Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 13: Rejecting Ultraman with Sulfuric Acid Face
Initially, in order to give Ultraman human-like features, the face mask of the A suit was made of a different material. It was thought that this would allow Ultraman to speak, but this design eventually led to the appearance of the "sulfuric acid face" phenomenon.

For this purpose, the company produced the B-type leather case to solve the problem of sulfuric acid face.

However, due to various reasons, the B-type leather case was slightly inferior in appearance, so the C-type leather case was finally produced and fixed into the image of Ultraman.

Many years later, due to sentimentality, the series occasionally uses the AB models, but most of the time, the C-shaped leather suit is still used to represent Ultraman's image.

Judging from Narita Heng's attitude at the moment, he is planning to make the A leather case.

Although the three types of leather cases represent a certain sentiment, in other words, they are also a split in production and a symbol of imperfection.

Gu Ming was hesitating whether to explain the matter.

"But then again, I've already come here to be a suit actor, so even if it's a little more outrageous, it doesn't really matter."

Gu Ming thought about it, and finally raised his hand to indicate that he had something to say.

At this moment, Gu Ming had ink on his face for rubbing, so it was not convenient for him to speak. Cheng Tianheng leaned close to Gu Ming's ear.

Wan Guyi stood aside with his arms folded, looking somewhat helpless.

It is really difficult to convince Narita Toru, and he has already planned to compromise.

Narita Toru approached Gu Ming.

"Amin? What are you going to say?"

Gu Ming took a little effort to inform Narita Heng.

"Mr. Narita, why are we doing this?"

Narita Toru smiled and said, "Of course, it's to completely copy your face, so that it can perfectly fit the image of Ultraman's mask!"

Later, Narita Toru explained: "Also, I am considering changing the material so that Ultraman can speak."

Gu Ming pretended to think for a moment and said, "I see. But Mr. Narita, I'm thinking of another question. If Ultraman symbolizes divinity, then is it really necessary for him to speak? I mean, is it necessary for Ultraman to communicate in this way?"

Gu Ming tried his best to guide Narita Toru: "Since he's a giant with divine powers, if he still uses his mouth to speak, wouldn't that weaken his divinity? Even if he can make human-like expressions, is that really correct?"

Narita Toru was indeed lost in thought.

Gu Ming was not in a hurry. He lay down peacefully and could even catch up on his sleep by closing his eyes.

Instead, the surveyor on the side had a hard time, not knowing whether to continue or what to do.

Seeing Narita Toru's expression of repeated thought, Wan Guyi was a little surprised.

As early as his time at Toho, Toru Narita had already collaborated with Eiji Mantani. He was a very stubborn and unyielding person, and sometimes even Eiji Mantani had to compromise.

Now, I actually fell into thinking about it.

"Divinity, yes, it is indeed something that needs to be considered."

Narita Toru paced back and forth, muttering to himself.

"But, if I don't speak in this way..."

"Maybe we can keep quiet? But that would be hard to film!"

"Sure enough, we still need to talk."

"No, no. Ming, you're right. It's not necessary to speak."

"Divinity, the symbol of God! Ultraman's image must embody a noble will. If he were to speak, it would destroy this divinity. I will not allow my work to be so imperfect!"

Cheng Tianheng suddenly came over and held Gu Ming's shoulders.

"Amin, you reminded me!!"

The second half of his sentence was directed to the staff.

"Sorry, we won't be using the material I mentioned earlier. Let's continue with the rubbing process... The interior of the mask must be made specifically for Amin, and it must perfectly fit his facial contours. However, the material will still be the same as before. Also, the overall design needs some modifications. Wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Gu Ming heard a series of footsteps, probably it was Narita Heng running away.

The staff member sighed helplessly, but complained to Gu Ming.

"Mr. Narita, isn't his pursuit of perfect design a bit excessive?"

Gu Ming smiled but didn't answer.

Without such pursuit, how can we produce good works?

It was precisely because of this perverted pursuit of perfection that the early Ultraman series achieved a terrifying viewership rate of over 40%, and became a childhood hero in the hearts of children in many countries.

Although it is a parallel world, since he has participated in the performance, Gu Ming hopes that the Ultraman in this world can be more perfect.

Wan Guyi was also amazed.

"Furuya-kun is amazing. He was able to convince Mr. Narita."

Gu Ming said, "I just said the right thing, it's not a big deal." "The sulfuric acid face, from some angles it looks really scary..."

I don’t know if the children in 1966 were scared to tears in the original world.

Although the AB face shapes will disappear from this world, Gu Ming would rather choose to achieve it in one step.

Gu Ming chatted with Wan Guyi for a few more words. As the chief director, Wan Guyi was not arrogant and was very easygoing. He almost answered every question.

