Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 842 Killed Two Birds with One Stone

Chen Fan brewed three cups of tea, refilling Ba Lao's cup as he did so, before turning to look at him and asking curiously, "When did CCTV and Shanghai TV get involved? What kind of gala did they organize that included Shanghai Film Studio?"

When the person arrived, Ba Jin was no longer in a hurry.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and patiently explained, "Last year, CCTV put on a Spring Festival Gala, which was also a collaboration with several arts organizations in Beijing. It was very well received after it aired, so we're planning to do it again this year."

If we're going to do it again, the choice of partner will be crucial. Since it's CCTV, we can't just focus on Beijing; otherwise, what's the difference between us and a local Beijing station?
Therefore, this year they set their sights on Shanghai, co-producing with Shanghai Television, while the Shanghai Film Studio secured the acting roles.

As he spoke, he put down his teacup, took the cigarette Chen Fan offered and lit it, and continued, "Why Shanghai Film Studio? The reason is quite simple. Thanks to the publicity from Popular Cinema magazine this year, Shanghai Film Studio has produced several excellent works, and the actors in the studio have gained a lot of fame. The actors in the studio are very popular with the audience, and the audience loves to watch them perform."

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly as he said, "Two of my films are in this."

"Love in the Clouds" and "Shanghai Spy Shadow" were both good movies released this year, or rather last year. Otherwise, he wouldn't have thought of taking the initiative to seek cooperation with Shanghai Film Studio to make "Monk Comes Down the Mountain". Unfortunately, the studio leaders were a bit timid, and in the end, the film benefited Jiangnan Film Studio.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ba chuckled and said, "I told you before that their factory leaders regretted this matter quite a bit. Inviting you to perform this time was actually them taking the initiative to back down and extending an olive branch."

To prevent you from refusing, they even asked Old Xia to intervene. However, Old Xia is also someone who cares about his reputation. They were the ones who refused you first, so how could he possibly ask you to participate in the event now?
So Mr. Xia came up with a plan: he asked me to make the invitation. Several veteran screenwriters from the Shanghai Film Studio, who were also members of the Writers' Association, came to plead for me. I couldn't refuse, so I had to act as the messenger.

Seeing that Ba Jin had so openly revealed his secrets, Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "Shanghai Film Studio is a large organization, after all. They wouldn't stoop so low for someone as insignificant as me, would they?"

Not to mention him, even Zhou Yali and An Quan looked at each other in disbelief.

Although Chen Fan is a nationally renowned writer, Shanghai Film Studio is a heavyweight in the national film industry, with dozens of well-known actors, some of whom are even more famous than Chen Fan. The two are completely disproportionate in size, so it's really not that simple.

Old Ba looked at Chen Fan with a half-smile and chuckled softly, "It's not necessary to be humble, but it's still necessary to take the initiative to show goodwill. After all, you've caught the old political commissar's eye. Who knows if you've had any contact in private? If you casually say something to the old political commissar, the unit might be able to handle it, but some people might not."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "So you were afraid I would tattle on you."

Old Ba snorted twice, puffing on his cigarette, and said, "My opinion is that unless you really don't have time, you should go and perform a show. Firstly, it will ease the tension. Even if you can get a film through Jiangxi Film Studio, having more friends means having more options. Shanghai Film Studio is quite powerful, and it can be of some help to you."

Secondly, if you don't go, some people might really lose sleep and keep telling everyone you're going to tattle on them, which would be unfair to you.

Chen Fan clicked his tongue, thought for a moment, and asked, "What's the plan for this party? It can't be like last year, where we're recording it two days before New Year's Eve, can it? I can't wait that long."

I have a lot planned for this year. Now that I'm of age, I plan to take Lili back to our hometown to get married when school is out for break. Also, my uncle is going to his ancestral home in Northeast China to pay respects to his ancestors, and I'll be going with him.

"Time is too tight; I really can't find the time to come here and accompany them to record the program."

Upon hearing his words, Ba Jin's eyes immediately lit up. "Wow, you're getting married? That's a joyous occasion, something that can't be delayed."

He then grinned and said, "Regarding the scheduling issue, the Shanghai Film Studio has also taken the actual situation into consideration. They also know that CCTV extended an invitation to you last year, but you declined because you had to go home for the Spring Festival."

So they said everything is based on your schedule. The stage is ready; as long as you agree, they can arrange for someone to record specifically for you, edit it later, and insert it for broadcast.

Since they had already lowered their stance to this extent, Chen Fan naturally had nothing to say and immediately nodded, "If it can be recorded separately, then I have no problem."

