Through the eyes of a fan
I started reading this chinese fan's blog on the recommendation from felly80 . The more I read the stronger the thoughts of letting people know the labour behind the shooting of SP. I thought I've seen plenty during the drama days, watching every episode of the behind the scenes of SP. But this from the eyes of a fan who've been there, seen that, in just 4 days of shooting location and the gist of what she had felt, really cannot match the 5 years of his life he has given to SP. Being fans, we are biased; being fans, we see more good than others can see in him; being fans, allow me to me a little more sentimental and share with all what this fan has wrote.
Quoting the fan:
"Seeing Okada in as Inoue in front of me, makes me feel even more thrilled than seeing him in concerts. Because SP lets me understand that fangirling an idol is not just about happiness, not just seeing his pretty face on stage, but will make me emotional and touched and make my heart break. There is that much that words can convey, but my feelings is so much more...
I see him under the humid weather in a suit, running up and down the atrium until his shirt is soaked through.
I see him fall on the stairs and pick himself up, and kept assuring all that he is alright.
I see him ask for one more try even when the director says cut.
I see him always in deep discussion with the director and AD to check all the positions
I see him turn round immediately to ask if he hurt any extras after the filming of a pushing scene
I see him film the scene he was pushed down over and over again with everyone watching on in silence
I see him hit by the elbow by a co-star but the first thing he ask if the other party is ok.
I see him chain smoke whenever he is stressed but when he is besides Maki who has just given birth, he will never smoke and even taking other's cig
I see him in frowns smoking in a corner alone but he will always smile happily when he sees people walk towards him
I see him introduce shy staff to other people and mix around with other staff, even on tiptops to rest his arm around taller staff's shoulders.
I see him having fun with other staff and even peeping over the railing like a kid to see the sleeping face of others, smiling secretly to himself.
I see him say he is fine after a fighting scene even when the other party kept rubbing their pain spots.
I see him taking sweets from staff after which he say because he will have low sugar level after strenuous exercise.
I see him bow and thank us all after a day's work even though we are just there to watch him film.
I see his old and new wounds every time he showed his arms.
I hear him say that the script is good, the director is good and the staff are good, only that he is afraid to let everyone down because of his bad acting
I hear him say this group of staff is really good and hope everyone can see and appreciate their efforts
I hear him say actually he has alot of regrets in his scenes and wish that he can reshoot them.
I hear him say that anything below a fractured bone is not an injury.
I hear him say that he must not let himself get hurt or it will stop the filming process and waste everyone's effort.
I hear him say that he is very uncertain and he is afraid.
I hear him say that he wishes everyone can go and see it, in a manner where a small kid is afraid of asking for request.
...
what I have seen is only 4 days of shooting and in these 4 days, I have never see him rest properly. I see his efforts and his fatigue and how caring he is to others but never to himself...
4 days, compared to the 10months of shooting the movie.
There is nothing more real than what I've seen and I've saw it, and it only brought me more and more surprises.
5 years, how many 5 years can an idol have? How many idols can give their best in something uncertain for 5 years?
In these 5 years, after every night of work, he had to run 5km, do 8 sets of 100m upslope dashes, 300 each of push-ups, sit-ups and crunches.
In these 5 years, he had learnt all sorts of martial arts with 4-5 instructors training him. His training is just like that of an FBI's and he even gotten the instructor license.
In these 5 years, he admitted that he rejected cms and movies just so that he can focus on filming SP
In these 5 years, he learnt budgetting and accounts, many softwares in order to do proposals, write proposals and fighting manuals, after his scenes he will blend in with the staff to do location checks, and carried with him his book so that he can write notes as and where he is.
In these 5 years, he said he would think about SP for the whole night causing him many sleepless nights.
He gave his late 20s years to this film called SP
I wish he will reap paybacks.
Because of his efforts and everyone's efforts
Maki (female SP) would always smile and watch him fool around with the rest, or stand by the side quietly as he discuss about the movie with the others, even though she has nothing to do with that scene. She says: [All of us here loves Okada-kun, he is really a good lead. He never changed, always being so gentle to everyone, always doing his best and his love for the movie is deeper than anyone elses. I've never see him rest nor sleep. And watching his back makes me feel very worried for him. This film taught me responsibility, and if not for this, I won't be making such a fast comeback. I went to learn martial arts, but not being able to keep up with the rest makes me feel frustrated, and I really don't wish to return back to the real world to the real me.]
