J-Insider: Learn to be a Jpop Star at Giza Creators School

Giza Studio's Japanese Music School THE MUSIC industry is always seeking skillful people to become stars. In response to this need, Giza Creators School has made a goal to develop and send out skillful people in this creative field. The school targets musicians and vocalists with its "standard program" and artist-supporting staff creators with its "professional program." According to Giza Studio creators and musicians who support artists, they are engaging, exciting classes. It's not the type of study that remains only in the classroom-- Giza Creators School claims the professional stage awaits. Several popular Japanese pop stars have attended GCS. The school only offers courses in Japanese. Small Group Communication Curriculum At GCS, there is an emphasis on the importance of students' one-on-one communication. The curriculum is implemented in the intimate small group project scene. Professional-like facilities Students can experience the atmosphere of professional facilities in class. Also, instructors use a studio built for practical use as a workplace. Creators supporting top artists also participate as special instructors. They include professional creators that are active at the forefront of their fields. Also, various special lecturers from collaborative companies in the music industry perform their stuff. Sound Course At the forefront of the professional music scene, recording engineers, pro audio (PA) engineers, arrangers, and music directors are the professors who communicate know-how with sound production knowledge and skills. Beginning with music theory, knowledge concerning sound equipment, recording, and live performances and engineering follow. Then the arrangement and remixing of musical composition is put into practice. Students will learn about various skills regarding sound production in this curriculum. The sound production course will virtually show you how to create professional sound recordings using the real recording studio in practical lessons. GCS claims that the real experience will cultivate your high-level pro senses. Aiming for business Jobs: recording engineer, pro audio (PA) engineer, composer, arranger, music director A Word from a Professor Prof. Yoshinori Akai is a professor at Giza Creators School. He is the Chief Engineer for the Red Way company, which operates pro audio equipment for live concerts. Red Way has supported concerts for such artists as Zard, Mai Kuraki, Rina Aiuchi, Garnet Crow, and others. Prof. Akai describes the sound course at GCS: "Even without musical instrument experience or musical knowledge, freshman students use a real recording studio. I put together a curriculum that will raise you up to the next level. Accordingly, we professors work our craft with today's skills and equipment. That is the way we teach our students. Now including computers, sound equipment is steadily improving. In an age where musicians break down the roles of the arranger and the mixing engineer, anyone individually can reach the point where they can do the recording and arranging. From the bottom up, a person learning music needs elementary development without being a meer technician. From now on and forevermore, I think capable people will seek to have diverse sound education." Two types of Professional Sound Programs For artist programs, GCS offers classes in vocals, dance, guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. For composer programs, GCS offers classes in songwriting, composing, music technology, and music theory. The performing studio on the fifth floor is 7mx18m (23x59ft). Audio Study Programs are not the only programs that GCS offers-- movie and design courses are also available.

Movie Course With the progress of satellite broadcasting numerous channels, movies and music artist live tour DVDs are now commonplace. The demand for creators who work with motion picture software has increased. In the movie course, creators work at the forefront of various programs such as TV shows, music videos (PVs), live DVDs that are broadcast by both satellite and ground. Students learn the entire knowhow of planning, photography, directing, lighting, editing, narration, and even computer graphics in motion pictures. The power of expression is cultivated in this curriculum that takes place on the site of the audio course where the program work progresses. Without fussing over preconceived ideas, the individual is trained in what is important. Design Course CD booklets (jackets), posters, live tour brochures,etc. On today's popular music scene, there is design supervision with artists' artwork. This system of a curriculum that involves thorough practice is put in place. Naturally, the Design Course teaches skills in using a Macintosh and various software applications. Without remaining in the existing infrastructure, free expression and imagination reign in creative education in the professional workplace. Designers cultivate expressive power and sensitivity regarding the subject of their message.      School Software Sound Course: i-Mac G5 OSX, Protools LE6.7, Digital Performer5.0.1, Reason2.5, M box, HDD, MACKIE 1405.VLZ PRO, SC8850, MIDI. Movie Course: After Effects and Premier-pro. Design Course: Photoshop CS2 ver.9, Illustrator CS2 ver.12, and Quark Express. Admissions Before applying at GCS, prospective students are advised to observe a lesson personally. Those wanting to observe a lesson should call GCS to request an appointment when time slots are available. Applications, counseling, and inspections/examinations are required for all applicants. Depending on what type of program you enroll in, you may need to provide a photograph, school records, high school diploma and other certificates, letters of recommendation, an audition, a physical examination, a written essay and a screening fee of ¥20,000. Age Limits GCS states that the standard artist programs (vocal, guitar, dance, keyboard, bass, and drum) are for those between 6 and 30 years of age. The composer programs (songwriting, composition, music technology, music theory) are gauged for people 13 and up. Professional programs have no age limit, but require high school graduation. Location Giza Creators School is located in the eastern district of the city of Osaka, Japan. Housing available for students It's recommended that students get referred to an apartment house if venturing from far distances. Because there are no dormitories established, those wanting a referral should ask GCS for one. Furthermore, GCS can accommodate those wanting to preview a personal lesson and participate in matters regarding moving into the apartment house residence. Because they use a reservation system, new incumbents are encouraged to apply for housing as soon as possible. What is Giza Studio? Giza is a Kansai-based record company belonging to the Tokyo-based Being Group. In order for artists to be able to perform superior music works, they use multiple recording and rehearsal studios. Furnished as a complete institution, Giza involves not only the source sound, but also CD booklets, music videos, and music TV programs. These works are continually getting done at Giza. Giza Studio includes such well-known artists as Mai Kuraki, Rina Aiuchi, Garnet Crow, Miho Komatsu, Doa, U-ka Saegusa in DB, and Aya Kamiki. Other Schools Japan has many other music schools too, such as Heisei College of Music, Senzoku School of Music, Toho College of Music, and Tosei Showa Academia Musicae.

Giza Creators School Official Site
http://www.giza-cs.com/

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