wavenovel Chapters 1482 and 1491: What if someone discovers it's a counterfeit?!
Chapters 1482 and 1491: What if someone discovers it's a counterfeit?!
Chapters 1482 and 1491: What if someone discovers it's a counterfeit?!
What do you do when you infiltrate an organization and are discovered to be a fraud?
Of course, you should drag the person who recruited you into this mess!
Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki are facing just such a problem today!
The two, who were new to acting, knew absolutely nothing about how to perform, except for their two previous impromptu performances. This was clearly exposed during their next two acting performances!
After several takes, Naoki Nagayama suspended filming.
"Huh? These two people."
Naoki Nagayama was somewhat puzzled.
"Why is your acting so stiff? Your lines are also very flat."
He looked at Matsuo Muneo, who was controlling the console:
"Matsuo-kun, weren't these two doing really well before?!"
"."
At this moment, Matsuo Muneo appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, he was filled with panic and guilt. However, it was precisely at times like these that he must not show it.
"Ah, those two just got promoted from extras, and now they're facing an internationally renowned director like Naoki-san. They're probably nervous!"
Upon hearing this explanation, which sounded like flattery, Naoki Nagayama seemed to agree that this was the reason.
"There's some truth to that."
Naoki Nagayama nodded, and then spoke to Muneo Matsuo again.
"Matsuo-kun, go and reassure them, and get them to perform at their usual level as soon as possible."
"Our filming schedule was very tight, and we didn't have much time for them to adjust!"
"Let's shoot the next scene first~"
"I'm fine!"
Upon hearing this, Matsuo Muneo immediately assured him.
"We will definitely complete the mission."
After handing the console to Nishimoto Tomoyuki, Matsuo Muneo quickly pulled the two of them to a secluded corner.
"Shimomura, Ishizaki, what's wrong with you two?! Didn't we tell you before that you were going to perform well and bring me glory?!"
"."
Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki exchanged a glance, their lips twitched slightly, but they ultimately decided to tell the truth.
They discovered that it was very easy to see whether they had any real talent or not under the camera's lens!
"Ahem. Mr. Matsuo."
Hidetoshi Shimomura began,
"Actually, neither of us has any acting experience."
"I know that, you guys are extras!"
Matsuo Muneo thought the two were talking about their past experiences as extras.
"But you two have acting talent, right? Your performances in the previous two scenes were so good that even Naoki praised you!"
"."
After a pause, the rather honest Satoshi Ishizaki finally spoke.
"That was just a coincidence, Matsuo-kun."
Then, he introduced the two of them to the film crew in order to secretly film spoilers. They caught Matsuo Muneo's eye because they hadn't read the script and were genuinely frightened by the car. In Osaka, they were almost pulled off the car by a ring-shaped group.
"That's how it is. By sheer coincidence, the two of us went from paparazzi to actors."
At this moment, Matsuo Muneo, who was listening to all of this, felt dizzy and the world seemed to be spinning!
He actually recommended two real paparazzi to Naoki Nagayama! And he even assured Nagayama that these two were acting geniuses?!
"!!!"
"Matsuo-san, Director Matsuo."
Hidetoshi Shimomura quickly helped the swaying Matsuo Muneo to his feet.
"A bandage?! Are you alright?! Should we go to the hospital?"
Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki cared deeply about Muneo Matsuo; without him, the two of them would definitely be in big trouble!
At this moment, Matsuo Muneo's mind was racing.
If Naoki Nagayama were to find out this, his vision, his image, his reputation, his future—the thought of becoming a laughingstock in the entertainment industry filled Muneo Matsuo with despair.
"no!!"
Matsuo Muneo suddenly grabbed their arms and growled menacingly.
"This matter must absolutely not be known to a fourth person!!"
"You two are just extras! Do you understand?!"
"."
Hidetoshi Shimomura paused, somewhat frightened by Matsuo Muneo's reddened eyes, but still spoke:
"But...you can't hide something like acting from Director Naoki."
"wrong."
Matsuo Souo murmured to himself,
"No, no, there must be a way!! There must be a way to get through this!"
"You two are paparazzi, aren't you?! You're a perfect fit for the role! You'll definitely find a way!"
"Come think about it with me!!"
"If you can't think of a solution, let's all commit seppuku together!!"
"."
Sure enough, once you involve your own problem with your superior's interests, the problem becomes a problem for both of you!