Yamamoto (3:7 SP) would always tease him during the filming, and even though he was often the brunt of Okada's teasing, he never got angry nor fail to act embarassed. He says: [Okada-kun is a role model for a lead character. I became his fan and would always look out for him. His efforts and passion is felt by all and everyone wants to follow his lead. Being able to take part in this film has been my biggest honor. I am always worried that Okada-kun is carrying all the burden but it doesn't matter for we will always follow him.]
Ishida (taller SP) spent 6 hours in the night travelling to and fro when the film crank in just to have a drink with all the SP member and just to hug Okada and cry and tell him thank you for his hard work. He says: [Okada always makes me feel like protecting him, but I doesn't have that capability to protect him.] And in the studio he shouts: [SP is the best!]
Kagawa (new character) says: [seeing Okada-kun's effort and passion, the excitement that I was influenced by, is much more happier than when I got my movie awards. Okada-kun always seeks advice from me, but I feel that I am not even up on par with him. Okada-kun lead me to believe that we as actors are loved by people and he made me understand that we have alot to thank for the people who supports us and should always treasure and love these people around us a little more. He really reminds me of my starting self.]
Hatano director never once threw his temper at him and would always watch Okada with a smile, that's because there is no need to teach him. He says: [This is the first time there is such filming scene, such leading actor, and all actions stunts performed by the person himself. Rather than being like an actor, he is more like the person waving the flag and leading us all. After the shooting, I would always keep my eyes on him, until the point when he relaxes, then I will feel more at ease. All the action stunts are done by Okada himself and no matter how dangerous it is, he will never say no. His passion is the key to this piece of creation. Only this film I will never hand it over to anyone else. Okada-kun would mail me on the phone to encourage me but I would always think that I am not working hard enough when I saw his mails. And the most important thing this time round is not to let him get hurt again.
Tsutsumi (his "boss") would always try to make him happy in the filming location. standing under the sun to watch him film, frown when he sees him fall, laugh when he sees him fool around. At the press conference, he said with unblinking tearing eyes: [This made me think of the thing that is most precious to me. There is no one else who would do anything for a film like Okada did. If not for this film, I would not have be so engrossed. Every actor and staff are united like a pillar.]
On the day of crank in, all the other actors waited for him in the late night, just to say "thank you for your hard work" when it ends.
When he films, all the staff will not be resting but standing silently by the side to watch or standing on tiptoes to look through the windows, or even out there under the sun...
All the staff will proudly watch on while explaining to the crowd about the scene that he is shooting for and what he is going to shoot next...
And when passerbys ask what is going on, the staff will proudly say "SP" instead of trying to hide the truth.
In all the past filming locations that is opened to the public, this is the first I see of a united team, whose passion never runs dry and whose fatigue never show, even as they start to get ready at 5-6am, they will always put on great smiles and they will always feel proud when they talk about Okada or SP...
The 5 instructors who taught him martial arts said they were here for his dream. Junichi is not just an idol. He has worked hard and long for a dream that may not realise; he just wants others to see an example. They say: [even though our strength are limited, but thank you for letting us be a part of your dream]
All the actors and staff says that they all went to learn 4 months of martial arts after seeing Okada work so hard.
The actors and staff went for the V6 concert together and said that it was great to see him so happy; they would even buy tickets in private to take their families there to watch.
There are many in the staff who has been involved in (Bayside shakedown) for many years, but they chose to give up their chance in the Bayside 3 movie team, saying that that is due to management's arrangement and it is impossible that they gave up loving Bayside, but whilst saying Bayside 3 is a must watch, they also said that they will do their best for while they may have given up many chances that we may not see to work in SP, they also have to endure many sayings from people around them for choosing a film less promising than the awaited Bayside; but yet they still say: "Being able to work with SP is a bliss, and I want to continue to work hard together. SP makes me feel as if I can give up everything else"
With that, they said to Okada: "Thank you for our dream"
The action stunts by Okada never starts with the director's call but everyone's "Ready--- go!"
