Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 200 You are too stingy, I have to guide you

The secret of Yagyu Shinkage-ryu is to win without fighting.

The secret of Wangu is to create something that exists using something that does not exist.

Such as now.

Tokyo, Wan Gu Co., Ltd.

Wan Gu participated in the filming of Journey to the West, mainly providing assistance with some special effects shots.

Tatsumi Niemoto participated in this drama and played the role of Sun Wukong.

——That is, Sun Wukong when the stone monkey was born at the beginning.

"Yes, I understand. I'll arrange it immediately. Bye!"

Koichi Takano hung up the phone and looked at Eiji Mantani.

"Dad, Furuya-kun said he had prepared for this situation a long time ago and left someone in the office. It's that Nike-kun. He's currently playing the role of 'Ichimonji Hayato' from Kamen Rider. He can come and help when he has time."

Eiji Mantani nodded slightly, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the venue in front of him.

This shot only takes up the first few minutes, but historically, Wan Gu shot it repeatedly for two months in order to create the right effect.

Koichi Takano later said that for a long time he felt like vomiting when he saw monkeys.

Nikemoto Tatsumi is the Monkey King who flew in the beginning, and he also has one line.

“Ahhh!!”

Well, just two syllables...

"Did Amin say anything else?"

"Oh, he also said that when making the model, he hopes we use the 'golden monkey' as a reference image. Um, what is a golden monkey?"

Takano Hiroshi kept scratching his head.

Never seen it!!
Golden snub-nosed monkeys are a regional specialty and can only be seen in Zhou Dynasty and a few countries in Southeast Asia.

Are there monkeys in Japan? The answer is yes. Japan's monkeys are called Japanese macaques, and they are quite good-looking.

It's rather ugly anyway.

With gray fur and a red face, it looks like a giant monkey at first glance.

After hearing what Gu Ming said, Wan Gu Yingji was stunned.

He has never seen a golden monkey! !

How to make something you have never seen before?
Fortunately, at this moment, the arrival of Niemoto Tatsumi made up for the confusion of several people.

"Golden monkey? I've never seen one either, but Gu Gu went to the library and found a picture. Look, this is a golden monkey."

With golden fur and a slightly bluish face, it is indeed much more pleasing than the image of the Japanese macaque.

Takano Hiroichi hissed.

"I say, how can that Monkey King be so cute? He has no intimidating power at all when he looks like this."

"I don't think it's appropriate either, but let's do it first. We have plenty of funding anyway."

Nikemoto Tatsumi grinned: "So, what can I act out if I help?"

Takano Hiroichi pointed to the photo in his hand.

You play this.

Golden monkey!
……

……

Using golden monkeys was something Gu Ming specifically suggested.

The original Japanese version of Journey to the West did not even refer to the Japanese macaque, but an even older species, the big black-haired monkey.

That is the monkey-like image that Sun Wukong transforms into in Dragon Ball.

That's pretty ugly!
Gu Ming strongly requested that even if the image was not changed to a golden monkey, the image of the Emei Mountain monkey must be used.

While filming was still going on over there, the official filming had already begun on this side.

The scenes were naturally shot in a jumpy manner, taking advantage of the presence of ancient buildings to shoot the scenes with the buildings first.

It was the beginning of the Monkey King’s rampage in Heaven.

The Japanese version lacks the boldness of the Chinese version of Journey to the West, and instead seems more like a child's act of anger.

Sakai Masaaki squatted on a chair and looked at the minor officials around him.

"If the Jade Emperor is such an official."

He gestured above his head and continued, "So what level am I at? Here?"

He pointed somewhere around neck height. The clerk shook his head.

Sakai Masaaki pointed again: "So, is it here?"

It's already at the waist.

The clerk still shook his head.

"Oh, this is so troublesome, please give me some advice!"

The clerk walked all the way down, and finally, he lay on the ground and pointed at the place under his feet.

"You, here, are a lowly official."

Sakai Masaaki's face changed and he became furious instantly, and started to make a big fuss in the Heavenly Palace.