Mr. Ba smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll get back to them in a bit and ask them to make arrangements as soon as possible."

Chen Fan asked curiously, "What's the procedure for their party?"

Mr. Ba explained, "They also told me the general situation, saying that CCTV sent an announcer to serve as the host."

"host?"

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Not the announcer?"

At this time, there was no clear distinction between announcers and hosts, but television professionals had already noticed the difference between the two. Announcers were more mechanical in their broadcasts and had to be meticulous, without making any mistakes. Hosts, on the other hand, not only had to connect segments but also had to be able to adapt to changing circumstances, control the entire show, and ensure its smooth operation.

A typical example is Guo Zhenqing, the host of the first-ever televised Spring Festival Gala in 56. His hosting style was distinctly that of a host, introducing the programs and performers one moment and seamlessly transitioning to introducing leaders when they appeared.

However, back then there was no such thing as a host; the public introductions were all done by announcers.

The announcers on last year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala were more procedural and lacked flexibility.

"Amateur hosts are more interesting than professional ones," which is also why Huang Yihe and Deng Zaijun insisted on selecting actors to serve as hosts when preparing for the first live broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala.

That's why Chen Fan was somewhat surprised when Buffett referred to the host.

Ba Jin laughed and said, "He is indeed a host, not an announcer. The point is to highlight the changes and avoid being rigid and inflexible. After all, we need to liberate our thinking."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but curl his lips and remain silent.

It turns out it was just in response to the call, and he was certain that in the end it would be the same old thing with a different name, and the changes wouldn't be significant.

Ba Jin ignored what he thought and said to himself, "CCTV has sent Lü Dayu, and Shanghai TV will arrange another host. Zhao Dan will also host part-time."

Chen Fan has been making a living in the arts and culture circle for the past two years, and is now gradually becoming familiar with the older generation of artists. He knows that Zhao Dan was an old actress during the Republic of China era, who joined the Left-wing Dramatists League and performed many classic roles.

Lü Dayu was no ordinary man either. Together with Zhao Zhongxiang, who is well-known to later generations, and Shen Li, the "first television announcer," they formed the first television announcer group in my country.

CCTV sent her over; they've sent their ace.

However, it seems that CCTV didn't have many hosts at that time, right?

While Chen Fan's mind wandered, Ba Lao continued his introductions, "There are many actors. The more senior ones include Sun Daolin, Qin Yi, Jin Yan, Zhang Ruifang, Cheng Zhi, Yu Fei, etc. The middle-aged ones include Xiang Mei and Liang Boluo, and the younger generation includes Chen Chong, Wu Haiyan, Zhao Jing, Mao Yongming, Wang Weiping, Chen Ye, and so on. There are many people."

Furthermore, Shanghai Film Studio has contacted Popular Cinema magazine, which will dedicate two pages to highlighting the gala after it airs.

After he finished speaking, Chen Fan poured him a full cup of tea, smacked his lips, and said, "Aren't these all movie actors? I'm not an actor. Why would they call me over? The audience doesn't recognize me. It would be very awkward."

Ba Lao glanced at him, "Once you've made a move, you can't go back on your word. You promised, so you can't back out." Chen Fan shrugged, offered two more cigarettes, then put one in his mouth and said, "I didn't mean to back out, I just felt it didn't fit."

If Sister Xue were here, he could go and take a look, but unfortunately Sister Xue was still with the General Political Department Drama Troupe in Beijing at the time, and he wasn't interested in other stars, so it wasn't interesting.

Buffett didn't care whether he agreed or not, as long as he showed up.

He then waved his hand and said, "There's something else. The novel you wrote for Jiang Tiantian, 'Where the Flowers Bloom,' has caught the eye of the Shanghai Film Studio. They plan to make it into a movie, so they want me to sound you out. If you agree, I'll tell you when I call later."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan found it somewhat strange. "Shanghai Film Studio makes war films?"

War films have always been the exclusive domain of the August First Film Studio, so how come the Shanghai Film Studio can also make them?

Old Ba gave him an annoyed look. "Do you only watch your own movies and no one else's? Last year, just last year, Shanghai Film Studio produced a movie called 'From Slave to General,' which was a war film, okay?"

Besides, your novel doesn't have many large-scale war scenes; it mainly focuses on the rear areas. What's so difficult about filming that?

Chen Fan blinked. "Is that so?"

He had never actually seen a war film produced by Shanghai Film Studio, but that wasn't the point.

After a two-second pause, he suddenly said in a serious tone, "Well, the novel 'Where the Flowers Bloom' was written independently by Comrade Jiang Tiantian, not under my guidance. So, it is her novel, not mine."

