Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 619 You scoundrel, are you going to film a tokusatsu movie or not?
Selecting films is a rather tedious task. After a lot of work, Gu Ming finally found a few decent independent films, mostly short films of thirty or forty minutes long. They were well-made, and at least they wouldn't be too disappointing if they were shown at a film festival.

"Tanaka, write an invitation to these people, informing them that the film has been approved and inviting them to Tokyo this October to attend the first Tokyo International Film Festival. Accommodation will be provided, but meals will not."

Tanaka was about to leave when Gu Ming called out to him, "By the way, what are Takeshi Kitano and the others doing? Didn't they say they were going to film a short film? Why haven't we seen them for so long?"

"Well, as far as I know, I know very little about the current situation. They seem to be working on a new kind of visual. They brought in an animation director named Hideaki Anno, and a few of them have rented a warehouse to film in. It's not far from here."

Tanaka, sensing the implied meaning, immediately asked, "Does Kogoro want to go take a look?"

"Wait, why did you bring Hideaki Anno along...?"

Gu Ming hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

That old rascal did pretty well working under Miyazaki Hayao!

Tanaka explained, "I didn't come to him; I just asked him for help. I'm not sure what the specific price was, but he seemed to enjoy it."

Gu Ming nodded: "I understand. It seems that Kitano Takeshi betrayed him and brought Anno Hideaki here."

Tanaka:?
Gu Ming waved his hand: "It's not important. Let's go, take me to see what they're up to!"

……

……

What are Takeshi Kitano and his team up to?

They're definitely making an experimental short film!

These avant-garde films are often shot in different ways. Whether it is the cinematography techniques or the visuals and sound, they are completely different from ordinary theatrical films or even video films. In essence, they are the director's exploration of new technologies and new ideas.

The more avant-garde a film is, the more prone it is to duality.

The good ones are truly good, and the bad ones are truly bad.

At this moment, Ryu Zhenxia was carrying an extended camera, which was shooting down from above his head, meticulously filming the scene in front of him.

He was dressed in a black suit, holding a rubber pistol, running around and firing occasionally, and all the scenes were presented from a first-person perspective.

"No, it's too heavy! I can't take it anymore!"

Sweating profusely, Zhen Xialong could no longer hold on: "Even if you make me go back to wearing a suit, I won't do this anymore."

Takeshi Kitano and his companion helped him remove the camera, while Ryu Manatsu collapsed onto the mat.

The sponge pad was instantly soaked with sweat.

"Keep it up! We've already filmed one-third of the way. Give it your all and try to finish the remaining two-thirds!"

Takeshi Kitano encouraged him: "You might win an award after you finish filming. You might even be the Best Actor in a Short Film at the first Tokyo International Film Festival!"

"It would be easier for you to kill me."

Zhenxia Long rubbed the cushion, not wanting to say anything.

I'm so damn tired!
The camera was very heavy, and there wasn't a lightweight camera like the one he needed at the moment, let alone a sports camera like a GoPro. This great idea was about to be cut short by the physical limitations of Ryu Shinatsu.

Just then, the warehouse door was opened, and the group turned around to see Gu Ming and Tanaka enter one after the other.

"Oh! Brother Gugu is here."

"We are filming a short film for a film festival."

Gu Ming wasn't surprised.

"I didn't expect you to take this matter so seriously. Have some water first."

Especially for Zhen Xialong, it looks like he'll die here if he doesn't drink some electrolyte drinks soon.

Gu Ming looked at them one by one. Takeshi Kitano, Tatsumi Niyamoto, Ryu Manatsu, and the innocent-looking young man next door.

Hideaki Anno.

He hasn't shown his later appearance yet. He looks very young, wears black-rimmed glasses, and has curly hair. He doesn't look like a good person at all. He looks like the kind of petty thug who would secretly take the steel bars from the film crew and sell them.

“Mr. Furuya.” Hideaki Anno was very reserved and immediately bowed his head.

Gu Ming pretended not to know and asked the crowd, "Who is this?"

"My name is Hideaki Anno, and I'm from Yamaguchi Prefecture! I'm currently working in Tokyo following Hayao Miyazaki in animation, mainly as an animator. Not long ago, I partnered with someone I know to start a small company and entered the animation production industry."

Gu Ming was aware of these experiences.

Hideaki Anno worked as a key animator for Hayao Miyazaki for a long time, and later rose to become the animation director.

Later, he partnered with a friend to start his own company, GAINAX, which later became the company that produced Evangelion.

However, at present, this little-known company is still mainly located in its own home, and is mainly responsible for making some short films to submit to competitions.

Unfortunately, they basically didn't win any awards, but instead showcased the otaku traits unique to Hideaki Anno and his companions.

Although Hideaki Anno was admitted to Osaka University, he was expelled because he became addicted to watching TV and making animation, and did not earn enough credits, so he dropped out of university.

—Hideaki Anno, who dropped out of university, is the most educated film and television professional in this room, besides Tanaka.

Gu Ming pretended to sized up Anno Hideaki for a while, then suddenly said, "I've seen the short film you showed in Tokyo. You seem to really like tokusatsu?"

Hideaki Anno launched himself into the air instantly.

"No! No... Yes! Some."

Gu Ming said, "If you were interested, why didn't you go to Wangu in the first place?"

“Because it was Mr. Miyazaki who contacted me first.” Hideaki Anno did not deny this: “I had considered sending my resume to Banya, but I had not graduated at that time. Later, I was expelled and before I had time to find a job, Mr. Miyazaki took a liking to me and I went there to work as an animator, so I did not go to Banya.”

Gu Ming hummed in agreement, pretended to ponder for a moment, and then suddenly asked Anno Hideaki.

"If I asked you to go to Wangu, would you go? Wangu is now my property, and I can make the decision to let you work there. Although it's impossible for you to be exposed to what you like right away, I can let you start from scratch, learn photography techniques from the crew, become a director, and see how those scenes are filmed. You said you are an animator, so maybe you can also try to shoot some animated works."

Wan Gu has also produced numerous animated works, the most famous of which is "Ultraman Joneus".

Kunio Miyauchi contributed his final score to this work before dying from a long-term lung disease.

Of course, Gu Ming didn't mean he wanted Hideaki Anno to direct Joneus; he was just inquiring about the other party's intentions.

Hideaki Anno indeed fell into deep thought.

He did have this idea. Hideaki Anno went to Banya several times, and a photo of him wearing the leather suit of Kiman with a lewd smile on his face circulated.

Hideaki Anno never expected that someone would directly invite him to Manyu.

Not going? He actually really wanted to go.

Go? That would feel like betraying Miyazaki Hayao! He was invited by Miyazaki Hayao to work as a key animator!
Gu Ming casually patted Anno Hideaki on the shoulder.

"It's okay, think it over before you answer me. This is the agency's business card. You know Kitano-kun and the others, so you can contact them anytime. Now tell me what you're filming."

At this point, Takeshi Kitano was no longer sleepy.

He immediately explained to Gu Ming, "This is absolutely the greatest idea ever."

Gu Ming said: "First-person photography."

Takeshi Kitano: ...?
He hasn't said it yet!
(End of this chapter)