Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 627 Before the End, of course, the dream must be fulfilled.
This day in October 1985.

A small fire broke out at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

However, what's strange is that this news was compressed to an almost non-existent level, with only a very few print media recording it, making it seem almost like a folk tale.

The fire started in the second-floor screening room, but what no print media mentioned was that the more accurate location of the fire was at the edge of the second-floor screening room, in the fire escape.

Because the fire escape was never completed, various construction wastes were piled up, and someone threw a cigarette butt in, which eventually caused the fire.

Fortunately, the fire was discovered in time, and after the crowd at the rooftop banquet was evacuated, the flames were easily extinguished with the help of four fire extinguishers.

Even so, many people were still shaken.

If it had been any later, and the red carpet and theater on the second floor had completely burned down, the situation would have been far more terrifying than anyone could imagine.

Shibuya, hotel room.

Zhou Wenhuai was still leaning on his cane, but his expression betrayed his fear.

For someone his age, encountering something like this is still too terrifying!
Being on Mount Lu, he couldn't see the true situation clearly, and he wasn't quite sure why. He only knew that something unexpected seemed to have happened at the scene.

After calming down for a long time, Zhou Wenhuai took a glass of wine with trembling hands and drank it down. Only then did he gradually calm down and his hands stopped trembling.

After calming down, Zhou Wenhuai leaned close to his subordinate and whispered, "Go find that Gu Sheng. I need to talk to him about something."

Yes, movies can be made.

You can also ask Jiahe Investment.

Gunfight and police films have a huge market in Hong Kong. He had refused to agree before only because Gu Ming required the entire crew to be his people.

But now, Zhou Wenhuai seems somewhat relieved.

Every year, several new actors appear in theatrical films. Their nationality is not really that important.

Upon meeting, Gu Ming bowed first: "How are you, sir? Fortunately, nothing bad has happened to us."

“Hong Kong has seen many such trivial matters.”

Zhou Wenhuai succinctly stated: "We can accept Golden Harvest's investment, and we can use your people. However, apart from Japan, we will rely on Golden Harvest for distribution in Southeast Asia."

Gu Ming shrugged: "Of course, no problem. We just need to let the original cast and crew do the filming."

It's highly unlikely that he'll be involved in this film, so to be on the safe side, Gu Ming can only try to attract investment from other people while ensuring the film's success as much as possible.

In this way, the matter can finally be considered settled.

Takeshi Kitano was able to break free from Akira Tani's control and, as he wished, direct his first film as a theatrical director.

Manatsu Ryu could be the male lead in this film, and the story could be shown in theaters instead of short film festivals.

Gu Ming clasped Zhou Wenhuai's hand tightly, and a deep sigh escaped his lips.

It's really not easy; so much has to be done to help my brothers realize their dreams.

However, there always has to be a perfect ending. In the end, Gu Ming is someone who likes perfect endings.

……

……

After the film festival ended, the television station provided live coverage of everything that happened at the festival, filming celebrities and prominent figures from overseas and also showing some short videos from the event.

Overall, everyone was happy.

The sound of a television report played in the background, while in front of Gu Ming were Takeshi Kitano and several other people.

"Kitano-kun, Ryu, and Nikamoto. To make a long story short, the overseas rights to this short film have been sold quite a bit. Now, a Hong Kong film company is preparing to invest in this film. I will find someone to work with the Hong Kong screenwriter to expand it into a feature film. Kitano-kun, you will be the director. Ryu, you will be the lead actor. Nikamoto, you will be the martial arts choreographer. We will be in charge of the team. The Hong Kong people will only be responsible for providing the investment. Their only requirement is that the filming must take place in Hong Kong."

Seeing the lights in the eyes of the people in front of him, Gu Ming added, "I don't have much to say. You all have your own habits. Just maintain the basic style of this short film. However, don't use the over-the-shoulder perspective too often. It's difficult to shoot and consumes a lot of energy. When shooting live, just use it in specific scenes." Kitano Takeo nodded.

Before the car accident, his facial expressions were quite varied; it was the accident that caused his facial paralysis.

At this moment, Takeshi Kitano was beaming with excitement, practically bursting with joy.

Now you could call him a top international director! After all, he can even get investment from overseas!
Gu Ming glanced over and saw that Kitano Takeshi was alright, but Zhen Xialong was clearly too excited, to the point that his palms were clenched so tightly they turned blue and white.

He has never played a leading role in a theatrical film.

Whether in another world or in this world.

But now, we can get this opportunity.

“You have your strengths. In recent years, you have become more and more composed and have a certain air of authority. There is absolutely no problem in calling you an experienced criminal investigator. I only have one requirement for you.”

Gu Ming held up one finger: "Work well with the two families and integrate gunfight action into the fighting moves. Perhaps many years later, your movie will become a classic, and the action design will be praised repeatedly."

Not only him, but even the second family member, Tatsumi, couldn't help but grin and show a smug expression.

The action sequences in the short film were meticulously planned to showcase the sharp, close-up action from an over-the-shoulder perspective!
Now, it has indeed succeeded.

After giving some instructions and seeing the others off, Gu Ming couldn't stop talking.

Tanaka just mentioned that a guest is waiting for him in the reception room.

Gu Ming straightened his clothes, pushed open the door, and sure enough, he saw that thug-like face.

"Ah... it's Furuya-kun. I'm so sorry, I didn't notice."

Hideaki Anno stood up and bowed.

Gu Ming shook hands with him and naturally pulled him to sit down.

"Well, have you thought it through?"

"Yes, it's a great honor to have such a hobby and the opportunity to fulfill my dream. I've already discussed it with Mr. Miyazaki, and he supports my idea. So, I've taken the liberty of visiting you."

While speaking, Hideaki Anno was still somewhat uneasy.

Given their current status, if Gu Ming wanted to play tricks on him, he would be helpless.

But Gu Ming simply patted him on the shoulder.

"It's good that you think that way. Come on, I happen to have nothing to do today. I'll take you to Wangu to familiarize yourself with the gate, and I'll also arrange your next job while I'm at it."

Gu Ming said, "We can't just sit idle here. Recently, TV Tokyo has been asking Mangaya about a project. Considering that Mangaya is currently filming 'Ultraman Ace' and it's difficult to free up new manpower to produce a project, we could try making an animation."

Hideaki Anno repeated: "Animation."

"Yes, any animation you want to make. Of course, I'm not talking about completely hand-drawn animation like Hayao Miyazaki's, but animation like Osamu Tezuka's, you know what I mean."

Hideaki Anno understood, of course.

Hayao Miyazaki and Osamu Tezuka represent two schools of thought in the Japanese animation and manga industry.

One side advocates for exquisite hand-drawn animation with meticulous craftsmanship. The other believes that animation should be as minimalist as possible to enhance its promotional impact.

Hideaki Anno, who came from Miyazaki Hayao's lineage, inherited Miyazaki's pursuit of meticulous art style, but in terms of production, he still leans towards Osamu Tezuka, adopting a PowerPoint style.

When Gu Ming mentioned this statement, Hideaki Anno did not feel insulted in the slightest.

He was even a little excited!
You can get a job at Wangu and make animations at will—isn't that like having two great things happen in one day?

(End of this chapter)