Ba Lao's gaze shifted to Zhou Yali and An Quan, "Do you believe me?"

The two looked at Ba Jin, then at Chen Fan, then back at Ba Jin, and after a few seconds of silence, one nodded and the other shook his head.

The two then glanced at each other and immediately changed their gestures, one shaking his head and the other nodding.

Chen Fan waved his hand dismissively, "No teamwork at all."

After saying that, he turned to look at Mr. Ba and said sincerely, "I really didn't get involved much. I just gave her a story framework. She created everything herself from beginning to end. It had nothing to do with me."

Upon hearing this, An Quan couldn't hold back any longer. "Isn't writing a novel just about creating stories? You provided all the stories, how can it not be related?"

Zhou Yali thought for a moment, then nodded slightly in agreement.

Chen Fan glared at him. "Why are you everywhere? Do you know more about creative work than I do?"

Safety decisively pulled her neck back, but she secretly kept it in mind: I won't argue with you here, but when I go to your house later, I'll eat you out of house and home!

Ba Jin chuckled and said, "In terms of substance, this novel is entirely written by Xiao Jiang from beginning to end, there's no problem with that. But in terms of structure, your influence is everywhere, and I reckon all the old guys in the literary world can see that, so you have nothing to argue about."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan finally fell silent.

This is somewhat similar to when he first met Professor Xu. At that time, Professor Xu said that he lacked literary talent. Literary talent and literary essence are the same thing. This kind of thing can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words.

It's somewhat similar to writing style, yet different from it. Writing style is easy to imitate, but the essence of writing cannot. For example, many people in later generations can imitate Lu Xun's writing style, such as "There are two trees in the yard, one is a jujube tree, and the other is also a jujube tree."

But they can never capture the "spirit" in Lu Xun's writing; that spirit is the essence of Lu Xun's writing.

This energy allows you to immediately identify the author of any article you receive, even if you don't know who wrote it.

Having this spirit makes one a literary master; without cultivating it, one can only become a bestselling author at best, never a true master.

No wonder there are always rumors that Jiang Tiantian is Chen Fan's personally taught disciple. It's because her writing style is her own, but her writing style has Chen Fan's influence everywhere. Who wouldn't connect the two of them?
Seeing that even Elder Ba had said so, Chen Fan had no choice but to give up resisting. He said while smoking, "Let them film if they want, and don't bother talking to me. You know where Tian Tian is. Let them go talk to Tian Tian directly. I won't interfere."

He really didn't intend to get involved this time, but if Jiang Tiantian was smart enough, she should be able to squeeze some money out of the Shanghai Film Studio.

What's a little adaptation fee compared to this? Using the platform of the soon-to-be-established magazine to negotiate some quid pro quo with the Shanghai Film Studio, like sharing celebrity gossip, is far more valuable than that fee!
He didn't care, and neither did Old Ba. "Fine, then I'll have them go find Xiao Jiang."

He then took a drag of his cigarette and said, "There's one last one..."

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but interrupt him, "Also from Shanghai Film Studio? How many things did they ask you for?"

Old Ba chuckled and said, "Actually, it's all the same thing, just one thing. Don't get excited, let me explain first."

Chen Fan, his face falling, grabbed his teacup and took a swig. "Please tell me, please tell me."

Old Ba laughed and said, "Here's the thing, if you agree to let them film 'Where the Flowers Bloom,' then please write a song for the movie."

This was also Xia Lao's idea. He had some regrets before, that the Shanghai Film Studio had adapted three of your novels into films, but you hadn't given them a single song. You collaborated with the Jiangxi Film Studio, and each film had two songs, and each TV series also had two songs. I heard that your own film, "Monk Comes Down the Mountain," also had two songs, right?

Their demands are simple: just write a song for this movie.

After a pause, Ba Jin shifted his position, leaned forward, and looked at Chen Fan with a smile, "Aren't you going to perform at the party? Why don't you perform this song? It'll kill two birds with one stone, how about it?"

Killing two birds with one stone? Or even killing two birds with one stone?

But I am the eagle, and they are the arrows!
So it was a case of killing two birds with one stone?
Chen Fan squinted and fell into deep thought.

He wasn't thinking about whether to write a song, but rather what kind of song to give.

Mr. Xia's meaning was personally conveyed by Mr. Ba: such a heavyweight combination is indeed not suitable for him to refuse unless it is truly impossible.

After a while, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he smiled at Ba Jin and said, "Okay."

(End of this chapter)