The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 493 An absolute blockbuster

At the end of May, Li Shengyao returned to Yanjing from London, and then went south to Ningbo.

According to discussions between Lee Sheng-yew and his assistant directors, it was finally decided to shoot "1937" at the Xiangshan Film and Television City in Ningbo.

The reason why it is placed here instead of the nearby Shanghai Film and Television City or Hengdian Film and Television City.

There are three main reasons.

First, Xiangshan Film and Television City gave a discount.

Xiangshan Film and Television City was established in 05. It was not very famous at this time, and not many film and television dramas were produced here.

They needed to increase their reputation. Knowing that "1937" was inspecting the venue, they took the initiative to propose some preferential conditions, hoping that the "1937" crew would go to Xiangshan Film and Television City.

Second, Xiangshan Film and Television City is not well-known at this time. There are few film and television dramas produced here and it is relatively quiet. It will not affect the filming of "1937".

If we were in Hengdian, there would be gunfire and gunfire everywhere, and there would be no way to silence the shouts of the assistant directors.

Third, there are fields not far away from Xiangshan Film and Television City, which are the shooting conditions required for "1937".

According to the plot of the movie, after the male protagonist and the second male lead pass through the city, they will also pass through a field.

At that time, the crew will rent or purchase hundreds of acres of fields next to the film and television city for filming.

For example, the Shanghai Film and Television City does not have such terrain conditions.

After comprehensive consideration, Li Shengyao decided to shoot "1937" in Xiangshan Film and Television City.

Li Shengyao met Rupert Gregson and decided on the film's soundtrack. He had nothing to do if he stayed in Yanjing, and quickly went south.

There is still a lot of preparation work in the early stage, and he must prepare it in advance to avoid being in a hurry.

This time Director Li went south. In addition to some employees of the film crew, there was also a special person. This person was Dapeng.

Dapeng has resigned and originally planned to work at Sohu for three months and take up his last post.

However, I heard that Director Li is preparing a new movie, which will start shooting in mid-June.

He wanted to learn from the past, so he asked for leave from Zhang Chaoyang. Lao Zhang was still more humane and knew Dapeng's dream, so he agreed to Dapeng's request.

So Dapeng left Sohu early and joined Fenghua.

This time, as Li Shengyao's assistant, I followed him south to Ningbo.

After getting off the plane, Li Shengyao rushed to the hotel, rested for a while, and then called the film crew over. There were some things that he had to confirm with several assistant directors.

After everyone arrived, Li Shengyao took the lead and asked: "We need five Steadicam photographers, have they been found?"

The main shots of "1937" follow the male protagonist as he runs around the battlefield, and they are all long shots, the shortest of which lasts 3 minutes. It is inconvenient to lay tracks or use a crane.

The track is not that long, and the track is not easy to turn, so it can only go straight.

The same problem with the crane is the distance, so it’s impossible to shoot for a long time.

At this time, you need to use a Steadicam cameraman.

The movie is all about long shots, and one or two Steadicam photographers are not enough.

In Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, "1917" had a total of seven Steadicam photographers. When this one got tired, someone else would be replaced.

Li Shengyao asked for five Steadicam photographers, but in fact it was already a few.

"We have found six people in total, two from the married class, two from the Hong family class, and we found two in Hengdian. They are all highly skilled people." Dapeng sat behind Li Shengyao and heard the news Yan couldn't help but look at Director Li.

He didn't understand what movie required five or six Steadicam photographers. Isn't this a war movie?
"Assembly" only had two or three Steadicam photographers.

Li Shengyao continued: "We still need sixteen blasters, are you ready?"

This number is not something that Director Li came up with in his head, but according to the plot of the movie, when it comes to big scenes, so many blasters are needed to work.

"It's ready. We're looking for him in Hengdian. We've found 18 people."

When Dapeng heard this, he was no longer surprised, but excited. Six Steadicam photographers and eighteen blasters were about to shoot a real war movie.

"The issue of land leasing next to Xiangshan Film and Television City. We need to rent one hundred acres of land. This matter must be determined and resolved as soon as possible."

"We have asked the Xiangshan local government to help us communicate. They said that this matter is [-]% sure and there will be no problem."

"As soon as possible Cui, I don't want to be sure. I want to see the signed contract. This matter must be resolved before the filming starts."

"Okay, we will definitely solve it within half a month."

Dapeng was even more excited. He was now 100% sure that Director Li and the others were filming a super blockbuster.

Li Shengyao continued: "As for the rental of clothing, we must prepare it early. Our demand is relatively large, so it is best to confirm it within two months."

The assistant director laughed, "No problem, we have contacted the management of Hengdian Film and Television City, and they have enough costumes, but we have rented them. It is estimated that there will be no costumes for the Anti-Japanese War dramas in Hengdian in the second half of the year."

"This is not something we are considering. One thousand sets of military uniforms for island country soldiers and two thousand sets of military uniforms for our soldiers must be shipped as soon as possible."

"it is good."

When Dapeng heard Li Shengyao's words, he couldn't help but widen his eyes. There were three thousand sets of military uniforms for the enemy and ourselves. This was going to be a huge scene.

Li Shengyao continued: "We are looking for good people for the extras. We need 4000 people in November and 300 at other times."

In Lee Sheng Yew's previous life, "1917" hired a total of 4000 extras. When Lee Sheng Yew shot big scenes, he also needed [-] people.

Fortunately, this big scene does not last for the entire movie, which is only a few minutes. Otherwise, the cost will keep rising.

Dapeng couldn't help but open his mouth when he heard Li Shengyao's words.

According to his understanding, more than 700 extras were hired during the filming of "Assembly". He did not expect that Lee Sung-yao's war movie this time would require more than 4000 people.

What kind of scene is this?

The assistant director nodded, "That's no problem. We have already contacted the group leaders in Hengdian and Xiangshan and will bring people over when the time comes."

Li Shengyao thought for a while, "Let's start setting up the venue for the street fight now. The lease agreement for the fields outside has been reached. We must prepare the venue outside the city as soon as possible. After the camera is turned on, we will start rehearsing."

"Okay, we will prepare as soon as possible."

Li Shengyao said some more words, all related to the preparations for the movie.

Dapeng sat in the back, completely stunned.

He knew that Lee Sheng Yew was going to make a blockbuster, but he didn't expect that it would be such a big-scale movie, with 4000 people performing. Is this the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
When he came back to his senses, he couldn't help but look at Director Li. He couldn't help but be envious as he watched Li Shengyao talking eloquently and deciding on various things one by one.

"A man should be like this."

(End of this chapter)