The Secrets Behind Translating Eiichiro Oda's Epic Tone to Live-Action

Summary

The live-action One Piece show remains true to the source material while offering surprises and Easter eggs for longtime fans.

Editor Tessa Verfuss collaborated closely with the director, showrunners, and Eiichiro Oda to establish a cohesive vision for the series. Overcoming obstacles, Verfuss skillfully edited fight scenes to effectively convey the emotional journeys of the characters. Additionally, Verfuss found great satisfaction in working on poignant and dramatic scenes.

The team behind Netflix's live-action One Piece show made every effort to maintain the authenticity of Eiichiro Oda's original material. Based on the manga and subsequent anime of the same name, the story revolves around the adventurous young pirate Monkey D. Luffy's quest to build a crew and discover the legendary treasure known as the One Piece in order to become the King of the Pirates. The live-action series was developed in collaboration with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda serve as writers, executive producers, and showrunners, while Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements are also executive producers.

Iñaki Godoy leads the ensemble One Piece cast as Luffy, alongside Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, Vincent Regan, and Morgan Davies. Feedback thus far indicates that the live-action show remains faithful to its source material, while also incorporating enough surprises and Easter eggs to captivate long-term fans.

Tessa Verfuss Talks One Piece & Staying True To The Original

Can't wait to discuss One Piece! I watched the entire series in one go and was absolutely amazed by it. Were you already familiar with this legendary franchise before being approached for the show?

Tessa Verfuss stated that she was initially intrigued by a new project coming to Cape Town, as she had previously worked with some individuals involved in the television show Black Sails. She anticipated another pirate-themed production with sword fights and ship battles. However, upon learning more about the intellectual property (IP), she discovered that the show had a unique twist, including a pirate ship colored hot pink. It was explained to her that the show was inspired by anime and manga, which had a different tone compared to Black Sails. Curious, Tessa watched approximately 20 or 30 episodes of the anime and casually flipped through piles of manga in the production office.

I was completely unfamiliar with the IP, but it's one of those instances where you come across something for the first time and then suddenly, it seems to be everywhere. Because now, it seems like every other person I converse with is like, "Oh, One Piece, it's amazing! I've been a devoted fan for many years!" So, I'm left wondering, "How did I not come across this earlier?"

If you're not involved in the world of anime, it can easily go unnoticed. While conducting research on the anime and manga, what were some of the most significant lessons you needed to incorporate into your role as an editor?

Tessa Verfuss describes the contrasting tones and styles of Black Sails and the manga/anime. Black Sails is characterized as dark, heavy, and serious, while the manga/anime adopts a lighter and more grounded approach. The manga/anime is bright, optimistic, and colorful, with elements of joy, warmth, and sincerity. Unlike the twisted antiheroes of Black Sails, the manga/anime has a different tonal quality.

Stylistically, Black Sails aims for gritty realism, whereas the manga/anime showcases characters with extraordinary superpowers and has a more carefree attitude. It embraces a sense of fun, allowing for moments of wry humor. The pacing and treatment of footage in the manga/anime contribute to its enjoyable nature. It doesn't weigh itself down and requires a slightly different approach to the material.

Well, you handled it very well. I believe you were an editor for four of the eight episodes, is that correct?

Tessa Verfuss initially edited episodes 5 and 6, known as the Baratie episodes, in block 2. However, due to a schedule expansion, the block 1 editor, Kevin Ross, and his assistant Daniel Williams had to move on to another commitment. As a result, Tessa took over editing episodes 1 and 2 as well. Later on, Tim Kinzy also contributed to the editing of episodes 5 and 6, receiving additional credit for his work. The episodes were passed around, allowing multiple people to provide their input and contribute to the final product. This collaborative process was greatly appreciated.

How does the collaboration process work in this case? With different visions from the director, yourself, and Oda, how do you achieve a unified vision while still handling episodes in that manner?

Tessa Verfuss: Typically, in television, the workflow follows a structured editing process. We receive the footage, and the editor begins cutting independently. We may have some guidance from the director or showrunners, but ultimately, the editor's cut represents our initial interpretation of what the footage has to offer and what we can work with.

Irrespective of how impressive you may perceive your editor's initial version to be, the input of other individuals always enhances the overall outcome. Subsequently, it progresses to the director's version, granting them an opportunity for their official cut. Following that, the showrunners acquire their official producers' cut, and then it proceeds to the network before ultimately reaching Oda.

Given the numerous stages involved, with occasional reverting back to the editor and director due to factors such as reshoots, there were moments of collaborative discussion. These moments proved to be exceptionally beneficial, as they involved all parties gathering around a table to collectively watch the episode. This allowed for the showrunners, Tomorrow Studios, Netflix, and the editing team to align their perspectives and engage in meaningful discussions.

With Oda's strong influence throughout, our team felt confident and determined to meet his expectations in order to satisfy the fans. Obtaining his approval was of utmost importance to ensure the show aligned with their desires. I recall reading statements from Steven and Matt explaining their apprehension and the pressure they felt due to Oda's involvement. Have you ever experienced similar nervousness when presenting your editor's cuts to different stakeholders?

Tessa Verfuss: When it comes to that step, it feels like you're holding your breath a bit. I've had experience working with Netflix, so reaching the editing stage was expected; it's just part of the process. You get used to the rhythm and receiving notes from the studio. However, Oda's involvement is on a much larger scale and surpasses that.

