Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 351: Continue to shake people
In fact, Roberto Carlos really wanted to call security.

But thinking about how his assistant was just slapped and pushed ten meters away, Robert Carlos rationally chose to communicate with Gu Ming calmly.

At this moment, his face was calm and he didn't look angry at all.

"From what I understand, this movie was produced by Golden Harvest USA. Golden Harvest USA is just a subsidiary. How can they boast in front of the head office?"

"Golden Harvest USA has been authorized to handle all films shot in the United States! I am a director invited by Golden Harvest USA, so of course I have the right to shoot in this way."

"Yeah."

Gu Ming knew how to deal with these Americans.

"Then I'll have no choice but to file a lawsuit against the insurance company on behalf of my friend, alleging that the director deliberately interfered with the quality of the film, which resulted in unsatisfactory box office results. I'll also lodge a complaint with the Directors Guild..."

With a sound of Kaba, Robert Carlos broke the thing in his hand into two pieces.

This is nonsense!
This kind of thing is definitely not okay!
Unions are scary!

Many things in the United States are so unique: they follow the rules, but they cannot follow the rules.

Actors who join a union can enjoy a certain degree of protection, and big productions will give priority to unionized actors.

When unions aren't involved, they're prioritized for smaller productions, as the lack of a union means lower pay. However, on larger productions, if there's no union, insurance companies won't insure the film. Without insurance, accidents are inevitable.

Especially in many war films, where fireworks are set off intensely and there may even be accidental casualties, a film can easily go to waste if it is not insured.

So unions are of great help to people working in the United States, both positively and negatively.

Roberto Carlos was just a director of some reputation, not a big shot on Chaplin's level. Naturally, he had to follow the rules of the Directors Guild!

Cheng Long, who was standing by, was so fascinated by what he heard that he asked the translator.

"What did Gu Sheng say again? Why did that foreigner suddenly listen to him?"

"Forehead……"

The translator was scratching his head.

"I don't really understand the details, but it's probably one of their companies or something. Because of things like that, the director doesn't dare to speak too harshly."

Cheng Long understood.

Awesome, brother!

Seeing that Robert Carlos had finally calmed down, Gu Mingfang smiled and said, "So now we can talk peacefully? It's true that I'm here to visit the set, but when we encounter something unfair, we have to stand up."

After saying that, Gu Ming pulled over a chair and sat down opposite Robert Carlos.

"I heard you've worked with Bruce Lee before. He's a truly amazing action actor who brought a new style to Hollywood. But in many cases, Bruce Lee is Bruce Lee, and others are different."

"The camera is coming from such a distance that we can't see the actors' full view. If it's a super long shot, one person taking on a hundred people, then of course there's no problem and the camera can be moved that way. But just now it was just a fight with two killers in a mansion. If we can't shoot it up close, then the audience won't be able to see the actors' movements in the final film."

"An action movie, how can you call it action if you can't even see the moves clearly? Besides, as an action actor, your uniqueness lies in fighting differently from others. Now you're pulling the camera so far away like you would for a large-scale scene, and then you're making him use American boxing techniques... then is he still himself?"

Robert rubbed his face and felt extremely sour.

After a long while, Robert Carlos asked, "What do you do for a living?"

"Oh, Industrial Light & Magic seconded me to be an action director. I'm currently employed by Mr. George Lucas to design the action scenes for the new Star Wars movie."

Roberto Carlos could only sigh.

That's fine! We're professionals!

Although he was a little unconvinced, thinking about the look on his assistant's face just now, Robert Carlos chose to remain silent calmly.

Easily beaten.

Cheng Long didn't beat him not because he couldn't beat him, but because Cheng Long was told before leaving not to get angry with the foreigner.

Otherwise, Cheng Long would have kicked the director from Biyang away long ago.

Seeing Gu Ming go to talk to Cheng Long, Robert Carlos felt extremely complicated.

In the 1970s, he was still very famous in the American action film industry, after all, he directed Bruce Lee's films.

