Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 500 The Special Effects Team Seeking Innovation and Change

As the saying goes.

It's going to snow in Hokkaido, and someone's going to get married in Oda City.

Unstoppable.

Of course, Gu Ming couldn't stop Wan Gu'ao from coming back to see Madam Wan Gu.

She was, after all, his mother!

Similarly, when Wan Gu'ao wanted to go out to talk, Gu Ming couldn't stop him.

In the third week of its release, the plot of Ultraman Leo began to unfold, featuring heroes demonstrating physical skills, a club, a human captain, and Ultraman Seven's special training.

The viewership ratings have stabilized, remaining at around 15%.

Meanwhile, the viewership ratings for Gridman rose again, reaching 15.4%, surpassing Ultraman Leo by 0.1%.

On a Fuji TV interview program, Osamu Mangaya sat upright on one side of the sofa and chatted fluently with the host.

"Yes, I believe that tokusatsu works need to be innovative and changeable. This was also my father's last wish. Although I left Mangoku for some reason, I have always adhered to my father's teachings and have always been committed to innovation and changeability in all my works. This time, I seized the trend of the computer world and created this work."

"To me, Wangu is no longer the real Wangu. It's stagnant and lifeless, completely contrary to my father's original intentions. Gu Guming may be a good movie actor, but just like when he came from Wangu Film and Television Production Company, he is a failed television producer!"

"I imagine my father, if he were alive today, would be displeased to see such methods!"

"This is my father's last wish. In the second half of this year, the movie I was preparing to direct, Gridman, is currently showing in theaters. Everyone is welcome to watch it."

……

During the interview, Wan Guoao talked at length, which resonated with some viewers.

Actually, they could probably sense that Ultraman Leo was different from the previous works, but in terms of subject matter, Gridman was definitely more trendy, and the work was really good!

Even though Wan Gu'ao is not corrupt, his abilities are still quite outstanding.

At this moment, in the office of the Extreme Action Agency, Gu Ming is meeting with a guest.

The guest was from Toho and was a department head in Toho's film and television production department.

“Mr. Furuya, laymen may not understand, but experts like us can see it clearly.”

Kei Yoshizawa bowed deeply to Akira Tani: "The special effects technology used in this Ultraman Leo is completely different from the previous ones. I imagine that team must have been quite valuable!"

Gu Ming sipped his tea, but did not answer the question directly.

"I wonder what Dongbao wants by coming to our door."

"Godzilla!"

Kei Yoshizawa stated firmly: "Toho is preparing to reboot the Godzilla series. Since Ishiro Honda last directed Godzilla in 1975, Godzilla has been shelved for nearly ten years. Now, it's time for it to see the light of day again."

Gu Ming put down his teacup.

Godzilla... I can't believe so much time has passed.

Historically, the last Showa Godzilla film was shot in 1975, and no new Godzilla film was made for nearly ten years afterward.

One reason is that Godzilla has become less popular, and another reason is that tokusatsu technology has reached its limit.

Special effects technology advanced rapidly in the 1960s, but did not change significantly in the 1970s.

By the 1980s, special effects technology had been completely surpassed by computer-generated special effects, led by Star Wars.

It completely surpasses it, leaving no chance for it to catch up.

So in 1984, Godzilla was rebooted, and a new work was created.

Although 1984 still belonged to the Showa era, this generation of Godzilla is classified as Heisei Godzilla.

This is because the technology used has shifted from traditional special effects techniques to computer-generated special effects.

Gu Ming snapped out of his daze and looked at Fang Ze Gui with a serious expression.

"Didn't Wan Gu'ao make it very clear on TV that they are the ones who seek innovation and change?"

“Furutani-kun doesn’t seem like that kind of person,” Yoshizawa Kei said. “A new subject matter doesn’t mean new technology. If we’re talking about technology, Furuya’s side is definitely more advanced. I specifically asked a friend to inquire… Starting with that Nara Scroll, Furuya-kun assembled a computer special effects team specifically for creating computer special effects, combining computer special effects with tokusatsu technology.”

"Although children may not understand this technology, Dongbao can tell the difference between good and bad!"

"The reboot of Godzilla is crucial for Toho, so, Mr. Furuya, please allow Toho to use that computer graphics team, no matter the cost!"

Yes. They certainly inquired in the US, but Industrial Light & Magic's prices were too high.

Toho itself isn't that big right now, and they're not confident that rebooting Godzilla will be successful.

Of course, they wouldn't spend a huge sum of money to hire an American team to film the special effects.

Gu Ming flicked his fingers, pondering the matter.

"Special effects team... Great."

Gu Ming smiled and held up one finger: "The stunt team can be licensed to Toho, and it wouldn't be a problem if the fee was lower, at least not as expensive as the American team. However, I also have one condition."

Yoshizawa Kei said, "Please speak."

“I have some friends who I hope can participate in this production.”

In Gu Ming's memory, although there were quite a few bad Japanese Godzilla films, none of them lost money.

In short, the box office results were pretty good.

So, it would be good to slip in a few friends to slightly improve the audience's appeal.

Kei Yoshizawa was slightly taken aback, but then let out a long sigh of relief.

These conditions are actually not harsh at all!
After all, Toho itself wasn't confident that rebooting Godzilla would be successful, so they couldn't be happier to have someone offer them actors!

Gu Ming changed the subject: 'I have one more condition.'

—Didn't you say there was only one condition?

Kei Yoshizawa swallowed the rest of his sentence and said, "Please speak."

"I hope Toho can license the audio and video copyrights of Godzilla to me."

At this point, Kei Yoshizawa couldn't help but become serious.

"This is not a decision I can make alone. However, if Mr. Furuya has this idea, I will go back and discuss it in detail with my other colleagues."

Gu Ming bowed slightly: "That would be perfect. As for Toho Cinemas placing a trailer for the Space Hero Festival in their theaters, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"

This time, Kei Yoshizawa couldn't help but burst into laughter.

That's fine then! As long as we can get the special effects team's help, we can use the pre-roll ads without a problem. It's all about exchanging benefits!
……

……

After several days of discussions, the two sides finally reached an agreement.

The stunt team from Extreme Action Studio, along with some of the special effects staff from Banya, will assist Toho in restarting the filming of Godzilla.

Toho, on the other hand, licensed the rights to Godzilla videotapes from the first Godzilla videotape in 1954 to Godzilla in 1975 to 91Video. However, this only includes the rental and sales rights and does not include other image usage rights.

This also includes the rights to the upcoming reboot of Godzilla video.

Toho will include a free ad in the theatrical trailers for the Space Hero Festival.

In summary, Toho only used nine million yen in cash to hire a special effects team to assist in the Godzilla reboot.

In short, everyone was happy.

Gu Ming called Tanaka over and gave him detailed instructions.

"There are now dozens of video store branches in Tokyo. Go check it out and ask them to organize an event. The event details are..."

Gu Ming gave a few words of advice, and Tanaka nodded before turning to leave.

After seeing Tanaka off, Gu Ming turned to the television in front of him.

Wan Gu'ao was still talking eloquently.

"Seeking innovation and change..."

"The true Wan Gu..."

Gu Ming clicked his tongue in amazement.