Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

"The restraint and gentleness hidden under Xia Jun's overbearing appearance are portrayed very delicately."

"Ms. Shirakawa's outbursts of emotions and lines are also very brilliant, which reasonably paves the way for the forbearance of the previous episodes."

"If we say that Chiyo in the previous episodes was a 'background board' that served to highlight those handsome swordsmen..."

"After this scene where she turned her previous forbearance into an emotional outburst, she was like standing in a field of flowers, and she was truly the heroine!"

Director Nakano repeatedly replayed the clips just shot by various cameras on the monitor and praised them highly.

With Rika Shirakawa's fully committed acting, the personality, emotions and mental journey of "Chiyo", the "heroine" who has been ignored all the way, have been completed, and the whole character has become fuller and three-dimensional.

Xia Fan plays the character "Manyo Kazama", who is full of personality and extremely eye-catching. He also uses the tenderness hidden in his actions and words to indirectly highlight the existence of "Chiyo".

"How was your performance just now? Was it still 'lukewarm'?"

Looking at the footage on the surveillance camera, Shirakawa Rika, with red eyes, proudly touched Xia Fan with her arm.

"She suddenly started crying in the middle of the fight. It was totally unexpected for me. I almost couldn't catch her..."

"Senior Shirakawa, you are worthy of being the only certified heroine in this film who can outshine seven opponents with your acting skills."

After rubbing his face vigorously, Xia Fan returned to his original appearance and revealed an innocent smile.

"Of course... In order to become a qualified actor, I have been practicing the secret technique of 'crying anytime, anywhere' since I was a child."

Shirakawa Rika crossed her arms and turned away with a blushing face.

"The most important shoot for today has been completed. Now we just need to shoot some 'backup' shots."

"You two are in this state, which makes me look forward to the third day of shooting even more."

After confirming the shooting materials, Director Nakano looked delighted.

"The third day of filming includes the most important duel, which is not as simple as today's scene. The one you're going to act against is the former 'genius popular young actor', Sakamoto Shu."

"Don't think that he had a hard time filming the action scene last time. That's because he's not good at kendo."

"Although this person has shortcomings such as frivolity, laziness, and fast-changing interests, when it comes to acting, he is recognized as a 'genius' by the entire industry."

After hearing what the director said, Shirakawa Rika reminded Xia Fan with some concern.

"But if Sakamoto Shuu is a good actor, wouldn't the effect of the scene be even better? There's nothing to worry about."

Her words made Xia Fan a little confused.

Chapter 106 King's Workstation

2024-07-13

"It's not as simple as you think."

"Won't the next highlight be the final duel between Kazama Manye and Hijikata Toshizo in front of Chiyo?"

"Natsu-kun, your 'Man'yo Kazama, as the most powerful warrior in the play and a domineering and arrogant villain, should have completely suppressed 'Hijikata Toshizo' in terms of aura from the very beginning, allowing him to have the space to show his 'character brilliance' in the face of setbacks in the confrontation."

"But Sakamoto Shu is just like you, an actor who gets into the role easily. Once he gets excited, the character's personality will be fully displayed, and he can't stop improvising at all."

"Are you confident that Xia Junni's 'Manyo Kazama' will not be overshadowed by Sakamoto Shuu in terms of acting skills, and at the same time be able to cooperate with his improvisation?"

Rika Shirakawa secretly put a lot of effort into the script, analyzing the pros and cons of the final duel scene one by one and telling the story in detail.

"Ms. Shirakawa is right. The difficulty of the last scene lies here."

"In the same shot, the main characters acting opposite each other should have a rhythm of 'you finish your performance, and then I come on stage', with each wave getting higher and higher."

"If the personalities of two characters are revealed at the same time, it would be like a loud quarrel, canceling out each other's performance and even ruining the whole scene."

"The final duel of "The Broken Chrysanthemum and the Sword" is not only a confrontation of sword skills, but also about the love for 'Chiyo', the differences in political ideas such as overthrowing the shogunate and King Xiang, and the positions of humans and the Rakshasa tribe. It almost condenses all the core contradictions of the whole drama into one, and comes to a final conclusion."