At this point, in order to protect himself, Matsuo Muneo had no choice but to desperately try to find a way for Shimomura Hidetoshi and Ishizaki Satoshi.
After reviewing the previous performances, Matsuo Muneo found a possible key:
"Based on your previous performances and your explanations, it's clear that you two understand the characters' thoughts and have ideas for the performance, but you can't express them in front of the camera, right?!"
"Hi"
Hidetoshi Shimomura nodded.
"Having worked as a paparazzi before, I know what they do—they have to be sneaky. But on camera, they're all out in the open. This makes us feel uncomfortable."
"It's like when you're peeing and someone's watching you; it makes you really nervous."
Upon hearing this, Matsuo Muneo had a sudden inspiration and connected several clues.
"Yes, that's right!"
He slapped his thigh.
"Method acting! Method acting!! The requirements of the scenes and the characters didn't match. That's why they performed poorly!"
"Naoki-san will definitely accept this explanation!"
Matsuo Muneo began to walk.
"But how are they supposed to perform?! With hidden cameras?"
"It's alright, they're paparazzi after all. So as long as we present the reason, let's see if Naoki-san can discover their true nature!"
"That works! That works! We've passed this hurdle for now!"
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at the two of them.
"I'm going to tell Naoki-san that you two wait here!!"
Hi~~ X2
In the director's area, Naoki Nagayama was somewhat surprised after hearing the reason from Muneo Matsuo:
"You mean, they both completely immersed themselves in the role of paparazzi, and felt that their scenes in the script didn't fit, so their performances were stiff?!"
"Yes!"
Matsuo Muneo forced himself to remain calm.
"They are both method actors. They rely entirely on their talent to seriously learn from paparazzi. After putting themselves in the shoes of paparazzi, they felt that this shouldn't be what paparazzi should be like, so they couldn't act well!"
"Oh?! Not like a paparazzi?"
Naoki Nagayama was genuinely curious, since he had written the script. But come to think of it, he had always been the one photographed by paparazzi, and had never really put himself in the paparazzi's shoes.
At this moment, Naoki Nagayama recalled an anecdote from the filming of "The Hobbit".
It is said that when the white wizard Saruman was stabbed in the back on the tower, the director's script originally required him to struggle, scream, and cry out in pain.
However, the actor playing the role told him that when someone is stabbed in the back, they can't scream because he had practiced it during World War II and the enemy he stabbed couldn't make a sound!
So the director quickly adjusted the script. You have to listen to what a ruthless person like him says!
"Is this what they mean by 'practice makes perfect'?"
Naoki Nagayama laughed.
"Then call them over, I want to ask them... what exactly should paparazzi be like!"
Matsuo Muneo responded and soon brought over Shimomura Hidetoshi and Ishizaki Satoshi.
Seeing the two of them looking somewhat timid, Naoki Nagayama felt that they were very similar to the paparazzi he had encountered before, and instantly believed that the two were experiential learners.
He inquired in a kind tone:
"Shimomura-kun and Ishizaki-kun, Director Matsuo just said that you think the paparazzi scenes in the script are a bit unrealistic."
So what do you think a paparazzi should really be like?!
"."
The two might not be sure about other roles, but when it comes to paparazzi, Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki immediately became very confident!
"Paparazzi must always be avoided!" "Always have a camera in your hand!" "The distance shouldn't be too close or too far." "Avoid conflicts!" "Staking out, staking out is very important." "Years of dark circles under the eyes." "It's impossible to be completely natural in front of the camera."
Listening to their explanations, Naoki Nagayama was quite satisfied. It seemed these two had genuinely put in the effort to learn; otherwise, they couldn't have described the paparazzi's lives so vividly and concretely.
And he definitely immersed himself in the role; he truly is an experiential learner!
"Good! Very good. It seems my understanding of paparazzi as a director is still quite shallow and needs improvement."
Naoki Nagayama nodded, granting the two paparazzi a special privilege.
"You can offer your own suggestions for your upcoming scenes. As long as the plot remains coherent, I allow you to add lines and modify your performances."
"Alright. I'll give you all a day off today. Go and get ready. We'll film your scenes again tomorrow!"
"Hi!" X2
When the two of them finally reached a quiet corner, they both breathed a sigh of relief, and even Matsuo Muneo relaxed a lot.
