"An encounter that continues to support my acting career" - Actor Takashi Nagayama

Takashi Nagayama
Nagayama, a 43-year-old from Sagamihara City who continues to be active in film and on stage, is a mid-career actor with 24 years of experience.
In recent years, he has been active on the front lines of stage productions, such as Fuji TV's "My Favorite Prince" and the NHK historical drama "Seiten wo Tsuke", but he says that it hasn't all been smooth sailing up to this point. Despite suffering, conflict, and situations that don't go as planned, he has been able to continue working as an actor, perhaps due to his humanity, which allows him to cherish and nurture the various encounters that come his way.

-Why did you become an actor?
Nagayama : "At first, I thought I'd aim to become a comedian."

-Not an actor?
Nagayama : Yes. Ever since I was a child, I was always the one to make the kids laugh in class. So I thought I wanted to become a comedian. So when I was in my third year of high school, I took a talent audition. At that time, someone in the industry told me that I would be suited to being an actor.
So that's when you decided to become an actor?
Nagayama : Yes. I immediately enrolled in an acting school.

However, just saying that she wanted to do it and become one didn't mean that the opportunity would come right away, and while she was busy building up her network, she was scouted by a modeling agency at a fashion show she visited. From there, she worked hand in hand with the president of the agency, desperately trying to get work.
Nagayama : "That was probably the toughest time. I commuted from Sagamihara every day to clean the office and do odd jobs."

She won an audition and made her debut in 1998, when she was cast in a TV Asahi drama series.
Nagayama : "The experiences and encounters I had on the set of my debut film were invaluable. In particular, the words of Director Wakamatsu have stayed with me ever since."
Wakamatsu Setsuro, the master director who would later go on to work on films such as "The Unbroken" and "Whiteout," put his arm around the shoulder of the clueless newcomer Nagayama Takashi and said to him in the following words:

"What you're doing right now is amazing. Don't forget that."

Nagayama : "I'll never forget those words. Director Wakamatsu, who works so closely with his actors, has allowed me to learn so much."
With the help of a friend he met during his debut film, he has been with Geiei Productions since 2000. Nagayama is an honest person who values connections and encounters, but there was another big encounter that he had.

Nagayama : "Musical Prince of Tennis was a big thing for me. My teammates, the world of the show, and the fans who I'm still so connected to. It was a time when I was trying to venture into new places and new worlds, and I think I was able to find a big opening. Just like F2 Dreams (a unit within a Fuji TV variety show), the encounters I had back then are still very precious to me."
At the time, the term 2.5-dimensional musicals had not yet been coined, and some even went so far as to call it a "legend." As the driving force behind this popular production, he never forgets his gratitude for the work and the people he encountered.
Even for him, the reality of the coronavirus pandemic seems to be harsh.
Nagayama : "It feels like I'm constantly being hit with invisible body blows. I have to wear a mask during rehearsals, and it's also difficult to communicate with the staff on set. There are times when I feel like I'm going negative. But rather than trying to force a way out of the situation, I have to calmly accept it and prepare a solution. I think that's what's necessary. For example, I could attend a workshop, or take the initiative to find a community and get a living."

It's not easy to continue fighting through the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to deal a blow to the entertainment industry and has no end in sight.
Even in such circumstances, there is one work that has borne fruit by cherishing encounters and continuing to pursue them without giving up.

Nagayama : "I just finished filming a movie recently. It was a really tough location shoot, with a small number of people, long takes, and a limited number of days, from morning to night."
In long takes, the number of lines and steps to remember at once increases several times. To do that with a small number of actors requires not only skill and experience, but also immeasurable concentration and physical strength. But as he speaks, his expression is filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Nagayama : "I can't go into the details of the film, but it's directed by Jun Akiyama. Mr. Akiyama is a pioneer, and I always learn from his producing skills. We've known each other for a long time, and he promised me that he would make a film with Takashi, and after 17 years, he has kept that promise. He's a director who values the individuality of his actors, and this film also has a diverse cast, including an actress from Takarazuka and a model."

The title and release date have yet to be decided, but he will likely make an announcement on his blog in the future.
What kind of work will he, who values encounters and friends, introduce us to?
I look forward to seeing his future success.
Takashi Nagayama Official Blog : Here