[Translation] Natalie website Terraformars Ito Hideaki X Yamashita Tomohisa interview
I translated the interview from the Natalie website. Don't know why I chose to do this (so damn long). A pretty cool read and I like their interaction together. Feel free to correct any mistakes. ^^
When I heard that Ito-san is playing the character Shoukichi, "As expected!" (Yamashita)
--Both of you starred in the drama series "Kindaichi Kousuke VS Akechi Kogoro" in 2013 and 2014, how is it like to work together again this time?
Ito: Yamashita-kun is very reliable. We clash with all our strength. Even though our age are completely different, Yamashita-kun have done a lot of things like music activities, so I also got a lot of stimulation. By seeing a lot of things, experiencing a lot of things, I think he's really amazing as he has done a lot of things that I can't do.
--On March 9th when the complete unveiling event of "Terraformars" was held, Yamashita-san said of Ito-san, "No matter what place, he always show his cool back". Can you once again talk about what kind of person each other is?
Yamashita: In front of him?
Ito: That's right (laughs).
Yamashita: It's so embarrassing (laughs). I met Ito-san for the first time when I was 24 years old, and ever since then he has taken care of me even in private. He taught me a lot of things, he's really like a big brother to me. This time too, when I heard of the lead actor of this movie, I immediately thought "I want to join!". For me, he's the senpai that I admire outside of Jimusho. It's that kind of feeling.
--What kind of existence is Ito-san on set? Is he the type that pulls everyone together?
Yamashita: No matter what, when Ito-san comes, the set gets warmer. He can give people energy just by doing that. He pays attention to everyone regardless of whether they are staff or the cast. To be able to attract everyone in that kind of place, I felt like "I'll follow this person".
Ito: I'm really embarrassed (laughs).
--What about Yamashita-san that Ito-san has seen?
Ito: My impression hasn't changed since the very beginning. He doesn't say a lot, but he's very passionate, masculine, stoic and polite. Moreover, he values family. As an idol, he can give power to many people, but he also cherishes the people around him. He's a very kind man.
--What type of impression do you have of the actor Yamashita-san?
Ito: Since he's a stoic, he tackles his character seriously. He has a silent fighting spirit, he doesn't give excuses and he doesn't say anything needlessly. However he has a passionate mind, it's something that he has in common with his character now, Jin.
--I see. Did Yamashita-san also sensed anything from Ito-san and Shoukichi?
Yamashita: As expected it's the overwhelming presence that only he has, that's the similarity between Ito-san and Shoukichi. When I read manga, I like to relate "who is this person similar to". When I still didn't know anything about the movie adaptation of "Terraformars", I was just reading the original manga and I thought Shoukichi was completely like Ito-san. That's why when I heard that Ito-san was cast as Shoukichi, I felt "As expected!".
Yamashita-kun's body now is great! (Ito)
--Following "Sukiyaki Western Django", "Lesson of the Evil" and "Over Your Dead Body", this is Ito-san's forth time teaming up with director Miike. This time, what did you talk about with the director on set?
Ito: Although it's embarrassing, but I probably didn't thought a lot about the relationship of the character's comrade or the minor details of the character. Without being particular about the minor details, I thought it's better for such an attraction movie to focus on the energy and the tempo. This movie is truly a movie for pleasure. That's why I spoke to the director while valuing on what generation we are showing this to, or what type of people are interested in it.
--So sharing the direction of the movie. On the other hand, this is Yamashita-san's first time in Miike's set, how was it?
Yamashita: At the beginning, I was told by the director "Anyway, this character is extremely hungry and his hostility towards his surrounding is bare, so always come in a state of starvation." From then on, between each scene, the director will politely give me guidance like "Here, it's this feeling", and I just follow along. I give my best to respond to the demands as much as possible, as a result it was completed in that way. Of course I always keep in mind the mental state of Jin as the story progresses, but more than that I tried desperately to tackle each one-cut.
Ito: Miike's set is different from other sets, it doesn't have plans, the moment we wore our outfits, he's like "Alright let's go!" and we began filming. That's why it's not a set where you can think a lot before going in. A lot of things change rapidly on the spot. Yamashita-kun's lines also suddenly got changed.