Director Nakano also joined the discussion.

"I see. I will prepare well when I get back and won't just act on my own accord."

After understanding the difficulty, Xia Fan's expression became serious.

"Two actors who are into their roles are acting in a life-and-death duel with deep emotions and complex movements..."

"What should I do? I feel like the scene is going to go off track with the script. If this happens, an original author like Mr. Kawasaki will definitely not forgive me."

Director Nakano frowned and scratched his messy hair. His worry about the final scene overwhelmed his joy at completing the filming.

……

The next day, at the music department on the tenth floor of the B Club building.

"Hey, Mr. Xia, you haven't come for a long time. What have you been busy with recently..."

As soon as Xia Fan walked out of the elevator, he was pulled by Yamazaki Hiroshi with an ambiguous look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Section Chief Yamazaki. I was delayed by various things recently and couldn't come..."

Xia Fan felt a little embarrassed, thinking about how he hadn't shown up at the music department in many days because of a campus singing competition, web drama filming, and being targeted by a cult that believed in the "Red God."

After all, his current main salary and faith were obtained through the music department.

"It's okay, it's okay. It's normal for a talented music producer like you to be away from home for ten days or half a month to collect materials and inspiration."

"Let's go to my office for some tea. I just received a new batch of 'Shizuoka Gyokuro' and I haven't opened it yet."

Yamazaki Hiroshi didn't care at all. He rubbed his hands like a fly and looked flattering.

Who can blame Xia Fan's "Sakura" and "Red Lotus" for their continued popularity, which have accounted for more than half of the music department's first quarter performance? This has made him hold his head high and be in high spirits in all the company's meetings recently.

"No need, no need. I'll just sit at my own workstation..."

"Speaking of workstations, the previous one was too small and shabby... I've taken the initiative to change your position! Come on, I'll take you to have a look."

Xia Fan wanted to run to the office area, but Yamazaki Hiroshi did not give him any chance and followed him side by side.

"Dang-dang-dang-dang..."

"How about a back seat by the window, the king's hometown!"

Near the window in the office area, there is a separate "luxury workstation" that is twice as wide as other workstations.

"This location has good air circulation and is hidden enough so no one can tell whether you are at work or not."

"I don't know what equipment Xia Jun is used to, so I prepared a universal set without authorization. If there is anything that doesn't work for you, I can ask someone to replace it for you at any time."

Hiroshi Yamazaki stood modestly at the side of his workstation, introducing the place like a villa owner guiding guests to check in.

On the work desk is a studio-level all-in-one machine with a simple appearance and explosive performance, a matching XDR monitor, plus professional-grade monitoring headphones, a radio microphone and a recording studio sound card, as well as an 88-key fully weighted MIDI keyboard commonly used by music producers.

"This set of configuration is too exaggerated. It will cost a lot of money, right?"

Xia Fan looked at this "overpowered" equipment and swallowed subconsciously.

"Mr. Xia, this 'King's Workstation' was arranged two weeks ago..."

"As a result, you never showed up, leaving Section Chief Yamazaki with no place to show off. He had to clean the place several times a day, and he was exhausted."

In the office area, several familiar producers winked at Xia Fan and joked with a resentful look on their faces.

In order to make room for this large independent workstation, the layout of the workstations in the entire office area was readjusted.

But there is no way, because Xia Fan, a "part-time worker", has to produce as much as the "full-time workers" in the entire office.

"By the way, Mr. Xia, I wonder how you feel about the contract I sent to you through the middleman last time?"

Ignoring the gazes of his subordinates with a face as thick as a castle wall, Yamazaki Hiroshi smiled like an old fox.

"Contract? Well, I've been too busy lately and haven't had time to study it seriously."

Only then did Xia Fan remember the "high commission exclusive cooperation agreement" that Dong Ye had mentioned before.

"It's okay. It's right to think carefully about this matter. If you are dissatisfied with the profit ratio or terms, you can communicate with me at any time..."

"But, Xia Jun, it seems like you are still doing those 'part-time advertising shooting' jobs?"

