Chapter 293

The first snow in Tokyo in the 57th year of Showa came earlier than usual~

Sure enough, changing to the era name makes it feel very Japanese...

The snow in the morning had stopped.

The snow accumulated overnight made Tokyo a world covered in silver.

The glittering feeling in front of his eyes made Naoki Nagayama, who was lingering in bed, unable to help but shrink his head into the quilt.

However, this was useless, because Eitaro soon ran up, jumping on the bed and calling his owner to get up.

"Alright, alright! Up, up!"

Naoki Nagayama regretted training Eitaro how to open the door. Now, Eitaro can easily open this kind of pull-down handle door. It seems he has taken calling his owner to get up as a daily routine, more precise than a biological clock.

On the cabinet in the corner of the living room on the first floor, several gift bags and tea gift boxes were messily placed, waiting to be sent to the right people at the right time.

Looking through the glass partition, the courtyard was already covered with snow, like a layer of cream, appetizing;

However, looking closer, the originally smooth snow surface on the ground was covered with Eitaro's plum-blossom-shaped footprints, becoming messy;

"Eitaro..." Looking at the energetic dog, Naoki Nagayama couldn't say anything harsh, "Let's not go for a morning run today~"

In the spare time, Naoki Nagayama rarely cooked a pot of white porridge, paired with some pickled radish and kelp shreds he cut himself, completing a healthy breakfast of clear porridge and side dishes.

The weather was so cold, and he didn't plan to go out, so he simply divided the gifts he bought before at home in advance. Write the address for those that should be mailed, and just mail them out directly later~

Tea leaves for Dayou Fangcun, tea leaves for Yin Tangxiu, two portions for Genta Nakai, a portion for Old Man Qingshan, no need for tea leaves for Zhikazi, thought about giving a portion to Xiaoshen Zhengxiao and other acquaintances in the company, but always felt that they hadn't reached the relationship of sending New Year's gifts, and there were friends in the circle, Yuko Tanaka, Kanako Higuchi... By the way, there was also one for Akina...

"Hmm, Akina doesn't seem to like drinking tea..." Naoki Nagayama thought for a while. It happened that he recalled a song last night, so why not send a song? Anyway, there is a lot of stock~

After sorting it out, the gifts on the cabinet were much neater, and they were all labeled accordingly.

The following time should have been a leisurely and decadent home time, but when Naoki Nagayama was watching a newly released TV series, Dayou Fangcun called:

"Naoki-san, I suddenly received a call from a producer at Sony Records just now, saying that you and he want to jointly build a label?"

"Yes, it was decided so quickly~" Naoki Nagayama was a little surprised. He originally thought that Sony Records would definitely hold a meeting to discuss this kind of thing for two or three days, but he didn't expect it to be decided in one night.

"Dayou-san, I am very optimistic about a young artist under them named Yutaka Ozaki~"

"Naoki-san means to poach him?"

"No, that would be too much of a fuss. Although he is still a pure newcomer who hasn't debuted, he has at least signed with Sony Records, so there is no reason to grab him hard."

Naoki Nagayama shook his head, "My meaning is, our two companies jointly establish a label, and then the management contract will be transferred to our side, the record contract still belongs to Sony Records, and our side will provide three songs~"

"Three songs? That is..." Dayou Fangcun thought of the soundtrack of "Boys Over Flowers", "Previously said to look for a new idol?"

"Yes, I think that guy is quite talented." Naoki Nagayama remembered the scene of meeting yesterday, "It's just that he looks a bit weak. I don't know if he can adapt to the high-intensity work of the entertainment industry."

Dayou Fangcun didn't pay too much attention to Naoki Nagayama's teasing in the second half of the sentence: "Since Naoki-san has already confirmed it, then come over in the afternoon~"

"Eh? Why do I have to go over?"

"Baka! For the matter of investing in building a label, of course, the president must be present! That guy named Akira Sudo is coming over to talk in the afternoon!" Dayou Fangcun said, "Does Naoki-san still want to stay at home blowing the air conditioner and then throw everything to me?"

Naoki Nagayama whispered: "How did you know?"

"Hmm? What did Naoki-san say?"

"Ah, I said I will definitely come over in the afternoon~"

While Naoki Nagayama was still worrying about the afternoon's itinerary, there were many places in Tokyo that were also worrying for him.

The jury of the Japan Academy Film Prize and the jury of the Blue Ribbon Awards were all worrying about the films for the awards.