Okada says when he finished filming, everyone around him were crying.
And even though a "true man never shed tears", at the crank in party, the 300 odd men in the SP team were crying and hugging Okada. Yamamoto said that when Okada teared, every one else did the same and told him that he had really worked hard for the film.
Okada says: [though many say that the entertainment field is dwindling, there are many more hot blooded talented people and I wanted to help them to be recognised on stage.]
He did it, with SP, and let us all see the men's passion, see the fact that they can throw away all for a dream and their feelings towards this film is really simple, really pure and really proud.
Okada says: [even though many said that my dream is not realistic, but still I want to do it and say it.]
He did it, SP is an unrealistic dream, no one can promise a good outcome but he did it and led so many pasionate others who are willing to fight alongside with him.
Okada says: [SP is not just my hobby, but also a great responsibility. There are too many people waiting, too many who put in effort and work hard for it. With so many people I have to thank for, I will make it.]
He did it, and with so many praises from others, with so many thank yous to him.
---the rest is her rants so I will not translate that, and last but not least, another excerpt from this fan from another post---
Reading the blog of another japanese fan, she said that while watching the fighting scenes in the movie, one can feel the pain from these action stunts, thus she cried while watching. But a non fan asked her: "Are you supposed to cry in this scene?" I guess if you are not a fan you wouldn't understand, why us as fan would want to cry when we are watching fighting scenes where he looked so cool.
That day after the movie premiere, there are really alot of people crying. And the thought that ran across my mind is: All fans feel the same....
--------end---------
As I read/ translate, I wished I could have been there to see for myself, to observe and to feel. But alas, I can only see through the eyes of another fan; however I thank her for sharing her thoughts and with the little strength I have, I can only pass more information around this way.
Hope you have enjoyed this translation which wrench my heart time and time again as I read and reread to do this translation. No matter how many times I read this, it will always bring a tear to my eyes. It may be a bit too much for non Okada fans, and there are many other actors out in this world who may be more professional than our dear Okada. But let me show off how proud I am of him in this little translation and hope Okada biased people or even non biased people will see him in this light, see him for what he is, what he is worth instead of another idol who can sing and dance and look cool. .
Quoting the fan:
"Seeing Okada in as Inoue in front of me, makes me feel even more thrilled than seeing him in concerts. Because SP lets me understand that fangirling an idol is not just about happiness, not just seeing his pretty face on stage, but will make me emotional and touched and make my heart break. There is that much that words can convey, but my feelings is so much more...
I see him under the humid weather in a suit, running up and down the atrium until his shirt is soaked through.
I see him fall on the stairs and pick himself up, and kept assuring all that he is alright.
I see him ask for one more try even when the director says cut.
I see him always in deep discussion with the director and AD to check all the positions
I see him turn round immediately to ask if he hurt any extras after the filming of a pushing scene
I see him film the scene he was pushed down over and over again with everyone watching on in silence
I see him hit by the elbow by a co-star but the first thing he ask if the other party is ok.
I see him chain smoke whenever he is stressed but when he is besides Maki who has just given birth, he will never smoke and even taking other's cig
I see him in frowns smoking in a corner alone but he will always smile happily when he sees people walk towards him
I see him introduce shy staff to other people and mix around with other staff, even on tiptops to rest his arm around taller staff's shoulders.
I see him having fun with other staff and even peeping over the railing like a kid to see the sleeping face of others, smiling secretly to himself.
I see him say he is fine after a fighting scene even when the other party kept rubbing their pain spots.
I see him taking sweets from staff after which he say because he will have low sugar level after strenuous exercise.
I see him bow and thank us all after a day's work even though we are just there to watch him film.
I see his old and new wounds every time he showed his arms.
I hear him say that the script is good, the director is good and the staff are good, only that he is afraid to let everyone down because of his bad acting
I hear him say this group of staff is really good and hope everyone can see and appreciate their efforts
I hear him say actually he has alot of regrets in his scenes and wish that he can reshoot them.
