Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 20 TBS, Director Kagi Takeshi
Saturday.

It was supposed to be vacation time, but because of Mantani's good relationship with TBS, they were able to meet with the broadcasting director Kagi Takeshita smoothly.

In a small conference room of TBS, curtains were drawn on both sides. Only the light from the projector was flickering, and the hoarse sound of the projector turning could be heard in the room.

Gu Ming looked at the man in front of him out of the corner of his eye. He was Qi Jingwei, a middle-aged man about fifty years old, bald, and looked very kind.

This is a character that Gu Ming has no impression of at all.

However, Kagi Tai is actually not ordinary. Long before the broadcast of Ultra Q, Kagi Tai was already a program producer of TBS. He led the production and broadcast of Ultra Q and recommended Toshihiro Iijima, who wrote under the pen name "Chizuki Kitao".

The design idea that Ultraman needs to have a light was the request that Kawaii made to Tsuburaya.

Ultra Q originally had many themes in Mantani Eiji's conception, including science fiction, suspense, thriller, war, epic...

But in the end, Kagi Wei still persuaded Mantani Eiji.

"Let's focus on making monster movies. They're definitely a hit in terms of ratings and appeal to kids, so focusing on monster movies is good for all of us."

So Eiji Mantani focused on setting Ultra Q as a monster movie, and it was a huge success.

Eiji Mantani is the god of special effects, but if no one is to control him, he will run wild.

Whether it is shooting funds or content themes, I will completely let myself go.

Kagi Wei is the one who can tie down Mantani Eiji and prevent him from going off track.

Later, Kagi Takeshi was promoted to director of TBS, and can be said to be a high-ranking and powerful figure.

At present, the person dealing with Wangu is a young man named Miwa Shunmichi, who is responsible for the production and broadcasting of animation works, and special effects are also part of animation works.

However, because it was a meeting with Wan Gu Yi, Kagi Wei bypassed Miwa Shunmichi and met them in person.

Although Gu Ming had no impression of this minister, he could still tell his status.

Of course, he would not say too much in such an occasion, so he just stood quietly by the side, waiting for Kagami Wei to watch the tape.

"I didn't expect Xiaoyi to come up with a work so quickly. It's really amazing."

As Qujing Wei said this, he inserted the tape into the projector in the conference room.

Soon, Kurobe Susumu's voice was heard from the projector.

"Ultraman, why did you come to Earth?"

Qi Jingwei leaned forward slightly, looking at the big screen intently.

This was also the first time that Gu Ming saw the finished film. Although he had participated in dubbing and had dialogues with Kurobe Susumu before, this was the first time that Gu Ming saw the finished film.

The film was shot on Thursday, and unexpectedly the editing effect was achieved in just one day.

Gu Ming no longer looked at Qujing Wei and focused on the preliminary chapter in front of him.

Wanguyi is indeed a master at creating atmosphere. Although Ultraman never appears, through the creation of light balls, backlighting, and even a fleeting shadow, he still creates an elusive image of Ultraman, who is having a conversation with Hayata Susumu.

In addition, monsters also appeared one after another, including Bemular and several monsters that appeared in Ultra Q.

Although the special effects are not very complete due to time constraints, the scene of destruction is still presented solidly.

After the six short films of nearly twenty minutes were broadcast, Kagi Wei turned on the lights in the conference room and looked at Wan Guyi and Gu Ming beside him.

"It's truly astonishing! I didn't expect to see a work of this quality in just three days. Well, it truly lives up to the name 'Wan Gu of the World'!"

Qi Jingwei smiled like a good old man, but asked a crucial question.

"But how exactly do we plan to screen this finished film?"

Wanguyi quickly explained, "Each episode is three minutes long and can be shown for six days. It will serve as a kind of prelude to build the atmosphere for Ultraman's debut. I've already asked the craftsmen, and they know the Ultraman suit will be ready by next Wednesday. By then, we'll film the scene featuring Ultraman, and on the last day, we'll showcase Ultraman's image, bringing this promotion to a climax. That way, we can air the first episode of Ultraman on schedule."

Kagami Wei held his chin and tapped the table rhythmically with his knuckles.

He was thinking about this matter.

"Three minutes per episode, Xiaoyi is really making things difficult for me. How am I supposed to manage my time like this?"

Having said that, Qujing Wei's smile remained unchanged.

If we add ten seconds of advertising time to each episode, we can easily arrange three minutes of broadcast time every day.

On the contrary, it was this situation that made Kagi Wei very concerned.

"Was this Xiaoyi's idea?"

"No." Wan Guyi glanced at Gu Ming before seizing the opportunity to introduce him to Qujing Wei.

"It was this Furuya-kun's idea."

Gu Ming also stood up at the right time and introduced himself.

"Hello Mr. Kashii Wei, I'm Furuya Akira. Currently, I'm considered an actor on the Wangu side."

