Huayu: Start by asking ex-girlfriends for alms

Chapter 13 Booting up

Zhen Jiecheng's "lowering his status" made this meal more like a gathering of friends.

But that overly young face still makes some people feel a little abrupt, even though they have heard of this "Beijing Film Academy talent" for a long time and have received detailed popular science education from young people such as Ma Yuan in the past few days.

"Our schedule is a bit tight, so we'll just have a quick taste of this wine today."

"On the day of wrapping up, we won't go home until we're drunk!"

It’s still early, how can we waste this wonderful time by getting drunk?
Zhen Jiecheng narrowed his eyes and smiled. He first drank the "penalty wine" he promised, and then invited everyone to start the meal.

Soon, the big box was transferred to the conference room.
The script reading, or discussion session, which is rarely seen in the entertainment industry, has begun.

After all, this is 02.
Although the so-called Four Dans and Two Bings has become a formal "concept", the star marketing in Hong Kong and Taiwan has gradually gained popularity.

However, the older generation's "all roles, no matter how big or small, should be treated as a serious play" and Zhen Jiecheng's "talented man" persona on campus still have a certain space for survival.

“The subject of ‘Life Events’ is a special industry that few people in the industry pay attention to: funerals.”

"Funeral talks about life and death. What I want to express is to talk about life through death!"

“What is life? It is nothing more than birth, aging, sickness and death. Death is always the heaviest part that people are very careful not to touch.”

“It’s too heavy and too profound, and no one can fully describe it. What I can do is to express it metaphorically from the perspective of ordinary people in society.”

At this point, Zhen Jiecheng paused.
Turning our attention to Deng Chao,
"The female protagonist Xiaowen is dressed as Nezha, the rebellious Nezha."

"Then Deng Chao, the third brother you play is the Monkey King under the Five Finger Mountain!"

Hearing the sound, Deng Chao immediately pricked up his ears.

How could I not concentrate when the director is personally directing the show?

This is no longer the high school days when knowledge could flow freely through the brain and remain in Aba's heart.

If you want to move forward in the entertainment industry, you must give your all and seize every opportunity.

He really wants to improve!
But Deng Chao kept waiting, but he never heard any follow-up.
Looking over in surprise, what caught my eye was Zhen Jiecheng's half-smiley look.
"Deng Chao, you don't really think I'm going to break it down and explain it to you in detail, do you?"

"Could it be that the outstanding students of the Central Academy of Drama are good at lying down, like to eat food that is fed to their mouths, are happy to accept all opinions, and are too lazy to use their own brains?"

"No way, right?"

"In my eyes, Deng Chaoyi is very good. He is an actor who can use his own understanding and strength to interpret a different and beyond-expectation performance within the framework of my script!"

"You don't just want to be a tool manipulated by the director, do you?"

What the hell?

Why am I a tool?
What did I say?

I didn't say anything!

Deng Chao's eyes widened, confused.
However, the recognition and expectation of strength in Zhen Jiecheng's words made Deng Chao very happy, so much so that it quickly overshadowed other emotions.
He stood up and patted his chest to assure me,

"Don't worry, Director. I will do my best and won't let you down!"

"Yes! I believe you!" Zhen Jiecheng nodded, "Not only because of Teacher Chang's high evaluation of you, but also because I believe in my own vision!"

Then I have to work harder! One more reason not to let Teacher Chang down!
Deng Chao secretly cheered himself up, and the young man's morale was instantly boosted.

With Deng Chao taking the lead, the young people at Beijing Film Academy were not willing to be outdone.

Damn, the director of Beijing Film Academy praised the actors of Central Academy of Drama to the sky in front of the actors of Beijing Film Academy.
What is this?
Can this be tolerated?
Do not agree!
Thus, the curtain of heated discussion was instantly opened.

Everyone expressed their opinions on the plot and lines in the script, and the discussion gradually developed into a debate.
Created by the young people, other actors quickly joined in.

Mr. You on the side was looking at everyone with a smile. How could he, an old and experienced man, not understand Zhen Jiecheng's tricks?

He had a hunch that Zhen Jiecheng's "routine" might not be that simple.
The next shoot might be very interesting.

“Choose this place!”

