A widower's entertainment

Lin Zhaomei received her admission letter from Yenching Film Academy and was accepted into the directing department, which was undoubtedly a happy event. However, in addition to her joy, Lin Zhaomei naturally thought about using the summer vacation to shoot the short film "Destiny" that she had been preparing to shoot.

Lin Youcheng was naturally aware of Lin Zhaomei's plans, and he fully supported her.

Compared to the painstaking efforts Jia put into preparing his short film "Xiaoshan Goes Home," where the 20,000 yuan production cost was painstakingly borrowed and pieced together, Lin Youcheng directly gave Lin Zhaomei 100,000 yuan in production funds.

This is actually a considerable sum for Lin Zhaomei, especially since Zhou Xun, the female lead, had already agreed to star in the film. The next step is for Lin Zhaomei to rationally consider the 100,000 yuan filming budget. After all, this involves storyboarding based on the script, location scouting, location negotiations, and scheduling the production cycle. How much to spend, how to spend it, where to use it, how to complete the post-production, and how to participate in film festivals are all things that Lin Zhaomei, as the director, needs to consider.

Lin Youcheng also let Lin Zhaomei train on her own, which can be considered as experiencing a complete film system through this short film.

Lin Zhaomei was also very surprised. In her opinion, it was quite unbelievable that her father, Lin Youcheng, could give her 100,000 yuan directly. After all, she knew very well that the annual income of an employee was less than 10,000 yuan. It was really unbelievable that he could support her with 100,000 yuan without saying a word.

Of course, Lin Zhaomei knew even better that this was her father Lin Youcheng's trust in her, and she naturally could not betray that trust.

In fact, Lin Zhaomei was well aware that even film school students rarely had the opportunity to actually shoot films. She knew that there was only one short film class in the second year, and the school would provide a JVC camera. Once the short film was completed, it was equivalent to the end of the entire four-year practical filming course.

She had also read the Fassbinder booklet "A Little Reality I Need: How Films Are Made," which Professor Tian Zhuangzhuang had recommended to her. It contained Fassbinder's budget and work records for making "Love Is Colder Than Death." Essentially, it was about understanding the breakdown of expenses and how much money was spent on making a film. However, Fassbinder's budget was exceptionally detailed, which made Lin Zhaomei realize just how meticulous the planning of a film production or a large-scale operational system must be.

"Third sister, you're really amazing. Dad actually gave you so much money."

Lin Zhaoman also found it unbelievable from the bottom of his heart. He was also pulled over by Lin Zhaomei to work as a crew member, which could be considered as Lin Zhaoman's assistant.

Actually, Lin Zhaomei wanted to ask Lin Zhaoqing for help, but Lin Zhaoqing was on summer vacation and was unwilling. So she could only ask Lin Zhaoman for free labor. As for the younger Lin Zhaohuan and Lin Zhaole, Lin Zhaomei still felt they were too young.

"It's just a budget. Every expense needs to be recorded. I'll apply to Dad for it later."

Lin Zhaomei also knew that Lin Zhaoman didn't understand many things. She only treated Lin Zhaoman as her little assistant, helping him with some errands. As for the other staff members on the cameraman's side, Lin Zhaomei didn't ask Lin Youcheng for help, nor did she contact director Kong Sheng or teacher Tian Zhuangzhuang. After all, she wanted to find them herself, not to mention that "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner" was also being filmed.

As for cameras and recording equipment, Lin Zhaomei could borrow them from others. After all, she knew both Zheng Xiaolong of Yanjing Television Art Production Center and Cheng Zhigu, the director of Yanjing Film Studio. This was because she was Lin Youcheng's daughter, not to mention that she had acted in the drama "My Brothers and Sisters" before. It can be said that Lin Zhaomei had ways to obtain these equipment, and she even had ways to rent them.

Although the Yanjing Film Studio is currently in a bleak state and experiencing a harsh winter, she should still have no problem renting equipment to shoot short films.

As for the crew members, Lin Zhaomei took her younger brother Lin Zhaoman directly to the Beijing Film Academy, hoping to find some senior students there. Although it was summer vacation, there would still be students at the school in Beijing, just fewer people.

