Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 307: From Stand-in to the Main Character, the Experiential Performance Style

Unlike other people who have no confidence.

Even George Lucas and Coppola, two foreign fans, did not think that this work would be successful. They came purely to invest in their idols.

Among all the people, there were only two people who believed that Shadow Warrior could succeed.

One is Akira Kurosawa, who was so obsessed with the preparations that he spent years preparing.

The other one is of course Gu Ming.

He knew that Shadow Warrior later won more than 2 billion in local ration income, and Nakadai Tatsuya also contributed an extremely amazing performance in the plot.

Then, that's the end of it.

According to Kurosawa Akira, Shadow Samurai was filmed in order to raise funds for Ran, which was the work he wanted to film the most.

However, Ran was a relatively unsuccessful film, with an investment of more than 2 billion yen, while the final revenue was far from enough.

"But that's a story for later. At least I know that the Shadow Warrior was successful, and... now I am the Shadow Warrior."

Gu Ming touched his hanging sleeves, and it was hard to tell what kind of feeling he was feeling.

It was prepared for Takeda Nobumasa, but after going through so many things, he was told that he was not actually Takeda Nobumasa.

Then, at the moment when even he himself felt confused, he suddenly told him the truth.

Actually, you are Takeda Shingen.

In an instant, Gu Ming could deeply understand the thoughts and feelings of the shadow warrior.

At first I was just a substitute, but as time went on, the sunk costs increased, and after going through so many things, I had invested my emotions, and I began to become a real character rather than a substitute.

But all of this is fake, and in the end I am still just a shadow warrior.

When the prosperity before my eyes turns into a passing cloud, and there is no longer any difference between the two, when I have devoted myself to this role, I am not a shadow warrior.

I am Takeda Shingen.

"It's a very unexpected change, actually, even I didn't expect it."

Nakadai Tatsuya said frankly: "Actually, I don't really like filming Mr.'s films. It's too depressing and too torturous. He loves doing this kind of thing and never gets tired of it."

"Anyway, congratulations!"

Although your acting skills are not up to standard, you can still gain some qualifications through this experience, or achieve some kind of breakthrough in yourself.

After this incident, there will definitely be a great improvement in acting skills.

……

……

evening.

Gu Ming leaned back in the back seat, pressing down on his headrest, feeling exhausted both physically and mentally.

Koizumi glanced at the rearview mirror and said to Gu Ming in it: "Brother Gu Gu, you seem very tired."

"I'm not tired, I just feel, how should I put it, empty."

Especially when Gu Ming knew how successful the movie would be, he did not feel fortunate, but rather felt a huge pressure.

When it comes to acting, he's not as good as Nakadai Tatsuya. Therefore, it's very likely that he'll miss out on success.

"How about not going home today? How about going for ramen?" Koizumi said, "A really unique ramen shop recently opened in Ikebukuro. Their signature spicy ramen is amazing. Maybe it'll soothe you."

After hesitating for a while, Gu Ming raised his hand.

So, go and try it.

Not far from Toho, Gu Ming spotted a familiar figure on the side of the road. He asked Koizumi to pull over and stuck his head out. "Mr. Nakadai," Gu Ming called out. "Would you like to go get some ramen together? If that's convenient, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Ramen? Okay, sorry to bother you then."

After saying that, Nakadai Tatsuya also opened the back seat and got in.

The car drove towards Ikebukuro in an orderly manner, and Gu Ming also mentioned the performance.

"Yeah... no matter how you look at it, it's an extreme act, but he's done even more extreme things before."

Nakadai Tatsuya tapped his temple with his backhand and explained to Gu Ming: "Many times, there was a moment when I wanted to take a gun, shoot it in here, and blow my head off, because I couldn't do that no matter what I did."

"But it wasn't all in vain. Starting with 'Seven Samurai', I learned real acting."

Gu Ming raised his hand to interrupt: "Is Nakadai-kun one of the Seven Samurai?"

"It's quite unexpected, isn't it? Actually, I only played a very insignificant supporting role in it, with only a few seconds of screen time."

As Nakadai Tatsuya spoke, he gestured with his hands: "I was a down-and-out samurai, walking over there, and there were only a few seconds of footage. But it never worked, never worked, no matter what I did. Finally, he pulled out a knife and put it in front of me, saying that if it still didn't work, he would kill me for the film money."

Gu Ming said: "Then you can do it."

Nakadai Tatsuya shook his head and laughed.

"And then I still can't do it. I still can't do it."

"It was Mr. Mifune, also known as Toshiro Mifune, who took me aside and gave me some advice."

“I still remember what he said vividly.”

"You think you're Nakadai Tatsuya? But I only see a panicked and downtrodden samurai. If you can't do it, then go hungry, panic, and lose your mind. Eventually, turn that invisible pressure into motivation. Then, you'll be fine."

“So, I finally made it.”

"For many years afterwards, I continued to perform using this set of acting principles. This is called 'Method School'."

Gu Ming certainly knew these performance genres, and even when talking about them, many actors knew them by heart.

What about experientialism, methodism, expressionism...

Gu Ming has no school, he is just a stand-in. A stand-in only needs to look like an actor, not to be able to act.

But now, Gu Ming has a deep understanding of what method acting is.

He is not a shadow warrior, but in another way, he has experienced the hardships of a shadow warrior.

"However, for me, rather than being a methodist, it's better to say that I'm an experientialist..."

Gu Ming pressed his eyebrows, his thoughts becoming vague and uncertain.

substitute.

There is an extraordinarily heavy weight behind these two words.

For a long time, many actors have used stand-ins to perform their roles, which is nothing wrong in itself. For example, Chin Kar-lok has been serving as a stand-in for dangerous stunts in Hong Kong for many years.

However, some actors themselves do not have enough ability, and rely heavily on stand-ins for a large number of shots. When the stand-ins contribute the most and most exciting performances, they end up without any honor at all.

When flowers and applause are given to those who deceive the world and steal fame, but you get nothing in return.

Noticing the gradually decreasing pressure on Gu Ming, Nakadai Tatsuya looked sideways slightly.

It looked like he was touched by something.

“Is it going to get better? Or is it going to get worse?”

Nakadai Tatsuya also did not know this.

(End of this chapter)