Zhen Jiecheng pointed to the unoccupied single-room storefront in front of him.

This is a not very spacious "commercial street" located in an old residential area.

It was a one-way street, and the exit was a main road. The store chosen by Zhen Jiecheng was at the innermost corner of this "commercial street".

"This place is surrounded by three high walls, just like the frustration in life has firmly trapped Mo Sanmei."

"Decorate this storefront into 'Heaven' as soon as possible, and the one next to it into a wedding store!"

"Further ahead, we'll build a maternity and baby store that sells milk powder! And a children's clothing store!"

"By the way, the wedding shop's sign has all white fonts! The 'Go to Heaven' sign has red fonts, and the slogan is in black fonts."

“I want everyone to feel an abrupt, contradictory and torn feeling the first moment they see this shot!”

Hearing this, Ning Hao closed his eyes and imagined the scene in his mind.
Then he nodded solemnly.

"That's it!"

Keep going, keep choosing a location,

After finalizing the all-important shooting location, the rest became much easier.

At the request of the Jiangcheng Culture and Tourism Bureau, Zhen Jiecheng also included some of Jiangcheng's landmark buildings and attractions in the selection.

As everyone was busy, all the work was ready one by one, and soon the day for the crew to start filming was just around the corner!

October 1st is National Day.
The streets and alleys of Jiangcheng are full of joy.
For most ordinary people, this joy is more due to the holiday.
Office workers can sleep in, students can stay away from school, and businesses are happy to welcome the influx of people.

And today is the day when the crew of "Life Events" officially started filming!

But when the crew members were in place, everyone looked at Zhen Jiecheng in surprise.

"Isn't it strange that I didn't set up an altar, didn't prepare three animals, didn't have a statue of the deity, and didn't burn incense?"

Zhen Jiecheng said with a smile.

Some people nodded in response.

Ever since film and television industry personnel from Hong Kong and Taiwan entered the mainland market, the opening ceremony has become a fixed process.

But this does not mean that "the moon outside is rounder".
It's all our own territory, at most it can be called an exchange of cultural customs between different regions.

"In theory, I don't need to be unique,"

"Especially when it comes to movies about funerals, you should pay more attention to these things."

"For example, Deng Chao stayed in the funeral home for so many days in order to act in the movie well,"

"I have made up the deceased and helped the family members to collect bones. I don't know how much of it is mixed in the air I breathe."

"Director, can you please stop talking about that?"

Deng Chao looked uncomfortable and interrupted Zhen Jiecheng's words with a pleading tone.

"Look at how cowardly you are!"

Zhen Jiecheng laughed and scolded, then continued,

"Although we are all paying attention to science now, it is undeniable that this opening ceremony will indeed bring psychological comfort to everyone."

After a pause,
"It's just that I have a better idea, a better choice for the opening ceremony!"

"Especially on this special day!"

Pointing to the bus behind him,
"What are you waiting for? Follow me!"

The towering Martyrs' Monument is solemn and dignified!

The pines and cypresses formed shades, and the wreaths of flowers formed a sea. The righteous spirit that came to my face seemed to echo the teacher's poem:
We must wipe out all harmful insects and be invincible!

For the crew members represented by Deng Chao, the strangeness brought about by the funeral theme was completely eliminated at this moment.

It is well known that properties near cemeteries are difficult to sell.

But in major cities, in the communities near the martyrs' cemeteries, most people can only look on with envy and shed tears of poverty.

Except for a few individuals, who wouldn't want to be closer to the martyrs?

Offer garlands, pour good wine,
First take off your hat, then bow,
The red cloth brought specially was spread out in front of the monument and then carefully put away after the ceremony.

After returning to the filming location, Zhen Jiecheng covered the camera with a red cloth.
Turning back, looking at everyone,
"How is this opening ceremony? Is it awesome?"

"Are you guys still panicking?"

In response to him, everyone laughed heartily.

"Be fierce! You must be fierce!"

"Why should I panic? Even if I bump into a ghost, I won't let it go unless it marches in step and salutes me!"

"Director, give me this piece of cloth. I dare to sleep in the cemetery with it on my body!"

"Okay! Since everyone is satisfied with my opening ceremony, then..."