I hear him say that anything below a fractured bone is not an injury.
I hear him say that he must not let himself get hurt or it will stop the filming process and waste everyone's effort.
I hear him say that he is very uncertain and he is afraid.
I hear him say that he wishes everyone can go and see it, in a manner where a small kid is afraid of asking for request.
...
what I have seen is only 4 days of shooting and in these 4 days, I have never see him rest properly. I see his efforts and his fatigue and how caring he is to others but never to himself...
4 days, compared to the 10months of shooting the movie.
There is nothing more real than what I've seen and I've saw it, and it only brought me more and more surprises.
5 years, how many 5 years can an idol have? How many idols can give their best in something uncertain for 5 years?
In these 5 years, after every night of work, he had to run 5km, do 8 sets of 100m upslope dashes, 300 each of push-ups, sit-ups and crunches.
In these 5 years, he had learnt all sorts of martial arts with 4-5 instructors training him. His training is just like that of an FBI's and he even gotten the instructor license.
In these 5 years, he admitted that he rejected cms and movies just so that he can focus on filming SP
In these 5 years, he learnt budgetting and accounts, many softwares in order to do proposals, write proposals and fighting manuals, after his scenes he will blend in with the staff to do location checks, and carried with him his book so that he can write notes as and where he is.
In these 5 years, he said he would think about SP for the whole night causing him many sleepless nights.
He gave his late 20s years to this film called SP
I wish he will reap paybacks.
Because of his efforts and everyone's efforts
Maki (female SP) would always smile and watch him fool around with the rest, or stand by the side quietly as he discuss about the movie with the others, even though she has nothing to do with that scene. She says: [All of us here loves Okada-kun, he is really a good lead. He never changed, always being so gentle to everyone, always doing his best and his love for the movie is deeper than anyone elses. I've never see him rest nor sleep. And watching his back makes me feel very worried for him. This film taught me responsibility, and if not for this, I won't be making such a fast comeback. I went to learn martial arts, but not being able to keep up with the rest makes me feel frustrated, and I really don't wish to return back to the real world to the real me.]
Yamamoto (3:7 SP) would always tease him during the filming, and even though he was often the brunt of Okada's teasing, he never got angry nor fail to act embarassed. He says: [Okada-kun is a role model for a lead character. I became his fan and would always look out for him. His efforts and passion is felt by all and everyone wants to follow his lead. Being able to take part in this film has been my biggest honor. I am always worried that Okada-kun is carrying all the burden but it doesn't matter for we will always follow him.]
Ishida (taller SP) spent 6 hours in the night travelling to and fro when the film crank in just to have a drink with all the SP member and just to hug Okada and cry and tell him thank you for his hard work. He says: [Okada always makes me feel like protecting him, but I doesn't have that capability to protect him.] And in the studio he shouts: [SP is the best!]
Kagawa (new character) says: [seeing Okada-kun's effort and passion, the excitement that I was influenced by, is much more happier than when I got my movie awards. Okada-kun always seeks advice from me, but I feel that I am not even up on par with him. Okada-kun lead me to believe that we as actors are loved by people and he made me understand that we have alot to thank for the people who supports us and should always treasure and love these people around us a little more. He really reminds me of my starting self.]
Hatano director never once threw his temper at him and would always watch Okada with a smile, that's because there is no need to teach him. He says: [This is the first time there is such filming scene, such leading actor, and all actions stunts performed by the person himself. Rather than being like an actor, he is more like the person waving the flag and leading us all. After the shooting, I would always keep my eyes on him, until the point when he relaxes, then I will feel more at ease. All the action stunts are done by Okada himself and no matter how dangerous it is, he will never say no. His passion is the key to this piece of creation. Only this film I will never hand it over to anyone else. Okada-kun would mail me on the phone to encourage me but I would always think that I am not working hard enough when I saw his mails. And the most important thing this time round is not to let him get hurt again.
Tsutsumi (his "boss") would always try to make him happy in the filming location. standing under the sun to watch him film, frown when he sees him fall, laugh when he sees him fool around. At the press conference, he said with unblinking tearing eyes: [This made me think of the thing that is most precious to me. There is no one else who would do anything for a film like Okada did. If not for this film, I would not have be so engrossed. Every actor and staff are united like a pillar.]
