After the meeting on September 17, the "Gathering of Famous Actors" plan planned by Ning Weimin was officially implemented.
The people participating in the production meeting are all veterans in the Japanese film industry. They work together as a group, and the power of the network cannot be underestimated.
Japan is also a human society. Since everyone works in the same industry, it is inevitable for each other to have three or five friends. Under the same conditions, it is an unspoken rule for friends to take care of each other.
Although this does not mean that if they come forward, they will definitely be able to get things done and successfully convince the big-name actors selected at the meeting to agree to star in this drama.
However, they can pass on the information in a timely manner through some of their personal relationships, or directly meet with me on behalf of Fog Film Studio to have a face-to-face conversation and ask about the other party's intentions and schedule, which is not a problem.
This is already a great convenience, and it can also be regarded as a privilege brought by seniority.
You know, most people are worried about even contacting these famous actors, let alone contacting them like this.
Just like Ning Weimin, he couldn't contact the "Asian Sugar King" Guo family no matter how hard he tried. It was not because he was not well-known in the business world and was just a little transparent.
Otherwise, where would there be so much right and wrong now?
As for Keiko Matsumoto, as the owner of Fog Studio, she must make full use of her network resources.
She immediately went with Ning Weimin to meet the president of Shochiku Pictures, Omoto Omoto, and made a request to use Shochiku's stars to make a TV series.
The specific negotiation process is also very interesting.
Because their request far exceeded the other party's expectations, when they submitted a role request, President Rao Shiqimoto, as one of the leaders of the "Big Five", glanced at it and was so shocked that he almost dropped his eyes.
On the ground.
"What? Is this the actor you requested? You named Atsumi Kiyo and Chieko Beisho to star in the TV series produced by Fog Studio?"
"Yes, please allow me, President." Keiko Matsumoto nodded her thanks with a smile on her face.
"But, you just let them play supporting roles, but they are still villains? This...isn't good? I'm afraid it will affect their image."
Faced with President Omoto's questioning, Matsumoto Keiko tilted her head and smiled.
"I'm not happy when you say that. I haven't played enough negative roles. Why didn't you consider my image in the first place?"
These words made the president feel really uncomfortable.
"You are different from them. Their roles are almost stereotyped, but your acting skills are enough to make you qualified for any role."
"Thank you, then I'll take it as a good word. However, don't you think it would be more interesting to occasionally let them try roles that are quite different from their original images. I think the audience is used to seeing them always Sakura and Torajiro, and occasionally
That’s what you’re looking forward to.”
Matsumoto Keiko's words made President Omoto couldn't help but smile bitterly. Sometimes he really had no choice but to deal with his career "daughter".
However, what was even more unexpected was that Matsumoto Keiko next told him even more shocking news.
"To tell you the truth, there are really no good people in this TV series. Even my character is an unscrupulous, greedy and cunning 'evil woman'. And I don't just want to invite them to play the bad guys. According to our ideas,
The famous actors Mikuni Rentaro, Sugawara Bunta, and Tomiji Junko are also people we want to invite. They will also play bad guys. Don't you still think it's impossible?"
"What?" President Omoto was dumbfounded.
Of course, he knew these names. Each of them had been a pillar in the "Big Five", either a movie queen or a movie king, and they all had their own series of classic films.
Everyone has a name in Japanese film history and can be responsible for a movie's box office.
"But... but using them to star... your production costs... I'm afraid you will have to bear a lot of pressure. Have you considered this? Are you talking to me in my sleep?"
President Akimoto looked at Matsumoto Keiko with suspicion, waiting for her confirmation.
It's not that he doesn't want to believe it, the key is how much a drama costs to produce and how much it costs to sell to a TV station. Everyone in the industry knows this.
As a production company, it is difficult to make money from television sets, let alone the fact that she does not consider the cost on the cast.
This kind of economic cost is not rational at all. Letting them star in the same TV series is simply an unprecedented luxury, and it is like burning money on fire.
Although the crew of "Black Leather Notepad" cannot start filming without actors.
Then he doesn't think Matsumoto Keiko has to take this step unless she shoots a phenomenal work in one fell swoop.
