Chapter 30

Thank you to the brothers of LK, and thank you to the readers who support me. I continue to seek collections and recommendations.

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Shen Zhenghui was in his room, re-examining the script and thinking about how to edit the shots. Although he wouldn't be responsible for the editing later and wouldn't need to participate, he could leave it to the director and the editor, Shen Zhenghui felt it was necessary for his own improvement to go to the scene and learn thoroughly. To him, he was a complete outsider in the film industry. Although his experience and awareness far exceeded the current era, if he really intended to work in this industry, it was indeed necessary to seize every opportunity to learn.

Shen Zhenghui compared his film with the few Japanese films he remembered, and felt that the rhythm of his film was not like a Japanese film, but rather similar to Hong Kong and American films, with a strong sense of rhythm, capable of being fast or slow, and with a climactic release at the end. Essentially, he was still influenced by Hong Kong and American films. Or perhaps, this was the aesthetic view cultivated by Hong Kong films and Hollywood among the Chinese people of the 1970s and 1980s. This time, Shen Zhenghui had taken a shortcut; he plagiarized a Korean film, made it Japanese, added the rhythm of Hong Kong films, overcame the shortcomings of Japanese films, and used martial arts to appeal to young audiences.

Shen Zhenghui was reflecting on everything he could learn from this film when the doorbell rang.

To facilitate filming, the production team had arranged rooms for the staff in a nearby hotel, and Shen Zhenghui was staying in one of these rooms. Although many people had already left that evening, he was still staying at the hotel, perhaps because he had relaxed a bit after drinking some alcohol and didn't want to immediately return to another work rhythm. At this moment, he had no idea who could be knocking on his door.

"Who is it?" Shen Zhenghui called out as he walked to the door, thinking that Shimizu Takashi had already gone home, and since the filming was over, the fitness coach should have gone home as well. Who could be coming to see him at this time? He opened the door, and Aizawa Tomoaki stood timidly at the entrance.

"Ah? Why is it you? Isn't the filming already over? You can go home directly, right?" Shen Zhenghui was a bit puzzled.

"Can I come in?" Aizawa Tomoaki asked softly, looking down.

"Oh, oh, please come in." Shen Zhenghui stepped aside and glanced at his watch; it was already 11:30 PM. A woman visiting him at this hour, no matter how he thought about it, it would lead to something romantic.

"I thought you would go home after the wrap party." Shen Zhenghui closed the door and said.

"I don't have time to go home," Aizawa Tomoaki replied, "I live in an apartment rented by the company." She sat down naturally on Shen Zhenghui's bed, her feet swinging at the edge. "I never thought I would be able to live in Tokyo."

"You've been living in Tokyo for a long time, and it might be even longer." Shen Zhenghui spread his hands, "My point is, you will have a lot of work, and you'll be very busy in Tokyo." He internally mocked himself: What am I saying?

"That's different." Aizawa Tomoaki shook her head seriously, "I... never thought I could work as an actor in Tokyo. Well, although my greatest wish was to become an actor, but... well, Mr. Shen, you might not know what I used to do?"

"Uh..." Shen Zhenghui was embarrassed, "I know, but how should I say it?"

Fortunately, Aizawa Tomoaki quickly said, "I used to shoot that kind of film." She seemed a bit embarrassed, "I wanted to appear on the big screen, but in the end, I could only appear on the small screen." She sighed.

"Your dream has finally come true, hasn't it?" Shen Zhenghui sat down awkwardly on the sofa.

"Yes," Aizawa Tomoaki smiled, "So I am very grateful for the decision to go to China to study. If not, I wouldn't have met Mr. Shen on the plane, and I wouldn't have signed with Miss Fukuda." She stood up and bowed to Shen Zhenghui, "I am really, really grateful."

"You're too polite, it's fate!" Shen Zhenghui stood up and waved his hand to show he didn't mind.

"Mr. Shen, if you knew I was an actress in that kind of film, would you still ask me to act in your film?" Aizawa Tomoaki asked seriously.

Shen Zhenghui opened his mouth but hadn't answered when Aizawa Tomoaki was already standing in front of him, just a hand's distance away.

"I have no prejudice against Japanese women," Shen Zhenghui rolled his eyes and swallowed, not knowing what to say, "This... different cultures may have different views." This was a sincere statement, "Different cultures and countries have different ways of alienation."

"Sorry, I lied to you the first time we met!" Aizawa Tomoaki laughed, seemingly remembering what Shen Zhenghui had said before, "I had already shot that kind of film but still lied to you, saying I hadn't."

"This... you don't have to be so honest with me when we just met..." Shen Zhenghui suppressed his urges.

