Takayuki Yamada (35) is an actor, filmmaker, lead singer of the band, and runs a company that has published books. Recalling his past experiences, Takayuki Yamada said: "I have always disliked appearing in public." In this interview, Takayuki Yamada talked about raising his children, talked about his way of working as an actor, and gave some advice on the future of his juniors, which was very beneficial.
Occupational classification has no real meaning
Being asked "What do you think your profession is?" Takayuki Yamada replied without hesitation: "I am an actor." But then he said: "Actors are only as a kind of cognition, and for occupations, such a classification itself is meaningless." ”
Not only film and television works, but also other activities in which Takayuki Yamada has participated have attracted attention. In multiple capacities, he is sometimes the CIO (Chief Innovation Officer) of the platform operations director, sometimes the lead singer of the band THE XXXX (and the band formed by his friends Tsuyoshi Ayano and Uchida Chaoyang), sometimes a writer, and sometimes as a producer of the movie "Day and Night".
"When I said I was going to write a book myself, everyone around me said they didn't understand. But I think writing books should be helpful for future screenwriting and film production. To be sure, composing your own lyrics or performing live as a musician is definitely helpful for starring in musicals. Of course, the first attempt to be the producer of the movie "Day and Night" was really hard. But for many actors, it's unclear what the main role of the producer is. When I used to see a producer on the spot, I always thought, 'Who the hell is the producer in charge of?' But after actually trying, it was found that the work of the producer needed to start from the preparation stage, including on-site maintenance, and after everything was done, it was also necessary to consider how to make the work resonant in society. In short, it is very necessary to understand the significance of the producer's existence. ”
Through the interview, it is not difficult to see that Takayuki Yamada has a strong curiosity and practical action.
"For example, what if you describe 'who is holding something in what state when you walk into this room,' and 'Inside the room, it feels as if a stranger is waiting with something terrible?' In contrast, it is definitely the description of the latter that will make people think about it. ”
Changes due to children
Takayuki Yamada grew up in Kagoshima and was discovered as an actor by star scouts in Harajuku in 1998. At that time, he did not have too strong ideas about going down the path of an actor.
"When I used to write an essay, I lied because I didn't know what to write. At that time, I thought that pilots, baseball players and everything were appropriate, so I wrote according to the children of the neighbors, and I felt a little uneasy. 'Everyone has dreams and can describe their dreams vividly, but I don't have any dreams', and I felt that I was a little unlucky. ”
In 1999, Takayuki Yamada debuted on the TV series PsychometricSY EIJI2, starring in the Ōkawa drama "Aoi Tokugawa Miyo" in 2000 and the TV series Miss Chiyo in 2001. Since then, he made his first tv series actor in "WATER BOYS" in 2003 and the male lead actor in "Tramman" in 2005. At that time, Takayuki Yamada's popularity as an actor steadily increased. However, even if his popularity and evaluation are getting higher and higher, he still can't find the "dream of the future".
"Before and now, I have always believed in and insisted on the work of an actor. But I've always disliked being in front of the public, not wanting to be watched. But a lot of my job is to be shown to people, so I have been struggling with what to do. There have also been periods when the spirit was quite fragile, and when I inadvertently saw others reporting on my affairs on the Internet, I would become more depressed. And so on, and the mental state is really very poor. ”
For a long time, Takayuki Yamada continued this kind of life until the birth of the child changed him.
"Watching children continue to grow, as a father, I hope that children can become interesting people and find interesting ways of life." During my time with my children, I inadvertently realized that I had finally found the so-called "self". It's just that this state has been a bit overdone lately, and I always feel that I make my child feel shy. [Laughs]"
Self-deceptive twenties
Recording of the band "The XXXXX", Uchida Asahi (center) and Tsuyoshi Ayano (right) (C) 2019・SDP/NPNG
"No Pain, No Gain" (directed by Maki Yuta), which is currently in release, is a documentary that is closely related to Takayuki Yamada, who has various "identities" for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2019. In the movie, he unreservedly expresses his feelings and tells himself with unadorned and sincere words.
"I've done a lot of things myself, wondering if it would be fun to take the back story out?" I accepted the camera shooting. However, during the filming process, I began to think about what should be conveyed to the audience. Because people do not know when they will die, in order not to regret it, they should not hesitate to act on what they want to do. After reading the finished work, I think it would be better to reduce the content of the work a little bit (laughs) because I think people will be hindered by the so-called "excuses". Age or experience, it doesn't matter what you start doing. I also often do things that I have no experience in, and if I want to do it, don't make excuses. I think this film may have conveyed this truth. ”
"Day and Night" pilot. Planning and starring Shinnosuke Abe (left) and director Michihito Fujii (right) (C) 2019 · SDP/NPNG
The meaning of the title of No Pain, No Gain is: "Happiness does not mean ease". Being able to do what you want to do is to be happy, but sometimes it's hard to be happy.
