Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 13 Hengdian Film and Television City

Gu Wei and his team did not choose to drive to Hengdian, mainly because the distance was too far and it would take more than ten hours to drive. In the end, they decided to fly to Yiwu first and then take a car to Hengdian. The air tickets for the accompanying personnel were also booked by Xingchen Film and Television a few days ago and included in the film production costs.

No. 29 Capital Airport.

Gu Wei and the main creative staff of the crew had just got off the car and were about to enter the waiting area when they were spotted by reporters who were waiting at the airport entrance. They were then surrounded and answered several reporters' questions. Gu Wei sent the reporters away on the grounds that he was in a hurry to board the plane.

The group attracted a lot of attention when they entered the waiting area. The female artists in the crew were indeed very beautiful, but they are not very famous at this stage. There were many people watching them, but not many came up to ask for autographs or take photos with them.

At ten o'clock, Gu Wei and others boarded the plane. The plane flew for two and a half hours. After arriving in Yiwu, the staff had prepared the vehicle. After nearly an hour's drive, the group arrived at Hengdian Film and Television City before two o'clock in the afternoon.

"Everyone, put your luggage and personal belongings in your hotel room, take a rest first, and gather in the hotel conference room at 8 o'clock in the evening to attend the script reading session of the crew," Gu Wei said to everyone at the hotel entrance.

"The hotel will arrange dinner. Please don't be late for the reading party."

Gu Wei added.

"Okay, director," everyone replied, and then walked towards their rooms, with the agent following with their luggage.

This is also what Gu Wei learned from other directors. Before filming begins, several rounds of script readings are conducted. This can help the actors understand their roles as quickly as possible, and the actors can also get to know each other and reduce barriers.

At eight o'clock in the evening, after dinner, everyone gathered in the meeting room arranged by the hotel and started the first reading session of the crew. Except for Chen Baoguo, he didn't have many parts, and the time to join the crew was scheduled for the end of August, and his part could be shot in about half a month.

In the conference room, the main creative staff of the crew arrived earlier than the stipulated time. After all, it was their first day on the crew and no one dared to be late for fear of leaving a bad impression on the director.

After a group of people read together for more than an hour, Gu Wei asked them to go back to their rooms to rest and recharge their batteries, as they had an opening ceremony early tomorrow morning. This was also an advance arrangement made by China Film Group, and representatives from Light Media and Huayi would also attend.

Hengdian, which covers tens of thousands of acres, is currently the largest film and television base in China. However, more than a decade ago, Hengdian was one of the poorest places in Zhejiang Province.

Starting from 95, 120 engineering teams worked hard in the wilderness for more than four months to build a filming base for "Guangzhou Street in South Guangdong in the 4th Century" with a total construction area of ​​more than 6 square meters, including 150 buildings of various types. Relying on amazing decision-making and execution capabilities, Hengdian was finally connected with film, television and culture.

In 97, in order to meet the requirements of director Chen Kaige who was filming "The Emperor and the Assassin", another 800 acres of land was allocated, 8 hilltops were blasted, and it took more than 8 months to build the famous "Qin Palace".

It was not until last year that Hengdian Film and Television City was awarded the title of the first national 4A-level tourist attraction. Subsequently, in order to attract more crews, it was announced that all scenes would be open to film and television crews free of charge.

Gu Wei chose this place for the crew because it has a complete range of supporting facilities and a sufficient number of extras, making it convenient for the crew to film.

May 8, morning.

The opening ceremony of "Time and Space Lovers" was held at Hengdian Film and Television City.

The ceremony took place right at the entrance of the filming location of "Time and Space Lovers". Thanks to the China Film crew who came to set up the scene in advance, a stage was built at the entrance of the filming location. On the stage was an incense table with offerings such as a pig's head and some fruits. There was also a camera covered with a "red cloth" next to it.

The host first gave a brief introduction to the crew of "Time and Space Lovers" on the stage, including the on-site personnel and project situation, and then director Gu Wei and the producer from China Film took turns to speak on stage.

"Thank you all for coming to attend the crew's opening ceremony. I declare that the crew of "Time and Space Lovers" has officially started filming," Gu Wei said on the stage holding the microphone.

Compared with Gu Wei's concise speech, the staff from China Film Group talked a lot, all of which were words of thanks to the leaders and various departments. However, Gu Wei did not care. This is the situation in the country. Regardless of whether the leaders are present or not, words of thanks are definitely needed.

There were many media reporters holding cameras and taking pictures on both sides of the stage.

Afterwards, Gu Wei and the main creative staff of the crew, together with the leaders of China Film, Guangguang and Huayi, went on stage for a group photo and unveiled the red cloth covering the camera, announcing the successful completion of the opening ceremony. Gu Wei also arranged for personnel to give travel expenses to the reporters and media present, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them leave with satisfaction.

.........

"Click."

"Qin Hao, your mood is not right. You should show a shocked expression on your face," Gu Wei said while holding the walkie-talkie.

"Think of the expression on your face when you suddenly realize you can go back in time, and bring the emotion into it."

Gu Wei, who was sitting in front of the camera, added.

"Okay, director, I understand," Qin Hao said, rubbing his face.