Wang Yayi added: "Mr. Narita discovered Furuya-kun, so Furuya-kun will appear in this work as the Ultraman suit actor. I have absolute confidence that if Furuya-kun plays Ultraman, Ultraman will give everyone a different expectation!"

In the past, none of Wangu's monster special effects films featured humanoid characters. Ultraman was his first work.

Perhaps to reinforce the impression, Wangani continued to explain, "Actually, the voice talking to Kurobe-kun in the tape just now was voiced by Furuya-kun."

This time, Gu Mingcai noticed that there was a clear change in Qujing Wei's expression.

It seems that the suit actors and so on are not as important to Kagiwa Wei as the dubbing just now.

"Is that so? I thought you were a very experienced voice actor, but you don't sound like a beginner at all."

Gu Ming then said, "As a member of the Space Guard, repelling monsters is also my mission."

Kagami Wei suddenly laughed. "It's really good..."

Kagi Wei seemed to be getting more amiable, but he asked questions about the previous chapter.

"Speaking of which, since the suits haven't been made yet, how were those Ultraman-related silhouettes in the series created?"

This time it was Wan Gu who spoke up to explain.

"Those silhouettes were created by lighting directly on Furuya-kun. We had him take off his clothes, leaving him in just a pair of tight underwear, and then we reverse-lit him from below, creating a giant, figure-hugging silhouette."

Gu Ming felt a little ashamed when he heard this.

On the contrary, because of this description, Qujing Wei became more interested.

He moved closer and looked at Gu Ming carefully through the lenses.

He has an outstanding image, is tall and has a strong body, and his line delivery skills are surprisingly not that of a beginner.

Of course, he knew exactly what Wan Guyi meant.

Kazuo Jingwei slowly leaned back into his seat and asked Gu Ming a question.

"Gugu-kun, where are you from?"

——The people of Zhou...

Gu Ming said, "A person from Nara."

Kagii continued to ask as if he were checking someone's household registration, "Oh, no wonder Furuya-kun has a Kansai accent. So, where in Nara are you from?"

Gu Ming paused, thought for a moment, and explained, "It's just a small, unknown place."

"A small place is still a place. It can't be compared with Tokyo." Kagi Wei's smile did not diminish, but he moved closer to Gu Ming again.

"So, where exactly is it?"

He looked at Gu Ming, apparently waiting for Gu Ming's response.

Gu Ming was silent for a while, then squeezed out a place name.

"Ikoma."

Ikoma, there is a difference between Ikoma City and Ikoma County. Gu Ming did not mention the administrative division, but just mentioned the name roughly.

The reason why Gu Ming had an impression of that place was very simple, because there was the Toshodai-ji Temple there. Gu Ming had been there when he participated in the filming and had lived there, so he had some experience.

As if he had received a satisfactory answer, Qi Jingwei withdrew his gaze.

Since it was Xiaoyi who recommended him, then of course there's no problem. Although there aren't any particularly important roles, if Furuya-kun were to appear in them, I'm sure it would add luster to those works."

The matter was happily settled.

If there is a suitable role later, even if it is just a minor role, TBS will still issue a notice to inform Gu Ming.

As for the contract...

It's just a supporting role, and Qi Jingwei doesn't even want to talk about it.

When did TBS fall to the point where even supporting actors have to sign contracts?
Anyway, TBS is rich and powerful, and with Wan Guyi's recommendation, it is equivalent to Wan Gu acting as a guarantor for Gu Ming. He is not afraid at all that Gu Ming will suddenly disappear.

If a contract is still required at this time, it would seem that TBS is being too petty.

Gu Ming let out a long sigh, with mixed emotions.

In fact, he was very worried about showing his face at the beginning.

However, after talking with Otobe Sachin, Gu Ming was somewhat certain of one thing: in today's era, identity is actually not that important.

It’s not impossible to show your face.

The prerequisite is that he must remember to go to Ikoma and buy a house to confirm his identity.

Seeing that Gu Ming didn't seem very excited, Qujing Wei looked even more amiable.

"I've heard that the people of Nara are very Buddhist and don't like to fight. Now it seems that's true. Furuya-kun, you don't seem excited at all."

Gu Ming forced a smile.

He really wanted to be excited, but they were just minor roles, nothing to be excited about.

On the contrary, Gu Ming was happy to be able to establish a relationship with TBS.

It is true that Wangu is a small company, but this small company has an extraordinary background.

Whether it is TBS, Fuji TV, or Toho, they all have cooperative relationships with Wangu.

Although Fuji TV was scared away by the optical equipment incident, Wangu is still the same Wangu after all.

Therefore, Wangu’s recommendation is more reliable than those of big companies.

The moment Gu Ming and Wan Guyi walked out of TBS TV station, Gu Ming knew that he had gained a new identity.

TBS's future fixed supporting actor...

I guess when there is a notice, he will often be notified to make a guest appearance.

"Maybe many years from now when I become famous, there will still be many people watching these old dramas, trying to find my image."

Gu Ming sighed slightly.

That's really, really good!
(End of this chapter)