The Wind of China Entertainment 2005

Chapter 698 Fire
"what happened?"

Zheng Qian leaned against the concrete wall, breathing heavily, beads of sweat dripping down her round chin like beads that had broken off the string.

"Over there, Mr. Lu's prop room."

She paused for a moment and said, "It's on fire! The tent where the props are stored is on fire!"

"Hey!!"

Cao Baoping's face changed drastically and he stood up suddenly. His director's chair rubbed against the ground, making a heart-pounding dragging sound that echoed in the empty floor.

He couldn't believe it: "Fire? How could it suddenly start a fire?"

The staff on site couldn't help but stop what they were doing, and dozens of pairs of eyes, as if drawn by an invisible force, turned to the investors of the play.

Duan Yihong stood beside Lu Yuan, wondering in his heart whether it was an accident or someone did it on purpose...

He couldn't help but doubt it because he had experienced a similar thing not long ago.

He turned to look at Lu Yuan, only to see that the other party had a frown on his face, his expression as calm as water, making it impossible to guess what he was really thinking.

Lu Yuan asked: "Are there any injured? How serious is the fire?"

"No one has been found injured yet, but one of the tents has been half burned, and we are doing our best to rescue it." Zheng Qian replied quickly.

"Let's go and take a look first."

The group said no more and hurried towards the fire.

Normally, there are two main ways to store props for a film crew.

One is to rent a special prop warehouse. Many large film and television bases, such as Chedun Film and Television City in Shanghai and Hengdian Film and Television City, have special prop warehouses for the convenience of the crew.

The other method is to temporarily build a special prop storage area at the shooting site, which is used to store the props needed for the day's filming. Although the number is not large, it is convenient for photographers and staff to find and take them quickly.

On the right side of this unfinished building, there is a relatively wide piece of yellow land with several makeshift black tents standing on the open space.

These tents are not only used to store props, but also serve as temporary lounges for actors.

Not all filming locations have convenient vehicle access, and not all actors can enjoy the treatment of RVs.

The fire broke out in two black tents close to the inside, one in front and one behind, and next to each other, with a cordon around them.

The black tent curled up as it was engulfed by the raging flames, leaving only a charred skeleton, melted plastic, burnt costumes, billowing smoke and a pungent smell.

Inside the cordon, dozens of staff members were holding fire extinguishers and fighting the fire.

"Left, left!"

"Everyone, stay safe!"

"My phone is still in there!" an extra shouted anxiously.

"my clothes!!"

"."

On the side of the road not far from the fire site, a large number of onlookers gathered, including several reporters who had been waiting for a long time.

A staff member quickly stepped forward to stop them from taking pictures.

Because of "My Love from the Star", this drama is currently very popular. Once this incident is exposed, there will definitely be a large number of negative topics about the fire that broke out on the set of "The Sun Also Rises" on major social networking sites.

Neither Cao Baoping nor Lu Yuan needs such traffic.

When Lu Yuan and his group arrived, they could faintly hear the sound of a fire truck coming from the road.

"Burning Sun" will be filmed in Xiamen. In view of its strong cast, the local government has attached great importance and given all-round support.

After discovering fire on the crew, the fire department received a call from the public and rushed to put out the fire as soon as possible.

Cao Baoping's eyes wandered between the two black tents. It was unknown what he was thinking. After a moment, his face became so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

He is not a rookie director who has just entered the industry. He has been in the industry for many years and is knowledgeable.

It is not night now, but broad daylight, with people coming and going. The fire should not have spread so quickly.

Let’s not delve into the inside story, whether there is any trick involved, or consider whether the shooting progress will be affected.

This kind of thing happening on the first day of filming is not a good sign, even for an atheist.

The most important thing is that Lu Yuan is watching everything from the side.

After about ten minutes, the fire was finally under control, and Yu Ming from the props team came over with a face blackened by smoke and messy curly hair.

Lu Yuan stared at him expressionlessly, his eyes lingering on his burnt hair for a moment, and then spoke slowly.

"What's the situation now? Is anyone injured? What's the damage to the props?"

Yu Ming licked his cracked lips. He felt guilty, but still forced himself to remain calm and looked into Lu Yuan's eyes.

