[JITF2020] The Daily Life of an Entertainment Interpreter and Rules for Success – Promoting and Communicating about Movies

Mihoko Imai

Graduated from the Department of English Studies, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Sophia University.  Graduated from a major interpreter training school in 2008.  After graduating from university, worked as a film buyer, overseas negotiator, etc., in the film distribution industry.  Became a freelance interpreter upon graduation from the interpreter training school.  Currently is engaged as an interpreter in the fields of film, entertainment and art while instructing those who wish to follow in her footsteps at an interpreter training school.  As an interpreter specializing in entertainment, she has interpreted for promotional events in Japan, press conferences at international film festivals, on-stage speeches, red carpet events, television or telephone interviews, etc., for more than ten years.  Some of the film directors and actors / actresses (titles omitted) whom she interpreted for include Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Oliver Stone, Kaneto Shindo, Shunji Iwai, Shinya Tsukamoto, Sion Sono, Naomi Kawase, Keanu Reeves, Benicio del Toro, Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Williams, Tatsuya Nakadai, Ken Watanabe, Tadanobu Asano and Dean Fujioka.  

The Daily Life of an Entertainment Interpreter and Rules for Success – Promoting and Communicating about Movies

This will be my twelfth year as an interpreter in the field of entertainment.  I was a movie lover from my elementary school days, and joined the movie industry after graduating from university.  It was largely due to the knowledge acquired in my days as a salary worker and connections with people working in the industry that I am able to play an active role as an interpreter in show business today.  I will talk about the following topics, including how I made my debut as an entertainment interpreter, showing some footage of my interpreting in various contexts.

・overview of the work of an entertainment interpreter
・working on promotional events with overseas guests
・working at film festivals
・information gathering and preparation
・specific challenges of interpreting in the entertainment industry
・Things to keep in mind on-stage
・How to develop one’s expressive power