Shoma Uno: “I’ve realized that in shows making things look difficult is actually important. If you jump a quad with almost no preparation, experts will be impressed, but for first-time viewers, it’s better to make it look like a big move is coming.”
Shoma Uno Expands His Horizons as a Performer and Producer with Ice Brave 2
original source: sportiva.shueisha.co.jp dd November 7th by Komiya Yoshiyuki
Shoma Uno, now a professional skater and producer, reflects on the challenges and creative process behind his successful “Ice Brave” shows, his collaboration with coach Stephane Lambiel, and his ongoing pursuit of new artistic and technical feats. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Web Sporttiva.
After the performance, Shoma Uno arrived in the interview area, clearly exhausted but with a bright, fulfilled expression.
“Do you think I should send Stephane (Lambiel) 90 minutes of video online every day?” he joked, prompting laughter from the reporters.
On November 1, “Ice Brave 2” opened its first day. Surpassing the previous show was no easy feat, but Uno introduced new programs, changed the cast, and approached the project with enthusiasm. It felt like a challenge to the possibilities of figure skating itself.
“It’s a joy to have so many people see something I spent months creating!” Uno said. “For the first ‘Ice Brave,’ it was my debut as a producer, so rather than thinking objectively, I just gave everything I had. I poured my whole heart and soul into it,” Uno explained.
“With the experience from last time, I was able to consider things from the audience’s perspective, how things look from the outside, and what kind of impression people would get. Since it’s a show, I want people to enjoy something they can’t experience in competition.
For example, in competition, I didn’t like to make a big deal out of preparing for jumps, but as a professional, I’ve realized that making things look difficult is actually important. If you jump a quad with almost no preparation, experts will be impressed, but for first-time viewers, it’s better to make it look like a big move is coming.
Also, facing the audience is important, but sometimes it’s better for skaters to look at each other or gaze into the distance, depending on the performance.”
In a July interview, Uno was asked how he would handle the absence of Stéphane Lambiel, who couldn’t appear in “Ice Brave 2” due to coaching commitments during the competitive season.
“I can’t really imagine anyone replacing Stephane. He’s not just a coach – our relationship is special. There aren’t many coaches who can skate like he does (laughs). Right now, I have a few ideas for new challenges, but as a producer, I have to think about what will make ‘Ice Brave 2’ even better than the first, especially with Stephane gone.”
“I want to create a place that Stephane can’t help but return to!” Uno said, showing his producer’s thoughtfulness.
As a professional skater, Uno also took on new challenges.
“I didn’t manage to land the backflip,” he said regretfully, revealing that he had been practicing the dangerous move for the show.
“I don’t know how much practice people imagine goes into this, but I really pushed myself. I kept asking those who stayed with me until 3 or 4 a.m., ‘Can we keep going?’ But it was harder than I expected, and above all, dangerous.
People might see others do backflips easily, but it’s not normal. You have to jump straight up, and if you don’t rotate enough, you land on your head. That struggle reminded me of my competitive days (laughs). I’m still having a hard time, but I haven’t given up – I’ll keep practicing whenever I have free time. Please look forward to it!”
Related topics: Shoma Uno
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