As the organizer of the Japan Academy Film Prize, the Japan Academy Film Prize Association, about 30% of its members are signed employees of Toho, Shochiku, Toei, and Kadokawa Pictures, so the awards are most restricted by these old-fashioned film production companies.

And this time, it was originally intended to exclude "Hachiko Monogatari" from the big awards, but after a series of operations by Tree Friend Film, the selection of "Hachiko Monogatari" has become a hot spot of attention in the entertainment industry and the public. If there is no nomination, then the fairness of the award selection will be completely gone...

Not to mention, Naoki Nagayama of Tree Friend Film actually made another "A Scene at the Sea", a film full of praise both inside and outside the film industry...

Tomoyuki Tanaka, vice president of the Japan Academy Film Prize Association, listened to the members' reports, and his heart was also a bit tangled.

"Well, Ishikawa, it has already been reported in the list. After that, let's follow the nominations of the judges~"

"But... in this way, won't 'Hachiko Monogatari' and 'A Scene at the Sea' definitely be shortlisted?" Young Fumio Ishikawa was outspoken and asked directly.

Tomoyuki Tanaka opened his slightly narrowed eyes, looked at Fumio Ishikawa and said: "Ishikawa-kun, you must remember, no matter how the old companies spread the wind, as a jury, everything must follow the rules!"

"They succeeded in suppressing, they didn't succeed... The selection rules of the Japan Academy Film Prize cannot have the slightest change!"

Tomoyuki Tanaka is already very old, and usually speaks softly, but the words he said at this time were firm and powerful.

"The Japan Academy Film Prize must be fair! At least in terms of selection rules, all films must be treated equally!"

"Their private actions, that is the judges' own business!"

A few sentences made Fumio Ishikawa sweat on his forehead, and he immediately bowed 90 degrees to apologize:

"Hontoni Sumimasen!" "I will arrange the subsequent process immediately, and I will personally watch the recommendations and scoring of these two films, and absolutely not let problems occur in the selection process!"

"Hmm, go."

Tomoyuki Tanaka returned to his slow, soft-spoken manner, but after Fumio Ishikawa left, he looked at the recommendation forms of the two films, but was silently thinking in his heart, Tree Friend Film...

Will you bring innovation to the stagnant film industry?

It started snowing lightly in the afternoon, but the snow in the daytime looked even purer, as if God was using snowflakes to remove the gloom and dust accumulated in Tokyo throughout the year.

Naoki Nagayama drove the Toyota Century on the road that had been cleared of snow. The large-displacement car body passed through the wet and slippery road surface steadily, without slipping at all. It really had a sense of steadiness and reliability.

When he arrived at the studio, he already saw an extra light gray Mercedes at the door. Presumably, the two from Sony had already arrived.

"Naoki-san, you're here~" "Naoki-san!" "Good afternoon, Naoki-san."

Facing these greetings all the way, Naoki Nagayama entered the conference room and indeed saw Akira Sudo, whom he met yesterday, and Yutaka Ozaki, who was sitting next to him like a quail, talking to Dayou Fangcun.

"Ah, Sudo-san, it seems you have made a decision." Naoki Nagayama said to Akira Sudo, and then smiled at Yutaka Ozaki to greet him, but this boy's face turned even whiter...

"Ozaki-san, is there any discomfort in your body?" Naoki Nagayama asked kindly.

The young guy seemed to tremble and said stutteringly: "Ah... Ano... Daijobu."

"That's good~" Naoki Nagayama didn't say much, turned to Dayou Fangcun, "Dayou-san, to what extent have you talked?"

"It hasn't been long since we started... We just talked about Yutaka Ozaki's audition." Dayou Fangcun said, "Standing out from many contestants, he is indeed very talented."

"Right, otherwise I wouldn't have taken a fancy to Ozaki-san at a glance."

A certain Ozaki-kun's eye corner couldn't help but twitch.

"Sudo-san, has the interior of Sony Records agreed?"

Akira Sudo, who was on the side, only then began to speak: "Yes, after reporting yesterday, the president agreed directly."

In fact, there was originally a dispute. Some department heads thought that handing over the artist's management contract like this, even if the record contract is in hand, the loss would be relatively large if it becomes popular in the future. However, when Akira Sudo explained that Naoki Nagayama intended to provide three songs first, the president agreed.

After all, no one can guarantee whether a Yutaka Ozaki will become popular, but Naoki Nagayama can almost guarantee that all three songs will likely sell well.

