A widower's entertainment

Chapter 429 [Recruiting Soldiers] (Please Subscribe)
Although Lin Youcheng visited the set of "Crossing the Guandong," arrangements were naturally made in Beijing. Originally, there was a local nanny, Sister Zhou, who helped with cooking. After Lin Zhaoyuan was born, Lin Youcheng originally planned to hire another nanny to take care of her. Unexpectedly, Sister Zhou said she could take care of her, so Lin Youcheng naturally asked her to help take care of Lin Zhaoyuan as well. As for her salary, it naturally increased significantly.

However, Lin Youcheng has no shortage of money for his child's milk powder, and naturally, he won't be short of money for his child's nanny.

It's only because of this Sister Zhou that Xie Shuhua is able to take care of things, and it's also because of this that Lin Youcheng is able to come and visit the set.

Since the renowned screenwriter Lin Youcheng had come all this way, it was natural that they would want to discuss some of the scenes in the script with him.

While other actors might not have thought about interfering with the script, Chen Jianbin had his own opinions and asked, "Teacher Lin, why did Zhu Chuanwu have to marry Xiuer before leaving?"

"He should have broken off the engagement and run away on the day of the wedding, instead of leaving after the wedding night. That way, his wife wouldn't be able to remarry."

Lin Youcheng watched Chen Jianbin discussing the script with him and couldn't help but say, "Actually, this story itself still has strong historical limitations. His story with Xiuer also highlights how terrible the feudal ideas of the older generation were in that context. Of course, Chuanwu had already fought and resisted, but there were still limitations. Zhu Kaishan, a person like him, was still very ignorant and arranged a marriage for his son. He knew that Chuanwu did not like Xiuer, but he still insisted on arranging it. Chuanwu ran away the day after the wedding. Xiuer knew that Chuanwu did not like her, but she still clung to him. The consequences of this matter will only be understood when it actually happens."

Chen Jianbin nodded in agreement after listening to Lin Youcheng's words.

"Actually, Zhu Kaishan initially felt that exchanging his son for water was wrong. Later, he tied up Chuanwu and fed him with a bamboo tube. Water was one aspect, but the key was that Xiuer was indeed a good girl, one in a hundred, in his eyes. If Xian'er had not appeared, perhaps Chuanwu would have lived a good life with her. Unfortunately, life is so unpredictable."

"Let's say Han Laohai's family has a son, and Zhu Kaishan's family has a daughter. Han's son has long coveted Zhu's daughter, and relying on his family's control of the water source, he and his father conspired to force her to marry him, even going so far as to sexually assault her. Meanwhile, Zhu Kaishan, for his own benefit, forced his daughter to marry someone she didn't like, or even hated. Is this still the benevolent and enlightened Zhu Kaishan? Chuanwu's elopement was, to some extent, also driven by a desire for revenge. At that time, he was immature and young. If he had experienced this again after becoming a company commander, I believe he wouldn't have done it this way. Therefore, Xiuer's tragedy is the result of her, her father, and her father-in-law's self-inflicted wounds."

"Of course, men and women had different statuses in those days. It was even more painful for Xiuer, a woman, to be treated like that, which is why she wanted to oppose feudalism."

Listening to Lin Youcheng's words, Chen Jianbin also realized that he had been thinking too simply. It was impossible for Zhu Chuanwu to have considered things so thoroughly in his youth under those circumstances. He was young and impetuous and not mature enough. He said, "Teacher Lin, you are right."

Zhou Xun and Tao Hong, who were standing to the side, were also deeply moved by Lin Youcheng's words.

As someone who has acted in "Woman Sesame Oil Maker," Siqin Gaowa naturally understands what Lin Youcheng meant by those words. This is actually the strength of the script for "Crossing the Guandong." It features a rich cast of characters from different classes—soldiers, landlords, peasants, and merchants. Although it has a strong sense of national pride, it also has the limitations of feudal history, which makes the whole story feel real and three-dimensional.

Siqin Gaowa was actually moved by the script, in addition to wanting to work with Lin Youcheng. Especially the ending of the script, the scene of two horse-drawn carriages carrying a family to continue their journey to Northeast China in the vast snowfield. Although there was no scene of a battle with millions of people, Siqin Gaowa felt that in that turbulent era, the grand and desolate scene of forging a path to survival made her feel emotional.

