Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 438 The film is five centimeters to the right

The solution to the Australian problem, of course, relied on the connections of the Adelaide studio.

This studio itself distributes works in Australia and New Zealand, and has a deep network of connections that the few distributors Wan Gu'ao knows cannot compete with.

However, Gu Ming naturally made a deal in return, authorizing Adelaide Studio to film his own Ultraman series, "Ultraman Great".

This work was shot by an Adelaide studio in Australia and is of very high quality. Although it is not well-known, its quality is quite outstanding in the Australia and New Zealand region.

Taking this opportunity, Gu Ming also discussed a small order with Endai, which would involve producing around 100,000 plasma sparks.

That is, Ultraman Great's transformation device.

This order will primarily be sold to Australians, who have a population of approximately 20 million, almost the size of Tokyo.

Their purchasing power should be sufficient to absorb 100,000 Plasma Sparks.

Overall

Gu Ming was relatively satisfied with the deal. He didn't lose money; the Adelaide studio paid the licensing fee, and suppressing public opinion was just a side effect. Selling toys made him a small profit.

Moreover, the work itself is excellent enough.

Naturally, Gu Ming didn't need to handle the subsequent filming. He had already transferred two experienced suit actors from the studio to Australia to work with Wan Gu's team at the Adelaide Studio to film Ultraman Great.

Sitting in the office of the Extreme Action Agency, Gu Ming crossed his arms, pondering a crucial question.

This incident served as a reminder to Gu Ming that it would be best to join the ethics review committee, or at least have someone he knows on the committee.

The ethics review committee was only established in 1976, and Eiji Mangaya had almost stopped working since the 1960s and had little contact with the outside world. He didn't know anyone on the ethics review committee.

"Think of a way to join the ethics review committee, or at least have someone on the committee who can speak for you!"

Gu Ming casually jotted down a note in his notebook.

Moreover, this person who has influence cannot be of low status; they cannot be an ordinary committee member.

If possible, the chairman of the committee would be the best.

"Wait a minute, this sounds like the kind of person who could make me move the film reel five centimeters to the right anytime, anywhere!"

Gu Ming muttered to himself, but still dialed the number and inquired around.

"Hello, this is Akira Furuya. Haha, well, I'd like to inquire about some things regarding the ethics review committee."

"It's me, Yamashita-kun, Akira Furuya. Um, are you familiar with an ethics review committee?"

"Ethics Review Committee..."

……

……

Evening, Takakura Club.

When Gu Ming entered, someone was dancing in front of a crowd.

"Fifty years in the human world is but a tiny thing compared to the heavens."

"Looking at the world, it seems like a dream, like flowing water."

"Life is but a fleeting moment, death is imminent..." The singer was, of course, Haruki Kadokawa, but he was dressed in a contemporary suit and didn't seem like the person who should be singing this song.

Gu Ming took his seat and immediately began to applaud.

"So today it's Oda Nobunaga?"

"No, today is Imagawa Yoshimoto!"

Haruki Kadokawa laughed and casually tossed the paper fan in his hand aside.

"Hey, how about this? I'll invest in a movie starring Yoshimoto Imagawa, and you, Furuya-kun, will play the lead role! It won't be counted in our movie contract."

Gu Ming grunted, but Kadokawa Haruki shook his head again: "Just kidding, how could I possibly make a film about Imagawa Yoshimoto? Even if I were to make one, it would be about Takeda Shingen! What is Kurosawa Akira? He's just an old man, past his prime. One day, I'll make a sword film that's even better and more exciting than his, and that will move the whole world!"

After saying that, Kadokawa Haruki ignored everyone else and sat down.

"I heard you've been inquiring about the ethics review committee."

Gu Ming picked up a teacup and explained, "This incident has served as a wake-up call for me. It can be quite troublesome if you don't have your own people over there."

"That's true, but I won't join that kind of organization. Filmmaking should be free and open; who would join any committee?"

Haruki Kadokawa waved his hand: "Actually, the requirements aren't high, it's just about making contributions. If you contribute to Japanese films and get the approval of more than half of the committee members, you can join the ethics review committee. However, this requirement is very general. Sometimes, even if you rewrite the way you shoot, you still can't get the approval of those old guys."

After Kadokawa Haruki finished speaking, he casually patted Tani Akira on the shoulder.

"Actually, this censorship committee doesn't dare offend anyone. No one has ever dared to block Kurosawa's films, no one has dared to impose their ethical standards. Although you have honors, you're still too young, so those old guys don't value you. Unless..."

Gu Ming said, "Unless?"

Haruki Kadokawa leaned closer to whisper in his ear.

"Don't spread rumors."

"I've heard, just heard, that recently, Tokyo is planning something big: applying to become an international film festival, aiming to create one comparable to Cannes, Berlin, and Venice! If you can get a record at a film festival, you might be qualified to join the ethics review committee."

Gu Ming raised an eyebrow instantly.

Haruki Kadokawa can get his hands on this kind of information!
There's no word of it from the outside world yet; Gu Ming only knows about the international film festival because of his experience in later generations.

In a sense, the Tokyo International Film Festival is successful because it does hold a significant position in Asia and is more authoritative than film awards in other countries.

Leaving aside the three major domestic film awards, the Shanghai Film Festival, due to its politically driven nature, was hastily prepared and submitted its application, and in reality, it lacked both high standards and sufficient authority.

Winning an award at the Shanghai Film Festival lacks recognition; it's basically on par with winning the Golden Gourd Cup Children's Group Gold Award in Ganqika Village, Houqi, Inner Mongolia.

Seeing Gu Ming deep in thought, Kadokawa Haruki smiled again: "But you don't need to worry about this problem. In Japan, we have a few people with brains. With your international awards, they will definitely approach you when organizing film festivals. As for how much influence you will have, that depends on yourself. Right now, you only have a television drama production studio. If you have a high enough position in the film industry by then, no one will dare to disobey you. Otherwise, it's just a gilded layer of experience."

This is another big pie in the sky, but Gu Ming really wants to eat it.

After sitting for a while longer, Gu Ming got up to say goodbye.

"What's wrong?" Kadokawa Haruki asked. "Leaving so early this time?"

"Of course I'm in a hurry to get back to take care of things." Gu Ming raised his hand and drew a circle in the air above his forehead. "I also need to prepare for the second movie. Besides, we've been messed with twice this time, so I have to go back. Otherwise, am I supposed to let them keep messing with me?"

(End of this chapter)