"Have you heard? Lin Youcheng's daughter applied to our school and was accepted into the directing department."

When Section Chief Jia, who was still at school, heard his classmate say this, he raised an eyebrow and said, "How could I not have heard? I heard that he took the college entrance examination early and got in, and he was ranked first in his major."

"That person came to the school and is planning to find someone to shoot a short film."

"Short film?"

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Jia asked, "She hasn't even enrolled in school yet, and she's already planning to start filming?"

"Yes, I heard it was shot on film!"

These words immediately made Section Chief Jia extremely envious. He was filming his short film "Xiaoshan Goes Home" on videotape, and he also wanted to film it on film, but he didn't have the money.

Lin Zhaomei hasn't even enrolled in school yet, but she's already planning to start filming short films, and she even plans to use film. How could Section Chief Jia not be extremely envious?

There was no way around it; Section Chief Jia knew that Lin Zhaomei's father, Lin Youcheng, was an extremely powerful figure, and their family background was truly extraordinary.

Director Jia suddenly realized that this junior student wanted to make short films even before entering film school, so she should join their Youth Film Experiment Group.

Speaking of which, the Youth Film Experimental Group of Yanjing Film Academy, which was organized by Director Jia, started its film practice by exchanging videotapes. At that time, film viewing resources were scarce, and students and teachers could only learn about contemporary and classic films by passing on videotapes to each other. After watching a lot of videos, Director Jia got the idea to make films.

The main creators of his film "Xiaoshan Goes Home" were all his classmates. They filmed sporadically last winter, only shooting for six or seven days before the camera had to be returned. Several key scenes weren't filmed, so the film was essentially unfinished. It was an extremely difficult and tortuous process. They would spend a day editing at school, a few days editing at the General Staff Department, and a few days editing at Guanyuan. Because they had no money, they could only borrow equipment. Carrying the footage, they ran all over Beijing editing. In the end, they really gritted their teeth and finished editing. After finishing, they felt quite proud of themselves. But when it was screened, it suffered another devastating blow.

This is indeed the case. The first screening of "Xiaoshan Going Home" was at Yenching Film Academy. There were many people at first, but after less than 20 minutes, only two people remained. Later, it was also screened at Yenching University. The students at the Film Academy were concerned with the film's cinematic language and audiovisual quality, but the students at Yenching University didn't care about the technical specifications at all. They only cared about the story and its social significance. This was because the film featured the image of a migrant worker for the first time, and the short film was highly praised by the students at Yenching University for its social significance.

As Section Chief Jia reflected on the difficulties he had faced while filming "Xiaoshan Goes Home," and then thought about how Lin Zhaomei was now using film to shoot a short film, he was filled with mixed emotions.

"Why don't we help her shoot a short film? It would be a good opportunity to practice shooting on film, and we could also invite her to join our film experiment group?"

When Section Chief Jia said this, everyone else present was also taken aback.

"Of course! We might even get to know her father, Lin Youcheng!"

"Yes, Lin Youcheng's screenplays are amazing. I've watched 'Love,' 'Atonement,' and 'The Truman Show' so many times."

Clearly, every film school student was well aware of Lin Youcheng's status as a screenwriter in the film industry—a truly meteoric rise to fame, not only domestically but also internationally. "Let's go, let's go meet this junior from the directing department!"

"They haven't even enrolled yet, and they already want to shoot a short film, and on film no less! They've got some nerve!"

……

Section Chief Jia and his classmates arrived at the Photography Department together, and they spotted Lin Zhaomei and Lin Zhaoman from afar.

Lin Zhaomei was discussing camera work with Zhou Fan, a second-year photography student, when she noticed someone walking towards the Directing Building, seemingly looking for her.

Before Lin Zhaomei could ask a question, Zhou Fan from the photography department saw Section Chief Jia and said with some surprise, "Old Jia, you're here too!"

Section Chief Jia looked at Lin Zhaomei and said with a smile, "Hello Lin Zhaomei, I'm Jia Zhangke, a third-year student in the Literature Department next semester. I know you want to find someone to shoot a short film. What do you think of us?"