"Since Mr. Shen doesn't mind, I think I can thank you in this way!" Aizawa Tomoaki said seriously.

"This... there's no need..."

...

Shen Zhenghui sat on the side, somewhat dazedly watching Shimizu Takashi and the editor discuss how to edit the film. Unlike his initial plan, he didn't actively learn editing or express his thoughts about the film, which made Shimizu Takashi feel a bit strange. However, the director and the editor were still working diligently, and Shen Zhenghui was just a spectator.

"What's wrong with you? You don't seem very spirited." After finishing his work and taking a break, Shimizu Takashi approached Shen Zhenghui and asked, "Aren't you interested in the final production?"

"Maybe I've been stimulated by Japanese culture," Shen Zhenghui shook his head, as if trying to shake off his laziness, "How long will the final production take?"

"About a month."

"Oh, what do you think of this film?"

"Um, it has a very sharp feel, completely different from the traditional Japanese style, but I have a lot of confidence in this film." Shimizu Takashi pursed his lips and said, "By the way, Miss Fukuda is about to invest in me to shoot the film version of 'The Grudge.' Are you interested in playing a role?"

"Uh, I'm most afraid of horror films, so I'll pass."

"Horror films are only scary when you watch them, not when you shoot them. The horror is entirely dependent on post-production and music." Shimizu Takashi said seriously, "Besides, the Japanese love horror films the most."

"The Japanese love anime the most." Shen Zhenghui's lips twitched, "If I can't even watch the film I shot, wouldn't that be a joke? So I don't shoot horror films, unless they are funny horror films."

Shimizu Takashi didn't say anything, he took out a cigarette, looked around, and nodded to Shen Zhenghui, "Shall we go for a walk?"

"Sure." Shen Zhenghui nodded.

"Mr. Shen, I really have to thank you this time," Shimizu Takashi said while smoking, "You shot a great film, and the film I want to shoot can also be produced."

Shen Zhenghui had no interest in horror films, even though he knew the fame of 'The Grudge' and Shimizu Takashi's future success, he still couldn't get excited.

Shimizu Takashi probably noticed that Shen Zhenghui seemed to have something on his mind, so he pursed his lips and accompanied Shen Zhenghui for a walk outside.

"Director, what do you think of my future in the film industry?"

Shimizu Takashi was somewhat taken aback.

"I want to hear your evaluation as a future master, please." Shen Zhenghui clasped his hands together and said.

"Mr. Shen, to be frank," Shimizu Takashi extinguished his cigarette and said, "If you were just an ordinary actor, screenwriter, or director, I would say your future achievements would be average."

Shen Zhenghui licked his lips.

"But you are not. You have substantial capital, like Mr. Kōshun Akatsuka, who can create waves in the film industry even without understanding it."

"So I'm just a rich tycoon?"

"Not just that, Mr. Shen," Shimizu Takashi said, "I have also been thinking about the state of the Japanese film industry. Under the shadow of Hollywood, if the Japanese film industry continues to develop only within its own circle, it will always be in a state of neither dead nor alive. Outsiders like you and Mr. Kōshun Akatsuka bring not only capital but also a fresh breeze to the Japanese film industry."

"Oh?"

"Like this film," Shimizu Takashi said seriously, "I dare say that this style will have a significant impact on the Japanese film industry, making them reflect and change."

"You make me feel a bit embarrassed," Shen Zhenghui lowered his head, "But this gives me more confidence. Of course, if the box office is good, my confidence will be even stronger."

"I believe in you and in myself," Shimizu Takashi said, "Shooting non-horror films is also very interesting." He smiled.

"Sorry, I want to ask one more thing. What do you think of the female lead in our film?" Shen Zhenghui was a bit nervous.

"Isn't she Miss Fukuda's signed artist?"

"Yes, she's my friend, and I also want to ask you, the master, about her future prospects." Shen Zhenghui quickly said.

"Ah, no matter what, she is very beautiful! In any film, there needs to be a character who is pleasing to the eye."

"Is that all?"

"She is different from you. As a pure actor, acting skills need to be honed." Shimizu Takashi also became serious, "The characters in this film are simple, so it's fine."

"Is that so?" Shen Zhenghui was a bit disappointed.

"Actually, there's no need to worry. The more she acts, the better she will become." Shimizu Takashi continued, "Participate in more TV dramas, start with minor roles, and gradually accumulate experience. Even the most famous Japanese actresses mainly work in TV dramas!"

"That's true." Hearing this, Shen Zhenghui slightly lifted his spirits, "This makes me look forward to the film's release!"

"Yes!" Shimizu Takashi also sighed in agreement.

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