AWB Chapter 186 A Brand New IP Landscape: The Ultraman Tiga Stage Play Project!
Chapter 186 A Brand New IP Landscape: The Ultraman Tiga Stage Play Project!
Let's rewind to a month ago.
The buzz surrounding the online movie "Star Warriors" continues to spread across the internet. This massively produced special effects film, with its huge budget and Hollywood-level special effects, has shattered the traditional film industry's prejudice against "suit fighting" with its outrageous box office figures.
The box office miracle created by pay-per-view has firmly established Light Chaser Animation as the leading upstart in the industry.
At this moment, Gu Nan was sitting alone in his spacious and bright office.
In today's parallel world, Tsuburaya Productions no longer exists after the Heisei era, but Ultraman, thanks to the efforts of Light Chaser Animation, has grown into a super IP that rivals its predecessor.
"Brother Nan, look at these numbers! They're skyrocketing!"
Chen Bo pushed open the door and walked in, holding the latest merchandise sales report in his hand. His chubby face was beaming with joy. "Bandai's OEM factories are practically burning out. The Desfaza True Bone Sculpture figure sold out instantly."
Gu Nan nodded slightly and put down the tablet: "TV dramas, online movies, peripheral toys, and even the single-player games we developed... the ecosystem has indeed been initially established."
He stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looked at the bustling street scene of Jinghai City, and a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes: "But Lao Chen, this is not enough. A true super IP cannot just live on the screen and in the figurine cabinet."
"Not enough?"
Chen Bo was taken aback. "Brother Nan, our production capacity is almost exhausted, what else do you want to do?"
"Interaction." Gu Nan turned around and said, enunciating each word clearly, "We need real-time interaction. We need to bring the Giant of Light directly to the audience."
Disney has theme parks, and Hatsune Miku has holographic concerts.
What does Ultraman need?
The image of Tsuburaya Productions' signature project from his previous life—the Ultraman stage show—instantly flashed into Gu Nan's mind!
With perfect coordination of lighting and sound effects, the costumed actors interact face-to-face with children and adults in the audience.
The immersive and awe-inspiring feeling of "Ultraman fighting right in front of me" is something that can never be replaced by a cold screen.
Moreover, the previous version of "Ultraman Tiga" also had an extremely classic OV spin-off - "The Ancient Giants".
This story, which tells the tale of Daigo and Rena's son, Enki, who accidentally travels back to an ancient village 30 million years ago and witnesses the origin of Ultraman Tiga, would be somewhat lacking in scope if directly made into a big-screen movie.
However, if adapted into a stage play, the mysterious ancient background and the father-son bond that transcends time and space are simply tailor-made for the tension of the stage!
"A stage play?"
Chen Bo was somewhat surprised after hearing Gu Nan's plan.
"A spin-off of Ultraman Tiga? And they're even bringing it to the stage? That's a huge leap!"
"Let's get ready and gather the original team from Ultraman Tiga."
Gu Nan issued the order swiftly and decisively.
That afternoon, in Conference Room 1 of Chasing Light Cinema.
The core actors of the Ultraman Tiga production team fell silent as they watched the "Ultraman Tiga Stage Play Project" displayed on the big screen.
"Brother Nan, you're taking bigger and bigger steps now."
Chen Bo rubbed his stomach and said with a bitter face, "We started out making web dramas. There's not even a single person in the crew who knows anything about theater production, let alone stage plays."
Su Zhe pinched his brow somewhat guiltily: "Director Gu, Old Chen is right. Film and television acting can be reshot, and can be edited in post-production. But stage plays are live broadcasts, and the margin for error is zero. The requirements for the penetrating power and explosive force of the lines are completely different. Can we, who are self-taught, handle it?"
"This is where our skills are truly tested; we're professionally trained, after all!"
Gu Nan placed his hands on the table, his gaze sweeping firmly over everyone. "Tiga's soul was given to him by you. This origin story about the ancient times, apart from your original cast, no one else will be able to accept it."
