Shunmeiza - Studio
Shunmeiza Director
Care to explain why you're late, Bakuno?
Shunmeiza Director
I'll give you a pass this time.
Shunmeiza Director
But since everyone from Wonderlands×Showtime is here, why don't you introduce yourself to them first?
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Shunmeiza Director
We'll be taking five and doing a table read right after, Bakuno. Will you be able to join us?
Rui
But seeing him like this... I'm honestly having a hard time believing that he's the same person who I saw.
Rui
Of course, I understand that he would seem like a different person when he's in character, but still...
Tsukasa
(It took me thirty minutes to read through this script, but he only has five... What's he going to do?)
Tsukasa
(His character, Hino the editor, also doesn't have that many lines. Deciding how to play him doesn't seem easy.)
Tsukasa
(He only has two lines for the opening scene.
“That's going to be a problem, Kishi,” and, “This is it. No more chances.”)
“That's going to be a problem, Kishi,” and, “This is it. No more chances.”)
Tsukasa
(What...? Already?
But he has so little information to work with. He already knows how he's going to play his character...?)
But he has so little information to work with. He already knows how he's going to play his character...?)
Shunmeiza Director
Then, let's begin our table read.
Shunmeiza Director
Oh, before I forget.
Everyone, please feel free to stand up and move around if you deem it necessary. Try to stay loose.
Everyone, please feel free to stand up and move around if you deem it necessary. Try to stay loose.
Shunmeiza Director
Alright, begin.
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Shunmeiza Member A
“The old gramophone in the parlor was playing something I hadn't heard in a very long time.”
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Shunmeiza Member A
“Hearing that warm and beautiful sound made up my mind. To end my life here and now.”
Tsukasa
(He's only narrating, but it's so captivating...
Shunmeiza certainly knows how to deliver.)
Shunmeiza certainly knows how to deliver.)
Shunmeiza Member C
“Ichiro! What is the meaning of this? Why haven't you been in touch? Your father is still waiting for you to come home. Honestly, it's high time that you quit being a novelist and took over the family business.”
Shunmeiza Member D
“I'm sorry, Kishi...
I need to raise your rent soon, and...”
I need to raise your rent soon, and...”
Shunmeiza Member E
“I heard that a strange man's been wandering around here lately. He's dressed shabbily, has messy hair... Ah, there. Just like that one. Be careful, everyone.”
Tsukasa
(His mother back in the countryside wants him to come home and take over the family business, he's likely going to get evicted when his rent goes up and people around town believe he's some kind of vagrant.)
Tsukasa
(And now, on top of all that, his editor's going to tell him that he's out of chances when he asks for another extension on his deadline.)
Shunmeiza Member A
“P-Please, I beg you...!
Just three more days! I promise to have my manuscript ready by then...!”
Just three more days! I promise to have my manuscript ready by then...!”
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Sound Effect: Play
Tsukasa
(This isn't the first time Kishi's asked for an extension. Hino's clearly had it up to here with him.)
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Shunmeiza Member A
“I understand...”
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Tsukasa
(And yet...
I was just overcome with the feeling that Hino had finally had enough of Kishi's antics.)
I was just overcome with the feeling that Hino had finally had enough of Kishi's antics.)
Nene
(What... What just happened...?
It's like he turned into a completely different person...)
It's like he turned into a completely different person...)
Rui
(We've previously encountered some talented actors around our age, such as Asahi and Seiryuin...)
Rui
(But to be able to produce such a fleshed-out performance in such a short amount of time... Even they would have trouble accomplishing such a feat.)
Tsukasa
(No, I don't have time to marvel at his performance! The scene where he and Nakayama talk is coming up!)
Tsukasa
(Based on his lines, Nakayama seems like a younger fellow. But as the two are friendly with each other, I imagine he's been at this magazine for a little while, so I'd say he's in his late twenties.)
Shunmeiza Member F
“What took you so long to get back, Hino?”
Reki
“Bingo.
Chief, he asked for another extension. He's really cutting it close this time.”
Chief, he asked for another extension. He's really cutting it close this time.”
Shunmeiza Member F
“Honestly, that no good...”
Shunmeiza Member F
“This will be his last month.
'Shiranami' may mean 'white-crested waves', but we don't want anyone taking the magazine through rough seas.”
'Shiranami' may mean 'white-crested waves', but we don't want anyone taking the magazine through rough seas.”
Tsukasa
(I don't feel like a part of the conversation. I'm just giving them replies. How do I become Nakayama like Bakuno has become Hino...?)
Shunmeiza Director
...
Shunmeiza Director
We'll end practice here for today.
Thank you all very much.
Thank you all very much.
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Tsukasa
(As happy as I am that we get to be in their play, it looks like I have another tough challenge on my hands...)
Rui
Me neither.
He's playing a relatively minor character, but... His acting was something else, to say the least.
He's playing a relatively minor character, but... His acting was something else, to say the least.
Rui
As he moved and spoke, it was like the character was there in front of us. I could practically see the Showa period cityscape spring up around him.
Shunmeiza Director
Tenma.
Do you have a moment to talk?
Do you have a moment to talk?
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Shunmeiza Director
There's actually something I need to tell you, Tenma.
Shunmeiza Director
Yes, starting with how I've taken the time to see some of your performances.
Shunmeiza Director
Please allow me to say this as a humble director.
Shunmeiza Director
Tsukasa Tenma, I sensed a spark within you.
Shunmeiza Director
Your acting has a way of tugging at your audience's heartstrings. You have the potential to become a great actor... That's my belief.
Shunmeiza Director
However, there's the other side of that coin.
Shunmeiza Director
It appears that, unless you have a part that involves dramatic emotional shifts, your acting becomes mediocre.
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Shunmeiza Director
And I have a feeling that you know what I'm talking about.
Shunmeiza Director
Which is why I'm going to give you a task.
Shunmeiza Director
The character you're playing, Nakayama, is just an average man from the Showa period.
Shunmeiza Director
He's neither going to gain human emotions amid the trials of war, nor will he forge an unbreakable bond with a phoenix.
Shunmeiza Director
He's just an ordinary human being.
And your job will be to convince me that he's a real person.
And your job will be to convince me that he's a real person.
Shunmeiza Director
I'll be happy to answer any questions that come up. For now, I wish you the best of luck...
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Tsukasa
(It's true that I haven't played many characters like this. I suppose Thorpe would be the nearest example...)
Tsukasa
(But it was much easier to pick up on how Thorpe was feeling from the script. That's why I was able to establish an emotional connection to him.)
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Next Chapter: Natural Talent