Film shooting is a tedious and complicated task. Starting from the preparation of various preliminary work to the repeated shooting of each shot on site, until a satisfactory standard is achieved, it is inseparable from the close cooperation of various professionals in the middle.

Gu Wei's film was shot with a 35mm camera and the film was in color. One color film can last about 8 and a half minutes.

The entire film "Time and Space Lovers" is estimated to be 120 minutes long and will require 15 boxes of film. Based on the ratio of waste film to five to one, the entire movie will require about 75 boxes of film. Each box of film weighs 42 kilograms, and 75 boxes weigh one and a half tons.

This is just the film. There are also various photographic equipment, costumes, props, photography, etc. If you count carefully, a crew of dozens or even hundreds of people is not too many. The crew is shooting in an orderly manner. The movie "Time and Space Lovers" does not have too many group performances. Most of the shots are shot back and forth between several actors, which also tests the actors' acting skills.

After the shooting ended every day, script reading in the hotel conference room became a part of daily life. Gu Wei would also discuss the filmed clips with the crew members and humbly accept any good suggestions from the crew members. As the shooting progressed, the tacit understanding between the actors gradually met Gu Wei's requirements.

Gu Wei was immersed in the crew, the filming time passed quickly, and the outside media were also reporting on what was happening in the entertainment industry every day.

Director Zhang's masterpiece "Happy Times" was mocked and ridiculed by many media at the beginning of the new century. However, last month, it was well received as an "Olympic bid" promotional video and was reported "positively" and "affirmatively" by the media. This shows the integrity of media reporters.

He Jiong was rated as the "worst host". Currently he is still a teacher at BJ University of Foreign Languages. Facing the media camera, he said bluntly: "I will not change my style according to other people's wishes". Gu Wei can only silently wish him good luck.

The untimely death of "Liang Zuo" suddenly poured a bucket of cold water on the boiling entertainment industry.

Many directors and celebrities said in interviews with reporters: "In addition to fame, fortune and fame, health is also something that needs to be strived for. Otherwise, it will be a great loss to ourselves, the audience and our literary and artistic career."

After seeing this news, Gu Wei put the training plan for the actors on the agenda, which caused the crew members to wail.

During his time in Hengdian, Gu Wei spent his days filming movies and writing other scripts.

"Click, the morning filming is over, and we have the afternoon off. Everyone go back and have a good rest."

Gu Wei, who was sitting in front of the camera, spoke with a loudspeaker.

"Thank you, director," the employees below shouted.

"We're not filming this afternoon, why don't we go out for a walk together?" an employee whispered.

The crew members are happy that they can get their normal salary even during holidays.

"Xiao Wu, go to the hotel and talk to the waiter to ask them to reserve a larger private room for you tonight," Gu Wei said to the crew assistant Wu Ming.

The crew assistant is named Wu Ming, but he is not an unknown person. He is considered a veteran employee of China Film Group. Although he is not very old, he has participated in many crew productions. China Film Group asked him to come here to be Gu Wei's assistant and handle the daily affairs of the crew.

"Okay, director," Wu Ming said to Gu Wei.

"Also, go inform Qin Hao and the others to accompany me to a dinner party tonight."

Gu Wei then added.

I received a call from Feng Xiaogang yesterday, saying that they would come to visit the set this afternoon. Gu Wei simply let the crew have the afternoon off and planned to accompany them to stroll around Hengdian.

Since arriving in Hengdian at the end of July, it has been almost a month since the crew started filming. Gu Wei runs back and forth between the crew hotel every day and is taking this opportunity to relax.

"Director, I heard there's a dinner party tonight, who wants to come visit the set?" Qin Hao asked with a smug look on his face.

Gu Wei has become accustomed to Qin Hao's shamelessness. After spending some time together, the two have a good relationship and Gu Wei also appreciates him.

Gu Wei put his arm around Qin Hao's shoulders and said, "Why are you asking for secrets? We had to reshoot a lot of your scenes yesterday."

"Director, director, I was wrong," Qin Hao begged for mercy.

Gu Wei didn't believe his expression, so he changed his expression to a serious one and asked, "Are you familiar with Hengdian?"

"Director, I'm not bragging to you..."

Before he could finish his words, Gu Wei rolled his eyes and interrupted, "I think all you can do is brag."

"Director Feng Xiaogang will come to visit us this afternoon. I plan to take him around Hengdian. Since you have nothing to do in the afternoon, just be our tour guide," Gu Wei turned around and looked at him and said.

"Okay, director, I promise to complete the task," he said and saluted Gu Wei.

After saying this, the two left the crew.

At around two o'clock in the afternoon, Gu Wei received a call from Feng Xiaogang, saying that they had entered Hengdian and would be there soon.

After Gu Wei hung up the phone, he walked downstairs. He passed by Qin Hao's room and called him. As soon as they arrived at the hotel entrance, Gu Wei took out his mobile phone and called Dong Xuan, asking her to come to the hotel entrance.

Gu Wei didn't ask on the phone how many people were coming this time, but he thought that in case Xu Fan came along, it would be a precautionary measure if he asked a girl to come along.

(End of this chapter)