Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 595 Why are you lame?
Outside the old warehouse in the port area, motorcycle engines roared with a piercing hum, the sound of the engines running at high speed enough to make anyone complain about the noise.

Fortunately, this is an industrial area, and there are no ordinary residents here.

Gu Ming twisted the throttle, and together with the motorcycle beneath him, they soared over the high platform.

Zhen Zidan was restless, wishing he could be the one riding away on his motorcycle right now, but a large, tangible hand on her shoulder restrained her agitated thoughts.

"Not bad, the stunt driving is good enough for a movie. But if it's for a stunt show, it's not enough. It should be able to fly from here to there."

Ko Shou-liang gestured roughly, pointing from one side of the port area to the other side of the coastline.

It looks exaggerated, but it's not actually that exaggerated. With enough platforms and acceleration, it's possible to complete a jump of that magnitude.

Gu Ming took off his helmet and removed his heat-resistant gloves by putting his hands together.

"You still need to practice your racing skills more. I'll have to trouble you to continue training my brothers during this time."

Looking at Zhen Zidan, Gu Ming immediately added, "You're not allowed to attend the car party!"

Dan's driving is too reckless; Gu Ming is afraid he'll kill Chiba Shinichi this time.

"Don't be too disappointed. Last time you almost killed Hiroyuki Sanada. This time it's good to bring the two of you together. The new film can be used."

Gu Ming spread his hands, making a grabbing motion in the air like Constable Xing: "This time you're fellow disciples, so you might even have some scenes together, like a fight. I'll design the specific fighting style later. How much do you know about Wing Chun?"

When the words "Wing Chun" reached Zhen Zidan's ears, she felt as if they had triggered some distant story.

Zhen Zidan imagined him wearing a traditional Chinese robe and practicing boxing.

I must say, he's actually quite impressive! At the very least, he'll be a martial arts grandmaster, with cultivation levels that can break through the limits, the kind who can launch a carrier rocket with his bare hands.

Zhen Zidan immediately declared, "I don't know how! But I can practice!"

"That's fine. You two work together and figure out how to box."

Gu Ming didn't say much.

Although Dragon Boys has action elements, it is essentially an American teen movie. It tells the story of how a kid breaks through his limitations, overcomes the oppression of the school bully, and ultimately completes the trials of youth, while also winning the heart of a beautiful girl—in the story, the cheerleader.

The story is good, but some parts need to be changed, especially when it's necessary to show the action elements. Gu Ming and the planning team's solution is to fight monsters and level up.

The youthful elements must still be there, and romance should still happen, but the enemy to fight has changed from training to fight a senior brother to fighting a whole group of people.

Jean-Claude Van Damme is a retired Marine Corps instructor who trains high school students in brutal killing techniques. Zhen Zidan and Sanada Hiroyuki are his disciples. Of course, Zhen Zidan eventually corrects her mistake and realizes that the martial arts taught by Jean-Claude Van Damme are not real martial arts and violate the original intention of strengthening the body. In the end, she is beaten up by her senior brother Sanada Hiroyuki and hospitalized.

Mr. Miyagi, the neighborhood cleaner, is the light side of the Force. He clashed with Jean-Claude Van Damme due to ideological differences, and eventually trained an American transfer student as his disciple to defeat Van Damme utterly. The student started out as a cripple.

This explains why Mr. Miyagi, despite being such a skilled fighter, didn't fight himself but instead trained a disciple to fight.

Because he's disabled! So he can't fight himself!

"So from now on I have to play the cripple."

Gu Ming tried to move his legs and feet.

It's okay to be lame.

Although he's a supporting character, he's positioned as a teacher, so he can be considered the second male lead. He has a significant amount of screen time and should contribute some excellent performances.

Gu Ming imitated Moriji Koji's limping gait, but his mind was wandering. He needed to find another cleaner to observe the other person's every move.

……

……

The American team has arrived in Tokyo.

Mark Griffiths, a Canadian, is a screenwriter and director. He has made numerous films throughout his life, but they are mostly typical American teen movies and family comedies, such as the Beethoven Symphony series.

That's right... Although this thing is called Beethoven Symphony, it's actually a family comedy, not a musical.

The US no longer operates on a large-scale studio system, nor does it sign directors on contract. However, there are usually established teams; Mark Griffith came with the screenwriting team to discuss film matters this time.

Mark felt that as an ordinary director, he had no right to think about what the Columbia Pictures executives were thinking.

On the contrary, Mark Griffiths was somewhat annoyed by this long journey.

As someone with dual identities as a Canadian and an American, he actually traveled all the way to Japan! Although Tokyo is doing quite well, it still makes people a little annoyed.

Fortunately, the partners were quite cooperative, and a car came to pick me up as soon as I got off the plane.

"I am Tanaka, Mr. Mark Griffiths, assistant to Gugu. Welcome to Tokyo."

Mark Griffiths' expression softened slightly.

Not bad, can speak English! And the accent isn't too strong! It's not the kind of Japanese-accented English that's hard to understand.

The two shook hands briefly before Mark climbed into the back seat of the car to head to the agency to discuss filming arrangements.

Tanaka sat in the front passenger seat, flipping through files and explaining his various needs.

"Although the main framework of this film is youth, it still has a lot of action elements. The action parts will be handled by our professional team, and the casting and other work will be handled by our team."

"Wait a minute, bro." Mark Griffiths frowned instantly, shrugged, and glared. "I'm the director. I should be in charge of these things. Casting, personnel appointments and dismissals should obviously be handled by our team. You know, bro, this is Hollywood. We're the professional team!"

"Is that so?" Tanaka turned a page, his tone growing increasingly cold. "But this is Japan."

Mark Griffiths emphasized, "But you're going to film it in America and release it in America!"

Tanaka hummed twice, which sounded more like a perfunctory response than an agreement.

"But the final production team is Japan, so these things should be left to a more professional team."

Koizumi slammed on the brakes; they had arrived at their destination. Tanaka then closed the file, bowed, and said, "We've arrived. Mr. Griffith, please come upstairs with me to discuss the rest."

Mark Griffiths clicked his tongue, but ultimately remained silent.

I've gone to such a long distance, and no one's even going to reimburse my travel expenses!
He straightened his tie, muttered a few complaints to himself, and then followed them upstairs.

Ultimately, Mark Griffith isn't exactly a well-known director in the US, with only two theatrical releases to date. However, he does have a knack for teen films, knowing how to film large breasts and thighs. Getting any film offers at all is already a good thing, especially since it's a job assigned by Columbia Pictures. Even if Columbia isn't the best, it's still a top Hollywood studio, comparable to Toho, Toei, Shochiku, and Kadokawa in Japan.

There was only one thing he was unhappy about.

As an American, he actually has to listen to the Japanese!
(End of this chapter)