wavenovel Chapters 1452 and 1461: The money spent was absolutely worth it!!
Chapters 1452 and 1461: The money spent was absolutely worth it!!
Chapters 1452 and 1461: The money spent was absolutely worth it!!
The opening ceremony for "Fast & Furious" was broadcast live, so many Japanese people saw it on their evening programs.
"Isn't this a movie trailer or an advertisement or something?"
As one after another top-of-the-line luxury sports car pulled out, many viewers were surprised but couldn't help but wonder:
"Is it really just a launch ceremony?!"
The images on TV were truly stunning; even sitting in front of the TV, I could almost feel a slight vibration.
"If the pre-release hype is this amazing, what will the actual movie be like?!"
"It must be packed with special effects, right?!"
"Driving a car that seems to fly?"
"."
Naoki Nagayama had already demonstrated his pursuit of special effects in films like "Ghost" and "Jurassic Park," and the visuals in those films truly amazed audiences.
So even before filming began, people were already predicting the final special effects!
However, some people noticed other things:
"Forget the special effects, did you guys just recognize that supercar?!"
"It looks like a Ferrari or a Lamborghini."
"And there's the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. Seriously, is the Silver Spur even considered a sports car?!"
"I don't know, but it's definitely very expensive!"
"."
Similar conversations began to circulate among viewers when the live broadcast aired, and by the time the media reported on them the next day, the level of discussion had become comparable to entertainment headlines!
"The promotion for Naoki Nagayama this time is surprisingly high-profile. It's just a simple opening ceremony, but they're treating it like a movie shoot."
"Why don't I see any Toyotas?" "No GM cars either?" "Not even any Japanese cars!!"
"Naoki Nagayama is an unpatriotic guy!"
"Wasn't the movie initially planned just to prove a point, to tell Toyota and GM that they would be making a huge mistake not to hire him?"
"I see."
"."
At this moment, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and other car manufacturers who sponsored "Fast & Furious" all had smiles on their faces; they were naturally aware of the buzz surrounding the opening ceremony.
"As expected of Naoki Nagayama!"
Kohei Moriyama, president of Japan Ferrari, praised his subordinates.
"They actually managed to make people remember Ferrari from the very beginning!! That's amazing!"
"It's a pity there are other cars as well. If only there were Ferraris!"
Other sponsors, such as Kohei Kanazawa of Lamborghini and Karl-Heinz Schmidt of Porsche, were also very satisfied with their investment in TreeFriends.
This promotion is no less than what they've invested in advertising for a year!
This is the first time they've received such satisfactory service. The money they spent was definitely worth it!
Mr. Karl Heinz Schmidt further stated:
"I want to sponsor several more Porsches!! They'll definitely make the Porsches stand out even more in future film productions!"
"If only Porsches were in Fast & Furious!! The other cars are a bit of an eyesore!"
"."
The discussions reached Eiji Toyoda, who had come to the company.
Eiji Toyoda, of course, only found out about it when he saw the newspaper in the morning. As the head of a large corporation, he usually has invitations to dinner parties and social gatherings in the evenings, and he won't go home until he's drunk.
When I saw the report this morning, I glanced at the news and didn't think it was anything big. I just thought it was some kind of gimmick by tree enthusiasts.
"Why make such a big fuss over a mere opening ceremony? Does Naoki Nagayama have no other tricks up his sleeve?"
But when he arrived at the company, still feeling a bit hungover, he heard many people discussing the news.
Moreover, within Toyota's operations, he heard numerous references to keywords like "Ferrari," "Lamborghini," and "Aston Martin," which greatly displeased him, the head of Toyota.
Upon arriving at the office, he immediately called his assistant in.
"I listened to the employees talking about other cars the whole way, which made my hangover even worse. Hagiwara Kyohei, I'm really angry right now!"
"."
Hagiwara Kyohei lowered his head silently and explained in a low voice,
"In private Marseille, everyone's talking about the launch ceremony for the Tree Friends movie."
"Is it the news report?"
Eiji Toyoda frowned.
"It's just a launch ceremony; a lot of sports cars gathered there, what's the big deal?"
"The feeling might not be as obvious with pictures."
Hagiwara Kyohei quickly put the videotape he had brought into the office player and turned on the TV with the remote.
"If you were to see the images, they would be truly stunning."
Why the videotape? Don't underestimate the capabilities of an assistant to the chairman of a large company! Anticipating the chairman's needs is essential!
Eiji Toyoda didn't say much, but instead put on his glasses and started watching the videotape.