But how easy is that?
However, Keiko Matsumoto insisted on her attitude.
"Yes, I have already thought about this. For this TV series, I will also organize the most gorgeous cast just like making a movie. Of course, the salary will not make it difficult for you. I leave everything to you.
We really hope to have these two friends, Songzhu, join us. We believe that with their superb acting skills and fame, they will bring more attractions to the drama to attract the audience."
"What? You're too optimistic. Let me tell you, good actors don't necessarily mean a good drama will be made. It still depends on the reaction of the performance and the compatibility with each other. Anyway, they don't need to play the leading role, so you might as well consider it.
Consider the ordinary actors under Shochiku..."
President Omoto couldn't believe his ears and continued to persuade him.
Of course, Ning Weimin knew that he had good intentions, so he helped to provide additional explanations.
"President Omoto, your opinions are based on experience. Thank you very much for your kindness. However, we also have our own considerations regarding our current situation. You should know that we are being targeted by the burning entertainment agency, right? So we are now
What is needed more is actually not to make profitable dramas, but to let everyone know that Wu Studio has hard power and can definitely complete the works it wants to make. It is by no means a mere entertainment agency.
It can be banned. In the Japanese entertainment industry, no one can use artists to coerce us."
This was quite reasonable, and the president was stunned for a moment, then sighed.
"I can understand your feelings. In fact, we at Songzhu have long been dissatisfied with these new entertainment agencies. Regardless of the cooperative relationship between us and the standpoint of being both traditional actors, I should support you.
I also hope that you can succeed and make those who look down on our studio look good. But the problem is, whether this method succeeds or fails, it will definitely require a huge economic price. Do you think it is really worth it?"
President Omoto spoke from his heart.
You know, compared to records and movies, which traditional singers and actors mainly rely on, television has a huge advantage in attracting audiences.
The music carried by records has a certain lag, and you can only listen to it after it is played by radio and television.
The images in the movie are not sufficient and the time is too short.
There is no doubt that from any perspective, as long as you are a member of the studio, you should hate those new companies that rely on idols and almost dominate the TV screen.
It was they who took the audience that originally belonged to the film studio away from the cinema, and that made the studio's life so difficult.
But the problem is that nowadays, new types of studios are more prosperous than traditional studios. To a certain extent, even TV stations have been kidnapped by them.
In this kind of confrontation, in President Omoto’s view, Kiri Productions really doesn’t have much chance of winning.
And his hesitation was just because he was really worried about the financial situation of Fog Studios.
But it doesn't matter if he doesn't have confidence, because Ning Weimin has more to say.
"President, let me say a few more words. In terms of finance, you don't have to worry about it. Frankly speaking, although the cost of this drama has greatly exceeded the budget, we also think it is worth the money. After all, it can bring so many stars together, so naturally
It’s good for ratings.”
"In addition, we also have a response strategy. We will not count on the Japanese market alone. Overseas markets are also channels for cost recovery, especially China. I am certain that we can send this drama to be broadcast. Although due to institutional reasons
, broadcasting in the Republic will not generate much direct income. But I also have ways to exchange interests in other aspects, and I will definitely not suffer a loss. Please be assured of this."
"If you still think it's not enough, then I have a better proposal. For example, we can further increase business cooperation and make more money together. To be honest, I recently brought back several copies of Chinese movies from the Republic.
, one of them participated in the competition for this Tokyo Film Festival. And Keiko also got several copies from France. Although they are all old movies, they all have commercial selling points, and almost all of them star big stars. In addition, there are
There are cartoon movies. I think if Shochiku is willing to use two or three small halls of multiplex theaters to play these movies, it will effectively make up for the current lack of film sources. As for our losses in filming dramas, we can also make up for it through profits.
"
That’s not all, Matsumoto Keiko also added later.
"President, in fact, the video tape market is also worth looking forward to. I think the video tape craze has just begun, and this home entertainment model will become more popular in the future. It may be difficult for us to directly recover the cost now, but sooner or later we will realize profits. So at present,
We are more focused on the influence of this drama. After all, it is Fog Studio’s first attempt at filming a TV series. It must be successful, otherwise we will never be able to film a TV series again in the future.”