Yamashita: That's right. English lines was added in.
Ito: You have to act while speaking English. A normal actor would usually take about a month to work on it right?
--Before going into filming, were you instructed to prepare from the director?
Yamashita: Well...I was told to train a little. To make the spacesuit look attractive. And just at that time, I did the drama "Flowers for Algernon" and I lost a bit of weight.
Ito: That must have been tough. I was surprised at how much weight you lost. Now your body's good, seriously!
Yamashita: (laughs)
Ito: I wasn't told anything in particular, but maybe I read insect photobook again? Words like "anaphylactic shock" appear. When I wanted to give to the director, he said "I have it too!" (laughs).
--You guys thought about the same thing. You don't do any particular preparation for the actions?
Ito: Well, even when I told someone I want to do it, the staff nearby said "Nah, we'll manage it somehow on set", something like that (laughs). But when I think about it now, we had zero practices. That spacesuit, it's completely different when you wear it, so it's pointless to do it when you don't wear it.
Fought with an invisible enemy (Yamashita)
--Without a doubt. Didn't you have a hard time completing the intense action wearing the spacesuit?
Ito: It's very fitting, so even taking it off is difficult. I would think it weigh about 20kg. On the premise of being able to do action, the spacesuit was made so that it's easy to move, have strength, and made lighter. Even so, we sweat a lot, and we expend a lot of calories. Wearing that to film just one time felt like we were dying. There was really a lot of sweat, when we punch the droplets fly, and when you take out the boots it's like a thermos (laughs).
--Like a sauna.
Ito: Even then, the costume staffs dried it without sleeping, when it's the next day, it turned back into the original state.
--Yamashita-san was assigned the role of a former kick boxer.
Yamashita: I fight by kicking, when I transform into the desert locust, the leg joints are the opposite. That's why the lower body used quite a lot of CG. It was difficult trying to bring closer the lower and upper body. The director made it easier to understand by explaining with a ruler, "this is the trajectory". To combine it, I wore green tights, I had a lot of first time experiences, it was hard to imagine the finished product.
--It seems hard to think about the completed picture while filming, in what way was the image the same?
Ito: Actually, this filming didn't go along with the script, it was mainly the storyboard. Even on set, there is a person drawing the storyboard of an insufficient cut on the spot. That's why, rather than reading the script of the scene taken on the day, a cut was seen from a drawing.
Yamashita: We also fight with an invisible enemy.
Ito: That's right. This time, CG and VFX was heavily used. The moving terraformars are all CG, we were always fighting with invisible enemy.
--Specifically, how was it filmed?
Ito: First there's about 3 substitutes for the terraformars, we slowly put together what kind of movements they have. After confirming a movement, I alone was filmed, "it's being punched here, it probably moves here to avoid it", we think about things like that while repeating the same movement minimum 3 to 4 times. Therefore everyone's imagination was used, and was desperately following the director's precise calculation.
Yamashita: We trusted in the director.
The excitement and the special effects makeup, by the second day, "I had enough!" (laughs) (Ito)
--I think fans of the original manga are quite curious about the transformed appearance.
Yamashita: When I looked at my appearance after the transformation in the mirror, I thought "special effects make-up is amazing!", "You can't even tell it's me?" (laughs).
Ito: But you can still tell though. Like from eye contact. Oh and Yamapi's voice is really good too!
Yamashita: Really? Thank you.
Ito: I was excited, thinking "I want to look like that too!, but after 2 days I shuddered. "Is this going to continue from now on...I don't want it anymore!" (laughs)
--How much time did it take to do the special effects make-up?
Ito: At the start it took about two and a half hours. By the end it took one and a half hour. As strength is necessary, the make-up was done properly. Even peeling it off took about one hour. But I took it off in 5 minutes (laughs).
Yamashita: The special make-up artist always said to me, "Please don't copy Ito-san!" (laughs).
Ito: hahaha!
--When your appearance changed, was it difficult to convey feelings while acting?
Yamashita: Yeah you don't know how your own face appear like.
Ito: Yeah. That's why when they're putting make-up on, I make expressions in front of the mirror, things like "If I do this, it looks scary". I wanted it to feel like we become more brutal after transforming. And I was also conscious of making myself seem bigger overall, like with postures.