"Sometimes in order to brainwash myself, I also say enjoy work, work is very happy." In my 20s, I would also hint to myself when I was working very hard but also very hard, 'No, I'm not in pain.' Not trying hard enough, still enjoying', so as to deceive yourself while continuing. I was convinced that 'I've always been happy' and it was really hard to bear, and I really thought that I could just try. ”
Stage publicity for "No Pain, No Gain". After the film is completed, director Maki Yukita (right) shoots Takayuki Yamada
Has that changed now? Can you enjoy it from the bottom of your heart?
"Recently, there has been an increase in the number of things that have to be done, so we have to redouble our efforts. Although it is happy, the pain is also increasing. But it's a pleasure to meet people who have the same idea and get together to create good works and chat. Sometimes I work hard because of unexpected happiness, I am touched by the moment when I see a wonderful drama on the spot as a producer, and when there is a sudden miracle of weather, I also feel 'really lucky'. Both pain and joy are subtle accumulations. In the past, even if others said to me, 'Come on', I couldn't accept it frankly, always thinking,' obviously I have worked so hard, but do I have to work harder?' Or 'I definitely work harder than you'. But recently, because of my age, if others say 'come on' to me, now I can frankly accept or thank you. ”
《No Pain,No Gain》宣传
For the future of future generations
Takayuki Yamada said that his greatest motivation came from "juniors".
"I have a sense of mission. There are also many things that must be done for the younger generations who are already working hard for the "actor's dream". For example, for the upcoming movie, he went to various roadshows to promote it. Doing the same thing repeatedly, even if it is a work that you have completed and liked, will slowly become a burden. But I still attend every publicity meeting, even if it is 'unpaid labor', although money is very important, but for the film, other people involved in the production, the promotion of the film is my responsibility, I need to do a good job. Can't do it for the sake of doing it, do your best, and sort out a healthy and positive film environment for the younger generation and the industry, which will be a virtuous circle in the film industry. ”
When he spoke of the word "offspring," Takayuki Yamada had "his past self" in his mind. "When I was in my 20s, I always thought, why don't you do this kind of thing, why do I have to be so miserable? I don't want my juniors to feel that way, so 'then I can only do this'. Aren't the juniors cute? (Laughs) Hopefully, their future is full of possibilities. Therefore, I should motivate them, let them act better, and broaden their possibilities. ”
It is said that Takayuki Yamada once wanted to work overseas in order to change his working environment.
"There's no such thing as that now. Because wouldn't that be lonelier? Leaving the Japanese film industry, the acting world, is very lonely. The level of ability of Japanese actors is actually very high, although Hollywood actors are very persistent about shaping and shaping roles, but if Japanese actors also have half a year of preparation time, please ask special trainers and nutrition managers, plus more than 1 billion yen of performance fees, all actors can do it (like Hollywood actors). It doesn't take half a year, even within a month. Then good actors deserve more rewards. To that end, I want to do something for the Japanese film industry, I want to be a Hollywood actor, I want to be involved in Japanese movies. Rather than running away from home, I think it's better to find a way to do something where I am now. ”
Takayuki Yamada is making films and personally presenting them for publicity, and they are all working hard to change the environment in the Japanese film industry. So desperately thinking about the future of the younger generations, but it seems that they don't care much about their own affairs.
"Money, status, fame, or whatever, I don't want it." It doesn't matter if you take a high-end car, wear a high-end watch or whatever. After all, it's just for others to see. ”
Yamada Takashi starred in the "Dark Gold Ugly Island Jun" series, which has a message he wants to convey to young people.
"I want young people to understand 'what money is' through this work, so I starred in the series. Isn't money, as a means, a necessity, for an end? But there are many people who don't have an end goal and just want to be rich. So, people choose lottery tickets, gamble, or do business, but when people get hundreds of millions of yen, they don't know how to use it. So I played the role of Ugly Island to tell everyone not to make money the ultimate goal. ”
Takayuki Yamada said that there is something that allows for luxury on oneself.
"No matter the price of the wine, it is acceptable (laughs). If you like it, you can drink as much as you want at any time. ”
Takayuki Yamada is now 35 years old, and if he is still in the circle at 60 years old, he can continue to work for 25 years.
"It's only been 25 years. Then we can't brag that we can get everything done in one breath, and we have to do it one by one. If, in some way, all the work is done before it is done, the time of 'goodbye' is the time of death (laughs). After retirement, I go to a foreign country or the countryside and spend the rest of my days peacefully, thinking of myself, 'Ah, I've tried my best', and it is also a good choice to pour wine and drink every night while thinking about it. ”
Takayuki Yamada
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1983. He has starred in the "Hot Blood College" series, the "Dark Gold Ugly Island Jun" series, the "Brave Yoshihiko" series, the movie "Evil", "Takayuki Yamada 3D", "The 50th First Kiss" and many other works. His documentaries about him, "Akabane in Kita-ku, Tokyo" and "Takayuki Yamada's Cannes Film Festival", also caused a hot discussion. He is the author of the book "Shilu Yamada". At present, the documentary "No Pain, No Gain" is being released.