sinovels Chapter 150 The Right Way to Win Over a Veteran Actor
Chapter 150 The Right Way to Win Over a Veteran Actor
Chapter 150 The Right Way to Win Over a Veteran Actor
In July in Tokyo, the sweltering rainy season has finally passed, and the sound of cicadas begins to fill the air.
But in Kitahara Shin's eyes, the world is colorful—literally.
Ever since he obtained the "Red Thread of Fate (Treasure Hunter Edition)", he has been like a child who has just received a new toy. Whenever he has free time, he drives around the streets and alleys of Tokyo, and even around various corners of the film set.
It must be said that the "treasure-hunting radar" effect of this red line is indeed powerful, but the reality is quite harsh.
He found quite a few high-quality green equipment items. For example, in an abandoned storage room in the hospital, he found a [Forgotten Stethoscope (Green)] (which slightly increases the clarity of the sound when listening to auscultation); in the prop room on the film set, he found an [Old Script Supervisor's Notebook (Green)] (which increases the ability to remember the order of scenes).
But rare blue equipment is truly extremely rare.
"It seems that only quantitative change can lead to qualitative change."
Kitahara Shin sat in the van, looking at the rows of icons emitting a faint green glow on his retina.
Without hesitation, he activated the system's "synthesis" function.
[System prompt: Consume 5 pieces of green-quality equipment for random synthesis?]
【Yes. 】
A flash of light.
Five miscellaneous medical and film set props disappeared, replaced by two new pieces of equipment radiating a deep blue light:
Kitahara Shin's eyes lit up.
First item: [Absolute Memory Scholar's Bookmark (Blue, Rare)]
Description: This is a dried ginkgo leaf tucked inside an old script. It bears witness to countless nights spent reciting lines by an old artist with profound acting skills.
Effect: When worn, the host's memory for written materials is enhanced by 300%. For scripts, lines, and technical terms, after reading them only twice, they can be memorized as if they were engraved in the mind, and can even accurately recall the page number and paragraph position.
Second item: [Mind Reader - Chameleon Cufflinks (Blue - Rare)]
Description: This cufflink once belonged to a legendary public relations professional who frequented high society. Seemingly unremarkable, it can reflect the inner world of the person opposite it, according to the wearer's intentions.
Effect (catering to preferences): When conversing with someone, the device analyzes the other person's micro-expressions, tone of voice, and subconscious reactions, and tells the host, through text prompts, what topics or attitudes the other person most wants to hear at that moment.
Note: No one can refuse someone who understands them.
"That's interesting."
Kitahara Shin stroked his chin.
One is the ultimate memory passive skill, and the other is a social advantage. These two things will be a tremendous asset for the upcoming filming.
Green Mountain Studios, the studio used for filming "The White Tower".
There are no surgical scenes on today's call sheet; it's all dialogue scenes.
That is, the core of the entire series—the power struggle.
If the operating room was the stage where Goro Zaizen displayed his superb skills, then the professor's office and the high-class ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) were the arena where these doctors showed their fangs.
In the rest area, several elderly people dressed in suits with gray hair were sitting around a coffee table in a harmonious atmosphere.
Koji Ishizaka, who plays Professor Azuma Teizo, the First Surgical Professor, holds a cup of tea in his hand, his posture as elegant as if he were in his own study.
Opposite him were Toshiyuki Nishida, who played the nouveau riche father-in-law Zaizen Yaichi, and Masato Ibu, who played the medical director Ryoichi Ukai.
These three are all "living fossils" of the Japanese entertainment industry.
-
"Ishizaka-san, I heard you found some good stuff on that treasure-hunting show again recently?" Toshiyuki Nishida asked with a smile, his amiable demeanor making it impossible to tell that he was a profit-driven businessman in the show.
"No, it's just a few paintings and calligraphies from the Meiji period."
Koji Ishizaka waved his hand modestly, his tone gentle, "But Nishida-san, you look quite well lately. Did you go to a hot spring to recuperate again?"
"Haha, you found out. I took my grandson to Hakone."
Several veteran actors chatted casually, their conversation ranging from antiques to their grandchildren, and then to recent variety shows. That relaxed feeling was the composure that had settled in them over decades of acting careers.
As they chatted, the topic naturally shifted to the male protagonist who hadn't yet appeared.
