Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 346: Learning from the Demons to Conquer America

"This is the ultimate device we've painstakingly researched over the past two years! Using this, we can synthesize the world's most advanced special effects!"

Marcus introduced the big guy in front of him solemnly with a solemn tone.

Gu Ming's eyes were not on the machine, but looking to the side along the machine's cable.

There's something attached over there.

computer.

Yes, it's a computer.

It's made by IBM and has a big trademark on it.

This device relies on computers for calculations and driving.

And it's not just one computer, but more than a dozen computers.

Gu Ming didn't even need Marcus to explain, he knew what this device in front of him, which was almost half the size of the room, was used for.

Industrial Light & Magic used this thing to synthesize various special effects including spaceships.

This kind of special effect has, of course, appeared a long time ago. Wangu was not the original creator, nor was he the first to use it. It’s just that Japan is the best at using optical special effects.

The principle is just like photographic masking. After shooting multiple layers of images, they are manually combined into the same frame for playback.

Before Industrial Light & Magic, special effects professionals around the world had to adjust them manually, which resulted in extremely high labor costs.

Industrial Light & Magic used this machine, programmed it through a computer, and like later CNC machine tools, used electronic equipment to make finer adjustments, which was faster and more stable than manual adjustments in terms of both speed and quality.

It was also with the help of this equipment that Industrial Light & Magic produced a large number of special effects shots in Star Wars, creating classic scenes in film history.

The sight of a spaceship passing overhead was enough to deeply shock any moviegoer in 1978.

It was just like the space elevator in The Wandering Earth that Gu Ming saw in 2024.

That was a shock that cannot be described in words.

While visiting, Gu Ming approached Niemoto Tatsumi and whispered a few words to him.

"Watch carefully, study hard, and remember as much as you can."

Erjia Bentatsumi nodded.

"We can't learn something this expensive, but since they don't care about some of the techniques, we will learn them."

Gu Ming secretly pinched his fingers.

On the other hand, you can't boost others' morale and destroy your own prestige.

Even though the equipment is so advanced, Industrial Light & Magic is just a special effects company after all, so there is one problem that can never be solved.

In George Lucas's vision, the lightsaber originally had a lot of moves, and with the help of the Force, it should have had some very cool moves.

But, it can't be done.

Because the United States does not have good martial arts directors and knows nothing about action design.

Until the 21st century, except for a very few blockbusters, most American action movies have made zero contribution to action design.

Negative lift.

It's even worse than when Hong Kong people first arrived in the United States in the 1990s.

This is probably why George Lucas invited him.

Afterwards, Gu Ming and Marcus toured the parts of Industrial Light & Magic that were open to the public.

As for the parts that cannot be seen, those are real business secrets, so Gu Ming won't embarrass himself.

It's just inevitable that I care a little.

It was not until the evening when they checked into their hotel that Gu Ming suddenly sat up, which scared Tatsumi Niemoto.

"computer."

"what?"

"We need a computer! No, at least two, three! Buy them from IBM! That thing is too important!"

Gu Ming slapped his thigh.

A computer is a must!
It’s not for playing games, after all, there are not many games now.

In terms of productivity, the improvement provided by computers is not comparable to that of the human brain.

He made a mental note of it.

The two families were already about to speak but stopped.

He didn't know anything about computers, so he wanted to ask Gu Ming.

Why are you patting my legs again!
……

……

George Lucas certainly didn't ask Gu Ming to come here for sightseeing. After the tour, he took a day off and officially started work the next day.

A script was delivered to Gu Ming.

The script was in pure English, and Gu Ming found it somewhat difficult to read. With his level of English proficiency, he could only understand part of it.

Fortunately, there is Marcus.

This high-level Japanese elite has a bilingual level that is a hundred times higher than Tatsumi Niemoto's than Gu Ming.

"This is about the sword fight scene between the two sides in the sequel."

"That's right. The lightsabers used by both sides have completely different styles and shapes. For example, this lightsaber is held like this, similar to a samurai sword, but this lightsaber is a double-edged sword."

Gu Ming responded, listening to Marcus read the script while closing his eyes and thinking about the possible action design brought about by this weapon.

People in later generations often complain that the design of the lightsaber is not very reasonable. After all, this thing does look quite outrageous.

However, the official has also made patches. The lightsaber is essentially a piece of light particles bound by an energy field, so it cannot extend to dozens of meters. At the same time, because it is a weapon controlled by the Force, it can collide like a physical weapon.

Hey! Maybe someone will say it.

Since there are so many patches added, why not use physical weapons to fight?
nonsense.

Even if other weapons were used, it would still be Star Wars!
Isn’t it Star Wars because of the lightsabers?

"So it's essentially a katana versus a double-edged sword, right? But..."

Gu Ming couldn't help scratching his head.

By the way, the two-handed sword moves are also very beautiful!

A two-handed sword, as the name suggests, is one sword held in both hands, rather than two swords in each hand.

This is called 'Mantis Flying Through the Trees', which had been lost until it was rediscovered by the famous swordsman 'Yu Chenghui'. He also posted the fighting method online, and Gu Ming also learned some of it.

Gu Ming thought for a moment before standing up.

"Do you have a lightsaber?"

"Yes sir, yes."

Marcus quickly brings over the two lightsabers from the series.

Gu Ming was shocked when he saw it.

He did think about how Industrial Light & Magic achieved the lightsaber effect, for example, the lightsaber is actually a handle, and special effects are applied later.

Take a look at the results now.

It's actually a fluorescent tube...

Flipping the switch glows fluorescent green, and it really does look like a lightsaber.

Gu Ming weighed it twice and found it not suitable for him, so he threw it to Nijia Ben Tatsumi.

Seeing that the two people didn't care about the props and threw them around, Marcus was frightened.

Be careful! Be careful! This is a light bulb, not a compressed towel!

If it’s broken, you have to redo it!

"How much do you know about kendo?"

"Understand a little!"

"Try swinging it twice."

"no problem!"

Nijiaben Tatsumi clenched the sword with both hands, took a deep breath, suddenly shouted, and chopped down fiercely.

Gu Ming was stunned: "No more?"

Nijiaben Tatsumi spread his hands and said, "No more!"

"What kind of swordsmanship are you?"

"Sama-manifestation flow!"

"Oh, that's okay."

Gu Ming had no choice but to ask for the light bulb back.

The Satsuma Jigenryu style involves raising your weapon and greeting the New Year while shouting loudly. It might be useful in combat, but it's clearly not suitable for filming.

"So, after all, some fancy moves are still needed."

Gu Ming stood up.

The Samosa-shih-ch'uan-liu approach won't work, he has to do it himself.

(End of this chapter)