Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 447 Senior Furuya

Keiji Takamine was born in 1946, making him a 34-year-old man now. Fortunately, he looks young, so he doesn't appear too old.

The 34-year-old actor's acting skills have become more mature and steady, and he is now able to effectively portray many different types of roles.

Actually, this isn't something to be proud of. Actors should hone their acting skills to be worthy of their profession.

Because he lacked a major TV drama, Keiji Takamine's career didn't develop as well as it did in the original timeline, and he wasn't able to participate in any Taiga dramas.

Even so, she still received support from Hoshino's agency and appeared in many productions, so it can't be considered a waste of her time.

From Hoshino's office, it was quite a journey to the filming location. Keiji Takamine and several other actors shared a van, which was fairly spacious.

The agent, Kikuchi, rubbed his hands together, his face showing barely concealed excitement.

"Although it was just a try-it-out attitude, I didn't expect it to actually work out! Initially, the agency thought that even if they lowered their fees, the other party might not agree, but they agreed so readily. Takamine-kun, you must seize this opportunity! According to industry sources, none of the works that Akira Furuya has starred in so far have been failures. Even those with less-than-ideal ratings have managed to make a profit through other means. Some people say that he might actually be a prince..."

Keiji Takamine was somewhat absent-minded, especially after hearing that the person from back then had actually reached this level, which made him feel a little dazed.

Thinking back to a few years ago, the last time they met was when the other person was a supporting actor in the same TV series, whose character was abruptly written out after a few episodes. After that, the two maintained contact for a while, but he soon lost touch with her due to work arrangements at his agency.

Unexpectedly, when I heard the other person's name again, things had changed drastically.

"By the way, Takamine-kun, didn't you two act in a project together before?" Manager Kikuchi suddenly remembered something: "Having this relationship is quite unusual. You two should definitely get to know each other better!"

Takamine Keiji gave a few perfunctory replies, showing little interest in the matter.

"Because they've become successful, I'm expected to rely on their connections and get in their way. It makes me feel incredibly inferior. Besides, given the current gap between us, I don't even know if they'll even bother with me."

That's what he said, but as an actor, he was well aware that there were some things he had to try to say.

The thought of having to try to please other people makes me feel terrible.

Just then, the van suddenly stopped. The group strained to peer out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening.

"The road ahead is blocked."

"That's strange. Didn't you say you were taking us to Qinghai Road? How can we take pictures if Qinghai Road is closed?"

"Maybe it was a sudden road closure, haha, there's nothing we can do about these things!"

Everyone joked around, but in their hearts they thought that this scene probably couldn't be filmed, since the road was already blocked and it seemed impossible to get through.

Keiji Takamine, however, thought differently.

He had worked with Gu Ming and knew that Gu Ming could do many incredible things. There was no reason to invite them to film a movie, but they couldn't even get into the film set.

Just as I was thinking this, the roadblock in front of me was suddenly pulled aside by several workers, and someone emerged from behind the sheet metal.

Only then did everyone realize that behind the metal sheet was not road construction equipment, but filming equipment.

Even though Hoshino Agency is a well-established and powerful agency, the scene still caused everyone to fall silent for a moment, and even the manager, Kikuchi, seemed to lose his grip on the steering wheel.

They actually closed off an entire road just to film a movie! And this wasn't some rural back alley or side road.

This is Harumi-ro, a bustling street in Tokyo, located between Ginza 4-chome and 5-chome!
You can see iconic buildings just by looking up, and even further away you can see the Eiffel Tower!

"Are you all artists from Hoshino Production? Please get out of the car, the film set is ready."

The group then came to their senses, got out of the car, and followed the staff member inside.

The road has now been renovated, and a lot of equipment for filming has been added.

Even Keiji Takamine couldn't help but feel uneasy.

How did they manage to close off an entire street just for filming?
He couldn't even imagine the impact such a scene would have if it appeared in a movie, especially since it was filmed on location!

The last time he'd seen footage like this was in the famous film *Shinkansen Dai-Baku*, which was filmed directly on the Shinkansen and was indeed a box office hit. — Susumu Kurobe also had a role in *Shinkansen Dai-Baku*.

"So, what exactly has Furuya-kun become these past few years?!"

The group muttered amongst themselves as they went inside to change into their costumes.

Keiji Takamine had a lot of scenes, so he naturally had his own dressing room. His manager, Kikuchi, squeezed in and shoved the script into Takamine's hands.

"Quick, take another look, so you don't forget your lines."

"Yes."

Keiji Takamine glanced through it.

The character he plays is called 'Killer ACE'. ACE means ace, and his image also incorporates characteristics of spades. He is a man who looks meticulous in a suit and tie, but he also has a crazy side.

Later on, this became known as a suit-wearing thug.

This character is extremely capable and appears multiple times in the story to oppose the protagonist, always managing to eliminate the witnesses the protagonist finds before the protagonist does.

In short, he is the main villain with a lot of screen time.

"This role has way too many scenes! To get such an important role for a salary of 500,000 is practically a huge perk!"

Suddenly, the voices of other people greeting each other came from outside the dressing room.

"Furuya-kun!"

"Furutani-senpai!"

"Greetings, Senior Furuya..."

Takamine Keiji knew that it was Tani Akira who had arrived.

The thought of whether or not to go out and say hello only existed for a moment before he agreed to it.

Of course I want to see him.

Being upright and being worldly-wise are not mutually exclusive. Even if the two people have no connection whatsoever, he still has to go out and say hello.

Takamine Keiji put down the script, walked out of the dressing room, and immediately spotted the tallest guy in the crowd—it was indeed Gu Ming.

An ill-fitting suit and a obviously cheap tie, along with a short, hastily cut haircut for convenience.

This look was specially designed for the show to reflect the certain predicament this detective faces in his life, as well as his unconventional personality.

Gu Ming greeted everyone as he walked over, eventually reaching his side.

"Furutani...senpai."

After a moment of silence, Keiji Takamine still chose this standard and correct title.

That's just how the entertainment industry is; it doesn't matter who entered first or last, whoever has the biggest name is the senior.

Such a respectful title is essential.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're clearly the senior in the entertainment industry."

Gu Ming smiled, raised his hand and lightly punched Gao Feng Guiji in the chest, and casually tugged at his tie.

"I still remember how I improvised that scene; it was truly amazing. Scripts can only provide some guidelines, but it's always good to have your own creativity sometimes! This time, working with Brother Gao Feng again is going to be a big surprise for everyone!"

(End of this chapter)