"Teacher Lu, except for a few colleagues in the props group whose hair was singed because they were too close to the fire to put it out, no one else was injured. As for the props in tent No. 5..."

He lowered his head, his tone tinged with guilt.

"I just learned that the fire started because someone was smoking in the No. 4 extras studio and threw the cigarette butt inside without putting it out."

"Today's temperature is 37 degrees, and the temperature inside the black tent will only be higher. The tent will catch fire as soon as it touches the spark. Fortunately, no one was injured. The extras stored many daily necessities in this tent, including mobile phones and clothes."

"As for Shed 5," he continued, full of self-reproach.

"It was because the fire in Shed No. 4 spread and affected Shed No. 5 as well."

"Mr. Lu, Director, I'm not saying this to shirk my responsibility. This is my fault."

"I was not thoughtful enough to choose the location of the props next to Shed No. 4. I am willing to accept the punishment!"

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly. This answer was flawless, showing that he was a seasoned expert.

Since he entered the industry in 05, he has become accustomed to all kinds of dirty things on the crew.

It's just that he is famous enough that many people and things try to avoid him.

But ever since he started to invest and build his own team, he has been trying to avoid such things from happening.

"Time Traveler", "Lost in Thailand", "New World", "See You Tomorrow", "Beijing Meets Seattle"...

During the filming of these films, they also encountered many common problems in the industry.

The production team, director team, photography team, art team, sound recording team, and staff from several major departments will resort to any means to save some money from the filming costs or to balance the accounts.

It's human nature, and this kind of thing cannot be stopped.

Therefore, Lu Yuan drew a line in his mind, and as long as he didn't cross the line, he would pretend not to see it.

However, "man-made fires" as serious as today's are unprecedented.

He was so bold that he didn't take him seriously at all.

Yes, he didn't believe the nonsense Yu Ming said at all.

Moreover, he knew exactly what little tricks the props team leader was doing behind the scenes.

According to the original agreement, he allowed Cao Baoping to place people in the crew, but this did not mean that he, Lu and Chen Zhixi, did not arrange their own spies in the crew.

A capable middle-aged woman in her thirties with short hair came over, ignored Yu Ming, nodded to Cao Baoping, and then reported to him.

"Mr. Lu, the losses in Shed No. 4 are still being counted, but the losses in Shed No. 5 have been counted, including 35 police uniforms, flashlights, cameras, and 3 Scubapro diving respirators, with a total loss of 60." After listening to her report, Lu Yuan glanced at Yu Ming and said meaningfully to Cao Baoping.

"Director Cao, luckily it was just an accident. If someone had deliberately set the fire, even without considering the loss of Shed No. 5, the amount of would have been enough to send the person to prison. I just don't know how many years he would have been sentenced to."

Yu Ming remained calm.

Cao Baoping smiled awkwardly, "It's unlikely that the fire was set intentionally. It's August now, and the temperature has been high these days. There have been news reports of fires all over the country. The scorching sun burns the heart, but before the heart has time to burn, the tent is burned first. This can be considered a good omen, right?"

He was indeed embarrassed. Lu Yuan gave him the power, but he made things like this, which clearly showed his incompetence.

Lu Yuan waved his hand and smiled.

"Since the respirator is broken, I guess we won't be able to shoot the next scene. After I finish this, I'll go back to the hotel. I'll have to trouble Director Cao to handle the rest."

"Okay!" Cao Baoping agreed quickly.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he glanced at the props team leader indifferently and walked straight to shed No. 4.

On the first day of filming, I didn’t make any money from being an extra, but I lost my cell phone and clothes.

As an investor, he has to appease them.

Yu Ming looked at his back as he left, remembered his last look, opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. At this moment, he was sweating profusely.

Why did Lu Yuan specifically mention the respirator? Does he know something? Will he send me to jail? No! I didn't leave any evidence... He kept comforting himself in his heart.

Cao Baoping saw his expression change, and combined with Lu Yuan's words just now, he was basically certain that Yu Ming was doing something behind his back.

He glared at the other man in disgust.

What a bad teammate! So stupid.

Within the crew, there are many factions, each with its own camp.

The producer has his own group of people, and the director also has his own team.