Afterwards, everyone carefully reviewed the script outline.
"Director Gu, the script is indeed fine. But our lack of stage experience is a major weakness. If we force it, we might ruin the reputation that Light Chaser Animation has worked so hard to build."
"Don't worry, I never fight a battle unprepared."
Gu Nan snapped his fingers confidently. "I already used Teacher Li Guoqiang's connections to hire the top performers from the most famous stage troupe in Jinghai City—the Jinghai People's Art Theatre—at a hefty price. For the next month, they will be giving you a completely intensive, closed-door training program!"
"Huh? Intensive training?"
The conference room was immediately filled with groans and wails.
In the days that followed, the large rehearsal hall rented by Light Chaser Animation Studios at great expense was filled with screams and roars every day.
The instructor sent by the Beijing People's Art Theatre was a veteran actor in his sixties who rarely smiled.
"Louder! Louder! The people in the back can't hear you at all!"
The old professor, holding a ruler, stared sternly at the group. "A stage play doesn't need that restrained micro-expression you have in front of the camera! You need to use your body language to engage the entire audience, and speak from your diaphragm! Let's start again!"
"Get your emotions in there! Move to the front!"
The old professor showed no mercy.
Not only for dramatic actors, but also for Zhang Zhao, who is the suit actor for Ultraman Tiga, the special training challenges he faces are even more brutal.
There are no post-production lighting effects or CG rendering of explosions on stage. All the impact must rely on the real sense of suspension and pause in the action, as well as the perfect timing with the stage lighting and sound effects.
Wearing a lightweight and breathable Ultraman Tiga suit specially made by the Props Department of Chasing Light Pictures for the stage play, Zhang Zhao repeatedly practiced roundhouse kicks and shoulder throws on stage.
"stop!"
The action director shouted, "Zhang Zhao, your movements are too fluid and too fast! Stage fights need to be rhythmic, like dance. When you throw the monster out, there must be a very clear pause! You need to give the kids in the audience time to cheer and applaud! Understand?"
"clear!"
Zhang Zhao, panting heavily, re-assuming the starting fighting stance.
In a corner, Chen Bo and Zhao Gang were frantically rehearsing their lines.
Chen Bo's portrayal of the ancient version of "Horii" remains the comedic relief of the team.
Zhao Gang, who plays the ancient version of "Zong Fang," has a stern and serious expression.
The two, one active and one still, worked together in perfect harmony, making Xia Youwei, who was resting nearby, giggle.
Although they were trained to the point of exhaustion every day, their eyes shone with light. They knew that this was not only about pushing the boundaries of their acting skills, but also about giving back to the audience who had always supported them and believed in their talent.
While the actors were rehearsing with great effort, Gu Nan was also busy, embarking on a frantic fieldwork schedule.
Obtaining approval for a large-scale commercial stage play is usually a long and complicated process, requiring coordination with fire departments, the cultural bureau, and security authorities—all are indispensable.
But to Gu Nan's surprise and delight, the speed of this advancement was simply outrageous.
"Oh, it's Director Gu, the one who directed 'Ultraman Tiga'!"
The person in charge of approvals at the Cultural Bureau warmly shook Gu Nan's hand, his face beaming. "My son holds up a glow stick at home every day, shouting that he wants to become light! We highly approve of the indomitable positive energy that Chasing Light Films conveys! We'll expedite the approval process for your stage play, giving it the green light as quickly as possible!"
In terms of venue, Gu Nan had very high standards and directly chose the Jinghai Grand Theater, the largest and best-equipped theater in Jinghai City.
The theater's schedule was already fully booked, but when the theater's manager heard that it was the first official stage play of Ultraman Tiga, he immediately decided to reschedule two relatively unpopular plays and give the best weekend slot to Gu Nan.
"Director Gu, to be honest, our theater is in dire need of young, fresh talent right now."
The theater manager smiled and poured himself a cup of tea. "Traditional plays have too limited an audience these days. Once your Ultraman comes on, you'll definitely break down the doors of our theater. It's a win-win situation!"
