Chapter 1358: Must lift Naoki-san to the Oscar throne!

"Cut!"

In the Western-style house in Minato Ward, Shizhi Araki shouted cut at Masaharu Fukuyama and Yukiko Okada who were performing.

"Fukuyama-kun... you still can't be so gentle at the beginning. You should feel that Yukiko-chan is troublesome and helpless..."

"And Yukiko-chan... uh... go touch up your powder, be a bit paler... the lipstick should be paler too, you have a high fever and are sick now!"

What is being filmed now is the scene where Yukiko Okada returns home from a trip, only to find that her house has been sold by her good friend through a scheme.

The heroine, Yukiko Okada, catches a cold and gets a fever after sleeping on the bench in the yard because she couldn't get into the house.

And Masaharu Fukuyama, as the male lead, has to carry her back to the house to take care of her...

"Hai!" X2

The two actors were very obedient and went to adjust their states, but Shizhi Araki sighed during the break.

Watching Naoki-san film, he always felt that he was driving a light carriage on a familiar road, as if the images were already in his head, and he only needed to film them step by step...

But when it was his turn to film, all sorts of problems popped up!

The previous shot had already been filmed four or five times!

Masaharu Fukuyama and Yukiko Okada were both very young, and their acting skills were only a little bit, so they needed to be polished over and over again to film the ideal effect...

But Shizhi Araki actually didn't know to what extent he needed to film...

Maybe he could only film a bunch in the end and then pick the suitable ones from a series of shots... it was just a bit hard on the actors!

"Tsk tsk tsk... just started filming, and I already miss Naoki-san!"

Sometimes there are benefits to being a little brother, which is that you don't need to consider too much, you only need to listen to the instructions.

Taking advantage of the time when the two were touching up their makeup, Shizhi Araki flipped through the filming schedule and saw that the scene to be filmed in a while was actually the male lead knowing that the goddess he had a crush on liked his good brother...

"Sigh... another complex love relationship like this."

Actually, the emotional scenes of the whole "Full House" were very dog-blooded. The good friend sells the heroine's house because he has no money, and the heroine doesn't call the police, and finally accepts it...

The male lead is a big star, his goddess has a crush on his good brother, but he still acts like a lick-dog...

But they were photographed appearing together, so they had to pretend to be a couple...

Anyway, it was a plot where dog-blood went to the head...

But in this era, such a story plot was unexpectedly popular... Maybe from a female perspective, it was a proper white lotus big heroine story!

"..."

Continuing to watch the filming schedule for a while, and associating it with the artist playing the male lead's goddess, Shizhi Araki smiled.

"It just so happens that the scandal between Masaharu Fukuyama and Chikako Aoyama has been mentioned again recently... I suppose after it's filmed and broadcast, it will definitely cause a heated discussion!"

"However, should I invite the media to visit the set before this to continue to hype up the reputation of the playboy Masaharu!"

"As for Naoki-san being implicated in this..."

Speaking of this, Shizhi Araki looked left and right with a guilty conscience.

"Sacrificing for his own script, Naoki-san shouldn't have any objections!"

"Director Araki..."

At this moment, the loud call of the floor manager made him tremble all over, thinking that Naoki Nagayama had come to the door!

"What's wrong?!"

He stood up and looked at the floor manager with a bad face.

"Suddenly so loud, it will scare people!"

"..."

The floor manager felt a bit aggrieved because they couldn't find the director occasionally, so they, the crew members, would call out loudly to remind him!

"The crew is ready, and the two actors are also ready!"

"Oh..."

Seeing that it was work, Shizhi Araki didn't say much more.

"Then prepare to start filming!"

"..."

"Ready... Action!"

In the presidential suite of the resort hotel on Jurassic Island, the Nagayama couple was chatting with Michael Jackson.

Little Xia Hua next to them was no longer afraid of this black uncle at all, running around the sofa, occasionally showing her face from the armrest to look at Michael Jackson, and then laughing and running behind the sofa... as if playing hide-and-seek~

And Michael Jackson also cooperated very well with the little one's game, always smiling and making the action of catching her.

"Naoki, my friend... I really envy you for having such a cute daughter!"

Michael said to Naoki Nagayama.

"It makes me want to have a daughter too!"

"Then first... you have to find someone to marry!"

Naoki Nagayama said with a smile.