So the president was forced to remain silent again.
He lowered his head and thought about it, and now he understood the necessity of their move better.
I really admire their courage, I didn’t expect them to think very carefully.
Indeed, China is a market with as many as one billion viewers.
For Chinese people like Ning Weimin, if the broadcast channels are really opened up, there will be countless benefits, which should be enough to make up for the production costs in Japan.
Moreover, the film sources brought back by Ning Weimin and Matsumoto Keiko are indeed a way for theaters to increase profits. It is at least worth trying. It doesn't cost him much anyway, so why not?
As for the future of the video tape market, he is not so optimistic, but Matsumoto Keiko's perspective on the problem is not wrong.
The first TV series really cannot fail, otherwise it will damage the credibility too much.
If Fog Studio's TV series fails this time, not to mention ending the current good cooperative relationship with TBS, other TV stations will also lose their basic sense of trust in them.
What's more, Fog Studio was able to think of this method and didn't ask for help in terms of filming funds. At least it proved that they had enough financial ability to meet the filming needs.
Thinking about it, it seems that since the beginning of their establishment, every work they have produced has been a large-scale production that exceeds specifications.
Now it seems that "Li Xianglan" may have become the lowest-cost movie, which is incredible.
In short, he is really looking forward to an alliance that can spend billions of yen to make movies, as well as a partner who can import film sources.
At least it's a good thing for Shochiku, as it can have big-budget movies to screen without having to invest its own money.
So he really had nothing to suggest, "Okay, now that you have given it full consideration, I have nothing to say. As for the movie screening just mentioned, let's talk about it first.
, let’s talk about other things.”
"Thank you, President, for your support." Seeing that her goal was finally achieved, Matsumoto Keiko finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, President Okumoto was not so quick to agree, "Don't thank me so early. If you need people right away, I can't help it. We still have to discuss some details. For example, the schedule and shooting time, what do you have?
Do you want to ask for it?"
These words were as they should be, and Matsumoto Keiko immediately made a considerate gesture.
"How can I force someone to do something difficult? Of course, it's mainly based on Shochiku's schedule. I also know that they are filming the new movie "The Pain of Men". If possible, can we invite them to join our crew when the movie is finished? As for the filming time,
Judging from their scenes, thirty days should be enough."
"Well, that's no problem. You're also lucky. The 39th episode of the "Man's Pain" series, which will be filmed in the second half of this year, is progressing smoothly. Director Yamada is expected to finish filming one month in advance, that is to say, around early October.
The filming will be completed and the editing process will begin. Okay, how about waiting another twenty days? They should be able to report to your crew."
"Thank you so much!" Matsumoto Keiko nodded again, feeling more stable this time.
At the same time, she also expected that if the other party suddenly became easy to talk to, he would probably have some additional conditions. After all, this is how it is in the industry. A good deal is to make each other successful.
Sure enough, just as she smiled politely, President Omoto also spoke.
"I also have a request, would you please consider it?"
"Please tell me."
"Since you have invited Torajiro and Sakura from Shochiku away, can you also arrange for a heroine in this drama? She is Kumiko Akiyoshi who may join Shochiku recently. Her reputation and acting skills are passable? She also has good looks.
It’s very beautiful. If I want to cultivate it, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Matsumoto Keiko didn't expect such a request.
Judging from President Omoto's tone, his attitude has obviously changed.
From the initial hesitation and resistance, now I want to go through the back door to squeeze people into the crew and actively take the express train.
The reason is obviously because of Fog Studio's heavy investment and recruitment of well-known actors, which allowed him to see a promising future worth looking forward to.
She thought about it and realized it wasn't difficult.
Currently, the female characters to be determined by the crew include the waitress Chengjiang, the female publicist Bozi who is jealous of the heroine, and the home nanny who inquires for the heroine.
No matter what, I should be able to find a suitable role for Akiyoshi Kumiko.
So I agreed without hesitation.
And in addition, she also has more optimistic expectations for the announcement of this matter.
Because even our president was surprised like this, this news must be as frightening as an exploding bomb for the Japanese entertainment industry as a whole!