While he has previous experience with TV through the anime, this project is his own creation in a very unique way. We might come up with ideas based on how things are typically done in TV, but he might offer a comment that makes us shift gears and try something different. If we need to search for something else in the footage, approach things in a slightly different manner, or make another attempt for him, then we will.

Well, it sounds like a nice inclusive process.

Tessa Verfuss expressed her deep attachment to the show she worked on for an entire year. Even after the shooting ended, the editing process continued for a few more months. This extensive involvement made the project a significant part of her life. Tessa developed a fondness for the show, the cast, and the crew she collaborated with. As a result, the editing process became a truly collaborative experience.

Regarding the specific episodes you worked on, could you highlight a scene or sequence that presented a notable challenge during the editing process?

The Zoro/Mihawk fight presented several challenges. The sequence was extensive and required multiple days of shooting. Additionally, certain elements needed to be revisited, resulting in the need to capture slightly different shots.

Having worked extensively on fight scenes in the past, particularly in projects like Warrior, I was not intimidated by the task at hand. However, what set this fight apart was the incorporation of a more anime style. This involved capturing dramatic close-ups, utilizing unique angles, and infusing a sense of coolness and self-awareness that is not typically seen in more realistic and serious portrayals. The overall tone of the fight scene was heightened to emphasize its distinctiveness.

However, it is crucial to comprehend the significance for Zoro and his character development. It is not solely about ensuring that this fight appears impressive, exciting, and cool, or whether it convincingly portrays him wielding a sword. While the mechanics of the fight scene are relevant, the true essence lies in the emotions it evokes and understanding Zoro's current story arc. Delving into his motivations and questioning why he feels compelled to confront Mihawk is vital since it seemingly emerges out of thin air. The objective is to establish and convey this, feeling a genuine connection with the character. This aspect required multiple iterations and revisions until we felt it was effectively accomplished. It was one of the more challenging aspects.

Similarly, in regards to Luffy towards the end of that scene, his unwavering optimism is shattered for the first time as something genuinely serious transpires. There are substantial repercussions at stake, and therefore, his reaction in this moment, as well as the accompanying emotions, hold significant importance. This aspect seamlessly carries on into episode 6. While it may initially be perceived as a mere fight scene, it is vital to recognize that it is, in fact, a pivotal dramatic character moment for two of the main characters. Consequently, this should be the focal point demanding the utmost attention.

Would you say that was also your favorite scene to work on, or was there a different scene or sequence that you found more fun or more engaging to be a part of?

Tessa Verfuss expressed her enjoyment of the more emotional scenes in the series. She particularly loved the ship battles but the standout moment for her was in episode 6. This pivotal scene features Zoro being injured and Nami reading to him from a storybook. When Luffy enters, Nami confronts him about allowing this to happen.

According to Tessa, this scene marks a turning point in the relationship between the characters. Both actors delivered exceptional performances, bringing a sense of depth and humanity to their roles. Tessa emphasizes the importance of creating believable and relatable characters in a live-action adaptation. She appreciates the performances of Emily and Iñaki, which elevated the scene and made it a joy to edit. Tessa cherished the process of discovering these performances and capturing genuine character moments on camera.

Have you come across any online reactions? Specifically, have you read or heard about any of them yet?

Tessa Verfuss: I did come across one with an impressive title, suggesting that it is the first live-action adaptation that successfully captures the essence, or perhaps the finest live-action adaptation so far. We are hopeful that everyone shares this sentiment. Ideally, everyone will believe that we have nailed it with this one, and that they will absolutely adore it, considering it as the ultimate live-action anime rendition.

The genre has always been a challenge, and concerns arise as Netflix has previously produced Cowboy Bebop, making some wary of a live-action adaptation of One Piece from the same studios. During your involvement in the production, were there any discussions or reflections from either team regarding this experience and how it could be utilized to enhance the quality of One Piece?

There was never a direct acknowledgement of this in my presence, but it was understood that the fans have the power to determine the success of the show. We made a conscious effort to cater to their preferences. This is why it was vital to consider Oda's perspective, as his vision encompassed all aspects. Even when the initial teaser was released, we closely monitored the fans' feedback. There has been a strong awareness that fan response is crucial, and our aim is to ensure their satisfaction.

It involves strategically placing hidden references throughout the program, which may go unnoticed by individuals like us who are not well-versed in the specific intellectual property. However, we hope that dedicated fans will spot them and exclaim, "Oh my God, look, there's that!" We are fully aware of the importance of pleasing our fans and strive to ensure their utmost satisfaction.

I hope there will be more episodes in the future so that I can continue following the story after season 1. Before we wrap up, I heard that you were also involved in Warrior, and it's a relief that the show made a comeback for season 3 despite its uncertain status. How does it feel for you, being part of that show, to witness its return after all this time?

Tessa Verfuss: It was absolutely fantastic news to hear that it was coming back. We went through a rough period of thinking it was over, and then a few years later, it unexpectedly resurfaced. Watching season 3, I believe the storytelling took the show to a whole new level. Now, everyone is eagerly waiting to see what happens next, as there is definitely more to explore with the characters and the world they inhabit.

About Netflix's Live-Action One Piece

Explore our collection of One Piece interviews here:

(Note: The content has been rewritten without any notes or explanations)

Director Marc Jobst

Director Emma Sullivan

One Piece begins streaming on Netflix on August 31.

Source: Screen Rant Plus