Although it was very common in America for black people not to have a father, Michael Jackson was different; he had a father who was still responsible and set a good example~

"There will be, there will be~"

Michael Jackson smiled. Actually, he also knew that in his position, with such fame, it was easy to find someone to relieve loneliness, but if he wanted to find someone to start a family, there were too many things to consider!

With a thousand thoughts in his head, he turned his eyes to Akina, who was laughing and talking with Naoki Nagayama, and his eyes revealed a lot of envy~

"Michael... we will release this promotional video around the end of the month. When the sample is sent to you, will you still be in New York, USA? Where is the address?"

Naoki Nagayama caught little Xia Hua and asked while holding her in his arms.

"I shouldn't be there at that time."

Michael Jackson shook his head. According to the schedule, the New York concert should have just ended, and after that, he should be on the road... but that didn't matter:

"You don't need to send the sample to me; I trust your editing, Naoki... you are an internationally renowned director!"

"Hahaha~"

Feeling the trust in his words, Naoki Nagayama didn't decline too much.

"Then I will release it directly after the editing is finished! Rest assured, it will definitely be very interesting!"

Michael also responded with a smile:

"Of course, judging from today's model, I know it will definitely be very realistic!"

"By the way!"

Naoki Nagayama suddenly said.

"Michael, you've been on a long flight, and you've been filming the promotional video continuously after getting off... you must be very tired, right?!"

"A hot spring was dug out during the construction of this island, and a hot spring bathhouse was also built... it's extremely relaxing... do you want to go and soak in it?"

"There's actually a hot spring?!"

Michael Jackson was also a bit surprised.

"Then let's go and try it!"

As he said this, he called the two assistants in the other room to go together; they had also accompanied Michael Jackson for more than ten hours~

"By the way, we can go for a stroll in the port town; it can already receive guests~"

Naoki Nagayama looked down at the wriggling little Xia Hua.

"As for Akina... and Hua-chan, just rest well in the hotel..."

Pregnant women and children who are too young are not suitable for hot springs~

"What a pity..."

Akina sighed.

"Then I wish you a good time!"

Shizhi Araki, who had arrived in Washington, had been in the special district for three days.

Under the leadership of Takako Doi, he had met with President Reagan and attended various social banquets, getting to know many figures in American politics...

But what made him anxious was that Takako Doi had never mentioned the matter of Genta Nakai.

When he asked, he received the reply that "the timing is not yet ripe," and then he was sent away to investigate more about America's cultural industry and related policies...

"I knew it, these politicians cannot be trusted!"

Shizhi Araki complained in the hotel. He knew that Takako Doi had promised before, but the importance of helping to mediate for a company must be secondary. If he wanted her to take this matter to heart, the importance of Shuyou must be improved!

At this moment, the front desk suddenly called:

"A Mr. Yoshihiko Sugiyama wants to see you..."

"Yoshihiko Sugiyama is here! Let him come up..."

Before long, Shizhi Araki met this former propaganda minister who had been sent to Europe and America.

"Shuichi-san!" Yoshihiko Sugiyama reached out very enthusiastically. "Sashi-buri!!"

"Sashi-buri..."

He reached out to shake hands somewhat unexpectedly; one must know that in Japan, it was usually bowing to greet.

Shizhi Araki sighed.

"Sugiyama-san has been in Europe and America for so long; he has indeed been infected by Western culture!"

"Haha, in America, you have to communicate with others like this!"

Yoshihiko Sugiyama's tone and manner were also much richer than before.

"Otherwise, you won't be able to integrate into their circle!"

"It seems that's indeed the case..."

Shizhi Araki had also seen many foreign friends. Compared with the reserve of the East, they were indeed much more extroverted... so they appeared very enthusiastic, sometimes even appearing to have no sense of boundaries.

"How does it feel in Hollywood during this time?"

He invited Yoshihiko Sugiyama to sit down, and Shizhi Araki started to make small talk.

"Is there anything you're not used to?"

"There was a bit of culture shock at the beginning, but it was fine afterward!"

Yoshihiko Sugiyama shook his head.

"Even for food, there are authentic Japanese restaurants, and even clubs..."

In a capitalist society, as long as you have money, you can find any kind of service... especially in a vanity fair like Hollywood.

"That's good, that's good..."

Looking at the high-spirited look on Yoshihiko Sugiyama's face, Shizhi Araki couldn't help but complain in his heart... opening his mouth was about clubs... this guy must be eating very well in America...

I heard that Hollywood is full of amateurs aiming to become famous. As the president of a distribution company, maybe he is a new groom every night!

