Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 460 First Attendance at the Japan Academy Film Prize

This should be the last time Mitsuru Kurosawa collaborates with Akira Tani.

Starting with "Violent Man," the investment has gradually increased, exceeding the scope of a medium-sized film.

Inside the office, Kurosawa Mitsuru and Tani Akira knelt facing each other, bowing slightly.

"From here on, it's already beyond my capabilities. Dongzhong Productions doesn't have the capacity to distribute such a large-scale film either. We can say that having Dongzhong Productions handle the distribution now would be a suppression of the film's potential. I will pass all this on to the general manager of Toei's film distribution department. If possible, Furuya-kun, you can negotiate with that 'Hozuki Kotaro'-kun from now on."

Gu Ming nodded and made a note of it.

Kotaro Hozuki, whose real name is Toki Hozuki, was one of the managers of Toei's film distribution department. He had a keen eye and distributed many films that seemed to have no chance of success, but which were extremely successful at the box office after their release.

He led the team that was responsible for the distribution of the 1984 Japanese classic film, "The Eight Dogs of Satomi".

By the way, Hiroko Yakushimaru was originally supposed to play the female lead in "Satomi Hakkenden".

Gu Ming noted down the other party's contact information. Seeing Kurosawa Mitsuru's expression, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "However, Mr. Kurosawa Mitsuru, there's no need to be so sad. We will still have opportunities for future cooperation. After all, even if my investment gradually increases, there are still other new actors in the agency who need opportunities to stand out. There may be medium-sized film investments every year."

"makes sense."

Kurosawa Mitsuru chuckled in response: "However, this movie should no longer be distributed by Dongzhong Production. Let's discuss the detailed terms with Baoyue-kun."

Gu Ming did not refuse.

Tochu Productions is, after all, just a medium-sized film distribution company under Toei, directly managed by the parent company. Its distribution scale is not large enough, and it cannot recklessly use Toei's resources. Spending 10 million yen on publicity is already a big deal.

If we partner with Kotaro Hozuki, it would be equivalent to Toei distributing the film directly, which would naturally lead to a greater boost in promotional efforts.

He also has a bet with Haruki Kadokawa, so naturally he won't be polite about it.

Gu Ming didn't want to fail and end up working as a porn star for Kadokawa Haruki. What if Kadokawa Haruki had a discerning eye and took a liking to his body, and insisted on forcing him to make fifty films a year? Gu Ming didn't know what he would do then!

Kurosawa stared at Gu Ming with a somewhat strange look in his eyes.

No.

What is this?!

"Let's not talk about that." Gu Mingha chuckled. "Speaking of which, the 'Academy Film Awards' are coming up soon. It's rare that I even have a film nominated, and I can bring a few friends along. Mr. Kurosawa Mitsuru, would you like to go and take a look?"

'Me? I think I'll pass. The awards and all that, weren't they all predetermined from the start?'

Kurosawa waved his hand, seemingly uninterested in the matter.

Gu Ming then shrugged and said no more.

……

……

Japan Academy Film Prize.

This award aims to rival the Oscars.

In 1977, the Kyoto Film Festival, which had been held in Kyoto, Japan for many years, was discontinued. The following year, in 1978, the first Kyoto Film Academy Awards were held.

The first chairman, Ryuzo Otani, was the second son of the founder of Shochiku Film Company.

Shigeru Okada, president of Toei Company, campaigned extensively for the Academy Awards, urging people to join, but even so, very few people actually joined.

This is actually because film academies have very high internal requirements, and people from ordinary small companies simply cannot get invited or valued unless they have high box office returns or other influence.

The Japan Academy Film Prize includes awards from the Directors Guild of Japan, Screenwriters Guild of Japan, Japan Association of Film and Television Producers, Japan Association of Film and Television Engineers, Japan Association of Cinematographers, Japan Association of Cinematographers, Japan Association of Lighting Technicians, Actors Guild of Japan, Japan Association of Film Production Designers, Japan Independent Film Association, and the Association of Foreign Film Importers and Distributors.

Gu Ming looked at the invitation over and over again, feeling that something was missing.

"Oh, we're missing a 'Killing Array Masters Association.' Don't we killing array masters deserve to have our own association?"

In front of the mirror, Gu Ming spread his arms, letting Sha Qin manipulate his body. "Don't talk." Sha Qin patted Gu Ming's shoulder and straightened his tuxedo slightly.

The Academy Awards also have a dress code: men must wear tuxedos and women must wear evening gowns.

Just like before, she refused to attend these public events, but she was quite happy to help Gu Ming tidy up his clothes.

Gu Ming remained silent for a while, letting her adjust her clothes and tie. After a long pause, he continued, "What do you think about me advocating for the formation of an Assassin's Guild, the Japan Assassin's Guild? Its aim is to unite and win over all Japanese Assassin's Guild actors, to fight for the treatment they deserve. All action scenes should be performed by Assassin's Guild actors, yet they have long been denied the treatment they deserve. It feels terrible."

Gu Ming was not very clear about this matter at first, but he later learned from his partner that the treatment of killing formation masters or dragon and tiger martial arts masters in Japan was actually very average.

This is why, to this day, very few people have been able to poach actors from Gu Ming's company.

Because Gu Ming was paid according to Hong Kong standards for remuneration and film remuneration.

you could put it that way.

He's so incredibly generous.

"The Killing Array Masters and Actor Association, I think it's possible, but doing something like this now probably lacks influence. Unless it has the industry status and influence of Toei's president Shigeru Okada, or someone like Haruki Kadokawa, it would just make people laugh if they spoke rashly."

Gu Ming agreed and secretly made a mental note of the matter.

If he can lead the way in accomplishing this task, then he will be eligible to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

"Wait a minute, I absolutely mustn't be allowed to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Japan!"

Gu Ming suddenly remembered something and shook his head violently.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple in Japan, well, I definitely can't go there.

After getting ready and tying his tie, Gu Ming casually clapped his hands and said, "Well then, I'm ready to go!"

The invitation in Gu Ming's hand included the film's award nominations.

None of Gu Ming's previous films had been nominated, except for Shadow Warrior.

But Samurai Kage is a film by Akira Kurosawa. Back then, Kurosawa forbade everyone from participating in the Academy Awards. Gu Ming didn't want to go anyway, and since he wouldn't win any awards, he went along with it.

This time, however, it's his own film.

The card in Gu Ming's hand had the corresponding prize written on it.

Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, nominated for: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress...

There were also miscellaneous award nominations.

There were no awards for the performance of "Killing Battle".

Gu Ming shook his head slightly, deciding to suppress that thought for the time being.

Winning any one of these awards would be quite remarkable.

As for Best Picture, Gu Ming himself doesn't expect it.

After all, it was still a commercial film. Gu Ming had cut out all the exploration and concern in the original "Léon: The Professional," leaving only a commercial story of an old man taking a girl around shooting guns.

When it comes to winning awards, they are inherently at a disadvantage.

"But you should at least give me a Best Actor award, right?"

Gu Ming touched his face: "I think I'm pretty good!"

Shaqin urged, "Let's go quickly. Even the best actor should remember to close the door when he leaves!"

(End of this chapter)