Zhou Xun looked at Lin Youcheng and said with a smile, "If it were now, who would still pester a man like that?"

Tao Hong chimed in, "That's right! That's right!"

Listening to Zhou Xun and Tao Hong's words, Lin Youcheng could clearly say such things at this moment.

When Lin Youcheng came to the film crew, in addition to discussing the script and the role with him, the actors would also talk to him about his other works. After all, Lin Youcheng's works are not limited to "Crossing the Guandong". Among his many works, each one can be said to be something that others talk about with great interest and discuss in private.

Zhou Xun said with an embarrassed look, "Teacher Lin, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you outside the movie theater at that time."

In fact, Zhou Xun had always kept this matter in mind, but she hadn't had a suitable opportunity to talk to Lin Youcheng about it. Now, she was able to bring up the topic of "The Truman Show" outside the movie theater with Lin Youcheng again.

Lin Youcheng laughed when he heard Zhou Xun's words and said, "There's no need to be embarrassed. Your opinion on the movie is correct. Every viewer will have their own opinion."

Zhou Xun only realized how easy-going Lin Youcheng was after getting to know him, but she was very grateful to him for choosing her to play Xia Yushu.

"I also want to thank you for choosing me to play this role."

Lin Youcheng smiled upon hearing Zhou Xun's words and asked, "What are your plans after this play is finished?"

Zhou Xun shook his head and answered honestly, "I haven't thought about it yet."

Zhou Xun had never really thought about this question. It was just a coincidence that she came to act in the drama "Crossing the Guandong". If she hadn't left the bar, she didn't know what would have happened. Now, while filming "Crossing the Guandong" and watching the actors perform on set, she felt more and more that she should be an actress, not a bar singer.

The key issue is that after filming, Zhou Xun really doesn't know what to do next, how to make a living in Beijing. She can't just go back to singing in bars, and as for filming in movie sets, she doesn't even know if she'll have the chance.

Although Lin Youcheng didn't intend to specifically recruit this future one of the Four Great Actresses, since Zhou Xun had already auditioned for the drama "Crossing the Guandong" and had now landed the role, Lin Youcheng naturally asked Zhou Xun, "Do you want to join my company and become an actress?"

Zhou Xun was taken aback, not expecting Lin Youcheng to let her join the company. Without thinking twice, she nodded repeatedly, then asked uncertainly, "Can I?"

"Focus on acting in the future and take good care of your voice."

Lin Youcheng nodded, naturally welcoming Zhou Xun. He knew that Zhou Xun had become a heavy smoker, ruining his voice, which would affect the actor's delivery of lines.

Zhou Xun didn't understand what Lin Youcheng meant by that. She was simply excited because she was about to become an actress in Lin Youcheng's company. After all, it was Lin Youcheng's company!
Although Zhou Xun didn't know what the company's benefits were like, given Lin Youcheng's identity as an author and screenwriter, Zhou Xun didn't need to think about these issues at all.

Looking at Zhou Xun, this young woman who is destined to win three major film awards, and even being the first one, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but feel a little excited. He wondered how far she could go in the company. Although she had great acting talent, she still needed to hone her skills. In fact, besides their own productions, they could also recommend her to other big directors for further training.

Actually, he also had ideas about Yu Feihong, but Yu Feihong planned to stay at the school to teach. As for Jiang Wenli, she was with Gu Changwei. Moreover, Jiang Wenli, like He Bing, also had a job. He Bing was currently at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Next were Tao Hong, Chen Jianbin, and Wang Xuebin.

These three are still in school, so Lin Youcheng doesn't need to rush them. However, it's okay if they don't want to join the company. After all, there are many actors in this industry, and he can just find someone else next time.

Obviously, no young actor would refuse an invitation from a big shot like Lin Youcheng.

After all, this is Lin Youcheng's company. Joining this company will definitely mean starring in Lin Youcheng's scripts in the future. There's no need to think about it; I would agree without hesitation.

Lin Youcheng didn't pay much attention to the actors, because the director team was more important than the actors.

Although the company is intended for Lin Zhaomei's future, and Lin Zhaomei does indeed plan to pursue a career as a director, she plans to try applying to the directing department of a film academy this year. After all, the company cannot only have Lin Zhaomei as a director.

Lin Youcheng did not expect to meet a suitable director in the crew of "Crossing the Guandong".

