The literary era since 1979

Chapter 187: Talents are recruited regardless of their background
"Letting them make films independently is more effective than any amount of ideological work or allocating houses to them!"

"I just don't believe that these junior students don't want to make progress!"

Guo Baochang put himself in the other's shoes and applauded.

"Director Guo, don't be too optimistic."

Fangyan picked up a piece of nine-turn large intestine and spoke while chewing.

This idea was originally intended for Xi'an Film Studio.

When in Chang'an, Wu Tianming specifically asked him for advice, but because Xiying Studio was a large studio with complicated internal relationships, and he had just taken office and had just secured his position, there were still many constraints, and he was unable to implement this unprecedented reform.

“If Xi’an Film Studio doesn’t work, Guangxi Film Studio may not be too bad!”

Guo Baochang's tone was full of confidence.

Fang Yan said, "Will your Director Wei agree?"

"I can't guarantee that."

Guo Baochang said cautiously: "But from what I know about him, he is definitely not an old stubborn conservative. He has always been thinking about change. Otherwise, he would not have sacrificed his reputation and personally asked his old friends at Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama for more college students."

"Director Wei is indeed a very open-minded person."

Fangyan recalled the impression that Wei Bida left on him.

"He was not only open-minded, but also wanted to grow the Guixi Factory from a small factory to a large one. Therefore, he was highly respected in the factory and his words carried a lot of weight. Otherwise, he would not have been able to suppress so many opposing voices and distribute all those good houses to these college students."

Guo Baochang put down his chopsticks.

"It seems Director Guo is very confident."

Fangyan raised his glass and clinked glasses with him.

A big ship is difficult to maneuver, but a small ship is easier to turn. Xi'an Film Studio is a big studio, while Guixi Factory is a small studio, which makes it more flexible.

"Director Wei may not easily agree to completely break the rule of 'working as an assistant for seven or eight years before being able to make a film independently'."

Guo Baochang said: "But if we make an exception and give these young people a chance to be independent, just like we gave them the good houses this time, Director Wei may agree."

“This is a huge breakthrough.”

Fangyan smiled and said that if the Guixi Factory did this, it would be tantamount to firing the first shot in breaking the seniority-based system and setting a precedent.

Then, the brand of Guixi Factory is very likely to become famous throughout the country, and there will be no shortage of college students willing to come. Maybe in the future, Guixi Factory can even become the cradle of the "young generation of filmmakers."

"I have to write down everything you said."

Guo Baochang smiled and said, "When I call Director Wei later, I will tell him what you mean. I'm not afraid that he won't be tempted."

Fang Yan put down his chopsticks and asked, "Director Guo, have you ever thought about what to let them shoot?"

"Independent filmmakers can make whatever they want, and everyone is happy when it's a good film."

Guo Baochang said: "If the film is not good, it's nothing more than losing some money, but it can make these talented people realize their own weight and start from apprenticeship. The loss of money is worth it!"

Fang Yan asked: "Director Guo, do you think they can succeed?"

"Teacher Fang, to be honest, I think the chances of success are very high. My group of junior students are all talented."

Guo Baochang looked proud: "Maybe my directing skills are still not mature enough, but when it comes to color matching, composition, camera movement, etc., they are absolutely impeccable. Didn't you see them with me at the Beijing Film Academy's graduation exhibition before?"

"It's because I've seen it before that I have an idea."

"what idea?"

“Let them shoot “That Mountain, That Man, That Dog”.”

"What? Teacher Fang, you are kidding!"

Guo Baochang suddenly sobered up.

"Does Director Guo think they look alike?"

Fangyan looked serious.

"Teacher Fang, I'm sorry, I drank too much."

Seeing that he neither looked drunk nor joking, Guo Baochang became anxious and tried to persuade him to give up the idea.

"That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" was highly anticipated by all the staff of Guixi Factory. They all hoped that this movie would make them famous in the country and be the first shot of their rise.

After all, this is not only a famous work in China, but also a novel that will be published in Japan soon.

If nothing unexpected happens, it is very likely to be positioned as a key film exchange project by the Ministry of Culture and be introduced abroad for screening.

As many film studios across the country are eyeing "The Garland under the Mountain", as many film studios are eyeing "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog".

It was with great difficulty that Mr. Fang was impressed by the enthusiasm and sincerity of the Guixi Factory, and was lucky enough to get this enormous wealth.

Filming for Zhang Yimou and his bunch of rookies?
After a lot of persuasion, seeing that Teacher Fang was not moved at all, Guo Baochang had to say that Wei Bi Da would not agree!

"Director Guo, don't be impatient."

Fang Yan waved his hand, "This is what I think..."

Guo Baochang calmed down and listened patiently.

A youth film crew was formed with these five people as the main body.

An experienced director like him is in charge, both to assist and to supervise. If the preliminary work such as storyboard script, film composition, location scouting and actor selection cannot meet their satisfaction, it will be considered a failure.

Then, the next shooting task will be handed over to the old people in Guixi Factory, and at most some time and budget will be lost.

Hearing this, his frown gradually relaxed:

"If that's the case, it's not unacceptable."

"It seems Director Guo doesn't object."

The original intention of the dialect was that the two of them would serve as producers of the film.

"But I'm worried that I won't be able to pass the test of Director Wei."

Although Guo Baochang is optimistic about the abilities of Zhang Yimou and others, he still does not think they can take on such a major film task.

"To be honest, the reason I chose them is because I saw a possibility in their graduation works."