Yamashita: For me, I was also keeping in mind to add extra 2 levels of emotion. With that, at the end it becomes just right. But each time energy is used, so it was really tiring.
Ito: Everyone probably did exaggerated acting than realistic acting.
I hope females watch it while thinking "Ah so men like this kind" (Yamashita)
--What did you think when you watched the actual finished movie? Are there any shocking scenes?
Ito: Kane-san's (Kosugi) action scene, I thought that was amazing! I wore the spacesuit too so I know how difficult it is. Like how heavy the suit is, which is why often you can't turn around and fly. And he kicked 3 times.
Yamashita: I was surprised by the CG quality. It was so much better than what I imagined, and my own action scene too, they finished it with the right balance of the top body and the legs.
--Without being able to imagine what type of movie it will turn out to be, it must have been very uneasy. What made you have faith and were able to push forward until the end?
Ito: It's definitely this cast and the staffs, and director Miike. His face brimming with confidence, joy and just having a blast. It's because he gets all of it. When we're filming, everyone doesn't know the quality, but the director believed in that quality and continued filming. There's feeling worried and troubled, but it's a good kind of troubled, doing trail and error to produce the best possible work.
Yamashita: Director Miike puts a tremendous amount of trust in the actors, that's why we were able to have more freedom.
--The director and cast were cheered by the mutual trust.
Ito: Besides, even if I didn't know about the original source, just hearing about the cast made me excited. It's really a strong group of member. It's a man's movie. Of course I hope the females' attendance will surprise too.
--As Ito-san has said it's a "man's movie", at the end please say a few words to the female fans.
Yamashita: Because it's a film that men will easily get excited about, I hope females watch it and think a little bit superiorly "Ah so men like this kind of movie" (laughs). It's a work that is purely entertainment that people can enjoy regardless of gender and age. I'm happy if females watch it.
--Thank you very much. By the way, speaking of the enemy that appears in this movie, the terraformars are the "certain creatures" that has evolved abnormally. If some creature were to appear in Yamashita's house, what would you do?
Yamashita: Well, if I have people that I have to protect in that situation, I'll do my best...but if I'm by myself, I'll definitely run (laughs).
Source
When I heard that Ito-san is playing the character Shoukichi, "As expected!" (Yamashita)
--Both of you starred in the drama series "Kindaichi Kousuke VS Akechi Kogoro" in 2013 and 2014, how is it like to work together again this time?
Ito: Yamashita-kun is very reliable. We clash with all our strength. Even though our age are completely different, Yamashita-kun have done a lot of things like music activities, so I also got a lot of stimulation. By seeing a lot of things, experiencing a lot of things, I think he's really amazing as he has done a lot of things that I can't do.
--On March 9th when the complete unveiling event of "Terraformars" was held, Yamashita-san said of Ito-san, "No matter what place, he always show his cool back". Can you once again talk about what kind of person each other is?
Yamashita: In front of him?
Ito: That's right (laughs).
Yamashita: It's so embarrassing (laughs). I met Ito-san for the first time when I was 24 years old, and ever since then he has taken care of me even in private. He taught me a lot of things, he's really like a big brother to me. This time too, when I heard of the lead actor of this movie, I immediately thought "I want to join!". For me, he's the senpai that I admire outside of Jimusho. It's that kind of feeling.
--What kind of existence is Ito-san on set? Is he the type that pulls everyone together?
Yamashita: No matter what, when Ito-san comes, the set gets warmer. He can give people energy just by doing that. He pays attention to everyone regardless of whether they are staff or the cast. To be able to attract everyone in that kind of place, I felt like "I'll follow this person".
Ito: I'm really embarrassed (laughs).
--What about Yamashita-san that Ito-san has seen?
Ito: My impression hasn't changed since the very beginning. He doesn't say a lot, but he's very passionate, masculine, stoic and polite. Moreover, he values family. As an idol, he can give power to many people, but he also cherishes the people around him. He's a very kind man.
--What type of impression do you have of the actor Yamashita-san?
Ito: Since he's a stoic, he tackles his character seriously. He has a silent fighting spirit, he doesn't give excuses and he doesn't say anything needlessly. However he has a passionate mind, it's something that he has in common with his character now, Jin.
