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

Takashi Nagayama
Nagayama, a 43-year-old from Sagamihara City, continues to be active in film and on stage, and is a mid-career actor with 24 years of experience.
In recent years, he has been active on the front lines of stage productions, appearing in Fuji TV's "My Oshi no Oujisama" and the NHK Taiga drama "Seiten wo Tsuke," but it hasn't all been smooth sailing up to this point. Despite suffering, conflict, and situations that didn't go as planned, the reason he has been able to continue working as an actor may be due to his character, 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 get laughs in class. That's when 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 she wanted to do it and become one didn't mean that an 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 attended. From there, she worked hand in hand with the president, 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. The words of Director Wakamatsu in particular still remain strong in my heart."
Wakamatsu Setsuro, the master director who would later go on to work on films such as "The Unbroken Sun" and "Whiteout," put his arm around the shoulder of the clueless newcomer Nagayama Takashi and spoke to him in the following way.

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

Nagayama : "I'll never forget those words. Director Wakamatsu was someone who worked very closely with the actors, and I learned so much from him."
With the help of a friend he met on his debut film, Nagayama has been with Geiei Productions since 2000. Nagayama is an honest person who values connections and encounters, but there are other significant encounters he has had.

Nagayama : "Musical The Prince of Tennis was a huge experience 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 taking on new challenges, new places and new worlds, and I think I was able to find a great horizon. Just like F2 Dreams (a unit on Fuji TV's variety show), the encounters I had back then are still very precious to me."
At the time, the term "2.5-dimensional musical" had not yet been coined, and some even called it a "legend." He led the popular production, and 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 difficult to communicate with the staff on set. There are times when I feel like I'm going to become negative. But rather than trying to force a way out of the situation, I need to calmly accept it and come up with a solution. I think that's what's necessary. Like going to a workshop, or taking the initiative to find a community and get some sustenance."

It is not easy to continue fighting the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to hit the entertainment industry hard and with no end in sight.
Even in such circumstances, there are works that have come to fruition by cherishing encounters and continuing to run 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."
When shooting long takes without cutting, the number of lines and steps to be memorized 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. However, 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. Akiyama-san is a pioneer, and I'm always learning 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 finally fulfilled that promise. He's a director who values the individuality of his actors, and this film also has a diverse cast that's appealing, including an actress from Takarazuka Revue and a model."

The title and release date have not yet been 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