Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 622 was a good choice; it shows good judgment.

Shizuoka Prefecture, hotel screening room.

Gu Ming borrowed the hotel's screening room to watch the finished film directed by Xu Ke.

After reading it, Gu Ming's expression was one of utter bewilderment.

It's not that it's badly made; it's actually quite good.

However, that's the problem.

There's nothing in this short film!
"Old Xu, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but what kind of film is this? I want a short film to submit to the Tokyo International Film Festival. What did you make? A landscape documentary?"

Xu Ke sat there obediently, behaving exceptionally well.

Gu Ming pressed further, "How much money is left?"

"Ten, two hundred thousand yen?"

Xu Ke wasn't quite sure how much money he had borrowed, but he was in debt anyway.

Gu Ming let out a long sigh.

What should we do then?

“I’ll give you another three million yen. No matter what you film, this eight million yen must be for the finished product. I want to see the finished product, not this kind of thing…”

Gu Ming paused for a moment, unable to find a suitable adjective, and finally simply waved his hand: "Anyway, I want the finished product, so don't take any random shots!"

Xu Ke suddenly looked up, first in surprise, then feeling a strange sense of shame.

He even offered to pay me back! He was embarrassed!

“I don’t care what you film, but from now on I will have a financial supervisor on board, and every penny spent must be approved by her. Okay, you can get back to work.”

Upon hearing that there would be financial oversight, Xu Ke breathed a sigh of relief.

If no one is willing to invest in him without taking a genuine interest, he'll start to worry about why he's worthy of being valued.

Even though I've heard that some people may have unusual fetishes, I shouldn't be interested in him!

The two took off their belts and went out, but Gu Ming still had a bit of a headache.

That eight million yuan is worth fifty or sixty thousand US dollars. At that time, two hundred thousand US dollars would be enough to shoot a sixty or seventy-minute video movie!

"If you don't make me a short film that wins an award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, I'm going to throw you off the Tokyo Tower!"

Gu Ming muttered to himself twice and quickened his pace.

A program was playing on the TV in the hotel lobby. Gu Ming suddenly stopped and looked at the TV.

"what……"

Gu Ming sighed.

His round face! A chubby little girl!
There's no chance now, let's talk about it next time.

After Gu Ming left, Xu Ke sat down opposite the TV and watched the woman singing on it.

Although her face is still a bit chubby, like a little piglet, it's obvious that she has lost a lot of weight.

Xu Ke seemed lost in thought. Although she had a bit of a baby fat look, she was quite a striking girl, very photogenic!
……

……

Compared to Tsui Hark's hugely expensive projects, Takeshi Kitano's projects are already completed.

In the office building's screening room, Gu Ming watched the short film that Takeshi Kitano and his brothers had made.

It was indeed very short, less than ten minutes in total, and filmed from an over-the-shoulder perspective, allowing a clear view of Zhenxialong's face, which was gradually developing a sense of majesty.

When he was young, this young man looked too simple and honest, but now that he's older, he has a rather dignified appearance, somewhat like a solemn and dignified police officer.

Shot from an over-the-shoulder perspective, the scene of a police officer running and jumping while firing a gun, engaging in close-quarters combat, is filmed crisply and cleanly, depicting a police officer's revenge against a gangster.

After nine minutes of the scene, the camera finally moved to reveal Ryu Manatsu's full face reflected in the mirror.

As the screening ended, Gu Ming clapped his hands.

"Not bad! Kitano-kun, I'm increasingly convinced that you can become one of Japan's top directors."

Takeshi Kitano ran his hand through his buzz cut and smiled quite smugly.

Zhen Xialong looked at Gu Ming. What about his?! He'd been carrying a camera and filming for almost half a month, it wasn't easy for him!
“It’s not easy for our Ah Long either; being the male lead is harder than in a movie.”

Gu Ming immediately offered a rosy picture: "If this short film wins an award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, it will attract the attention of investors. Then I'll use this idea to find someone to develop it into a script, and you guys can act in it."

Zhenxia Long clenched his fist.

That's great! He absolutely has to play the lead role!

Takeshi Kitano suddenly spoke up: "Actually, I'd like to act too. But not the lead role; I'd like to play the gang leader at the end!"

Gu Ming looked at Kitano Takeshi's rather fierce face with some surprise.

Is this some kind of strange fetish that has been awakened?
Does this mean that Takeshi Kitano now enjoys being killed in his films?

Gu Ming pondered for a moment.

"It's too early to think about those things now. Let's wait until we receive the award."

The group responded and nodded.

As soon as Gu Ming stepped out, Tanaka jogged over.

"Brother Gugu, we have a guest to see."

"Guests? Where did these guests come from?"

Gu Ming was puzzled; why was he so busy every day?

Tanaka lowered his voice: "The guest's name is 'Hanami Kaku,' and he's the chairman of a talent agency called 'Ken-On.' Also, this company seems to have some connections..."

Tanaka didn't say it explicitly, but Gu Ming understood it instantly.

To be precise.

He knew the name Gu Ming as soon as he mentioned it.

The Sasakawa Foundation of Japan once supported a singer management company called Ken-On. Because it was backed by a wealthy conglomerate, the agency was quite well-off.

However, that was all in the 1990s. In the 1980s, before the firm had proven its worth, the Sasakawa Foundation did not provide strong support to it.

This relationship is somewhat similar to how Kadokawa Haruki supported Gu Ming before. Because Gu Ming could make money for him, he didn't care about spending money. It was essentially because he had the support of the Kadokawa Group behind him.

"And speaking of Ken-On... no, let's go check it out first."

Gu Ming shook his head slightly, not thinking too much about it, and went to the reception room first.

As soon as Gu Ming entered the reception room, he heard hearty laughter and greetings.

"Furutani-kun, it's an honor to meet you. I am Hanami Kaku."

He was impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, looking quite dignified.

Gu Ming lowered his head slightly so that he could shake hands with the person in front of him.

"I never expected to have the chance to meet someone from a singer's management company." Gu Ming and the other person sat down. Gu Ming was guessing the other party's purpose when Hua Jianhe spoke first: "To be honest, I was also surprised when I received the call. But my subordinate told me that it was that Mr. Furuya. Oh my, this is really unexpected. I thought I couldn't let those stupid guys ruin things, so I came in person."

Gu Ming: ?
When did he make a phone call?

Gu Ming tentatively inquired a few times before finally learning the reason from Hua Jianhe.

"It's that short film. They said it's going to compete in the Tokyo International Film Festival. That's amazing! I didn't expect the director to specifically ask our Akina to participate. I'm so grateful to Furuya-kun for thinking of our artist and giving her such a valuable opportunity. Even if there's no payment, it doesn't matter. Please, Furuya-kun, give her this opportunity."

Gu Ming leaned back instantly.

Kneading numbness.

Old Xu really has a good eye; he found the right person right away.

I heard that when Tsui Hark later filmed "A Chinese Ghost Story," he actually used Akina Nakamori as the model. I never expected that he would actually film her this time.

"What a pity..." Gu Ming sighed inwardly. He had just looked at Hua Jianhe.

"Xu is a director with a unique vision. His films have a significant influence in Asia. Not long ago, his film in the United States featured close-up love scenes that were hailed by North American media as the best love scenes of the year. Since he was the one who chose him, I naturally have no objections."

Gu Ming and Hua Jianhe held hands tightly together.

"In that case, we'll also urge her to work harder. Would you like to meet with her, Furuya-kun?"

"No, thank you." Gu Ming waved his hand: "Just focus on cooperating to make a good short film, and don't let me down."

(End of this chapter)