Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 258 Toei Center Film Production Company
Okada Katsu eventually told Tani Akira that he would consider it.

Nakayashiki Tetsuya gave his answer on the spot, saying that he was willing to join the firm.

This is considered to have settled one thing.

Afterwards, Gu Ming planned to ask Nakamura Fumiya and other well-known action actors in the Ono Kenyu Club to see if they had any thoughts on joining the agency.

After seeing the two off, Gu Ming drove straight to the meeting.

I had already made an appointment with Watanabe Ryosuke to have dinner tonight at a high-end restaurant in Ginza that was said to be very expensive.

Ryosuke Watanabe will help introduce someone.

One who has the ability to distribute movies.

Half an hour later, Gu Ming met Watanabe Ryosuke at the agreed place.

Looking up and down at Gu Ming, Watanabe Ryotoku nodded secretly.

"Oh! Furuya-kun is really obedient and actually changed his clothes."

Watanabe Ryosuke looked him up and down, amazed at what he saw now: "You look much more formal now. Do you have a business card?"

Gu Ming spread his hands and said, "I thought my face was my business card."

"Haha! Furuya-kun is such a jokester. You know, only Mr. Kurosawa's face or Ken Takakura's face can be used as a business card. Yours isn't enough. If possible, get a batch of business cards custom-made. Ideally, make them luxurious. People will clearly feel, 'Wow, this person seems very important!'"

After Watanabe Ryotoku finished speaking, in order to show his closeness, he wanted to pat Gu Ming's shoulder, but it felt too high and he couldn't reach it, so he patted his arm instead.

"You know, Tokyo is a place that values efficiency. Everyone seems to be in a hurry. Talking about your work is difficult. People won't have the time to look at it carefully. If possible, edit your work into separate videotapes and prepare business cards. Hand them out when you meet. You're the director of an action actor agency, or perhaps even the president."

Watanabe Ryotoku tapped his temple with his backhand and said, "It doesn't matter how you dress in private, but in front of others, you must show your courage and let them see your strength. Don't hide it and wait for others to find it."

Gu Ming nodded and took note of it silently.

The Chinese have the habit of hiding their talents and not showing off their things, hoping that they will never be discovered in their lifetime.

Although the Japanese also have an introverted personality, they still attach great importance to efficiency in this regard.

"So I really don't look like a president, right?... Oh well, there's nothing I can do!"

Gu Ming sighed slightly.

Action actors actually all have this characteristic: they are lively, active, and can't sit still. Even if they become bosses, they don't look like bosses.

He made note of this matter and planned to go back and order a batch of business cards, and then give a set to everyone in the office.

"So, who would you like to introduce me to today?"

"His name is Kurosawa Mitsuru."

"Kurosawa?"

"Kurosawa Mitsuru!"

Watanabe Ryosuke had to emphasize this matter.

These two people are not the same person. Kurosawa Akira is the director, but Kurosawa Mitsuru...

Also a director.

It's just that he is not as famous as Kurosawa.

"Let me briefly tell you about this person. He used to work at Nikkatsu and was personally invited by President Okada Shigeru over a year ago. Nikkatsu, as you know, is a giant film production company, just like Toei, so this person is very capable."

Watanabe Ryosuke did not elaborate on Toei's film production cuts and outsourcing, but simply talked briefly about Kurosawa Mitsuru and then changed the subject.

"Toei has established a subsidiary company called 'Toei Center Film Production', which is fully controlled by this Kurosawa Mitsuru as president. This company is mainly responsible for producing and distributing small and medium-sized films. I'm sure you saw 'The Most Dangerous Game' that was released last year."

Gu Ming: I haven’t seen it!
Watanabe Ryosuke said, "That movie was produced and distributed by Chuden Corporation. It cost only 30 million yen, but it was a huge hit at the box office."

"We are going to meet this person today."

Gu Ming nodded secretly.

It sounds like it meets his needs, but the name is indeed a bit misleading.

Kurosawa Mitsuru! He thought it was Kurosawa Akira!
I don't know if these two people are related.

…………

Sushi, Gu Ming hates this thing.

It's all rice, and the rules are too complicated.

However, since it is a high-end meeting, of course we have to choose a more peaceful place.

The person kneeling there at this moment is Kurosawa Mitsuru.

Kurosawa Mitsuru was born in 1933 and is a little younger than Watanabe Ryosuke. In terms of status, the two are not much different. One is the head of Toei's TV department, in charge of the production and distribution of TV programs, and the other is the president of Toei's small and medium-sized film companies, responsible for the production and distribution of small and medium-sized films.

A movie that costs tens of millions of yen, when you add it all up, has a production cost that's not as much as a TV series.

However, the ability to collect payments is far worse.

A well-made movie can make a fortune, but a well-made TV series can also lose money.

Kamen Rider will lose money if the belts are not sold.

After introducing the two of them, Watanabe Ryosuke did not mention anything else and focused on eating.

Gu Ming also knew that now was not the time to talk too much, so he ate first.

Although Kurosawa Mitsuru also has the surname Kurosawa, he obviously has a different personality from Kurosawa Akira. He just listened without saying a word.

Only after the three of them had almost finished eating and drinking did Watanabe Ryosuke bring up the business.

"Ah... Come to think of it, did I introduce Furuya-kun's identity to Kurosawa-kun?"

Kurosawa Mitsuru said, "I'd like to hear the details."

Watanabe Ryosuke gave Gu Ming a look that contained a certain "I told you so" emotion.

Next time, remember to make business cards!

Since there was no business card this time, Watanabe Ryosuke took the initiative to take on the responsibility of carrying the person.

"Furuya-kun is the president of an action actor agency. Although the agency is still young, it's quite capable. I'm sure you're familiar with some of the productions they've been involved with, such as 'Journey to the West.'"

This is the work with the highest status at present, so naturally I will talk about it first.

"Then there was 'Judo Straight Line' that I produced a few years ago, and the currently popular 'Masked Rider'. I also collaborated with Wangu on some random works."

Gu Ming took a look.

What a personal vendetta! Wan Gu doesn't even introduce his work by name!
"Of course, there is also the annual drama series "Cat's Eye" that we collaborated with TBS."

After Watanabe Ryosuke gave the introduction, he himself couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Put it this way.

In just two years, Gu Ming has participated in so many works.

Even though they are all TV shows.

It is precisely because they are all TV dramas that it seems that Gu Ming has no background. But now after taking a closer look, Watanabe Ryotoku suddenly felt that he should re-examine Gu Ming.

These works are all very successful! This is all about experience!

What's more, the two of them also have cooperation regarding Endai.

To be honest.

Watanabe Ryotoku, slightly, embezzled a small amount of funds...

Although it wasn't a lot, it did make him a lot of money.

Looking at Gu Ming again, Watanabe Ryotoku's eyes became brighter.

Kurosawa Mitsunori turned to Gu Ming, who was also overwhelmed by his clever wisdom at this moment. He instantly stretched out his hand and shook hands with him.

"Akira Furuya, I've heard a lot about you. Last year's 'The Most Dangerous Game' was truly amazing!"

(End of this chapter)