But now, Robert Carlos really doesn't like to hear such words.

Seeing that the assistant finally came back, Robert Carlos hurried forward.

"How is it? Did you find out? Is what this person said true?" "Yes, it's true!" The assistant gasped, "I asked a few friends by phone, and they said that 20th Century Fox had invested in a Japanese movie called Shadow Samurai, and George Lucas was one of the investors. This person is called Furia Akira, a Japanese, the assistant director and protagonist of Shadow Samurai. He is said to be a famous actor in Japan. In addition..."

There is another thing I want to say, but I don’t know whether I should say it or not.

"This guy was the best actor at the previous Cannes Film Festival in France."

Roberto Carlos: ...

I am really impressed by that.

The three major European film festivals have a huge influence. Perhaps they are not as famous as the Oscars, but in the 1980s, no one can ignore the three major European film festivals.

The film won the Palme d'Or, the actors were top-notch, and they were no outsiders, having such intricate connections with emerging Hollywood companies.

Roberto Carlos could only sigh.

What else can I do? I can only listen obediently!
……

……

It was a rare opportunity to rest, and Cheng Long was both surprised and relieved.

I've been tortured to death by American directors these days, and finally I can stop.

Outside the set, the two sat down in a fast food restaurant and talked, and Cheng Long complained bitterly.

"You don't understand, these foreigners don't know anything about this. How can I shoot with such third-rate action design guidance? Please! I don't need their guidance at all!"

Gu Ming deeply agreed: "In this kind of action, Hong Kong is naturally more powerful. This is supposedly Golden Harvest's business, and I, as an outsider, have no right to question it. I just find it incredible that Golden Harvest has given the American branch such great power."

Cheng Long is not quite sure about the reason for this.

Gu Ming didn't ask any more questions. After the two of them showed off their largest beef burgers, Gu Ming explained his purpose.

"As I mentioned before, I've been invited to Industrial Light & Magic to help design a set of action sequences. I didn't expect you'd also be filming in the US. Why don't you visit them sometime?"

"I'm always free! Americans shoot very quickly. This scene will be finished in three or four days. Then I can come over to take a look at you."

Cheng Long was still very satisfied with this.

Americans are also very efficient in filming, and a movie can be completed in half a month.

Of course, it was a Hollywood-style assembly-line film, without too many special effects.

The special effects blockbusters of later generations would take at least a year or two to shoot.

Gu Mingduo said a few more words: "Actually, if possible, it would be no problem to get a few friends you know to come over. Just give me the airfare. These Westerners haven't seen any good ones. Find a few more martial arts directors who are good at action choreography to open their eyes."

Cheng Long slapped his thigh.

What are you talking about! We are all good friends, how can I ask you to pay for my help? Look, I will call some people from Hong Kong for you!

Is Yuen Woo-ping enough? Is Liu Jiaren enough? What? I can't even pull it out? Well, there's no other way. I have to call my senior brother, Sammo Hung.

Gu Ming also slapped his thigh.

Good, good! This time, things are definitely settled! Give the Americans something good to eat!

A little further away, the fast food restaurant staff were shocked.

Alas, no.

How come there are still LGBT in 1980!
Manager, come out and watch two hunks slap each other’s thighs!
……

When they parted in the evening, Cheng Long saw the sneaky little translator when he returned.

"If you have something to say, just say it directly instead of hiding it."

"Um, Brother Long, this is what happened. After you left, I was planning to go talk to Director Robert, but when I went over, I heard them talking."

The young translator hesitated to speak, and Cheng Long couldn't help but slap his thigh.

If you speak so rudely, you'll easily get beaten!
The young translator racked his brains to explain: "They said that person seemed to have made an amazing movie and won a great award! What was it? The Cannes Film Festival in France!"

Cheng Long said "oh".

It's just an award, quite normal. He even won an award from his master when he was learning his craft.

After I get someone to come over, I'll ask him what level of award the French Cannes Award is. It should be similar to the award certificate he received when he was a child!
(End of this chapter)