However, seeing that no one was around, he immediately grabbed their arms, his tone becoming firm again:
"You two can't relax!! You still have to be on camera tomorrow!"
"Memorize your lines quickly. I'm coming tonight for special acting training!!"
"From now on, I'll give you both special training before filming any scenes!! No matter what, you two must maintain your perfect personas until filming wraps up!!"
"You two absolutely cannot be found out that you're both imposters, understand?!"
Hi~ X2
"If you two are exposed, I'll also be looked down upon by Naoki-san."
Matsuo Muneo said in a threatening tone,
"I'll make you pay! Let me tell you, I know a lot of yakuza bosses! I can send you swimming in Tokyo Bay in no time! Got it?!"
"Hi!! (voice cracks)"
Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki felt that today had been incredibly difficult for them, after saying so much...
"Alright! Don't leave after we're done working!"
After giving him further instructions, Matsuo Muneo hurriedly left. He was the assistant director of the film crew and had a lot to do!
After some hesitation, Hidetoshi Shimomura and Satoshi Ishizaki, who were left behind, also mingled among the extras of the film crew and waited silently.
In the previously deserted corner, the door to the evacuation passage suddenly opened. Kijima quietly stepped out.
"Yohohoho~~"
Kijima Kyō's lips curled slightly as he put his gold Rolex back on.
"I never expected that taking a break to smoke would lead to such explosive news."
"The genius actor I personally recommended turned out to be a fraud?! He was trying to fool Naoki-san?"
"Matsuo-kun, I've got your secret covered!"
"Yo ho ho ho"
In the Prime Minister's official residence in Nagata-cho, Shuichi Itō was confidently recommending it to Tagako Doi.
"Mr. Doi, if you could attend, you would definitely make the Tokyo International Film Festival the highest-level cultural event in the world!"
Shuichi Itō pointed to the plan on his desk and continued to encourage them.
"On opening day, media from all over the world will be here. The red carpet that day will be the ultimate exposure event."
"If you attend, the public discussion will continue for a long time."
However, listening to Shuichi Itō's words, Tagako Doi did not get carried away. Instead, she was seriously thinking that she was now the prime minister, and to be honest, media exposure would not have much impact on her support. It was not the time to campaign for votes.
If she wanted exposure, she could even arrange a press conference to announce a policy, or have her public relations department publicize her visits to the elderly and comforting children.
At her level, what matters most is the message conveyed by attending an event!
And this point was also keenly observed by Shuichi Itō:
"If Mr. Doi attends, in addition to demonstrating his support for cultural activities, it will also be of great benefit to the 'culture-based nation' strategy, which is currently preparing for hearings."
"These public endorsement events demonstrate to the political arena the level of support that Japan's highest levels of government have for the cultural industry."
"This will make the subsequent policy implementation smoother."
Upon hearing this, Doi Tagako stopped tapping her fingers; it was clear that this resonated with her.
However, she still hesitated:
"But isn't it a bit... somewhat... that the Prime Minister attended a film festival event?"
The size is beyond the standard!
"Mr. Doi, in times of crisis, extraordinary measures are needed!"
Seeing that Prime Minister Doi was still hesitant, Shuichi Itō had to raise his voice to persuade him.
"We are now pushing forward a fundamental national policy of Japan! This requires a leader with courage and determination!"
You can't be afraid to risk your life when you're doing something big!
Seeing that Doi Tagako was still hesitating, Itō Osamu's eyes lit up with a wicked idea:
"Many international stars will be attending this time, such as Tom Cruise. It's a rare honor for them to meet the Japanese Prime Minister!"
Tom Cruise, who rose to fame with "Top Gun," is popular for his handsome looks, especially among older women.
I overheard from my secretary's drinking session with prostitutes that Doi Tagako seems to really like these young, handsome men.
Shuichi Itō even secretly decided that if Doi-san still disagreed, he would use his connections to get Tom to sacrifice his looks.
"Um"
Seemingly ignoring Itō Shuichi's earlier words, Doi Tagako nodded calmly.
"The 'culture-based nation' strategy is an important national policy for Japan for the next few decades, and it certainly deserves full support!"
"I'll make an exception and attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival!!"
"Hi!!"
Shuichi Itō's tone became excited.
"Mr. Doi, we will definitely make this film festival red carpet a historic moment!"
"Okay, please!"