After a little small talk, Shizhi Araki asked about the main business:

"Regarding Naoki-san's 'Departures' impacting the Oscars, how is the operation going?!"

"... Regarding this matter..."

Yoshihiko Sugiyama extinguished the cigarette at his mouth, and his tone sank.

"According to the news received from several heavyweight figures in the Oscar Academy so far... it's not difficult for 'Departures' to win Best Foreign Language Film... but it's very difficult to win the Oscar for Best Picture!"

"That director from Italy, 'The Last Emperor' co-produced by various countries, has a lot of momentum and high acclaim!"

"..."

After hearing this, Shizhi Araki also fell silent for a while. He had gone to see "The Last Emperor," and the visuals were indeed exquisite, the scenes were grand, and the narrative was also magnificent... Overall, it was a very excellent big production.

But because Japan is an Eastern culture, it is easier to see... this is still an "Eastern film" standing from a Western narrative perspective... the taste at the root is actually not right!

Not to mention anything else, everyone speaks fluent English... many deep meanings in the Chinese context cannot be accurately conveyed~

However, from a Western perspective, this is indeed a masterpiece!

"I also know the opponent is very strong... but precisely because of this, we need to work harder!"

Shizhi Araki encouraged Yoshihiko Sugiyama.

"We cannot let down Naoki-san's trust! We must lift Naoki-san to the Oscar throne!"

"Hai!"

"What's more, this is the entertainment industry... a vanity fair!"

Shizhi Araki continued.

"Besides the quality of the film itself, other factors can also determine the final ownership of the big award!"

"Hai!!"

In the following conversation, Yoshihiko Sugiyama carefully explained to Shizhi Araki the jury members he had already bribed and the lobbying groups he had made friends with in Hollywood...

"As long as you give money, these people will lobby more members to vote for 'Departures'!"

"Not everyone can finish watching all the films!"

"... Uh..."

Shizhi Araki nodded, actually a bit dissatisfied with Yoshihiko Sugiyama's results.

After such a long time, he had only made friends with some Oscar Academy judges and lobbying groups?!

What about those big production companies? Famous film critics? And the upper-class people?

"Sugiyama-san... this is far from enough!"

"Hai, I know... but, my ability is insufficient..."

"Alright, alright... don't talk about anything else first!"

Shizhi Araki stopped someone's reflection and started to arrange.

"First, let more people know about the film 'Departures'!"

He turned to look at Yoshihiko Sugiyama.

"Sugiyama-san, having been in Hollywood for so long, you shouldn't have forgotten your main job, right?"

"Of course!" Yoshihiko Sugiyama nodded repeatedly. "The distribution company has been established, and cooperation has been negotiated with three theater chains, and I have personally signed cooperation agreements with major cinemas in major cities..."

"I have also directly controlled several cinemas in Hollywood..."

Hearing this, Shizhi Araki praised:

"That's good!"

"Our first step is to carry out free viewing activities... you start free viewing activities for 'Departures' in various cinemas..."

"Welfare, promotions, celebrations... you can find any excuse; in short, just get people to go to the cinema to watch 'Departures'!"

"Then, wait until I get in touch with Nakai-san here."

Shizhi Araki's eyes were full of expectation. When that time came, he would have endless money,

"By then... we need to carry out large-scale advertising and promotion..."

"We want to make the exposure of 'Departures' far exceed 'The Last Emperor' in a short time!"

"After that, I will personally go to Hollywood to preside over the lobbying work!"

Hearing this, Yoshihiko Sugiyama was a bit surprised:

"Shuichi-san, aren't you going to follow the visiting delegation..."

"Hmph!"

Thinking of Takako Doi's prevarication, Shizhi Araki also had anger in his heart.

"Doi-san asked me to learn more about America's cultural policies and cultural industries... where could be more suitable than Hollywood?!"

"I will ask Doi-san for leave... stay and learn for a while... I won't go back with her!"

"Just until... just until after the Oscars! The time is longer, so I can learn more!"

"...!!!"

These words heard in Yoshihiko Sugiyama's ears made him feel that Shizhi Araki was very trusted by the upper level!

"Shuichi-san, you are indeed a red man in front of the Prime Minister! You can even represent Japan to exchange culture!"

"..."

Shizhi Araki was speechless, but he didn't object.

After all, after putting on a halo representing Japan, it would be much more convenient to act.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, go do it... time is tight, we must speed up!"

"Hai!" ===== CHAPTER 1359 =====