Nishigaki Takumi will be appearing in the TBS Sunday Theatre "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm) starring actor Kamiki Ryunosuke. He plays Light, a junior host and friend of Reo (Kamiki). We asked Nishigaki about his impression of Kamiki and what he felt on set.
◇Sunday Theatre for the first time in three years
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. It is written by Nogi Akiko, directed by Tsukahara Ayuko, and produced by Arai Junko, the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same network) and the movie "The Last Mile".
--What were your thoughts when you were chosen to appear in this production?
I was honestly really happy. I'm honored to be working with Director Ayuko Tsukahara again since the movie "My Happy Marriage," and I hope to be of help to her in every way possible. I've received warm reactions from my family and friends about my appearance in the Sunday Theater slot, saying "that's amazing."
--It's been three years since you appeared in a Sunday Theater slot since "Dragon Zakura."
At the time, I had just made my debut as an actor, and looking back, I don't think I realized how great the Sunday Theater slot was. I just felt like I was going to be in a big production, but now that three years have passed, I've come to realize its weight once again.
--Have you gained more confidence since then?
I don't have much confidence (laughs). At the time, I used to get nervous even when the cameras weren't rolling, but that doesn't happen anymore. Now I understand how to move around on set, and I can proceed at my own pace, so I think I'm able to act more calmly than before.
--Did you feel any pressure from working in a team with screenwriter Nogi, Director Tsukahara, and Producer Arai? Rather than feeling pressure, I'm more happy to be able to participate in this production! I sometimes have trouble sleeping the day before filming because I'm nervous, but that's probably the same for every production. I've started thinking about what is expected of me, and in a way, I think I'm enjoying the pressure.
--How do you feel now that you've actually started filming?
Working with Kamiki and Miyamoto Nobuko has brought about a good sense of tension. Since I don't get to work with them very often, I'm on edge and ready to film. As an adult, it's rare to get nervous in everyday life, so I'm grateful for this experience.
◇"Hosts have strong mentalities"
--Please tell us about the role you're playing.
I play a host named Light, a junior of Kamiki's character Reo. Reo has an exquisite laid-back feel, and Kamiki's acting creates an atmosphere that makes you think, "I know people like that," and I think that's impressive. In contrast to the laid-back Reo, Light, who I play, has a bright and talkative personality.
On the first day of filming, the scene was just me talking while looking at my smartphone on the stairs in Kabukicho, but the director asked me to act naturally rather than creating a character. When young people talk while using their smartphones, they don't concentrate on the conversation, so the conversation sometimes becomes interrupted, and I wanted to express that. I sometimes talk like that with my friends, but when I was asked to do what I usually do for a role, I realized that it was surprisingly difficult (laughs).
--Is there anything you pay particular attention to?
Reo and Laito are both unpopular hosts, so they have no choice but to go out and talk to girls to sell their business, but they don't have the fierce hunger of popular hosts. Mikael, played by Naito Shuichiro, is the number two in the same host club, so he's very fierce, but on the other hand, we feel like we're living our lives in a daze. I tried to act while being conscious of the aspects of modern young people.
--What was it like experiencing the job of a host through your role?
I thought the hosts were all mentally strong. In the first episode, there's a scene where I talk to a girl and get rejected, which is something that happens all the time. If it were me, I think I would be heartbroken the moment I was ignored (laughs).
--You think you're not cut out to be a host?
Yes, I think so (laughs).
--I heard that a host came to the set to supervise. Did you use him as reference?
He taught me how to talk to women on the street. He advised me that if I just say, "You're cute," women will know right away that I'm a host and won't look at me. He taught me techniques that are more natural and will definitely make them look at me. For example, phrases like, "Hey, it's been a while, sis," or "Hey, sis, you dropped your handkerchief." Apparently this actually works!
--What was the atmosphere like on set?
It was a friendly atmosphere on set. I think there are some heavy scenes in the Hashima part, but the scenes with Kamiki and me are relatively relaxed and are meant to put the viewers at ease. That's why I always have fun filming. We filmed in a location that actually has a host club in Kabukicho, so I was able to experience Kabukicho with real hosts, and there were days when I really felt Kamiki's unique atmosphere.
--Have you ever been inspired by acting with Kamiki?
Kamiki plays two roles on one schedule, so it must have taken a lot of energy. The eras and behavior are different, so I can't imagine it. Also, in a scene with Kamiki and Miyamoto Nobuko, there was a scene where I left the scene first, but the conversation between the two of them afterwards was very natural and full of reality... I really felt that this is what conversation should be like. After filming, I sometimes secretly watch their acting on the monitor and learn from it.
--After working on this film, what do you think are the fun and challenges of being an actor?
I don't really think about the size of the role, but I always find every role difficult. Especially on this set, the director adds a little more flavor to the acting I've thought up, saying, "You can do it a little more like this," so it's even more tense.
In the scenes with Kamiki, even if there are awkward pauses when we're talking, or when we start saying the same lines, we don't cut because that's what happens in real life. It's a fun set with that kind of excitement. Rather than acting according to the script, it feels like we're really "having a conversation."
--Do you ever find it difficult to do what the director asks you to do?
Sometimes the director takes me in a completely different direction from the acting plan I had in mind, but at those times I do my best to meet his request. On the other hand, I'm happy when we're in the same direction and he asks me to add something extra. I think that's the feeling of deepening the role even further.
--I heard that Nishigaki-san has previously represented Japan in fencing. Has that experience ever helped you as an actor? Fencing is a sport where you look at the distance between you and your opponent, think about what they're thinking, and constantly search for the distance and timing where you can strike even if they can't. You're constantly reading each other, and the most important thing is the sense of distance between you and your opponent. So I think I've developed an eye for judging distance. As an actor, I think that the sense of distance in relationships comes out not only in the sense of physical distance between you and your opponent, but also in the tone of your voice and the way you speak, so I think that's been put to good use.
--Finally, please give a message to the viewers.
This work has two parts, the present day and Hashima, and while they are connected, the appeal is that they can be enjoyed twice like two different dramas. The cast is great, there are laughs and tears, and the script is really interesting, so I think you'll enjoy it purely. Please look forward to the future combination of Reo and Wright!
