements and vendor agreements that follow established formatting rules.
Talent Releases
Appearance releases formatted for Japanese legal requirements and talent agency approval processes.
Location Agreements
Property contracts in Japanese with the specific terms and liability language Japanese owners require.
Licensing & Rights
The production needs to obtain music rights from JASRAC and it must acquire footage from Japanese archives and it requires permission to use branded content intellectual property.
Health & Safety Compliance
The team performed risk assessments to create safety protocols which they used to direct Japanese officials who controlled stunt and special effects operations.
Why Fixers in Japan
Why Choose Fixers in Japan for Pre-Production
Integrated creative, logistics, and compliance backed by seasoned producers and local fixers.
Proven Expertise
Industry-leading team across all formats and budgets, trusted by global broadcasters.
Fast Response
Rapid 24-48 hour turnarounds for quotes, permits, and scheduling updates.
Global Network
On-the-ground partners in 100+ countries with local permits handled for you.
Full Service
End-to-end coverage from concept and casting to legal, logistics, and delivery.
FAQs
Pre-Production FAQs
Clear answers on timelines, coverage, and how we tailor planning to your production.
What's included in pre-production services?
Our team provides complete production services which include script breakdown and scheduling and location searches throughout all 47 prefectures and Tokyo agency-based casting and crew selection from our approved network and budget development in yen with consumption tax calculations and permit submission to ward offices and the Japanese Film Commission. The production team receives their complete package at the start of filming.
How long does pre-production take?
The process of securing locations and completing Japanese permit paperwork and casting finalizations for feature films requires a minimum of 10 to 14 weeks. The production timeline for commercials remains short because they require three to five weeks to complete production when production sites have easy access. The total diversity of documentary projects depends on two factors which include the requirements for access and the schedule of their interview sessions. The Japanese permitting process requires longer periods than Western film productions so you should add extra time to your schedule.
Do you work with international productions shooting in Japan?
That's our specialty. We bridge the gap between international production companies and Japanese crews, vendors, and authorities. Our team handles everything from carnet requirements for equipment entering Japan to coordinating with Japanese crews who may have limited English. Most of our clients are US, UK, European, and Asian productions shooting on Japanese soil.
Can you work within a specific budget?
We create budgets in yen which include detailed line items that show the exact costs which Japanese vendors charge. The Japanese market operates at premium levels because Tokyo production costs exceed what other Asian nations need to pay. If you have a target number, we'll tell you honestly what's achievable and where you might need to adjust scope or shooting days.
What happens if permits get denied or locations fall through?
Japanese location owners can be conservative about filming, and permit timelines are often longer than expected. We plan for this with backup options for every primary location. Our location managers have relationships with property owners across Japan and know which locations have worked reliably for past productions versus which ones tend to fall through.
Ready to Start Your Pre-Production?
We will create a production-ready plan which includes detailed budgets and schedules and permitting requirements for your project.