Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 385 Reencounter with Shinichi Chiba
Kurosawa argued his case forcefully, but the theater chain refused to budge. Gu Ming intervened and persuaded them.

In the end, an agreement was reached that everything would be based on the box office performance of the second film.

If the second film's distribution revenue is good enough, then theaters will release the third film during the following summer's release window.

Kurosawa Mitsuru did not hide it from Tani Akira. The distribution ratio agreed with the theaters was 45%, meaning the theaters would receive 45% of the box office revenue. After deducting various miscellaneous expenses such as taxes, the distributor would receive 44.7% of the distribution revenue. After Dongzhong Production deducted 54% of the distribution costs, the production company, Extreme Action Studio, would receive the remaining 46% of the revenue.

"Based on the above ratio, if the box office revenue is one billion, the agency can get about two hundred and six million in revenue."

The accountant quickly pressed a few keys on the calculator and gave Gu Ming a reply: "Of these, your personal fee is four million yen, and your personal production fee is 12.5% ​​of the income, about twenty-five million yen, accounting for 15% of the projected income. After deducting the filming costs, the agency's daily expenses, Mr. Akio Jissoji's director fees, the script... after deducting all necessary expenses, the estimated profit is eighty million yen."

Gu Ming clicked his tongue.

Spend money like water!

However, at least we've made a profit.

"So, how's the Armored Team doing?"

This time, the accountant didn't use the calculator; instead, she handed Gu Ming a pre-compiled table.

"Currently, Armor Squad's income mainly comes from the 2 million yen production fee per episode provided by TV Tokyo, as well as the advertising revenue shared with TV Tokyo, which translates to an income of 4 to 5 million yen per episode. The current production cost per episode... is approximately 4.6 million yen. Filming in Nara during this period incurred an additional 1.2 million yen in expenses per episode."

In short, it can be summed up in one word.

The Armor Team lost money.

Moreover, they lose money on every episode they film.

Gu Ming only glanced through it, but he already knew that changing the partnership to Tokyo TV had indeed given the other party a huge advantage.

The viewership ratings are a boon for TV Tokyo, but the revenue is a loss for Tani Akira.

Every episode they produce loses money. Especially since there are five main character suits in Armor Squad, basically every episode introduces a new monster suit, so it all boils down to one word: loss.

赔！
Gu Ming remained silent, simply turning the page in quietude.

This page shows the accountant's regular visits to the principal's office to check the accounts and the principal's dividend income she brings back.

Since Armor Team was a project proposed by Gu Ming, after licensing the toys to Endai, he could receive licensing fees and also receive Endai's shareholder dividends.

Gu Ming clicked his tongue.

Selling toys is still the most profitable business!

"I lose a million dollars making every episode, but I can make at least ten million dollars a month selling toys. Why would I bother making movies? I'll just go sell toys!"

The accountant put away the calculator, and upon hearing this, looked up and asked, "So you're planning to focus solely on selling toys from now on?"

"Of course not! How can you sell toys without creating something? Besides, I don't know anything about business. I was just saying."

Gu Ming shrugged.

He still has to go to the Daquan Photography Studio later!
……

……

After filming the second season of Armor Team was completed, it was time to move on to the third season. The third season was about the second team replacing the first team. Although it was short, it was very efficient and naturally required a lot of actors.

Gu Ming went to Daquan Photography Studio this time to handle this matter.

Furthermore, Gu Ming also plans to prepare a surprise at the end of the third season.

Hey!
Light and Shadow Steed!
As the old saying goes.

The electric scooter with its wheels stolen becomes a sleek, shadowy horse.

While the pose itself isn't difficult, capturing the effect of flight in a photograph is not easy.

Gu Ming plans to first use multiple effects such as masking, establishing shots, and electronically controlled movement to create a composite light and shadow horse to test the waters. If the effect is good, then the filming budget will need to be increased. After all, one computer is definitely not enough to complete the composite effect within a week of filming, so additional funding will be required in the end.