On the day of crank in, all the other actors waited for him in the late night, just to say "thank you for your hard work" when it ends.
When he films, all the staff will not be resting but standing silently by the side to watch or standing on tiptoes to look through the windows, or even out there under the sun...
All the staff will proudly watch on while explaining to the crowd about the scene that he is shooting for and what he is going to shoot next...
And when passerbys ask what is going on, the staff will proudly say "SP" instead of trying to hide the truth.
In all the past filming locations that is opened to the public, this is the first I see of a united team, whose passion never runs dry and whose fatigue never show, even as they start to get ready at 5-6am, they will always put on great smiles and they will always feel proud when they talk about Okada or SP...
The 5 instructors who taught him martial arts said they were here for his dream. Junichi is not just an idol. He has worked hard and long for a dream that may not realise; he just wants others to see an example. They say: [even though our strength are limited, but thank you for letting us be a part of your dream]
All the actors and staff says that they all went to learn 4 months of martial arts after seeing Okada work so hard.
The actors and staff went for the V6 concert together and said that it was great to see him so happy; they would even buy tickets in private to take their families there to watch.
There are many in the staff who has been involved in (Bayside shakedown) for many years, but they chose to give up their chance in the Bayside 3 movie team, saying that that is due to management's arrangement and it is impossible that they gave up loving Bayside, but whilst saying Bayside 3 is a must watch, they also said that they will do their best for while they may have given up many chances that we may not see to work in SP, they also have to endure many sayings from people around them for choosing a film less promising than the awaited Bayside; but yet they still say: "Being able to work with SP is a bliss, and I want to continue to work hard together. SP makes me feel as if I can give up everything else"
With that, they said to Okada: "Thank you for our dream"
The action stunts by Okada never starts with the director's call but everyone's "Ready--- go!"
Okada says when he finished filming, everyone around him were crying.
And even though a "true man never shed tears", at the crank in party, the 300 odd men in the SP team were crying and hugging Okada. Yamamoto said that when Okada teared, every one else did the same and told him that he had really worked hard for the film.
Okada says: [though many say that the entertainment field is dwindling, there are many more hot blooded talented people and I wanted to help them to be recognised on stage.]
He did it, with SP, and let us all see the men's passion, see the fact that they can throw away all for a dream and their feelings towards this film is really simple, really pure and really proud.
Okada says: [even though many said that my dream is not realistic, but still I want to do it and say it.]
He did it, SP is an unrealistic dream, no one can promise a good outcome but he did it and led so many pasionate others who are willing to fight alongside with him.
Okada says: [SP is not just my hobby, but also a great responsibility. There are too many people waiting, too many who put in effort and work hard for it. With so many people I have to thank for, I will make it.]
He did it, and with so many praises from others, with so many thank yous to him.
---the rest is her rants so I will not translate that, and last but not least, another excerpt from this fan from another post---
Reading the blog of another japanese fan, she said that while watching the fighting scenes in the movie, one can feel the pain from these action stunts, thus she cried while watching. But a non fan asked her: "Are you supposed to cry in this scene?" I guess if you are not a fan you wouldn't understand, why us as fan would want to cry when we are watching fighting scenes where he looked so cool.
That day after the movie premiere, there are really alot of people crying. And the thought that ran across my mind is: All fans feel the same....
--------end---------
As I read/ translate, I wished I could have been there to see for myself, to observe and to feel. But alas, I can only see through the eyes of another fan; however I thank her for sharing her thoughts and with the little strength I have, I can only pass more information around this way.
Hope you have enjoyed this translation which wrench my heart time and time again as I read and reread to do this translation. No matter how many times I read this, it will always bring a tear to my eyes. It may be a bit too much for non Okada fans, and there are many other actors out in this world who may be more professional than our dear Okada. But let me show off how proud I am of him in this little translation and hope Okada biased people or even non biased people will see him in this light, see him for what he is, what he is worth instead of another idol who can sing and dance and look cool. .