This is based on the English scanlation. So, the producer is going to give Kyouko another chance to show her Momiji or else, it will be a permanent bye-bye for her. Hm...I’m not so sure why the two actresses are so shocked about it when it isn’t some outrageous request or different from previous ones. I guess it is because she has to surpass everyone else in their performance for this part of the audition. <- they are belittling her.
And, perhaps, they are also shocked that Mr-So-Strict-Producer, who would ‘fire’ any people going for an audition, just for not being ‘dressed’ rather dyed the right hair color for the role, would actually give Kyouko another chance. Even if Kimiko is furious for other reasons, it is indeed kind of unfair that Kyouko was given a chance when others don’t.
But then, as mentioned by the lead actor, it isn’t always when someone actually returned. It was a plus that Koga is interested in it which also perked up Kuresaki’s interest and seeing how prepared Kyouko is that she even brought her own weapons. In the end, Kyouko also got nothing to lose and if she manages to impress them, then it’s great.
If not, better luck next time. Though I’m not sure about ‘nothing to lose’ since this is a producer whom I presume to be of high caliber. If Kyouko fails in it, she might not be able to get into other dramas/movies produced by Kuresaki due to the bad impression this had cause.
Well, based on everyone who is watching the audition, Kyouko obviously beat them all with her portrayal. Almost everyone including Kimiko and Erika were belittling Kyouko but they are obviously impressed with how she runs in front. She is also quite in character for she won’t act unless Shizuma ordered her to.
Kyouko’s blocking of Kuresaki’s sword then immediate counterattack is pretty cool. He didn’t even have a chance to swing his katana back. I like the style for even if she is a ‘ninja’, she is pretty much like a ‘samurai’ because based on that pose on how she is going to ‘kill’ him. That is pretty much seppuku style = behead and disembowelment. Actually, if this is real, Momiji would had just kill him as her answer to his question =P
Well, that went well but we have another obstacle before Kyouko can go to the next part of the audition. Contrary to what Kimiko thought, being internet savvy has its advantages and this is where Jouji can help her. He is going to use Kuresaki’s strict rigidness regarding qualifications to disqualify Kyouko.
Kyouko is obviously at a loss over this one. It is like rules are rules, we only take people from the acting department and not the talent department. Kyouko is also pretty much a ‘nobody’ with only two acting projects under her belt. Not only that, most of them don’t recognize her in both projects except for Koga.
Here’s more about this talent thing. From wiki, ‘Tarento (タレント?) are celebrities who regularly appear on mass media in Japan, especially television. It has a connotation of "famous for being famous. Being a "celebrity," includes the understanding that the fame of a Tarento may or may not be based upon specific accomplishments and abilities.’ Since that was Kyouko’s priority at the start, it isn’t a surprise that she went to this department.
It is also mentioned, ‘While it is very common for tarento to appear in serious Japanese television drama or movies, they are distinguished from mainstream actors by the fact that, where an actor might go on variety television to advertise their latest venture, tarento often appear on variety shows with no apparent promotional agenda outside of a personal one.’
Kyouko isn’t really known as a talent because she is doing that as Bou. Interestingly, if ever Ren finds out about this audition and about Kyouko being a ‘talent’ is a problem, would it make him ask in what work is she in as a talent? =P Nevertheless, it was also said in wiki that ‘However, their work achieves social prominence (and all the associated benefits), and a successful tarento career can be the launching point for a career as movie actor or even political figure.’
So, that is what Kyouko is aiming for now since she had realized her love and talent for acting but perhaps, she still won’t let go of her Bou and isn’t that well-known yet. Hm...would this make her change department later on? The bias against talent is obvious if you look at Chiori’s reaction to comedian talents and variety shows, iirc. For serious filmmakers and performers, I guess talents aren’t that serious in acting.
I researched a bit on production in Japan and why the producer is ‘king’. According to this article about why Japanese films aren’t good lately, even if I’m not sure if it applies to dramas, one of the reason is the “Seisaku Inkai Hoshiki” or Production Committee System.
It is ‘a panel of corporate investors who play a large role in the making of the film in order to minimize the risk to their investment.’ So, that can partly explain why they/Kuresaki would insist on an actress rather than on a talent. Hehe, perhaps, he got a talent before who failed to deliver. And, I guess this is also partly the reason why they have this second audition.
Nevertheless, it is important to at least have some way of changing Kuresaki’s insistence on this. Perhaps there is some loophole or whatever. Because, as mentioned again in the article, ‘in Japan people seldom know the director of the movies they watch...
...In American or British cinema, viewers often chose a movie solely—or at least partly—on the reputation of the person directing it, but in Japan, aside from old-school names like Miyazaki or Miike, you’d be hard-pressed to find a director whose name alone would sell tickets. In many cases, current directors are merely a “puppet” of the Production Committee.’
So, everything really lies on convincing Kuresaki to somehow change his mind or again, a loophole that he isn’t exactly changing his mind but somehow, this is a very special exception. We don’t know if Yashiro know about this rule that he’ll provide another way out for Kyouko here. Still, somehow, I think Erika will also do something rather than just being the ‘poor bullied girl wallowing over her loss’ in this arc.
Hm, from the looks of it, there will be a series of audition for the role. Do auditions usually happen in just one day or in different days? I think they will definitely have an audition with the other chosen actors/actresses. Something like, checking the chemistry with the other performers? If it is so, Kyouko can easily impress them when she works with Kanae unless there is another rule there about they shouldn’t know each other personally ^^;
Somehow, I think Kyouko will still surpass this obstacle about being not qualified because she is a talent. The question is how. Because, I think it definitely has to be exposed that Kimiko was up to no good and ‘sabotage’ Erika. It is too easy for Kimiko to just get away with that. She got to have a ‘payback’ more than just getting angry that Kyouko getting a chance to get in the audition.