Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2670 The Taste of Dreams (Second Update, Please Subscribe)
All night long.

Cheng Gangsheng was there organizing his ideas, which were quite simple.

It's about how to integrate kung fu into comedy films.

Although many comedy films are made, no one has ever incorporated richness into comedy.

"In other words, we need to incorporate comedic elements into kung fu, no, no."

The thought popped into Cheng Gangsheng's mind, but he quickly denied it. Then he thought about it for a while and muttered to himself.

"It should be said that kung fu is incorporated into comedy."

Having established this premise, Cheng Gangsheng began to conceive the story.

What kind of story should it be?

Cheng Gangsheng almost subconsciously thought of the period dramas he was most familiar with.

The reason I think of period dramas is because they have a lower production cost. They are mostly filmed in studios, and the most advanced technology used is wire work.

For an unknown like Cheng Gangsheng, it was very clear that even if he had a good idea and went to talk to the boss, if the investment was too big, even if the boss appreciated his idea or script, he might not necessarily be cast as the lead actor. The boss would find someone else to make the decision.

Therefore, you should never do something that benefits others.

In this situation, a low-budget, small-scale production is needed, and period films that can be shot in a studio become the best choice.

"Or should we set the time in the late Qing Dynasty?"

But after having this idea, he immediately rejected it.

"It's not that it's completely rejected, but... we can't film anything about the Qing Dynasty."

Every place has its own right and wrong.

What is correct here?
Of course, we cannot make movies that praise the Qing Dynasty.

"Yes, first of all, the subject matter should be anti-Qing, yes, it should be anti-Qing, resisting the rule of the Manchus. Yes, that's the right way."

But how can we combine anti-Qing sentiment with comedy, especially how can we combine the film's humor with its action scenes?

As he conceived the story, some ideas came to mind, and he leaned over his desk...
Gradually, the plot outline of an action comedy film began to emerge in my mind.

Cheng Gangsheng's face was still flushed from the alcohol, and with a pen in his hand, all he could think about was comedy and kung fu.

"Kung Fu needs to be funny, but how can it be made funny?"

As a martial arts instructor at a film company, he was always thinking about new action ideas. Whether it was kung fu films or action films, kung fu was either a hard-hitting duel or a formulaic battle between good and evil, lacking originality.

After thinking for over an hour without coming up with a solution, he picked up a can of beer and downed it in one gulp. He stood up unsteadily, raised his hands and gestured with his fists flailing in the air, his body sometimes swaying and sometimes steady, looking somewhat comical with his drunken state.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck my mind like lightning.

"Drunken...Drunken Fist...Can it even be considered a fist?"

Cheng Gangsheng muttered to himself, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

He recalled a time when his senior brother got drunk and started practicing boxing in a karaoke bar. His moves were distorted but somehow had a comical quality, and everyone laughed at him for a long time.

"Yes, it's Drunken Fist!"

He slapped his thigh, seemingly sobering up a bit, and said somewhat excitedly:

"By taking advantage of being drunk, the movements can be exaggerated and funny, without losing the foundation of kung fu, and at the same time breaking away from the old routines!"

Once the idea took root, the story unfolded rapidly in my mind—in the late Qing Dynasty, the country was in ruins, and the Manchu nobles, in order to suppress the revolutionaries, did not hesitate to collude with foreigners and betray national interests, and national treasures were wantonly looted.

Wong Fei-hung is unwittingly drawn into a case of the theft and sale of national treasures. In order to retrieve the treasures stolen by foreigners, he drinks strong liquor in a desperate situation and uses his drunkenness to unleash his unique drunken fist technique. Sometimes he is endearing and sometimes he is swift and fierce. In the end, he defeats the foreigners and the henchmen of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and protects the national treasures.

Cheng Gangsheng became more and more excited as he thought about it, so he simply sat down at the table and, fueled by alcohol, scribbled down the core plot points on paper, and didn't sleep all night.

The next day, at daybreak, Cheng Gangsheng, carrying a script full of ideas, excitedly left his senior brother's house and headed straight for Liu's Film Company.

Actually, when he was leaving, he hesitated for a moment about whether to look for his senior brother, but after weighing the options in his mind, he still decided to go alone.

"If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely ask my senior brother to come along."

The reason he thinks this way is that they all need this opportunity now, and when there is only one opportunity, how could they possibly give it up?
When he arrived at the company, it was only nine o'clock in the morning, so he had breakfast near the company. Around 10 o'clock, he rushed over and explained his purpose to the secretary outside the boss's office, pleading to see the boss, Mr. Liu.

Seeing his anxious expression, and considering that he was the company's martial arts instructor, the secretary asked him to wait on a bench in the corridor.

After Cheng Gangsheng sat down, he noticed a middle-aged man sitting next to him. The man was short and thin, but seemed to have some martial arts experience. Feeling somewhat excited, he took the initiative to strike up a conversation:
"Sir, are you also a martial arts master?" The middle-aged man looked up at him, shook his head, and said:
"No, I'm the action director, my surname is Yuan, and my name is Yuan Heping. I'm here to see Mr. Liu to try and get an opportunity to direct my own film."

