Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 583: The final shot of bullet time, marking the end of filming.

When the reply came from Hong Kong, Cheng Long was the most fortunate.

If this situation is allowed to escalate, while he won't be completely ruined in Hong Kong, his film salary will inevitably be drastically reduced.

Nobody can believe someone who can't fight can become an action star!
Although his godfather said it would cost some money, Cheng Long thought that if something could be solved with money, it wouldn't be a problem.

With everything settled, the final scenes could now be filmed without any worries.

Gu Guming, who lived next door and wished to remain anonymous, was owed several hundred yuan for movie tickets by Jackie Chan. Suddenly, he sneezed.

"Who's secretly praising me? Otherwise, why would I be sneezing so much today?"

Gu Ming rubbed his nose and continued to gesture the positions to Tuan Shilang.

Although Tuan Shilang has an outstanding appearance, he is really not good at filming action scenes. He will be fighting someone else later.

Fortunately, given his mixed heritage and black hair, there is some credibility to the claim that he is the leader of the Italian Mafia.

"You just stand here and don't move. I know it's not easy, but you have to control yourself for this final shot. Otherwise, the filming will definitely be a mistake!"

Tuan Shilang nodded firmly.

You can rest assured!
Your brother from your hometown is absolutely reliable!

Seeing him nod, Gu Ming decided to believe him for the time being.

Due to insufficient equipment, lacking 120 high-speed cameras, the method to achieve the bullet-time effect had to be changed, relying on the actors' cooperation during filming.

Therefore, just like the scene where Zhen Zidan throws a bullet into her fist, the actor needs to maintain a constant freeze-frame, just like early stop-motion animation. It is done manually frame by frame, and then combined with camera footage and computer post-processing to achieve the bullet time effect.

As mentioned earlier, a second of a movie shot consists of 24 frames per second, and maintaining these frames is no easy task.

In the storyline, the fight earlier tore the flour sacks, and the area was now filled with dust, which perfectly replaced the effect of the pulverized tile dust. When the fight resumed, the trajectory of punches and kicks could be filmed using bullet time, thus creating the effect that Gu Ming envisioned.

However, it's tough on the actors.

Gu Ming didn't care, but the other actors, including Cheng Long, were exhausted these past few days.

They worked on it for several days, all for the sake of filming those few seconds of footage of the final battle.

"Everything's ready? Director, let's begin!"

Gu Ming looked at Fukasaku Kinji, who raised his hand and made an OK gesture.

Cheng Long and Gu Ming continued their fight from yesterday's scene, one throwing punches and the other kicking, attacking Tuan Shilang.

However, compared to normal punches and kicks, this is now completely broken down into segments, which is slow and frustrating.

Cheng Long maintained his expression, but even with his physical strength, he couldn't help but sweat on his forehead.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief after the scene was completely filmed.

Off the court, Shinji Fukasaku made an OK sign.

"Bullet time is done! Let's kick the stunt double in the next shot."

"Finally finished filming!"

For a moment, Jackie Chan felt a sense of relief.

Jackie Chan really couldn't get used to the filming these past few days!
Jean-Claude Van Damme changed into his costume and found his position. At the director's command, Gu Ming and Cheng Long coordinated again, one throwing a punch and the other a kick, hitting their targets instantly.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was sent flying backward by the stuntman's wire, eventually landing on the wreckage of a wine bottle.

The bottle also has a label: Best Winery...

“CUT!” Kinji Fukasaku quickly said a few words in Japanese.

Cheng Long stared longingly at Gu Ming.

"OK!" Gu Ming shrugged.

"Everyone, look at me! Look at me! I have an announcement to make: 'Wheels on Meals' is finished!"

In an instant, the film set erupted in cheers and applause.

Finally, it’s finished!

Nothing is more exhausting than filming those bullet-time shots these past few days.

Actors have a tough time performing, and the production team has a tough time setting up the film, especially since mistakes are easy to make and often require retakes. The scenes also need to be recreated, which can be incredibly frustrating.

"I know everyone's been working hard," Gu Ming said. "Tonight, everyone can just eat, drink, and have fun!" Gu Ming glanced at Cheng Long.