"It's normal for young people to have a wide range of interests, but you have such a good talent for music, you should spend more time on it, otherwise it would be a pity..."

Yamazaki Hiroshi nodded, and then acted like an elder who was speaking with great sincerity.

"Look, the music department has received a lot of custom business recently, and many of them are high-paying invitations specifically for you."

"I have selected the ones with the best conditions. Look at this one... and this one..."

He took out a stack of information and explained it to Xia Fan diligently.

"Youth Musical theme song...game impression song...TV series theme song...R18 live-action movie soundtrack?!"

“They are basically custom songs, and the pay is not low, but I don’t have any suitable songs at the moment.”

Looking at the pile of business invitations, Xia Fan shook his head in distress.

The only song I have on hand right now is "I Once Thought of Ending It All", which does not fit the theme of the customized business on the list at all.

Chapter 107 Yayoi Moon

2024-07-13

What Xia Fan didn't know was that the "phenomenal" performance of "Gurren Lagann" at the box office had made up for "Cursed Spirit Blade" and had already attracted the attention of the entire entertainment industry to the "theme song breaking the circle and attracting traffic."

A new round of "theme song arms race" is in full swing, and orders from the music departments of major companies are surging. However, high-quality songs cannot be obtained immediately by simply spending money.

"It's okay. You can't rush writing songs. I'm just giving you some information so you can get some inspiration or direction when you create later."

Yamazaki Hiroshi nodded in understanding.

After all, Xia Fan has released two hit songs in these two months, which is equivalent to the basic KPI of an ordinary producer in two years.

If the other party came up with another song of the same quality, Hiroshi Yamazaki felt that his little heart would not be able to bear it.

"By the way, Xia Jun, NHK TV has also invited us a while ago. They want to send a crew to interview the new producers of "Gurenhua" and "Sakura". What do you think..."

Changing the subject, Yamazaki Hiroshi pretended to be natural and started a new topic.

"Exclusive interview? The kind where you appear on camera. How much is the pay?"

Xia Fan asked curiously.

"Reward? Xia Jun still loves to joke around like always..."

"Although there is no compensation for the TV interview, it is a great publicity opportunity for you and our music department..."

Yamazaki Hiroshi secretly rolled his eyes and explained with a wry smile.

The exclusive interview with NHK TV was a great opportunity for the music department to get publicity, and it was also a great achievement for him personally. Previously, only a few masters such as Yoshihiro Kishimoto were qualified to be filmed.

This was one of the reasons why he carefully prepared the "King's Workstation" for Xia Fan...

If Xia Fan was still sitting on that shabby "little bench" during the filming, wouldn't it seem that the music department was too stingy?

But this kind of interview that other producers are eager for, even the previous masters did not get a penny of compensation, so how could Xia Fan possibly get it.

"Please help me to refuse it."

Xia Fan shook his head decisively.

"But this interview won't take that long..."

Yamazaki Hiroshi suppressed his heartache, maintained a pale smile, and wanted to continue persuading.

"and many more……"

But he suddenly realized something and a drop of cold sweat ran down his forehead.

"Well, I was not thoughtful enough before and was blinded by fame and fortune. Mr. Xia is indifferent to fame and fortune and is devoted to creation. He is very worthy of encouragement and learning..."

"I'll report this to the TV station right away. I promise to avoid this kind of 'meaningless propaganda' in the future."

His face turned serious, and Yamazaki Hiroshi patted Xia Fan's shoulder approvingly, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

Just now, he suddenly realized that he had overlooked an important fact...

The identity of the monster new music producer "Xinxia" is still a mystery in the industry. Even the producer of the music department has only met him a few times and has not seen his detailed resume.

Xia Fan is still on a "part-time" contract now. If he accepts interviews and shows up in public, wouldn't that be giving competitors an open opportunity to poach him?

"Not only do we need to prevent Xia Jun from being exposed, but the department's confidentiality system also needs to be upgraded..."

Thinking of this, Hiroshi Yamazaki glanced at the other producers in the office with a cold gaze, and had already prepared a very strict confidentiality agreement for them in his mind.

"Section Chief Yamazaki..."