Meeting My "Philip Seymour Hoffman": Mr. Nakai Kiichi
“Our mind is powerful, and we are what our thoughts create.”
Watching Bryce Dallas Howard's speech video gave me goosebumps because I had a similar experience.
Before the audition for "The Travel Nurse", I was asked to translate the script into Tagalog and record the Tagalog lines. However, since it would be difficult for the actor to practice only with audio, the production team contacted me. They asked if I would teach the main character, Mr. Nakai, the Tagalog lines. I accepted the job, and the session was the day before my audition for the role of Maria.
At his house with producers, the day was fun. I remember he interviewed me, asking what I do. I said I was an actor, too. A producer added that I was auditioning for Maria. Then Mr. Nakai jokingly replied to the producer pointing at me: 「マリアさん決定でいいんじゃないですか(“Maria-san kettei de ii n janai desu ka?”) – “I think we already found who should play Maria”. I didn’t know how to react to it so I just laughed awkwardly.
The lesson went well. As he walked us out, Mr. Nakai confidently told me, 「次会う時はマリア役でね。」(“Tsugi au toki wa Maria yaku de ne.”) –"Next time we meet, it'll be when you're playing Maria."
Days later, audition anxiety hit. I told myself that even if I didn't get the role, getting the translation job and meeting Mr. Nakai, teaching him Tagalog, was already a valuable and grateful experience. I also held onto Mr. Nakai's words and waited for the results.
Then, I received a phone call from my manager saying I got the role. I cried. I was so thankful. Before I knew it, I was preparing for my role, memorizing my lines, and the next thing I knew, I was on my first day on set with Mr. Nakai. We nailed the scene together.