On the screen, hundreds of cars formed a circle, their engine sounds blending with the chanting of sutras.
The drumbeats became more rapid, and as top-of-the-line luxury cars appeared one by one, the scene was filled with mystery and divinity against the backdrop of the golden-red sunset and the smoke rising from the altar.
"."
After watching it, Eiji Toyoda was uncharacteristically silent for a few seconds, then couldn't help but sigh.
"Naoki Nagayama truly lives up to his reputation as an internationally renowned director!"
Even he was shocked by the scene. The image of the final series of top-of-the-line sports cars still seemed to linger in his mind. No wonder everyone else was talking about Ferraris and such.
This kind of publicity is arguably more effective than a year's worth of advertising for luxury cars!
"Other sports car brands really got a great deal!"
But after thinking about it, he became increasingly angry. Why weren't there any Toyota cars?!
Naoki Nagayama, you bought a Toyota Century! Why don't you show it off?!
Then he looked up at Hagiwara Kyohei:
"Kyohei Hagiwara, where's the director we contacted?! Where's our movie?! Why hasn't it been promoted yet?!"
"Forehead"
Hagiwara Kyohei was helpless.
"Director Kinji Fukasaku is still working on the script. The film production committee hasn't even been established yet, let alone casting and other follow-up tasks."
"?! What?!"
Eiji Toyoda's eyes widened.
"Still working on the script?!"
"Hi"
"Didn't you see that Naoki Nagayama has already started filming?! You're still working on the script?!"
Eiji Toyoda's anger finally found an outlet, and he roared loudly.
"Is Kinji Fukasaku an idiot?! What kind of great director is he?! So slow, he should be called Director Turtle!!!"
"."
Although the eldest brother was angry, Hagiwara Kyohei still had to say a few words in defense of Fukasaku Kinji:
"President, you really can't blame Director Fukasaku for this. He's already done his best to speed things up."
"As you know, a script can be completed in one or two months, which is considered fast. Not to mention the preparation work for a movie, which is usually considered fast even in a quarter!"
Eiji Toyoda was even angrier:
"Why is Naoki Nagayama's phone already on?!"
"."
As Hagiwara Kyohei had previously reported, Kiyu Pictures is known for its speed, and Naoki Nagayama is an exception, writing scripts on his own while also serving as director, producer, and other roles. As the head of Kiyu, his efficiency is naturally very high.
However, in order for his superior to understand this, Hagiwara Kyohei decided to use a method that he could understand:
"Chairman, think about it, if you personally supervised and directed the manufacturing of a car, wouldn't it be possible to produce a Toyota Century in just one month?!"
The Toyota Century is a top-of-the-line luxury car with many handcrafted parts. These luxurious components typically take one to two years to produce, but under Eiji Toyoda's personal supervision, it's indeed possible to build one in a month.
"Naoki Nagayama's status among tree enthusiasts is comparable to yours!"
In fact, Naoki Nagayama's status is higher. After all, Eiji Toyoda doesn't know anything about design, drawing, loading and unloading, assembly, or painting. He's just a businessman!
"This"
Eiji Toyoda paused for a moment, but after this analogy, he instantly felt he understood.
However, the anger in his heart had not subsided, and he could only say resentfully:
"Even for me, it would be difficult to manufacture a Toyota Century in a month; it would take at least a month and a half!"
"."
Hagiwara Kyohei was somewhat speechless, but he still maintained the demeanor of a subordinate and didn't want to embarrass his superior.
"Hi, it's because I don't understand the car manufacturing process enough."
After Eiji Toyoda calmed down, he rubbed his chin, feeling that it still wasn't working:
"No way! At Naoki Nagayama's current pace, we'll only be starting filming by the time his movie is released!"
"How can this be allowed?! Wouldn't that negate the purpose of the publicity?!"
"."
Hagiwara Kyohei immediately said,
"Should I go and urge Director Fukasaku to speed up the pace?"
"We definitely need to speed things up."
Eiji Toyoda nodded, and then said,
"We don't need the final product, but we need to produce something first, like trailers or promotional videos. We can't let Toyota be absent from the public eye during this period!"
"Hi, I'll go communicate with them!"
Meanwhile, General Motors' top management naturally noticed this as well, and all the pressure fell on Hideo Ohashi. He quickly went to Takeshi Kitano's office.
"Kitano-san! Naoki Nagayama has created such a grand spectacle, what about us? What about our film?!"
"I'm already very fast."
Takeshi Kitano shook his head and said...
"The script is all done, we're just looking for actors! How much faster do you want it to be?!"