Although Shinichi Chiba was not present, JAC provided detailed guidance on the actions here.

Gu Ming was standing outside the venue and couldn't help shaking his head after watching it.

In fact, Masaaki Sakai performed very hard, but after watching the domestic version of Journey to the West, Gu Ming just felt that it was too abstract.

Sun Wukong made a big fuss in the Heavenly Palace in front of a few tables the size of wool. What kind of Heavenly Palace was he making such a fuss?
This heavenly palace is not even as big as the backyard of Gu Ming’s home before he traveled through time!
Building a house in the countryside doesn’t cost any money and you can build it as you like.

"No, I can't stand it anymore."

Gu Ming took a deep breath and suddenly took a step forward.

"I say, since we have enough funds, why not be more ambitious? It's called Tiangong, how can you be so stingy?"

The director looked over here.

"What do you mean, Furuya-kun?"

"I see the main hall of Toshodai-ji Temple is still empty. Why not use it and turn it into a film set? Use dry ice to create a foggy effect that can't be captured from a distance. A hazy mist and clouds, a heavenly sacred realm that's unfathomable. I say, that's a place similar to Takama-ga-hara, how can mortals see through it with the naked eye?"

"We need a big place, and a grand atmosphere! Put out all the fruits and cakes, and when Mr. Sakai Masaaki comes running over, smash the table to pieces with a stick! Since we have the funds, let's directly explain the situation to Toshodai-ji Temple and have it sealed off for a day, specifically for filming!"

Gu Ming couldn't stand this. It was too petty. The havoc in heaven could be considered the pinnacle of the scene, but in the end they just smashed a few broken tables. At first glance, the South Gate of Heaven looked like a widow's archway at the front gate.

Playing at the market!

The only commendable thing about this drama is the careful attention paid to the costumes and props.

——It was done with care because the design was directly provided by the Zhou Kingdom and then produced by Kyoto Clothing, so the costumes and props were more realistic than the later domestic Journey to the West.

After Gu Ming finished speaking, he did not expect the crew to accept it completely. He thought that if he could expand the scene a little bit, it would be considered a good deed for him.

After Gu Ming said a few words, the crew really discussed it. He was not in a hurry and came over to call Zhen Xialong.

He is the action double, and when Sakai Masaaki can't do the fight, Manatsu Ryu will step in to fight.

"Do you still remember the stick techniques I taught you?"

"Of course I remember!"

"That's fine. Always remember when fighting, don't use anything other than stick techniques."

Zhen Xialong does not have the several generations of monkey tricks like Liu Xiaolingtong, and Gu Ming does not expect him to perform it all at once.

However, as long as the characteristics of the Shaolin Monkey King's stick technique can be highlighted, that is enough. At least the audience will know that this is a monkey transformed into a human, not a person holding a stick and calling himself a monkey.

The director team had almost finished the discussion and called Gu Ming over.

Seeing Gu Ming stand still, several people spoke.

"Gugu-kun, how did you come up with that idea?"

"Journey to the West, haven't you seen it?" Gu Ming spread his hands and said, "I've seen Shaw Brothers' Journey to the West!"

Shaw Brothers' Journey to the West, filmed in 1967, also has its commendable aspects.

Of course, Hong Kong-style studio scenes are also indispensable, but some shooting techniques are still desirable.

After hearing this, several people were not surprised.

Because Gu Ming has said more than once that he likes watching Hong Kong movies.

Nowadays, there are few people in Japan who don’t watch Hong Kong movies.

"If I get a chance, I'll have to get that videotape and watch it. As for how to do this scene now, why not let Furuya-kun give it a try?"

The people on JAC's side looked up instantly.

That won't work!

Wasn’t it agreed that they would direct the havoc in Heaven, and the part about fighting monsters would be handed over to Gu Ming?

Gu Ming spread his hands.

Who told Chiba Shinichi not to come in person? Then he stole the show without hesitation!
(End of this chapter)