"If it weren't for selling toys, why would I be willing to spend so much money on this investment!"

Gu Ming shook his head, but quickened his pace and stepped into the gate of Daquan Photography Studio.

From a distance, Gu Ming could see several Mitsubishi cars parked in the courtyard of Daquan Photography Studio.

"Hey, another film crew is shooting here?" Gu Ming greeted casually. "Ito-kun, which film crew is this at Oizumi Studio?"

"Oh, it's Furuya-kun. You're here for the armor production crew, right?" An employee from the Oizumi Studio grinned and approached us with an unusually friendly air: "It's the 'Demon World Reincarnation' crew. They said they need to test some action stunts. The studios in the city are too busy, so they're borrowing our Oizumi studio for a while."

"Reincarnation in the Demon Realm..."

Gu Ming clicked his tongue.

Quite a coincidence.

However, this is not surprising, as action stunts themselves require a lot of experimentation and practice.

Gu Ming greeted them, thought for a moment, but instead of going to the armor crew's location, he went to another film studio.

"Drink... thud!"

Before even entering, Gu Ming could hear sounds coming from inside. Once inside the studio, after his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw the entire interior.

Shinichi Chiba wielded a wooden sword in each hand and sparred with someone, practicing several sword techniques.

The swordsmanship instructor was an old acquaintance, Yagyu Aoi.

Gu Ming paused and watched for a moment. Chiba Shinichi's skills were quite solid, his steps were steady, and his moves were swift.

Shinichi Chiba later became one of Japan's highest-paid actors, and his agency, JAC, provided stunt services to multiple companies.

Even today, it enjoys a very high reputation.

Chiba Shinichi raised his sword and slashed down one person with a diagonal turn. At that moment, his gaze swept over and saw Gu Ming by the door.

"stop!"

With a casual toss, the wooden sword in Chiba Shinichi's hand fell into the hands of his subordinate.

"I never expected to run into Mr. Furuya here. It's a rare treat. It's been a while since we last met, and I haven't had a chance to congratulate Mr. Furuya on winning the grand prize."

"It's nothing." Gu Ming had no intention of hiding his tracks, and when he saw Chiba Shinichi coming over, he also stepped forward.

"I heard that Mr. Chiba starred in this masterpiece, 'Makai Tensei.' It's quite a coincidence that a TV series our agency is involved in is also being filmed here. So, I came to take a look."

When this matter is brought up, Shinichi Chiba has something to say.

—I heard you lose money on every episode you film, just to spite TV Asahi. Is it worth it?
They barely make any money from filming one episode, yet they spend so much money to film so many other things. It must be a huge loss!
"I heard that Furuya-kun is producing his own film, which will be released on Christmas Eve this year. This is really a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. If we had met next year, even the box office of 'Reincarnation of the Demon World' might have been affected."

Gu Ming laughed: "Hahaha, Mr. Chiba, you're overthinking it. Demon Reincarnation is a big-budget film, while my movie is only a medium-budget production. There's no conflict between the two."

“Of course.” Shinichi Chiba said calmly, “It’s also fortunate that Mr. Furuya was unavailable. Otherwise, I’m afraid I might not have been able to get this opportunity to be reincarnated in the Demon World. After all, it’s a film directed by Kinji Fukasaku!”

"A film directed by Kinji Fukasaku is definitely worth looking forward to."

Gu Ming glanced at his watch and changed his mind: "Since Mr. Chiba is busy with other important matters, I won't disturb him any longer. I have a batch of complimentary tickets on hand, and I can give Mr. Chiba a few before the premiere."

"That's really something to look forward to... It's just a pity that at that time we will be busy filming the big production 'Makai Tensei' with Mr. Fukasaku Kinji, so I'm afraid there won't be much time to go."

Gu Ming paused for a few seconds, his smile unchanged, and gave a slight bow.

"Really? Then I'll take my leave now. See you next summer."

(End of this chapter)