Sony Records also wanted to open up the cooperation channel on Naoki Nagayama's side through this cooperation. After all, they have a lot of artists~

"Is it actually so smooth?" Dayou Fangcun was a little curious. As an insider, he knew the hardship of contract negotiations between artists.

"Yes, considering that the hit producer Naoki Nagayama is joining, the president is full of confidence in this new label." Akira Sudo took the opportunity to praise Naoki Nagayama.

"Haha, if Sudo-san says so, I am still quite happy~" Naoki Nagayama looked very embarrassed, but accepted the praise completely.

Akira Sudo's face remained unchanged, but he was desperately complaining in his heart: "Are these creators not humble at all?"

Since it has been decided to cooperate, the next few people began to discuss the matters of establishing the new label. Of course, the division and shareholding must be clearly discussed, and the management split must also be carefully considered, otherwise, there will be disputes if the works make money in the future.

In terms of negotiation, the experienced Dayou Fangcun clearly occupied a great advantage. After negotiating with large companies such as Fuji TV and Kadokawa Group, Dayou Fangcun's mouth skills have clearly risen to a level. Now facing Akira Sudo, who is also a large company but lacks negotiation level, it is simply like an adult bullying a child.

"Sudo-san, since that's the case, then we can give up a part. We can only take 50% of the record share, but the share of subsequent concerts and advertisements needs to rise to 70%!"

Akira Sudo sweated on his forehead: "Dayou-san, are you so confident in Yutaka Ozaki's future?"

The share of concerts and advertising endorsements only exists after becoming popular.

Dayou Fangcun thought in his mind: "I am not confident in that Ozaki, but confident in Naoki-san!"

But he still said: "Since we have decided to invest significant costs, we naturally hope that Ozaki-san's future will get better and better!"

Akira Sudo didn't continue to pull, and the company's meaning was just to earn the profit of the first three songs, so he nodded: "In this case, we can almost accept it."

"That's good, then we will draft the contract and sign it formally later!" Dayou Fangcun made the final decision.

"Nothing could be better~"

Naoki Nagayama was a bit distracted in this battle of wits, and finally woke up when he heard the final result.

"Since it's almost decided, what should we name this label? Does everyone have any ideas?"

"Ozaki-san, as the lead singer, feel free to say if you have any ideas~"

The young singer said in a low voice: "Can we use meanings like music awakening, rebelling against the trend?"

Sure enough, he is a rock singer. Although I don't know why he looks like a submissive character now, his heart is still full of rebellious spirit~

"Rebellion? REBELLION~"

Naoki Nagayama didn't care much about the name of the label. Since it was the lead singer's request, then this is it.

"Since it's almost decided, some things can be told to you two." Naoki Nagayama cleared his throat, "The three songs we prepared are all gentle love songs~"

"Eh?" Yutaka Ozaki couldn't believe it. I came to play rock! You want me to sing love songs?

Naoki Nagayama glanced at him. Why are you so surprised? Isn't the song you spread the most in the future an orthodox love song? The name is "I LOVE YOU"!

"Yes, these three songs of ours are actually the theme songs of a TV series on Fuji TV next year."

Akira Sudo paid attention immediately after hearing it: "TV theme song? Fuji TV?"

Sure enough, he is an old producer. He knows that the theme song of a TV series will generally cause a wave of enthusiasm. For a singer, singing such a song is simply a guarantee for sales!

"Yes, it is a TV series called 'Boys Over Flowers', which is expected to be released at the end of spring next year, so there is not much time left for Yutaka Ozaki."

About three months, it is indeed not much. Originally, training alone before debut would take one to two months. It is a bit difficult to record three songs in the remaining time.

However, Akira Sudo still nodded and said: "Daijobu, we will definitely be ready!"

"That's good, let's wait for the formal signing later~" Naoki Nagayama nodded, and then looked at Yutaka Ozaki again.

"Ozaki-kun, these three songs are all love songs, be prepared~"

It was originally to remind him to have some emotional reserves, or to take the opportunity to fall in love if he hadn't, but Yutaka Ozaki's face turned white instantly!

"He smiled at me again! And specifically reminded me that it's a love song! What on earth is he going to do?! What do I need to prepare?!"

The young man, who was frantically adding drama to his heart, even thought of being called out by the hateful producer for a private communication on a certain night...

"Hai... Hai!"

After the two said goodbye from the studio, Dayou Fangcun said:

"Naoki-san, is that guy's health so bad? His face is pale, can he persist in finishing the recording?"

Naoki Nagayama was also speechless:

"Maybe it's the change of season? He looks like a quite healthy young guy~"