Lin Zhaomei naturally didn't know Section Chief Jia, nor did she know that this director would later win the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. She naturally wouldn't refuse, saying, "It would be great if you could join us, but I'm only making one short film at a time, and the budget is limited, so perhaps—"

"You can even shoot short films on film, your budget is much better than ours."

Section Chief Jia then explained that they were still using videotapes to film the short film.

Section Chief Jia then told Lin Zhaomei about his filming of "Xiaoshan Goes Home," and Lin Zhaomei, in turn, told Section Chief Jia about the short film she planned to shoot.

Standing to the side, Lin Zhaoman listened to the professional terms used in filmmaking, but he couldn't understand many of them. He was completely unfamiliar with things like not having enough money to order a 35mm film and having to choose a 16mm film instead, as well as film processing and post-production. However, he didn't get impatient and stayed with his sister, Lin Zhaomei.

Lin Zhaomei is currently preparing her short film "Destiny". She has also considered making a feature film directly, but if she were to make a feature film, the production cost of 100,000 yuan would definitely not be enough. After all, even if the equipment can be borrowed or rented, film is really expensive. Of course, Lin Zhaomei has also thought that if she were to make a feature film, it would probably be a feature film with nearly 106 scenes, and the budget would definitely have to increase.

Although Lin Zhaomei felt that it might be possible to ask her father for more budget and additional funds, it was clear that this was not the budget she had initially wanted.

Lin Zhaomei, Section Chief Jia, and others were not only exchanging ideas about short film shooting, but also had some discussions about film in general.

Lin Zhaomei did not immediately agree to the invitation from Section Chief Jia to join the film experiment group. After all, she knew very well that the reason why these people were willing to help her shoot was because she was using film, which was a rare opportunity for practical shooting experience.

Another, and more important, reason is that her father is Lin Youcheng.

“I have quite a few videotapes of foreign films at home. These were brought to my father by foreign film producers.”

This is certainly true. Hollywood film companies would naturally send Lin Youcheng some original DVDs of classic movies. This is why Lin Zhaomei has watched quite a few films. After all, her own conditions and the resources around her are really excellent. After talking to her father, the producers were able to easily send over those DVDs. These movies are hard to find in China, but they are very easy to find abroad.

When Section Chief Jia heard Lin Zhaomei's words, he was naturally very pleased. Indeed, this was because their resources were different.

Of course, more importantly, Section Chief Jia and others also clearly knew that Lin Zhaomei, a freshman in the directing department who had not yet entered the school, was really not simple. Lin Zhaomei really knew a lot of things, not only photography, but also film language. She was not like a freshman who had not yet gone to school and had no experience in film shooting.

Lin Zhaomei explained many aspects of filmmaking very clearly, even more so than those who had just made a short film. She seemed to know more about filmmaking than some freshmen or even sophomores.

This truly alarmed Section Chief Jia and his colleagues.

After all, Lin Zhaomei hasn't enrolled in school yet, and she's a girl!

Lin Zhaomei was unaware of the surprise in the hearts of Section Chief Jia and the others. After finalizing the arrangements for the filming crew, she naturally took her younger brother Lin Zhaoman home.

Lin Zhaoman also has his own bicycle, and the two siblings now ride back to Xinghua Hutong together.

"Sis, filming a movie seems so complicated!"

"You've been to the film set before, so you should already know that filming isn't easy; there are many departments involved."

Lin Zhaoman nodded. Actually, his father had taken him and his siblings to see the film crew of "The Message" in Shanghai a long time ago. At that time, they went by train, which was the first time they had traveled far from home.

Lin Zhaoman still vividly remembers his experience on the train, recalling how he met a People's Liberation Army soldier on the train.

Although some of the things from his childhood were a long time ago, Lin Zhaoman still remembered some of them.

As Lin Zhaoman pedaled his bicycle, he looked at Lin Zhaomei and said, "Sister, when they were talking to you earlier, they seemed a little skeptical that you could film it well, but their expressions gradually changed later."

Upon hearing Lin Zhaoman's words, Lin Zhaomei's lips curled up slightly. She naturally understood what her younger brother, Lin Zhaoman, meant.

She was well aware that becoming a truly respected director on a film crew was no easy feat, especially for a female director like herself. (End of Chapter)