Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 24: Space Operation No.

Everything is ready in Wangu Company's studio.

Now is the time to shoot the first Ultraman scene.

Eiji Mantani attached great importance to this scene, so much so that even though the director of the first episode was Mantani Ichi, Eiji Mantani still came to the scene.

At this moment, Eiji Mantani was standing in front of the huge pool in the studio. He had his hands in his pockets, causing his suit to be wrinkled.

The pool has been set up, with artificial rocks and trees on both sides, all of which are hand-painted and spray-painted. In this day and age, it is difficult to tell that this is actually a set and not a real scene.

This place, called 'Lake Longsen', is the beginning of the Ultraman story.

The first Ultraman descended from space to hunt down the monster 'Bemula'.

By accident, the first Ultraman killed Hayata Susumu, a member of the Special Science Investigation Team, also known as the Kote Team.

In order to express his apology, the first Ultraman shared his life with Hayata Susumu. From then on, Hayata Susumu was Ultraman, and Ultraman was Hayata Susumu.

The two merged and grew huge above Longsen Lake, fighting against the space monster Bemula and ultimately winning.

A water battle appeared in the first episode of "Ultraman"!

This is a huge challenge for suit actors.

Because the movements of the actors in leather suits are not adapted to the drastic changes in the external environment, and the leather suits are not waterproof, if water gets in, it will cause great harm to the actors in leather suits.

——Even if the leather case is modified from a diving suit, it does not mean that the leather case is waterproof.

"Can it be done..."

Even Eiji Mantani didn't feel confident.

Even though he had participated in the production of Godzilla and even though he had many experiences in special effects dramas, Eiji Mantani still had to ask himself a question.

Can it work?
This is the first time that a special effects work uses humanoid creatures.

The last time we filmed a water battle was during the Godzilla era.

Tani Akira, who was highly recommended by Narita Toru, does have excellent skills, but Mantani Eiji cannot say whether he can be a suit actor.

Wanguyi held the script in his bundle and stood obediently behind Wanguyi Eiji. He walked a few steps closer and lowered his voice.

"Father, this scene..."

"Come on." Wang Ya Eiji waved his hand.

He was very confident in Mantani Ichi. Among Mantani Eiji's sons, Mantani Ichi was the most like him.

In terms of personality and habits, he is the child most like Mantani Eiji.

For this scene, Mantani Eiji came to supervise it personally because he was worried, but he still handed over the on-site responsibilities to Mantani Ichi.

Wanguyi said yes and briefly explained the layout of the set.

"Furuya-kun is discussing the upcoming battle scene with Aragaki-kun. After all, this scene is of utmost importance to them. The final episode of the pre-production has just been filmed and will be sent for editing soon. It will be sent to TBS tonight."

Eiji Mantani kept nodding his head and had no objection to these things.

He trusted Wan Guyi's arrangements.

The staff were preparing by the pool, and a little further away, Gu Ming was whispering with Aragaki Teruo.

Eiji Mantani suddenly raised his hand and sensed the temperature at the scene.

Then he turned to Wan Guyi.

"Xiaoyi."

"Yes."

"Go turn up the air conditioning on site."

Wangu was stunned: "But if that happens, everyone will be cold."

Eiji Wangani shook his head and raised his hand to point at the two suit actors in the distance.

"They'll be hot."

The leather case is airtight and you can't wear clothes inside. It's cold in winter and hot in summer, which is very unbearable.

Others can withstand the cold simply by wearing two more layers of clothing, but the suit actors don't have that chance.

Wan Guyi didn't ask any more questions. On the one hand, he asked people to wear more clothes, and on the other hand, he ordered the staff to turn up the air conditioning at the shooting site to the maximum.

After giving these instructions, Wang Ya Eiji sat down to the side of the director's seat. He was not here to make decisions, but just to watch because he was worried.

"Nakajima-kun..."

Eiji Mantani looked at the pool and couldn't help but sigh.

The first generation Godzilla had a water battle scene, and many water battles were filmed later, so Nakajima Haruo has rich experience in water battles.

If the previous incident hadn't been so annoying, Eiji Mantani really wouldn't have been willing to part with Haruo Nakajima.

After all, he is still a nostalgic person.

In the distance, Gu Ming had finished discussing with Aragaki Teruo and returned here.

When they suddenly saw Wangu Eiji and Gu Ming, they were also very surprised, but they still saluted slightly and a dull sound came out of the leather case.

"Mr. Wan Gu."

"Father Wangu."

Gu Ming glanced at Teruo Aragaki. That name sounded unexpectedly intimate.

Gu Ming looked at Mantani Eiji in front of him through the peephole under Ultraman's eyes.

Eiji Mantani stood up and looked at Tani Akira, Aragaki Teruo, Ultraman and Bemular in front of him.

"You guys just discussed it for a long time. Tell me about that idea."

Gu Ming agreed and he and Aragaki Teruo started to describe the battle scene they imagined.

Ultraman's throwing skills must be demonstrated, and Bemula must not be beaten unilaterally. Tail attacks, rays, etc. must all be demonstrated.

These need to be discussed with the stunt supervisor.

When it comes to throwing techniques, if Gu Ming is the one doing all the work, he will have to bear the weight of two people and two sets of suits at the same time, so Aragaki Teruo will also cooperate.

After Gu Ming and the other person finished speaking, Wan Gu Eiji nodded slightly, without much change in his expression.

"You should discuss these matters with Kono-kun, who is in charge of stunt supervision, and Xiaoyi and the others, and do your best."

Then, Mantani Eiji turned his gaze to Tani Ming.

Gu Ming didn't understand what was going on, but he didn't move. Instead, he looked at Wan Gu Eiji.

Looking at Gu Ming, Mantani Eiji thought of the former Nakajima Haruo.

At that time, Nakajima Haruo, who was assigned to play Godzilla, was equally enthusiastic. He would worry about whether the film would be popular, secretly go to the cinema to observe the audience's reaction, and then come back to tell everyone about it like a treasure. He would practice repeatedly for a failed shot and imitate the movements of dinosaurs in front of the mirror again and again late at night.

But all that is in the past.

Now Nakajima Haruo is just a low-ranking actor who is marginalized in Toho and addicted to playing pinball.

Mantani Eiji's mood has changed somewhat.

Akira Furuya, what a good kid.

I must not become like Haruo Nakajima.

Gu Ming, who was wearing a leather suit, lowered his head slightly and looked at Wangani Eiji through the peephole of the leather suit. Since the peephole was located under Ultraman's eyes, it happened to show a scene where Ultraman was looking straight at Wangani Eiji.

Wangu Eiji raised his hand and patted Gu Ming's shoulder.

"Furuya-kun, I'm aware of your performance, and Narita has spoken well of you more than once. This time, when we met again, this suit suits you even better than I imagined. So, give it your all and strive to embody the image of Ultraman to the fullest!"

Gu Ming nodded deeply and agreed.

"I'll do my best."

There was a click.

At this moment, Narita Toru pressed the shutter and captured this photo.

Eiji Mantani said nothing more, but returned to his seat next to the director's chair.

Gu Ming and Aragaki Teruo stepped into the pool together.

Wan Guyi also took up the baton at this moment.

Fantasy special photography film, Ultraman.

Episode 1, 'Space Operation Number One'.

Go to war!
(End of this chapter)