"Speaking of which—"
Ibu Masato stroked his signature bald head and lowered his voice, saying, "What do you guys think of that Kitahara Shin?"
"He's a promising talent."
Toshiyuki Nishida nodded, his smile fading, and his eyes becoming more serious: "Although I wasn't on set for that surgery scene a few days ago, Director Nishitani said it was amazing. That kind of hand skill takes years of hard training to achieve."
"It's not just about hand skills."
Koji Ishizaka put down his teacup, his gaze deep: "I've seen his performance in 'Under One Roof.' That explosive power, and the control that's rare for someone his age—to be honest, I haven't seen such a composed young man in many years."
"
"Young actors these days are either over-the-top or dull. It's truly rare to find someone like him who has both the popularity of an idol and the integrity of an actor."
"You say—"
Ibu Masato was somewhat curious, "Is he self-taught, or did he study under a master? I see a bit of that old guy, Mikuni Rentaro, in him?"
"Who knows?"
Toshiyuki Nishida shrugged. "Maybe it was directed by Kanzo Itami. Anyway, we'll be rehearsing soon, so we'll see what he's really made of."
Just then, Kitahara Shin walked in.
He was wearing a well-tailored dark three-piece suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses.
Filming hasn't even started yet, but he already exudes that "Goro Zaizen" vibe.
That ambitious yet extremely restrained arrogance, born of poverty, naturally emanated from him with every step he took.
Good morning, everyone.
Kitahara Shin walked up to the group, bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners without appearing subservient.
Koji Ishizaka looked up at him.
This is the first time the two have officially collaborated.
Although I had greeted him beforehand and seen his surgical demonstration, that was, after all, a "technical demonstration." In dramatic scenes, the face-to-face eye contact is the true touchstone for testing an actor's skill.
A scrutinizing glint flashed in Koji Ishizaka's eyes.
"Good morning, Kitahara-kun." He responded with a smile, his detached politeness perfectly balanced. "You have a lot of scenes to film today, are you ready?"
"Always be prepared."
Kitahara Shin answered with a smile, his eyes behind his glasses as calm as still water.
The first scene.
A standoff in the professor's office.
The background is that Professor Azuma is about to retire, and he harbors resentment towards his talented but arrogant disciple, Goro Zaizen, and is secretly looking for other candidates. Zaizen has noticed this and comes to test him.
"Action!"
With the director's command.
The air in the office froze instantly.
Koji Ishizaka sat behind a large desk, holding a fountain pen, and was reviewing documents.
He didn't look up at Kitahara Shin as he walked in.
This is how veteran actors handle things—ignore it.
This subtle gesture directly established the difference in status between the two. He was a professor who held the power of life and death, while Zaizen, no matter how well he performed surgery, was ultimately just an associate professor.
Kitahara Shin stood in front of the table.
He didn't rush to speak, nor did he make any exaggerated movements to steal the spotlight like ordinary young actors.
He just stood there quietly.
Keep your back straight and let your arms hang naturally at your sides.
But he subtly adjusted his breathing rhythm, making his chest rise and fall a tiny bit more rapidly—just a tiny bit. This one detail perfectly captured Zaizen's "suppressed anger" and "eagerness to achieve quick results."
Koji Ishizaka paused slightly at the tip of his pen.
He heard that breathing sound.
Oh? Did you notice?
A flicker of surprise crossed Koji Ishizaka's mind. He had expected the young man to lose his temper or break the silence with a louder voice. Unexpectedly, he responded to his "cold reception" in the most reserved way.
"—Your surgery schedule is really full, Zaizen-kun."
Koji Ishizaka finally spoke.
The voice was soft, carrying a nonchalant weariness, as if they were just chatting about the weather.
But the subtext of this line is: you're just a surgical machine, don't think too much about things you shouldn't be thinking about.
"It's for the patients, Professor."
Kitahara Shin immediately responded.
The speaking speed was 0.5 seconds faster than usual.
This slightly hasty retort perfectly captures Zaizen's contradictory feelings: wanting to prove himself to his mentor but not wanting to appear too obvious.
The conversation between the two began to deepen.
Koji Ishizaka is starting to exert his strength.
He deliberately added many pauses and micro-expressions that were not in the script to his performance.
For example, when he mentions the word "medical ethics," he will take off his glasses and slowly wipe them with a velvet cloth, but his eyes, through the reflection of the lenses, will coldly pierce Kitahara Shin.