Lin Youcheng looked at Kong Sheng. He didn't expect that Kong Sheng would also be working as a photographer in the "Crossing the Guandong" crew. Obviously, this was because the drama was a collaboration between CCTV, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces, so they would naturally recommend suitable people to participate in the production.

Lin Youcheng was well aware that Kong Sheng, who was currently just a photographer, would later become a director and produce excellent dramas. After that, Daylight Entertainment could be considered more of a production originally from Shandong Film and Television.

Lin Youcheng was well aware that although Zheng Xiaolong could be invited to join the company later, Zheng Xiaolong had served as the director of the Yanjing Television Art Center for nearly thirty years, only resigning from the position in 2010. Lin Youcheng felt that cooperation with Zheng Xiaolong did not necessarily require Zheng Xiaolong to join, since the current cooperation was also acceptable, given that the Yanjing Television Art Center was primarily Yanjing Television.

Now, Lin Youcheng naturally needs to consider inviting a directing team.

"Kong Sheng, have you ever thought about joining my company? I can even let you be a director here."

Although Lin Youcheng is now only a photographer for Kong Sheng, he is actually very experienced. In 1990, he served as a photography assistant in the historical biographical drama "Confucius" and later worked as the chief cinematographer. He also won the Qilu Province Outstanding Cinematography Award for the biographical drama "Kong Fansen".

According to the original timeline, he would have independently directed his first TV series, "Police Officer Cheng Guangquan," in 1996, which reflected the dedication of grassroots police officers in China to serving the people. This series won first place in the second prize of the Feitian Award for TV dramas. It can be said that he has directed a wide variety of TV series, such as the early urban fashion drama "Burning Passion in Four Seasons" and the crime drama "Police 110," which won the first prize of the Golden Eagle Award for medium-length dramas. In particular, he was not only able to work as a cinematographer, but also served as an editor in many works, and won the Best Editing Award of the China TV Golden Eagle Award for "Daughter of Alishan."

After that, they filmed the ancient costume fantasy drama "Human and Ghost Love", the TV documentary "Untried", the TV movie "The Hunter", the Beijing opera "Qianmen Tower Nine-Nine", the war drama "Tea Horse Road", the ancient costume suspense drama "The Mystery of the Ming Palace", and the marriage and ethics drama "Love Ending", not to mention the later famous series such as "Life and Death Line", "Parents' Love", "Battle of Changsha", "The Family of Wenzhou", "No War in Beiping", and "Nirvana in Fire".

Lin Youcheng was very clear about the director's future abilities.

In fact, Kong Sheng also majored in Chinese literature. He failed the college entrance examination in 1978 and went to work in a factory. A few years later, he studied Chinese literature at night school through self-study. However, at that time, he felt that studying Chinese was a mistake. He was forced to read classical Chinese every day when he was in school, which felt like torture. After graduating, he worked as an editor at a small magazine for a short time before resigning from his government job and starting his career in the film and television industry as a photography assistant.

Kong Sheng never expected that Lin Youcheng would invite him to join his company. As someone in the industry, he naturally knew that in addition to CCTV and a few local TV stations, Lin Youcheng's Huayi Film and Television Company was also an investor in the TV series "Crossing the Guandong".

He was already very honored to have the opportunity to participate in the TV series "Crossing the Guandong", and he really didn't expect to be invited by Lin Youcheng to join the company.

The best part is, he can even direct!?

Kong Sheng was truly stunned.

Seeing Kong Sheng's stunned expression, Lin Youcheng assumed that Kong Sheng was unwilling to leave his unit. After all, Kong Sheng's job as a cinematographer at the Qilu Film and Television Production Center was considered a secure job within the system. He couldn't help but say, "It's nothing. I was just asking. I think your shots are quite good, and you have some great ideas."

Upon hearing this, Kong Sheng's eyes narrowed, and he quickly said, "I can!"

You should know that he had long wanted to become a director and independently direct his own films!
Now that it's an invitation from the big shot Lin Youcheng, what reason does Kong Sheng have to refuse? It's safe to say that when Lin Youcheng made those remarks, he really didn't dare to even think about it. It was like a pie falling from the sky and knocking him unconscious.

However, Kong Sheng was still unsure whether what Lin Youcheng told him was true.

"I...I really can direct a TV series?"

Lin Youcheng smiled upon hearing Kong Sheng's words and said, "Of course."

(End of this chapter)