--I see. Did Yamashita-san also sensed anything from Ito-san and Shoukichi?
Yamashita: As expected it's the overwhelming presence that only he has, that's the similarity between Ito-san and Shoukichi. When I read manga, I like to relate "who is this person similar to". When I still didn't know anything about the movie adaptation of "Terraformars", I was just reading the original manga and I thought Shoukichi was completely like Ito-san. That's why when I heard that Ito-san was cast as Shoukichi, I felt "As expected!".
Yamashita-kun's body now is great! (Ito)
--Following "Sukiyaki Western Django", "Lesson of the Evil" and "Over Your Dead Body", this is Ito-san's forth time teaming up with director Miike. This time, what did you talk about with the director on set?
Ito: Although it's embarrassing, but I probably didn't thought a lot about the relationship of the character's comrade or the minor details of the character. Without being particular about the minor details, I thought it's better for such an attraction movie to focus on the energy and the tempo. This movie is truly a movie for pleasure. That's why I spoke to the director while valuing on what generation we are showing this to, or what type of people are interested in it.
--So sharing the direction of the movie. On the other hand, this is Yamashita-san's first time in Miike's set, how was it?
Yamashita: At the beginning, I was told by the director "Anyway, this character is extremely hungry and his hostility towards his surrounding is bare, so always come in a state of starvation." From then on, between each scene, the director will politely give me guidance like "Here, it's this feeling", and I just follow along. I give my best to respond to the demands as much as possible, as a result it was completed in that way. Of course I always keep in mind the mental state of Jin as the story progresses, but more than that I tried desperately to tackle each one-cut.
Ito: Miike's set is different from other sets, it doesn't have plans, the moment we wore our outfits, he's like "Alright let's go!" and we began filming. That's why it's not a set where you can think a lot before going in. A lot of things change rapidly on the spot. Yamashita-kun's lines also suddenly got changed.
Yamashita: That's right. English lines was added in.
Ito: You have to act while speaking English. A normal actor would usually take about a month to work on it right?
--Before going into filming, were you instructed to prepare from the director?
Yamashita: Well...I was told to train a little. To make the spacesuit look attractive. And just at that time, I did the drama "Flowers for Algernon" and I lost a bit of weight.
Ito: That must have been tough. I was surprised at how much weight you lost. Now your body's good, seriously!
Yamashita: (laughs)
Ito: I wasn't told anything in particular, but maybe I read insect photobook again? Words like "anaphylactic shock" appear. When I wanted to give to the director, he said "I have it too!" (laughs).
--You guys thought about the same thing. You don't do any particular preparation for the actions?
Ito: Well, even when I told someone I want to do it, the staff nearby said "Nah, we'll manage it somehow on set", something like that (laughs). But when I think about it now, we had zero practices. That spacesuit, it's completely different when you wear it, so it's pointless to do it when you don't wear it.
Fought with an invisible enemy (Yamashita)
--Without a doubt. Didn't you have a hard time completing the intense action wearing the spacesuit?
Ito: It's very fitting, so even taking it off is difficult. I would think it weigh about 20kg. On the premise of being able to do action, the spacesuit was made so that it's easy to move, have strength, and made lighter. Even so, we sweat a lot, and we expend a lot of calories. Wearing that to film just one time felt like we were dying. There was really a lot of sweat, when we punch the droplets fly, and when you take out the boots it's like a thermos (laughs).
--Like a sauna.
Ito: Even then, the costume staffs dried it without sleeping, when it's the next day, it turned back into the original state.
--Yamashita-san was assigned the role of a former kick boxer.
Yamashita: I fight by kicking, when I transform into the desert locust, the leg joints are the opposite. That's why the lower body used quite a lot of CG. It was difficult trying to bring closer the lower and upper body. The director made it easier to understand by explaining with a ruler, "this is the trajectory". To combine it, I wore green tights, I had a lot of first time experiences, it was hard to imagine the finished product.
--It seems hard to think about the completed picture while filming, in what way was the image the same?