Fang Yanyouyou said: "Use pictures and colors to express emotions."

“Pictures and colors?!”

Guo Baochang was shocked. This was something he had never heard of before. "Come on, let's drink and talk."

Fangyan poured him some wine and sang a song of "High Mountains and Flowing Water".

After a long time of drinking, when the bottle was empty, Guo Baochang was still dazed but his blood was boiling. He took Fang Yan's hand and shook it vigorously, "Teacher Fang, you are worthy of being Teacher Fang!"

"Just do as you say. I'll call Director Wei when I get back. I'm sure he won't object."

"How about you take the trouble to come with me to Beijing Film Academy to be a witness? Otherwise, I'm afraid Zhang Yimou and the others won't believe it."

………………

Two days later, on the northern outskirts of the city, in Zhuxinzhuang, Changping.

The campus was covered with desolate weeds. Zhang Yimou, Zhang Junzhao and others felt just as depressed as they stepped on them.

In the graduation season, classmates who have known each other for many years go their separate ways, which is sad in itself, but unfortunately, all of them have bright futures.

The best ones, like Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang and others, stayed in the film unit in Yanjing.

Some, like Li Shaohong, even became Xie Tieli's apprentices as soon as they were assigned to the Beijing Film Studio, because Li Shaohong's mother was once Xie Tieli's assistant director.

The middle group includes Gu Changwei, Zhao Fei and others, who were sent back to their hometowns and report to the film studios in their hometowns.

The worst job was to be assigned to the Guixi Factory.

If the studio could be as big and famous as Beijing Film Studio and Shanghai Film Studio, these difficulties such as its remote location could be overcome.

But it is a small factory, which started late, has a poor foundation, little fame and backward conditions. This is not an allocation, it is simply an exile.

Hopes are dashed, the future is bleak, it is impossible to make progress, not even in this lifetime!
They were carrying their luggage with their heads down. Tian Zhuangzhuang, Li Shaohong, Chen Kaige and others came to see them off, with an intention to encourage them to leave.

"Zhu Lin, you left at a really bad time."

"Yes, I heard from Teacher Xie that the casting for the drama Shang Yang is about to begin."

"If you can participate, I think the role of Ying Yingyu must be for you."

"........."

Listening to what Li Shaohong and the others said, Zhu Lin smiled, and the light in his eyes dimmed slightly.

"Be careful on the road and stay safe."

Hu Mei and others held her hands, reluctant to let her go.

"You should also take care of yourself."

"If you have time, you can come to my office and have a visit."

Zhu Lin has completed his further studies at Beijing Film Academy and is about to return to the Institute of Health of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Girls said goodbye to other girls, and boys said goodbye to other boys.

Chen Kai, who was assigned to the Children's Film Studio, could not help but recite a poem in front of Zhang Yimou and his team:

"The wind is rustling and the water is cold. A strong man will never return once he is gone!"

"I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for there will be no friends west of Qingshui Pass."

"Brother Kai, stop reciting your poems!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang glared at him, then shook Zhang Mou's hand and apologized. She had promised to get Zhang Yimou into his mother's children's film studio, but unfortunately she failed to use this back door.

"No need to apologize, it's my own problem."

"Alas, it's just fate~"

Zhang Yimou hung his head and looked listless. Not to mention Tian Zhuangzhuang, even Teacher Fang's recommendation for him to go to the Xi'an Film Studio was useless.

"Don't be too sad, it doesn't matter where you make a movie." Brother Chen Kai stopped reciting the poem and spoke to "comfort".

Tian Zhuangzhuang said: "Yes, maybe if the movie is good, you may have a chance to be transferred out of Guixi Factory."

Zhang Junzhao looked disappointed: "You are talking without any pain, but how long do we have to wait?"

Huo Jianqi's eyes showed a trace of despair. "It will take at least ten years at the slowest. Even if it's fast, it will take six or seven years! Six or seven years!"

"Seven years! Ten years!"

Zhang Junzhao said with some sadness: "I have lived in Yanjing for more than 20 years. Now, my household registration has been cancelled. From now on, I am no longer a Yanjing person. The key is that I don't know when I can come back. Maybe I will never come back in this lifetime."

Zhang Yimou and others felt the same way, with sadness written all over their faces.

"Don't always think the worst. Teacher Xie and the others said so." Tian Zhuangzhuang comforted him, "The Guixi Factory is in urgent need of young people. Who knows, you may be able to make a movie soon."

"That's right!"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd said something.

There are many film units in Yanjing. Even if one is lucky enough to be assigned to a unit with the right major, the future may not be bright. This is because there are many old people in these factories and seniority is the basis for promotion. For young people like them, it is unknown when they will be able to make independent films. It may take ten to eight years.

"How about we switch?"

Huo Jianqi glared at him angrily.

The person who had just spoken so confidently immediately retreated and remained silent.

"I send my sorrowful heart to the bright moon, and follow you to the west of Lingnan!"

Brother Chen Kai pretended to cough and changed the subject.

Seeing that the atmosphere was awkward and solemn, Tian Zhuangzhuang tried every means to ease it. At this moment, two figures appeared not far away.

"Our escorts are here."

Zhang Junzhao made a self-deprecating remark.

"The person next to Senior Guo seems to be Teacher Fang!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang recognized the man at a glance.

"Teacher Fang?!"

"Why is Teacher Fang here?"

All of a sudden, it attracted everyone's attention.

Zhu Lin looked up at him again across the crowd.

(End of this chapter)