Google Japan Inc. has opened a studio for the production of samurai drama films at the Roppongi Hills building in Tokyo, the Japanese unit of the U.S. Internet search giant said Tuesday.
The studio will be made available free of charge until the end of May for film producers who use Google's YouTube video site and experts from movie company Toei Co. will be invited to the studio to provide filmmaking courses.
Google hopes the move will generate a buzz for YouTube, while Toei wants to boost the recognition of samurai dramas both at home and abroad.
"The studio will provide people throughout the world with opportunities to watch samurai dramas," said Yasuto Takemura, who heads Toei's samurai drama studio in Kyoto.
The studio can be arranged in several configurations, including the bedroom and living room of a samurai lord, while the lighting can be adjusted to create the feeling of a specific time of day or night.
Production staff from Toei will be on hand to offer professional advice, including on how to wear kimono and samurai costumes.