Upon hearing the words "action director," Cheng Gangsheng immediately perked up, leaned forward slightly, and said:

"So it's Instructor He! Judging from your accent, you must be from Hong Kong Island too? My name is Cheng Gangsheng, I'm a martial arts instructor, and I'm also from Hong Kong Island. We're from the same place, so I hope you'll take care of me in the future!"

His tone was sincere and full of respect.

Yuan Heping looked at this "fellow townsman" in front of him and asked curiously:
"You're here to see Boss Liu too? Do you have something important to discuss?"

Cheng Gangsheng didn't hide anything and immediately shared his action comedy ideas, his tone full of excitement:

"With guidance, I came up with a new idea: to combine kung fu with comedy, which is kung fu comedy."

"Kung Fu comedy? You mean it's both kung fu and comedy?"

Yuen Woo-ping immediately became interested. As the action director, he was also worried about how to achieve a new breakthrough in kung fu films. He wanted to make a unique action movie, but he was struggling to find a novel angle.

Upon hearing Cheng Gangsheng's idea, he immediately became interested and sat up straighter:

"Kung Fu plus comedy? That's an interesting idea. Tell me more about it."

Cheng Gangsheng immediately began to tell the story of Wong Fei-hung with great enthusiasm, explaining in detail everything from the core concept of Drunken Fist to the idea of ​​exaggerated movements.

Yuan Heping nodded frequently as he listened, adding a few words from time to time. The two chatted more and more congenially, and then stood up and started gesturing in the corridor.

Cheng Gangsheng mimicked a drunken state, staggering but maintaining his moves. Yuan Heping offered guidance, adjusting his movements and figuring out how to make the moves more comical without losing the essence of martial arts. Although seemingly unstable, every step and every punch was actually full of power.

And so they chatted and discussed, sometimes bursting into laughter at a clever gesture, their voices echoing through the corridor.

The two were engrossed in their demonstration when the office door opened, and Boss Liu emerged. He glanced at the two men's exaggerated movements in the corridor but didn't interrupt them. He listened to their discussion about "drunken boxing" and "comedic moves," a flicker of interest in his eyes. Only after they stopped did he speak:
"Director Yuan, long time no see. Is this your new movie? What's it called?"

Yuan Heping was both surprised and delighted, and quickly stepped forward:
"Boss Liu! This movie is called 'Drunken Master,' it's a comedy action film."

Seeing the puzzled look on Mr. Liu's face, he explained further:

"It blends traditional kung fu with comedic elements. The protagonist fights with drunken boxing, and the action is both exciting and funny. The story is set in the late Qing Dynasty and carries a sense of national sentiment against the Qing Dynasty. It is both entertaining and profound."

After listening to his idea, while Mr. Liu was weighing his options, Yuan Heping said:

"Boss, this film can be shot in a studio. The cost is not high, only a few hundred thousand will be enough, and the shooting period will not take more than two months."

He said this because Kuching is not just about "blockbusters," but also has a complete film industry. In addition to making a few big productions, film companies also utilize Kuching's mature film production line to produce films, emphasizing efficiency, low cost, and fast turnover.

Among these, the most popular are urban or period kung fu films because the scenes are relatively simple, without expensive special effects or grand sets, making these costs controllable. Costs for locations, costumes, props, film stock, and food are all very inexpensive.

As a newcomer to the industry, Yuen Woo-ping naturally wouldn't dare to dream of a big production. That's why he specifically emphasized that this is a "low-budget film."

After a moment's thought, Boss Liu immediately made the decision:
"Okay, 60 yuan, I'll invest in this movie!"

Yuan Heping's face instantly lit up with ecstasy. He turned to look at Cheng Gangsheng, who was standing to the side with an expectant expression. Although he had his own classmate, he still quickly said:

"Mr. Liu, this is Cheng Gangsheng. He came up with the core concept and story framework for 'Drunken Fist.' I hope to cast him as the protagonist. He is a martial arts master himself, and his martial arts skills are very solid."

Mr. Liu's gaze fell on Cheng Gangsheng, and after looking him up and down, he suddenly laughed:

"I remember now, you're Yuanlong's junior brother, right?"
I've seen you do action scenes on set before; your punches and kicks are really good.

He paused, nodded to Cheng Gangsheng, and said:

"Okay, then you can try out this role."

Cheng Gangsheng was stunned for a few seconds, then reacted, nodding excitedly, his voice even trembling slightly:
"Thank you, Boss Liu! Thank you, Coach Yuan! I will definitely work hard and won't let you down!"

Sometimes, the realization of a person's dream is that simple; it happens unexpectedly and in a surprising way.

What is Cheng Gangsheng feeling at this moment, who is determined to be the male lead?
accident!

Many more hope to become famous overnight, even if it's a small production.
As long as a person has a chance, that's good. He believes he can change his destiny!

That night, Cheng Gangsheng got very drunk. As he kept thanking Coach Yuan, he knew his chance had come!

His fate changed.

When he finally walked out of the KTV, tipsy, he looked at the dazzling neon lights and the bustling crowds around him, and he smiled—a bright, genuine smile.

"My God, this, this must be what it feels like for a dream to come true!"

(End of this chapter)