All is ready except for the opportunity.
After leaving the Grand Theater, Gu Nan immediately dialed the phone number of Lin Yu, the head of the film and television department at Bilibili.
"Hey, Mr. Lin. I have a brand new offline project, an official stage play. Would you be interested in collaborating?"
After hearing Gu Nan's complete plan over the phone, Lin Yu was so excited he almost jumped up in his office.
"Director Gu! You're practically my cash cow! Bilibili's anime convention performance section has been struggling lately with a lack of top-tier blockbuster events to liven things up! Bilibili has secured the exclusive ticketing rights! I'll immediately arrange for it to be featured on the highest-level recommendation spot on the entire homepage!"
three days later.
On the homepage of Bilibili, a huge poster full of mysterious epic and ancient atmosphere suddenly appeared.
The poster features an ancient civilization site in the background, alongside a colossal, black statue.
Ahead, Ultraman Tiga strikes his classic battle pose.
Meanwhile, a new set of photos featuring the original cast, including a man who looks remarkably like Daigo, Munakata, Horii, and others, in a mix of period and modern costumes, are displayed on either side.
The top line of gold lettering reads: "The Giant Who Resurrected from the Ancient Times - Ultraman Tiga's First Official Stage Play!"
Below, a catchy caption reads: "A bond spanning 30 million years! Featuring the original cast and crew of Light Chaser Animation!"
Along with the poster, a two-minute behind-the-scenes PV of rehearsals was also released.
In the behind-the-scenes footage, Su Zhe, who plays his son "Yuan Yi" after finishing his makeup, loudly recites his emotional lines. Zhang Zhao demonstrates fighting on stage, sweating profusely. There is also a fleeting close-up of an ancient monster suit.
This bombshell news caused a sensation throughout Bilibili and even the entire tokusatsu (special effects) community online.
On Bilibili's ticket pre-sale live stream page, even though there was still half an hour before the official ticket sale, the barrage of comments had already flooded the entire screen like an avalanche.
[Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!!! An official stage play?!]
[Gu Laozei, you're not playing by the rules! I thought Ultraman Tiga was completely over, and you pull out an ancient side story stage play?!]
[Daigo's son?! An ancient village?! Is it to fill in a hole from 30 million years ago?]
[The original cast is back! The original cast, guys! I can't believe I can actually see Daigo and Rena in person!]
[I knew it! The world of Ultraman Tiga is so vast, how could it end like this! Director Gu is awesome!]
The live stream's popularity skyrocketed, and the audience's emotions were completely ignited.
Although no one can see the faces of the other people, the rapidly scrolling text on the screen is enough to prove how crazy and expectant these fans are.
[Don't get too excited, everyone! Look closely at the venue! It's the Jinghai City Grand Theatre! There are only three performances for the premiere!]
[Holy crap! I just realized! They even have to scramble for tickets?!]
[I'm currently in Shanghai, and I've already bought my plane ticket to Jinghai! Even if I have to sleep on the streets, I'm going to see Daigo live!]
[Waaaaah, what am I going to do if I'm a student and can't afford to go to Jinghai? Director Gu, please, please hold a national tour! I want to see Ultraman Tiga fight monsters!]
[Light Chaser Animation's production capacity is simply insane! They just released a feature film, then did a game collaboration, and now they're even arranging a live stage play. Even the donkeys in the production team wouldn't dare to do this!]
In front of the screen, some rational fans were also seriously discussing the matter.
On another note, can film and television actors hold their own on stage when they go straight to performing in a play? Stage plays really demand strong stage presence and performance skills.
[What's there to be afraid of! Anything produced by Gu Nan is guaranteed to be top-notch! Didn't you see in the behind-the-scenes footage that teachers from the Beijing People's Art Theatre were providing guidance? That's what you call professionalism!]
Exactly! Even if we take a step back and say I'd pay to see them fight in costume, even if they're just standing on stage, I'd still pay!
[Daigo already has a son, is Shinjo still a single dog, hahaha!]