Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 243 It’s just a small favor, no need to thank me

"Sorry, sorry! I'm late and kept everyone waiting!"

When Cheng Long arrived, he greeted Gu Ming and the others first, his face full of apology: "I didn't expect to come back so late. I wish I hadn't drunk yesterday."

Gu Ming spread his hands.

Of course he doesn't care, it's not him who is making the movie anyway.

Gu Mingming asked knowingly, "I heard that you wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. I wonder how the script is going?"

"Script, what script?"

Even though he already knew the answer, Gu Ming was still surprised when he heard it suddenly.

Really not!

Cheng Long himself didn't care at all, and was even a little smug: "For us Hong Kong people, filming is not that difficult. As long as someone wants to write a script, they can quickly come up with a script. Besides, this movie is not complicated."

Cheng Long was embarrassed to say that he actually had some insights after filming Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, so he directly copied it.

Of course, Gu Ming knew about this situation a long time ago.

He didn't point it out, just spread his hands.

"I can't do a fighting scene without a script. I always need to know what's happening so I can create the right kind of fight. Otherwise, if your family just died in one scene and you start a humorous fight in the next, the audience won't be able to accept that."

"Oh, that makes sense. I think Gusheng must be a martial arts master in your place."

Cheng Long gave a slight compliment and ran to find someone. Several screenwriters wrote a script on the spot and gave it to Cheng Long to shoot.

The script is not complicated. Just write as much as you can. If you can’t finish it on the same day, you won’t shoot.

This scene left Zhen Xialong stunned.

"Brother Gugu, um, is this how they film?"

"Yeah, it's amazing, right?" Gu Ming put his hands in his pockets and made a speechless expression to Zhen Xialong.

In fact, he also felt that what happened in Hong Kong was outrageous and that no other filming in the world was filmed like this.

However, it was Hong Kong films that dominated the market in the 1970s and 1980s, and many excellent works were produced until the 1990s. It was in such a creative environment, where screenwriters would receive a few thousand yuan in royalties for writing a movie and the fees would often be in arrears, that they were able to produce many excellent works and produce international superstars like Jacky Cheung and stars with their own strengths like Shuang Zhou.

Gu Ming could only describe it as the world's natural beauty in the 1970s and 1980s, all concentrated in the tiny country of Hong Kong.

Not long after, Cheng Long brought back a few pages of paper with densely packed words on them, which made people dizzy.

Gu Ming could recognize it, but he just raised his head and looked at Cheng Long.

"Chinese characters are hard to learn, right? That's okay, you can read it to me... in Mandarin, and speak slowly."

Nowadays, many Hong Kong films are dubbed in Mandarin, as they are sent to Taiwan for screening, where Mandarin dubbing is required. Therefore, even actors of Cheng Long's generation can speak several dialects. Gu Ming was not surprised when some people on the set spoke Mandarin, as the Cantonese dubbing was only added later.

The stagehand who was called over held the script and read it carefully, only occasionally glancing at Gu Ming, probably thinking that Gu Ming would not notice.

Gu Ming didn't take it seriously. At a glance, he could see various expressions on the faces of the staff behind him.

Obviously, they couldn't understand why there was a Gu Ming here, and he seemed to have a good relationship with Cheng Long.

After reading a few pages, Gu Ming nodded slightly. "I almost understand. So, you guys will arrange the performance details, character dialogues, and specific storyboards as we shoot, right?"

Cheng Long was in awe.

That sounds so professional! That's not the case when filming.

"Then I'll be making a show of myself. Let me briefly explain the action design. The highlight in the early stages is of course the part where Chen Xinglong shows off his Xingyi Kung Fu skills, where he has to fight off several thugs at the same time."

"I've seen several of your films, like Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master. The humorous fighting styles in those films are truly captivating, so of course this film will follow suit... Chen Xinglong is a young man who loves to be in the spotlight and show off, even resorting to Xingyi martial arts to get himself into trouble without realizing it. Therefore, his fighting style should feel deliberately showy, employing flashy, over-the-top moves."

Gu Ming can just say it, there is no need to worry that Cheng Long cannot do it.

He's not exaggerating, but there are few action actors in the world who can compare with Cheng Long's physical fitness.

Cheng Long nodded continuously, feeling that every word Gu Ming said was on point and in line with his wishes.

"In a tavern like this, there must be wine glasses and food. Even though Chen Xinglong can knock people out with a powerful punch, he still prefers to show off. He kicks people away like this, then rolls back onto the table, landing there. His toes kick the food all over the person's face, and the soup and vegetable leaves all hang on the person. The person who gets hit screams and falls backwards."

Although it's a bit exaggerated, this kind of cartoon-like exaggeration is what we want.

Cheng Long clapped his hands and suddenly felt that he was a close friend.

"That's right! That's exactly the kind of fight we want, but can't we make it bigger? Like, one versus dozens."

"Sure, you can make it as big as you want. But more people isn't necessarily better. There are so many people in the tavern that the camera can't capture them all. Let's save it for when the Qing soldiers surround your grandfather."

Speaking of Qing soldiers.

Gu Ming suddenly showed a strange expression: "Actually, I have an idea about that part of the script."

Cheng Long didn't hear the hidden meaning at all, but was very happy: "Go ahead, Mr. Gu, a movie is about everyone's efforts. Anyway, I work hard at acting, and everyone will have food to eat."

"Well... it's like this. The Qing army leaders were hunting down members of the Xingyi Sect, and one of them happened to be acquainted with Chen Xinglong. You both thought the other was a good person. But he discovered Chen Xinglong's secret, the Xingyi Sect's kung fu, so he found out his address, went to his house, and killed Chen Xinglong's father."

"Of course, Chen Xinglong had to have a conversation with the other party, but in the end, the Qing army leader told Chen Xinglong, 'I serve Dai Qing. I am Dai Qing's man in life and Dai Qing's ghost in death...' Then, what happened next happened."

Gu Ming talked a lot and directly changed the original villain into a Qing army leader who led troops to defeat the bandits.

Of course, this kind of story of a duel between two heroes has been used in many works. Gu Ming just picked up a familiar one and said it casually. There is no need to shoot it in too much detail. After all, Cheng Long only shot this movie for a dozen days in total, so he won’t polish it carefully. It’s enough as long as it makes sense logically.

Gu Ming had no intention of creating a good image for this leader.

It is to use the influence of the movie, similar to how Li Xiaolong kicked the "Sick Man of East Asia" sign to pieces, and use Jackie Chan's punch to smash it to pieces to tell others.

The Qing Dynasty is over, so go to hell with the yellow robe, jacket and long braid!

Even so, Cheng Long still felt amazed when he thought about it carefully.

Although this is still the structure of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, the details are very different. Even the plots such as the villain coming to kill the family and Chen Xinglong wandering around, all make sense.

"Well."

Cheng Long clapped his hands.

That’s it! Let’s take the photos first!
(End of this chapter)