Jackie Chan reacted quickly: "Everyone, don't stand on ceremony with me! Just eat, drink, and have fun!"

Gu Mingfang added, "The entire bill will be paid by Young Master Long."

Of course, it's fine to let him pay, but Jackie Chan still owes him several thousand dollars for movie tickets!

Amid the cheers, Jackie Chan found a place to sit down nearby, his face bearing an expression that was a mixture of satisfaction and relief.

"We worked on the action sequences for this film for a month, but we weren't as exhausted as you guys have been working on these past few days!"

Gu Ming sat down and spread his hands: "But you've seen the effect, and once it's finished in post-production, the effect will be absolutely amazing!"

"Yes, that's why I'm cooperating so firmly. I know you definitely won't cheat me. If it were anyone else, let me tell you, I absolutely wouldn't agree!"

Gu Ming tilted his head slightly.

He wouldn't rip someone off! He's actually very good to Brother Long!

Although Jackie Chan owed him tens of thousands of yuan for movie tickets, Gu Ming figured that Jackie Chan wasn't a stingy person and wouldn't hold a grudge.

After all, Gu Ming can easily afford a few hundred thousand yuan worth of movie tickets now, and he doesn't consider millions of yuan worth of movie tickets as money at all.

Cheng Long shuddered inexplicably, feeling as if he were being watched by someone.

"France has a Mediterranean climate, you're not dressed warmly enough."

"Yes, right?" Cheng Long was not quite sure.

He's not very well-educated, so he probably won't be fooled!
……

……

Eating, drinking, and having fun are secondary; movies are the most important thing.

At the wrap party, the Frenchman Mael came over and sincerely toasted with him, then spoke with Gu Ming through a translator.

"It's an honor to have this collaboration, not only to promote the beautiful scenery of Nice, but also to witness your film shoot, and..."

Gu Ming smiled and clinked glasses.

And a few francs in Commissioner Mael's pocket.

Mael grinned, his smile quite innocent: "Looking forward to your next filming trip to France. Nice will always welcome you."

Gu Ming had just seen Ma'er off when someone else came to offer him a toast.

“Mr. Fukasaku!” Gu Ming hissed, “I should be the one going to find you.”

Kinji Fukasaku stared with his eyes, one big and one small, still wearing sunglasses.

"Furuya-kun, you don't understand. I really enjoy working with you. I feel like all I have to do is hold up the director's microphone and say 'action' and 'cut.' This film not only had the opportunity to be shot overseas, but it also has those kinds of cinematography techniques that I can't even name. I have a feeling that this film will be a miracle. If there's a chance in the future, please work with me more often!"

Gu Ming clinked glasses: "Of course I am very honored to work with Mr. Fukasaku on a film. As long as Toei is willing to release him, I would be happy to do it again."

However, Gu Ming estimated that if he were to make another film about Dragon Might Kid, it would most likely not work out.

Gu Ming only casually snatched the role of Dragon Boy, and since the film needed a foreigner to play the lead, Gu Ming only intended to play the role of the master. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that he will cast Kinji Fukasaku in this film.

But there's no need to tell Kinji Fukasaku this, since Akira Tani still wants to make Yakuza.

If Yakuza were to be adapted into a movie or TV series, for this kind of typical yakuza work, all of Japan would really have to find Kinji Fukasaku; no one else would do it!

Without saying anything more, Fukasaku Kinji clinked glasses with his cup and turned to leave.

Gu Ming had a rare moment of leisure, but his eyes kept wandering around. Finally, he met the person he was looking for among the Hong Kong employees.

Ko Shou-liang was holding a glass of red wine, frowning deeply. He took a sip of the wine, which was both sour and astringent, making it quite unbearable.

Gu Ming went up and tried to pat Ko Shou-liang's thigh.

This is Yao Ming from the stunt car show!

A true master!
Even if he couldn't find the person, Gu Ming had to borrow him to go to Japan and train his men properly.

after all.

What man doesn't love stunt driving?
Riding a heavy motorcycle, with the engine roaring and speeding at the limit, is also a kind of adrenaline rush!
A neighbor, whose name was not revealed, Zhen Zidan, who had almost broken her leg, sneezed silently.

(End of this chapter)