Takeshi Kitano is also a creator, so he can write scripts faster than Kinji Fukasaku. However, he doesn't have the same resources as Naoki Nagayama in other aspects. He can't get all the actors to clear their schedules just for him.
"But the public opinion around him has already exploded!"
Hideo Ohashi was almost in tears. He knew the speed was fast, but the pressure was immense.
"We don't have any faith at all. Everyone in the company is saying that GM's presence in the automotive industry has disappeared!"
"Haha. That Naoki guy is too fast."
Takeshi Kitano smiled, then winked at Hideo Ohashi.
"So, if you want it to be faster, are you really not going to consider filming an action scene inside a car?!"
"In just a few days, we can let tens of millions of perverts in Japan experience the advantages of GM's top-of-the-line luxury cars!!"
"."
For a fleeting moment, Hideo Ohashi's heart actually wavered!
However, he immediately realized what was happening and shook his head repeatedly:
"No, no, Kitano-san, let's not talk about this! We build cars, not for this kind of thing!!"
"Tsk~"
Takeshi Kitano clicked his tongue, looking quite disappointed. He had never directed a special action film before, and he was eager to give it a try.
"If you don't want that, then we can only proceed step by step and wait for me to select the actors."
"."
Hideo Ohashi had no other choice, but he requested,
"Kitano-san, at least after the actors are cast, you need to hold a big-budget production launch event. The event should showcase GM's top-of-the-line sports cars."
"no problem!"
Yamazakura Inner Middle School~
"That's exactly what happened! With a whoosh, all the cars roared to life!!"
The roar of engines echoed along the coast; the scene was truly breathtaking!
Naoki Nagayama gesticulated wildly as he described the scene of thousands of cars roaring to life to Akina and Natsuka, telling them about the blessing ceremony at Daikoku Party. But neither of them paid any attention at the dinner table.
Xia Hua was eating heartily, devouring small wontons filled with meat, one after another, thoroughly enjoying herself. Hua Jiang had no aversion to Chinese food and found everything delicious.
Meanwhile, Akina was watching over Ren in the cradle. The little one was very restless in the crib after nursing, kicking and thrashing about. Akina couldn't even find a moment to eat!
Fortunately, Nonaka Mari arrived just in time and picked up the little one, walking around the living room, which freed Akina from her care.
"what"
Akina finally has time to talk to her husband.
"Naoki-san, please continue!"
"."
Naoki Nagayama sighed helplessly.
"Once she has a child, she forgets her husband. Women really are the most fickle of all!"
"Naoki-san!"
Akina watched helplessly as her husband put on his act.
"As expected, directors can all act. Is Naoki-san playing a resentful woman?"
"Ha! It's clear that beautiful women are the best actresses!"
"."
Akina was momentarily speechless, stammering...
"What a smooth talker! All he knows is how to sweet-talk!"
"Hahaha~"
At this moment, Xia Hua, having finished her small bowl of food, put down her spoon and looked at her arguing parents. "Sigh, these two don't eat properly; they've already finished their food."
"Mom, another bowl!!"
"Hey? You'll get full if you eat this much!"
Despite saying that, Akina still served Hana-chan steamed buns and other breakfast items.
Naoki Nagayama didn't care about such things and said to Natsuka,
"Don't listen to your mother. Japanese people are only thin and short because they don't eat much. You should eat more!"
"May she grow up to be tall and beautiful."
Xia Hua listened to her father's words and her face lit up with joy:
"Yes, grow taller!! Become prettier!!"
Then he started taking big bites of the steamed bun again!
Akina, on the other side, narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly offended!
Naoki Mulberry
"?!"
Seeing that a conflict was about to break out, Naoki Nagayama quickly grabbed a meat bun, stood up, and headed towards the entrance.
"Akina, Hana-chan, Daddy's going to work now. Filming starts today, so he'll be very busy for a while!"
"There's no need to rush, is there?"
Watching her husband walk out and start changing his shoes, Akina put aside her earlier complaints, stood up, and handed her wallet and car keys to Naoki Nagayama.
Have a safe trip!
"Haha, okay~~"
After saying that, taking advantage of the fact that no one else was watching, he leaned over and kissed Akina on the cheek!
"Oh! Naoki-san!"
Akina felt both embarrassed and a little disgusted, but she still watched Naoki Nagayama's figure disappear through the door, and then she heard the dog's farewell barking and the sound of a car engine.
Filming for "Fast & Furious" has already begun, and today, Naoki Nagayama is heading to the filming location in Ota Ward.
Anyway, I hope everything goes well!
(End of this chapter)