Ito: Actually, this filming didn't go along with the script, it was mainly the storyboard. Even on set, there is a person drawing the storyboard of an insufficient cut on the spot. That's why, rather than reading the script of the scene taken on the day, a cut was seen from a drawing.
Yamashita: We also fight with an invisible enemy.
Ito: That's right. This time, CG and VFX was heavily used. The moving terraformars are all CG, we were always fighting with invisible enemy.
--Specifically, how was it filmed?
Ito: First there's about 3 substitutes for the terraformars, we slowly put together what kind of movements they have. After confirming a movement, I alone was filmed, "it's being punched here, it probably moves here to avoid it", we think about things like that while repeating the same movement minimum 3 to 4 times. Therefore everyone's imagination was used, and was desperately following the director's precise calculation.
Yamashita: We trusted in the director.
The excitement and the special effects makeup, by the second day, "I had enough!" (laughs) (Ito)
--I think fans of the original manga are quite curious about the transformed appearance.
Yamashita: When I looked at my appearance after the transformation in the mirror, I thought "special effects make-up is amazing!", "You can't even tell it's me?" (laughs).
Ito: But you can still tell though. Like from eye contact. Oh and Yamapi's voice is really good too!
Yamashita: Really? Thank you.
Ito: I was excited, thinking "I want to look like that too!, but after 2 days I shuddered. "Is this going to continue from now on...I don't want it anymore!" (laughs)
--How much time did it take to do the special effects make-up?
Ito: At the start it took about two and a half hours. By the end it took one and a half hour. As strength is necessary, the make-up was done properly. Even peeling it off took about one hour. But I took it off in 5 minutes (laughs).
Yamashita: The special make-up artist always said to me, "Please don't copy Ito-san!" (laughs).
Ito: hahaha!
--When your appearance changed, was it difficult to convey feelings while acting?
Yamashita: Yeah you don't know how your own face appear like.
Ito: Yeah. That's why when they're putting make-up on, I make expressions in front of the mirror, things like "If I do this, it looks scary". I wanted it to feel like we become more brutal after transforming. And I was also conscious of making myself seem bigger overall, like with postures.
Yamashita: For me, I was also keeping in mind to add extra 2 levels of emotion. With that, at the end it becomes just right. But each time energy is used, so it was really tiring.
Ito: Everyone probably did exaggerated acting than realistic acting.
I hope females watch it while thinking "Ah so men like this kind" (Yamashita)
--What did you think when you watched the actual finished movie? Are there any shocking scenes?
Ito: Kane-san's (Kosugi) action scene, I thought that was amazing! I wore the spacesuit too so I know how difficult it is. Like how heavy the suit is, which is why often you can't turn around and fly. And he kicked 3 times.
Yamashita: I was surprised by the CG quality. It was so much better than what I imagined, and my own action scene too, they finished it with the right balance of the top body and the legs.
--Without being able to imagine what type of movie it will turn out to be, it must have been very uneasy. What made you have faith and were able to push forward until the end?
Ito: It's definitely this cast and the staffs, and director Miike. His face brimming with confidence, joy and just having a blast. It's because he gets all of it. When we're filming, everyone doesn't know the quality, but the director believed in that quality and continued filming. There's feeling worried and troubled, but it's a good kind of troubled, doing trail and error to produce the best possible work.
Yamashita: Director Miike puts a tremendous amount of trust in the actors, that's why we were able to have more freedom.
--The director and cast were cheered by the mutual trust.
Ito: Besides, even if I didn't know about the original source, just hearing about the cast made me excited. It's really a strong group of member. It's a man's movie. Of course I hope the females' attendance will surprise too.
--As Ito-san has said it's a "man's movie", at the end please say a few words to the female fans.
Yamashita: Because it's a film that men will easily get excited about, I hope females watch it and think a little bit superiorly "Ah so men like this kind of movie" (laughs). It's a work that is purely entertainment that people can enjoy regardless of gender and age. I'm happy if females watch it.
--Thank you very much. By the way, speaking of the enemy that appears in this movie, the terraformars are the "certain creatures" that has evolved abnormally. If some creature were to appear in Yamashita's house, what would you do?
Yamashita: Well, if I have people that I have to protect in that situation, I'll do my best...but if I'm by myself, I'll definitely run (laughs).
Source