The FX series Shōgun, set in 15th Century Japan, became the most honoured single season of any show in Emmy® history. A talented group of local artists and creators collaborated with the Japanese experts in every department to bring this unique series to life. We highlight British Columbia’s costumes, makeup, set design, special effects, and visual effects departments’ Emmy® Awards.They all agree, “Winning this award feels like an award for our entire BC industry. We make award-winning, record-breaking shows that compete on a global stage. Walking up on the stage and receiving the Emmy® was an extraordinary moment in life, representing all the hard work and dedication everyone gave to the show.”Shōgun is set in the Sengoku Period (1467-1600). This 2024 adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel is told from the perspective of Japanese characters who at the height of the century-long civil war, discover a mysterious European ship and its English pilot, John Blackthorne.
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Set decorators Lisa and Jonathan Lancaster’s detail, authenticity, and work volume were… well… Emmy® worthy! Months of prep time helped with accuracy. “The show’s extensive group of advisors from Japan were a tremendous asset. Our research came from 1500s scrolls and museums and was cross-checked through our show producers. Production designer Helen Jarvis supported what we could bring to the sets and direction for her design vision.” The main cast costumes were custom-built, and the fabrics were sourced from Japan. Shōgun’s costume designer, Carlos Rosario, had to design new outfits until the last episode, with 125 in the costume department and another 100 in other time zones.
The costume supervisor, Carole Griffin, was tasked with 356 cast, 825 background actors and 78 stunt fittings! They had to rely on historical sketches and paintings to make the costumes accurate under the guidance of historian Frederik Cryns, “It was a constant juggling of timelines, actor availability, shipping, and weather conditions. We had to learn a new language, as there were Japanese names for every piece of clothing and accessories.”
Emmy® winner Rebecca Lee, makeup designer, says, “Fortunately, historic Illustrations exist with depictions of the time that helped determine which cosmetics to use and how to style men’s facial hair. The show’s producers were adamant about authenticity. We had custom-blended products to achieve the finish and colours in the Sengoku period. Making 100-plus background samurai and villagers bald every morning was the biggest challenge in addition to the 15-20 lead cast and 200-plus background actors.”
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“ Winning this award feels like an award for our entire BC industry.”
Rebecca Lee & team. Photo credit: Invision Agency
SPFX On Set Supervisor Ivona Kolic with Emmy®.
VFX aims to create digital effects that enhance what was filmed and further the story. Emmy® winner Melody Mead, associate visual effects producer, managed global artists working around the clock on the stunning VFX for this series. They had the challenge of altering locations to look like Japan in 1600.Ivona Kolic, the special effects on-set supervisor, worked with SPFX coordinator and Emmy® winner Cameron Waldbauer. “We work hand in hand with the director of photography to make anything we’re shooting more realistic. Special effects are as simple as making trees and leaves move with the wind or as big as burning a huge set multiple times in one night. ”Shōgun is a multicultural project that brought together hundreds of fantastic talents worldwide and is available to stream.
