Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 110 Sequel Production Plan
The forty-minute OVA really made many people feel satisfied.

At this moment, Masahiko Kimura was also watching TV.

He was not interested in special effects, but he had heard of them and the names of those people.

Now that I have seen one with my own eyes, I find it hard for Masahiko Kimura to accept it. The special effects style is still a little too young for him.

But as the OVA entered its final ten minutes, Kimura Masahiko suddenly became serious and straightened his back.

This action design is trendy and beautiful, and it involves several different styles at the same time.

In particular, the throwing techniques are mainly based on judo moves. Although it is not orthodox judo, it also contains judo techniques.

"Is this what you want me to see?"

Masahiko Kimura closed his eyes and pondered.

He had watched all the videotapes that Gu Ming had sent him before. Some of them were performed by Gu Ming, and some were designed by Gu Ming. After watching them, he couldn't help but praise them as wonderful.

At Kimura Masahiko's age, it's time to be careful about his reputation. Instead of being competitive, he is thinking about establishing his own school and becoming famous.

His old friend Masutatsu Oyama is younger than him, but he is already the famous master of Kyokushin Karate.

As a judo master who had already achieved great success, he now only opened a small dojo with a few scattered disciples, which was totally unworthy of his former fame and status.

"Using this kind of action to attract audiences through film and television media seems like a very reliable idea."

Thinking about the sincerity shown by Gu Ming at that time and the effects he saw, Kimura Masahiko was somewhat tempted.

He first called a number of old friends, mainly to ask about the ratings of these works.

Soon, Masahiko Kimura received an answer.

Even the worst work has a viewership rating of over 30%, and its popularity across Japan is incredibly high!

On average, one out of every three people has read works related to Gu Ming!

Although they didn't know who Gu Ming was.

Masahiko Kimura breathed a sigh of relief. This number finally made him make up his mind and dial the number.

The call was made directly to Extreme Agency, and Gu Ming left his business card and contact information at the time.

Masahiko Kimura decided to follow what Gu Ming had said before and invite him to discuss the cooperation in detail.

……

……

Sunday, Wan Gu.

Kagi Wei came over this morning, mainly to express his sincere hope that Wan Gu would produce the next work as soon as possible.

This OVA is quite good and very popular, so it's time to strike while the iron is hot and make a sequel.

TBS has an 'Ultra Project', which is the part of TBS's self-produced drama plan led by Kagi Osamu.

Starting from Ultra Q, the reason why it was named Ultra was the suggestion from TBS.

While investing in Wangu, TBS also commissioned multiple productions. For example, during the same period, there was a work called "Captain Ultra", which was commissioned by TBS to Toei and was a work about an adventure in the starry sky.

Of course, Captain Ultra's ratings were average and the quality was poor, so it ended after two seasons.

After Qijing Wei left, everyone in Wangu gathered for a meeting to discuss plans for the next work.

"TBS has increased its budget investment, so this drama will still be part of TBS's Ultra Plan. However, we must innovate on the basis of the previous work and cannot produce a sequel."

Eiji Mantani first gave a definition of the drama.

It cannot be a sequel to a previous work.

Wan Guyi is concerned about another issue.

"So, what about the budget?" Eiji Mantani spread out three fingers.

"The budget for one season is 12000 million yen!"

The budget for the first Ultraman was 7000 million yen per season, and it was a huge success. As a result, the budget for the second work was significantly increased, almost double that of the previous work, with a single episode production budget of 1000 million yen.

——So in the original time and space, the quality of Seven's suits was generally very high, with various small optoelectronic parts emerging in an endless stream. King Air's ears and tail could move independently, and there were even obvious light effects on his face. King Joe really produced a perfect metal effect, like a living robot.

"In that case, we need to take the production a step further. In addition to improving the quality of the architecture and suits, the actors are also crucial. If possible, it would be best to invite some well-known actors."

Wangu thought for a moment and said, "As for the suit actor, I still need to find A-Ming..."

Before he finished speaking, there was a loud roar.

"no!"

Everyone looked at Narita Toru, somewhat surprised. They didn't expect him to refuse this matter so flatly.

Tetsuo Kinjo tried to calm him down, but to no avail.

"I don't agree! No means no!"

After Narita Toru finished shouting, Mantani Eiji finally spoke.

"Narita, you know, with the experience of the last film, this one can't be any worse in terms of battle scenes, it has to be at least on par. So, we still need to find Amin."

"Then I don't agree either. In short, no, I don't support him continuing to be a suit actor!"

Narita Toru refused, "He's already played a lead role in a suit once, and that image has become his. If he plays the same suit again, it will be obvious from the outside, and there will be no difference in the image. I can't show my audience such a work!"

Kaneshiro Tetsuo was very helpless: "Mr. Narita, it was you who recommended Amin to play the role against all odds."

"It is because I recommended him that I must firmly refuse now."

Narita Toru had his own reason. Having played the original Ultraman, if he were to play the next film, his suit-like image would be too obvious, so Narita Toru firmly refused to agree.

Since Narita Toru is so difficult to deal with, Mantani Eiji can only put it aside for the time being.

After thinking about it, Wanguyi finally spoke: "Have you informed A Ming?"

Wan Gujie whispered, "No one told me I still had to look for Brother Gugu..."

"Let's go find him," Wanguyi said. "Let's not talk about the performance for now, but the team led by A-Ming is very reliable. If we want to continue the killing array performance, we will inevitably need to continue to cooperate. It's reasonable and proper to notify him."

Wan Gujie responded and ran to call Gu Ming to come to the meeting.

This has determined my position, and at least I am part of the creative team.

Even if we can't find a suitable role to play, Gu Ming will definitely be there to design the killing formation.

The names of suit actors will not appear in the credits of today's special effects works, but the names of the stunt team will be marked.

Therefore, as a suit actor, you cannot leave your name, but as a stunt director, you can leave your name.

Wan Gujie came back soon and said that Gu Ming had time and would come soon.

The previous discussion had become somewhat tense due to Narita Toru's disturbance, so Mantani Eiji simply said, "Let's take a break and have some tea. We can discuss the plan for the next part further after Amin arrives."

Narita Heng said nothing, just knelt quietly on the side and drank tea one sip after another.

No matter how he thought about it, he did not recommend Gu Ming to continue being a suit actor in this work.

He knew that Gu Ming was a good fighter, but being a good fighter was not enough.

How can two different characters look the same?

"And I promised it at the beginning." Narita Heng turned the teacup, his brows furrowed.

He had promised Gu Ming while drinking that he would help him find a role where he could appear in the film no matter what.

The alien in the previous OVA doesn’t count, he has to be at least a permanent character!
(End of this chapter)