A good director will know how to balance the interests of all parties and allow those around him to make money.

The world is bustling with people, all seeking profit. If there is no profit to be gained, who would be willing to associate with them?

Take boxed lunches as an example.

A seemingly ordinary box lunch is not just for filling the stomach, but also reflects the complex interpersonal relationships and economic interests within the crew.

Generally speaking, life producers are responsible for the supply of lunch boxes, but there is much more to it than that.

There is a lot of money to be made in choosing which restaurant to eat and how to set the price of each meal.

To put it bluntly, during the three-month filming, Life Productions worked with restaurants to pass off inferior products as good ones, charging 7 yuan for a lunch box that cost 20 yuan.

When the film was completed, the funds he embezzled ranged from hundreds of thousands to millions of yuan.

Of course, Lu Yuan was very strict when it came to catering. He had given repeated orders before filming began, forbidding anyone to think about it or do anything tricky.

He has also been an extra and climbed up from the bottom, so he knows how difficult it is for these people.

But apart from the catering staff, there are many similar positions in the crew that can make money.

How should these sweet cakes be distributed?

As a director, Cao Baoping might not have to take any kickbacks.

But he must fight for the interests of his team members, which is the key to maintaining team cohesion.

If he is too aloof, the people below him will become dissatisfied.

At the very least, it will slow down the filming progress, and at worst, it will paralyze the entire crew.

Once the investors blame the director, he may lose his position and even ruin his career.

In this society, if you insist on so-called principles, you will easily be collectively rejected by everyone.

People in the same camp, either you get on the bus and go together and sit in the seat with the best view, or you get off.

If you stand at the door, neither getting in nor getting out, then whether you are under the bus or on the bus, they will kick you away.

Therefore, many times, directors are not really greedy for that little profit.

But once you enter the world, you have no choice but to do it.

If you don’t take the top, how can you eat the bottom?

As a producer, Chen Zhixi also hopes that the Yuanfang Media team can get a piece of the pie.

This was also the reason why she refused Cao Baoping's attempt to place his own people in key positions.

Ever since Wu Lang took charge of the company's general direction, Chen Zhixi has been the most prominent figure in the industry in the past two years.

She served as the producer of several hit films of Yuanfang Media, and was nicknamed the most beautiful female producer and the Three Billion Sister by people in the industry.

And Lu Yuan, as the helmsman of Yuanfang Media.

In this matter, the psychological aspect is undoubtedly more inclined to take care of the employees of one's own company.

But for him, shooting efficiency is the prerequisite for everything.

A familiar team can shorten the running-in period between director Cao Baoping and various departments, thereby increasing shooting speed and reducing shooting costs.

Therefore, in this struggle for interests, he chose to stand on the side of Cao Baoping.

This is bound to make the employees of Yuanfang Media feel dissatisfied.

However, this resentment will be transferred to Chen Zhixi.

On the surface, it seems like an ordinary meal, but in fact, behind it is a fierce struggle for interests and power.

The same is true for the props group.

As Cao Baoping's confidant, Yu Ming had made a lot of money from other crews in the past.

But Cao Baoping himself did not expect that the other party would go so far this time.

"Lao Cao, I..." Yu Ming was nervous and wanted to explain and ask for opinions at the same time.

Cao Baoping snorted coldly, did not give him the chance, and turned away without hesitation.

Lu Yuan is less than 30 years old, but he has already reached the top in the acting field. His achievements are outstanding.

So much so that many people in the industry overlooked the company Yuanfang Media behind him and his identity as capital.

Some people even compare him with his peers such as Li Binbin, Fan Binbin, and Huang Xiaoming, who have transformed from actors to producers or opened their own studios.

But in Cao Baoping's opinion, these people are not comparable to Lu Yuan.

Yu Ming thought he had done it perfectly, but he didn't know that his every move might be under the control of the other party.

The loss of props was 60, plus the loss of belongings of extras, the total amount was as high as one million.

Don't think that Lu Yuan's words just now were polite.

But Cao Baoping knew very well that if he could not come up with a reasonable solution.

Then, let alone letting those who follow him make money, he himself would probably find it difficult to gain a foothold in this crew.

(End of this chapter)