This is a test.
He was watching to see if Kitahara Shin could keep up with the pace. If he couldn't, the scene would feel disjointed, and Zaizen's momentum would be completely crushed.
However, to his surprise...
Kitahara Shin not only caught it, but caught it with unparalleled smoothness.
The moment Koji Ishizaka took off his glasses, Shin Kitahara leaned forward slightly.
That was an "offensive" stance.
It was like two ferocious beasts meeting in the jungle. The old lion brandished its claws, but the young lion king did not retreat; instead, it lowered its roar.
"I believe that the best medical ethics is to prevent patients from dying on the operating table."
When Kitahara Shin delivered this line, his eyes pierced straight into Ishizaka Koji's eyes without the slightest hesitation.
That self-confidence, arrogance, and disdain for Professor Dong's hypocrisy were on full display at this moment.
"6
Koji Ishizaka paused for half a second as he put his glasses back on.
Comfortable.
so comfy.
This feeling is like encountering a well-matched opponent in tennis. Every spin ball you serve is precisely predicted by your opponent, who returns it at a more difficult angle.
No verbal communication or repeated adjustments are needed.
With just a glance or a slight adjustment of breath, the two can resonate on the same wavelength.
This kind of chemistry was something Koji Ishizaka had only experienced before when acting alongside actors of the caliber of Ken Takakura or Tatsuya Nakadai.
Now, standing opposite him is just a young man in his early twenties.
"Cut!!"
The director's voice rang out, "Cut!"
Koji Ishizaka did not immediately break character.
He sat in the chair, looking at Kitahara Shin standing opposite him. The coldness of "Professor Higashi" in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by an undisguised appreciation.
He stood up, walked around the desk, and extended his hand to Kitahara Shin.
"Well done."
Koji Ishizaka's voice carried a genuine smile, "That forward-leaning movement just now, you designed that yourself, didn't you? It was very dynamic."
"It's because of the guidance from my seniors."
Kitahara Shin grasped his hand and smiled modestly, "When I saw you wiping your glasses, I instinctively felt I should retaliate."
"Hahaha, subconsciously? That's the most remarkable thing."
Koji Ishizaka patted him on the shoulder, a gesture so intimate that it stunned the surrounding staff.
It's worth noting that this senior actress is known for being aloof and unapproachable; while she's polite to younger actors, she's rarely this enthusiastic.
Are you free at noon?
Koji Ishizaka extended an invitation, "How about we grab a bento box together? I have some ideas for the next few scenes, and I'd like to discuss them with you."
"Of course," Kitahara Shin nodded. "I couldn't be happier."
Lunch break.
In a corner of the cafeteria.
The other veteran actors looked at Koji Ishizaka, who was chatting animatedly with Shin Kitahara and even gesturing with chopsticks to indicate the plot, and their expressions were somewhat subtle.
"Hey, what's wrong with Ishizaka?"
Nishida Toshiyuki took a bite of rice, somewhat puzzled, "Doesn't he usually hate talking about work while eating? He says it affects digestion."
"Looks like he's completely captivated."
Ibu Masato took a sip of soup, watching Kitahara Shin's retreating figure thoughtfully. "That young man is something else."
After the day's filming concluded.
Koji Ishizaka returned to the veteran actors' dressing room.
This time, his attitude underwent a complete change.
"This is incredible!"
As soon as he entered, he loosened his tie and even exclaimed somewhat uncomfortably, "The younger generation is truly formidable!"
"What? Did that kid bewitch you?" Nishida Toshiyuki teased.
"You don't know."
-
Koji Ishizaka sat down, his eyes still gleaming with shock: "When I was discussing the script with him at noon, I casually mentioned a scene from episode five. Guess what? He not only recited all the lines from that scene verbatim, but he could even tell me which page of the script it was on and what day the call was!"
"Moreover, his understanding of medical terminology is not based on rote memorization at all."
Koji Ishizaka pointed to his head: "He even understands that pathological mechanism! He said that in order to play Zaizen well, he read through all the relevant medical books. This level of professionalism—I'm starting to wonder if he actually passed the medical licensing exam."
"Really?"
Nishida Toshiyuki and Ibu Masato looked at each other.
Having a good memory isn't unusual, but being able to memorize a script to this extent is indeed a bit frightening.
"Ishizaka, you're not exaggerating, are you?"