"Shooting time? We'll have to wait a few days. We've already sorted out the suit actors, and with you, Amin, even Ultraman won't be a problem. But we still need to consider a few of the main and important supporting roles. If we can get the right price, it will be very troublesome."

"I'm planning to go to TBS and see if they have any recommendations, but my father plans to go back to Toho and ask."

Toho's unilateral severance of ties does not mean that it will never have any dealings with Eiji Mantani, but that it will no longer support Eiji Mantani in spending money on special effects shooting.

But if it's just about borrowing actors, Toho, as Mantani's family, will always support Mantani Eiji.

Gu Ming nodded slightly, but said, "Why not hold an open audition?"

"Audition? No need." Wan Guyi said something that surprised Gu Ming.

"Today's actors generally rely on recommendations from acquaintances or are trained by major studios themselves. As for auditions? Only those independent artists affiliated with agencies would do that. Ming, if it weren't for the sheer difficulty finding someone to play Ultraman this time, Mr. Narita wouldn't have recommended you."

Gu Ming was really shocked this time.

I didn't expect that Japan still uses this large-scale studio system where everything is managed by the studio.

Although Gu Ming had ink on his face, Wan Guyi could still roughly feel Gu Ming's emotional changes.

"For beginners, it's incredible, right? Haha! I heard that Americans have already started adopting the new system, but for Japan, it's best that it never becomes like that. I can't even imagine what our film and television industry would become if agencies were everywhere and no one supported artists anymore."

He also patted Gu Ming's shoulder and said, "For many actors, becoming a signed artist is a very troublesome thing, but I think you don't have to worry about it, Gu Gu. Come on, I look forward to Gu Gu presenting the most perfect Ultraman!"

After saying that, Wan Guyi left. It sounded like he intended to absorb Gu Ming and sign a contract with Wan Gu.

Gu Ming had somewhat complicated feelings.

If Japan still uses the large studio system, it means that he can only choose to sign a contract with Wan Gu.

The big studio system has indeed been eliminated by the times. The so-called big studio is an integrated industrial model that produces movies in an assembly line manner, covering production, publicity, distribution, and screening. It also has very high requirements for its actors, and they only receive fixed salaries and very little profit from film remuneration.

Under the big studio system, auditions almost do not exist. All roles are shared within the production company, and roles that cannot be selected will rely on recommendations from acquaintances.

Only roles that are absolutely impossible to fulfill will be solved through open auditions to discover amateurs.

If it is difficult to understand, in fact, the model of Hong Kong Shaw Brothers films is the standard large-studio system.

But when will Japan abandon the large-studio system?
What Gu Ming didn't know was that in the original time and space, it was Toho that took the lead in restructuring the system, and then Japan gradually abandoned the large studio system, and the agency agents rose as a result.

The reason why Toho abandoned the large studio system was because Eiji Tsuburaya passed away, Akira Kurosawa grew old, and the number of films shot dropped sharply. Toho lost the top producers who could support that era. The new directors and producers who were the main force of Toho were not satisfied with the rigidity of the large studio system. They actively participated in the Japanese New Wave movement and shot some experimental works that would not have been shot in the past. Finally, Toho made up its mind to change the system.

After the 1970s, big-budget studios disappeared from the Japanese stage.

Here, Eiji Mantani is still alive and still has the title of "Mantani of the World". Of course, Toho has not made up its mind to rewrite the system.

Without the giant Toho as the leader, the large-scale studio system still looms over the entire Japan.

That's why Wan Gu Ao went to Shochiku Film to borrow people, Wan Gu Ichi went to TBS to borrow people every day, and Narita Toru was forced to discover Tani Ming, a suit actor, on the street.

Under the big studio system, it is almost impossible for an individual to stand out unless he or she signs a contract with a company.

"That means... I can only choose Wangu! Unless Toho or other companies choose me among them, otherwise, I have no other choice besides Wangu."

Gu Ming had a headache.

This was a situation he had not thought of beforehand.

"If there is no other choice, then we can only try Wangu first."

As Gu Ming thought about this, he felt that the future was suddenly covered with a layer of dust.

The measurement was not completed until more than an hour later, and Narita Toru brought back a new drawing.

It is somewhat different from the Ultraman that Gu Ming has seen before. The lines are simpler and more powerful. After removing the facial design, Gu Ming actually saw a different temperament on Ultraman's face.

If he had to use a word to describe it, Gu Ming thought, it would probably be "Buddha".

The drawings of Ultraman have a kind of condescending compassion.

Narita Heng solemnly held Gu Ming's shoulders.

"Amin, I've already compromised so much for this suit. My favorite designs have been overturned and deleted time and time again. Now you're the only one I personally chose! You better play Ultraman well!"

Narita Heng's passionate soul seemed to be burning. He looked up at Gu Ming, his eyes full of fanatical incitement.

"Amin, come on! Become a hero in the hearts of all the children!"

(End of this chapter)