Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 290 Triangle Scam
"Oh my, Furuya-kun is such a busy guy! Come to think of it, I haven't even congratulated you in person on the success of this movie. I think it's grossed at least 1 billion yen."

In the TBS broadcasting department, Kagi Iwa looked up from a pile of various documents. It was obvious that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to meet with Gu Ming.

Gu Ming wasn't quite sure what he was busy with.

However, this is not the point.

"Mr. Kagi Ie, I won't interrupt you any further. Let's cut to the chase... Does TBS have any plans to restart the Ultra Project?"

Qujing Wei did not look up, and Gu Ming could only see his silhouette with his head down, writing and drawing there.

After a while, Qujing Wei took out what he had written and handed it to Gu Ming.

This is a rough list of funds that depicts the demand for special effects and production in recent years.

"It's 1979 now, not the era when the original Ultraman was filmed. Special effects have improved, the visuals, the production, everything is improving. Two years ago's 'Star Wars', this year's 'Ultraman'... American special effects blockbusters are amazing, and audiences are becoming more accepting. If you can't produce sufficiently attractive effects, they won't buy it."

"Plus, with the current economic upturn and price fluctuations, the original 10 million investment would now cost 15 million or even more. You know, with the Kaiju craze cooling down, TBS, through market research, concluded that Banka has no chance of turning a profit. The recent Tokyo TV series 'Dinosaur Super Ksai' already reflected this."

Gu Ming flipped through the documents in his hand. Every expense was written clearly.

Of course, he did feel that the prices in recent years had changed a lot compared to when he first came.

In 74, Japan experienced an economic crisis and its economy went into a downturn, but it gradually recovered in 76. Today is 79. Japan's exports and external trade have increased. Japanese cars are famous in Europe and the United States, squeezing out the domestic market in the United States, and Detroit automakers are in dire straits.

In Japan today, money is being spent everywhere, and construction sites in Tokyo never stop.

Gu Ming said: "So, TBS thinks it's not worthwhile to invest so much money in the next work."

Looking into Gu Ming's eyes, Qujing Wei nodded slightly.

There was one more thing he didn't tell Gu Ming.

Because there were some problems with its largest sponsor, Muto Pharmaceutical, Muto Pharmaceutical does not plan to invest in large-scale projects for the time being, but instead will invest the funds in its own expansion.

In other words, without sponsors, it would be impossible for TBS to spend so much money on its own to invest in the sluggish special effects market.

Gu Ming didn't believe it: "But Toei's Kamen Rider is very successful, isn't it?"

"Kamen Rider and Ultraman are different, Furuya-kun. As someone who has participated in both works, you should know better than me."

Gu Ming could only nod.

It is undeniable that Kagiwa Wei was right.

The styles of these two works are completely different. Just because the Kaiju craze has cooled doesn't mean the Kamen Rider craze has cooled as well. Besides, Kamen Rider's big head is selling belts.

Gu Ming held the thin piece of paper in his hand and couldn't help but sigh.

This list directly shows TBS's attitude.

The Ultra Project will not be restarted because there is no prospect of profitability.

In this situation, Gu Ming had no good ideas to convince TBS.

"So I have to change the TV station? But..."

Gu Ming suddenly raised his head and looked at Qujingwei.

"Mr. Kashii, if I can find a strong investor who is willing to invest in this work, just like Gundam Model of Gundam to Clover, then will TBS participate in the screening?"

Qujingwei suddenly looked up.

After a long while, he gave an uncertain answer.

“How much does TBS need to invest?”

"TBS doesn't need to invest, or even assign people to oversee it. Of course, it can't broadcast it exclusively."

Qujing Wei said nothing, but just tapped the table rhythmically with his finger joints.

It is acceptable that they cannot broadcast the show exclusively, after all, TBS did not spend any money.

After pondering this matter, Qiu Jingwei finally stood up and looked at Gu Ming.

"Which TV station do you plan to find to cooperate with TBS for the broadcast? If it's on the level of Tokyo TV, it won't work." Gu Ming grinned.

"What if I can find TV Asahi to collaborate on the show?"

……

……

Kagiwa finally gave his answer.

If Gu Mingzhen can find investors and Asahi TV for cooperation in broadcasting, then TBS will not mind restarting the Ultra Project, nor will it mind losing the exclusive broadcasting rights.

Therefore, Gu Ming’s next step was naturally to find Toei.

After waiting for three days, I finally saw Ryotoku Watanabe.

"Furuya-kun! I haven't seen you in a few days. I heard you worked with Mr. Kurosawa Akira!" Watanabe Ryosuke gave him a bear hug and laughed heartily. "I heard that old man was very difficult to deal with. He had a bad temper and all the actors disliked him."

"After all, he's a renowned film star." Tani Ming cleared his throat. "Mr. Watanabe, let's get this straight. Actually, Wan Gu has plans to produce a new film, but for some reason, he can't find a suitable platform to screen it. I wonder if Mr. Watanabe has any plans to get Toei involved?"

Watanabe Ryosuke:?
What the hell!
He subconsciously raised his hand and stroked the Astro Boy doll on the table.

Gu Ming took a look.

This is all covered with patina by Ryotoku Watanabe, and it is shiny.

"Mango, Toei. Those are two incredible words. Furuya-kun, would you like to elaborate?"

"Of course. Wangu will handle the funding and production issues. If necessary, they can get Toei's actors to participate, and even borrow Toei's equipment, staff, and so on. However, since Toei doesn't need to contribute, it certainly can't be broadcasted exclusively on TV Asahi. Instead, it will be broadcast in cooperation with other TV stations."

Watanabe Ryosuke was not surprised by this condition.

That sounded like a good idea, but he had just one problem.

“Who is the partner?”

Gu Ming said: "TBS."

Watanabe Ryosuke:?
This is something that really needs to be considered.

Some of the top TV networks in Japan today.

NHK, TBS, TV Asahi, Fuji TV, TV Tokyo...

If it is broadcast on TBS and TV Asahi at the same time, it can cover almost the whole of Japan.

You should know that even the main works launched by a certain TV station before can only cover part of Kanto or Kansai, and only the second round of broadcasts will cover the whole of Japan.

But that's different now.

Watanabe Ryosuke made the decision instantly.

"Furuya-kun, you know Toei doesn't care about these things."

"As long as TBS agrees and we can participate in the production, I will do my best to persuade TV Asahi to broadcast the work. Other than that, I only have one question."

"How is Banku going to solve the problem of filming funding? As far as I know, the funds required for gigantic special effects are far beyond what Kamen Rider can compare to."

This time, Gu Ming really couldn't help but slap his thigh.

Well known.

When two sides of the triangle are taken care of, the third side is no problem at all.

"Mr. Watanabe, you are so far away, yet so close before our eyes!"

Watanabe Ryosuke nodded. "Could it be you? Are you planning to invest all the hundreds of millions of yen in profits from the movie in Banku?"

Gu Ming: ...Not that far! Look down again!
Watanabe Ryosuke lowered his head and looked at what was in front of him.

An Astro Boy doll that has been polished to a patina.

(End of this chapter)