Masato Ibu was somewhat skeptical. "These days, young people are lucky if they can even memorize their lines fluently."
"Hmph, you'll see tomorrow if you try it." Koji Ishizaka snorted, with an expression that said, "You don't understand."
the next day.
It was time for Toshiyuki Nishida (who played the father-in-law) and Nobu Kitahara to have their scene together.
This is a scene set in a high-class ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant), where the father-in-law, for the sake of his son-in-law's future, eats kaiseki cuisine while teaching him how to give gifts and how to garner votes.
Toshiyuki Nishida is a well-known "improvisational fanatic".
He doesn't like to follow the script exactly when acting; he often adds small gestures or changes lines to make the character feel more real. This is what many young actors fear most about him—they can't keep up.
"Action!"
Filming begins.
Nishida Toshiyuki picked up a piece of sashimi, but instead of eating it as scripted, he suddenly said to Kitahara Shin, "Goro, the belly of this tuna is like the 'seat' of those professors. It looks greasy, but when you eat it, you get that melt-in-your-mouth taste—would you like to try it too?"
L
This line wasn't in the script at all.
He was testing the waters.
However, Kitahara Shin didn't pause for even a second.
He pushed up his glasses, a perfectly timed smile playing on his lips—a smile that was both greedy and restrained—as he casually poured his father-in-law a glass of wine: "Anything my father gives me, even a fish bone, I'll chew and swallow."
"good!"
Nishida Toshiyuki shouted in his heart.
That line is brilliant! It not only shows loyalty but also establishes Zaizen's "wolf-like" character.
Throughout the scene, the two actors went back and forth like they were performing a crosstalk routine, with a pace so fast it was almost suffocating.
After finishing work.
Nishida Toshiyuki returned to the lounge, plopped down on the sofa, and uttered the same sigh as Ishizaka Koji yesterday.
"I'm impressed."
He took the water his assistant handed him, gulped down more than half of it, and then looked at the other two: "This kid is a prodigy."
"How so?" Ibu Masato asked.
"It's not just about good acting skills."
Nishida Toshiyuki clicked his tongue, savoring the conversation. "His emotional intelligence is amazing. We chatted briefly during the break. He actually knew I'd been studying rakugo (Japanese stand-up comedy) lately, and he even managed to get to the heart of the matter!"
Why did what he said sound so agreeable? It wasn't cheap flattery; it genuinely struck a chord with me.
"That feeling—it was like he could read my mind."
Nishida Toshiyuki patted his round belly, looking quite content. "Chatting with him is more comfortable than going to a hot spring."
Day three.
It's Masato Ibu's turn (playing the Minister of Medical Affairs).
This veteran actor, known for his deep voice and profound cunning, was completely captivated after acting out a "political conspiracy" scene with Kitahara Nobu.
Back in the lounge, he looked at his two old buddies, shook his head with a wry smile.
"Now I understand why you all praise him so much."
Masato Ibu sighed. "That kid's a real shrewd operator. He knows I like whiskey, and today he specifically asked me—"
I talked for ages about the distilleries in the Scottish Highlands—and every single thing I said resonated with me.
"What's even more terrifying is his control over the rhythm when he's acting—"
Three veteran actors, whose combined age is nearly two hundred, sat in the lounge, looking at each other in bewilderment.
They originally wanted to see what this "rising star" was really capable of, but they never expected that in just three days, they would be completely won over by him, from his acting skills to his character.
at the same time.
Kitahara Shin sat in his van and removed the "Chameleon Cufflink" that shimmered with a ghostly blue light.
On his retina, the lingering text above the heads of those veteran actors still remained:
Goal: Koji Ishizaka's psychological state: He desires recognition for his erudition and versatility.
Strategy suggestion: Discuss the details of the script, showing respect and empathy for the knowledge.
Target: Toshiyuki Nishida's mental state: a hedonist who enjoys life and hates rigidity.
-
Tips: Catch his impromptu jokes, chat about food and rakugo, and show that you feel like one of our own.
Target: Ibu Masato's mental state: Confident in his taste, he likes understated luxury.
Tips: Compliment his voice and taste, and focus the conversation on whiskey and classical music.
"Is this the power of blue-grade equipment?"
Kitahara Shin looked at the cufflinks in his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips.
With this, not to mention these veteran actors, even the most difficult interpersonal relationships in the entire White Tower are like instruction manuals laid out before him.