He suddenly lifted the red cloth.

"Power on!"

"Every unit prepares!"

"Action!"

Sitting in front of the monitor again, Zhen Jiecheng felt a complex emotion that he couldn't explain.
Is it difficult to make a movie?
Of course it’s not difficult!

As long as the money is in place, everything will be fine!

Is it difficult for a director to make a good movie?

Not easy at all!
Otherwise, the director would not have such a high status in the entertainment industry.

No one really thinks that as long as they hold a big loudspeaker and sit in front of the monitor and shout "cut", they can become a director, right?
Is Guo Xiaosi the director? Is Zhao Guoqi the director?
It's a hook!

Take Guo Xiaosi for example. The threshold required for the profession of director is probably similar to trying to block Yao Ming on the court.

No matter how you jump on tiptoe, you will just be bitten by Yao Ming.

In this regard, Zhen Jiecheng can only be thankful that the present is not the era of chaos and disorder in the future.

I am even more grateful that I have the opportunity to stand up in this era, with confidence and copy the hell out of it!
Thinking of this, the smile on the corner of his mouth became more kind.

Everyone on the set also felt the director's gentleness. They all felt that the atmosphere was particularly good. Even the occasional NG did not affect the smooth filming.

How could it not go smoothly?
For the first day of filming, Zhen Jiecheng chose all relaxing scenes!
Even if Angelababy was brought in to act, it wouldn't waste much film.

If that’s the case, why should Zhen Jiecheng put on airs?

"Okay, this one's passed!"

"Come on, everyone, take a break. I bought some watermelons, all chilled with well water. Come and have a taste!"

Zhen Jiecheng cuts the melon himself, acting like a warm man.
"Deng Chao, you performed well. You are worthy of being the outstanding student that Teacher Chang mentioned. Keep it up!"

"Well, it's Teacher Chang who is too kind!"

Deng Chao took the watermelon, and the flattery he received made him feel a little embarrassed.
I was thinking to myself, today’s play isn’t difficult, so I did it well?
Could it be that the director has a keen eye and can observe qualities in the subtle details that even I am not aware of?
I remember the recognition from my teachers when I was studying at the Central Academy of Drama, the trend my graduation drama “Cuihua Serve Suancai” set off in the Beijing drama circle, and the praise from my predecessors when I entered the comedy industry!

I feel relieved for some reason!

Am I really a genius?

Hey, this watermelon is so sweet!

Deng Chao took a big bite happily.

I couldn't help but start imagining the smooth filming process that would follow, the "Young Emperor" that I would be joining in a few months, my future prospects, and what kind of girlfriend I would find. The fantasy is over!
On the set, everyone was as silent as a cicada!

The harmonious atmosphere of the past two days seemed like an absurd dream.
The director's warm smile that had been on his face disappeared without a trace.

When the loud speakers increased the decibels and indiscriminately impacted every corner of the set, Deng Chao could never understand how such a face with thick eyebrows and big eyes could be distorted into such a hideous appearance.

"Do you know what a split shot is? I want Mo Sanmei to appear on the mid-tangent line of the shot when she enters the light and shadow!"

"Understand!"

"Did I not express myself clearly enough, or do you have problems understanding?"

The first to suffer was Ning Hao.
Ning Hao was seen breathing heavily, but in the end he just replied "yes" in a dull voice.

Then, from an angle where no one could see, she gave Zhen Jiecheng an ambiguous wink.

And this is just the beginning.
Along with the props arrangement, fill light and other issues were picked out one by one,

With the sound of "click" again and again, the film funds were burned.

The atmosphere on the set gradually dropped to freezing point.

at last,

"Sister-in-law, take our little Nezha to buy an ice cream. The weather is too hot."

Zhen Jiecheng forced a smile and said to Xing Aina.

"it is good!"

Hearing this, Sister Na quickly took the little girl's hand.

But before he reached the street corner, he heard Zhen Jiecheng's scolding!
"Deng Chao!"

"I am not qualified to question Mr. Chang's evaluation, but I think I should be qualified to question my own vision,"

"Am I right?"

Before Deng Chao could answer, the salivary amylase that followed had already completely submerged him.

"How many times?"

“Is this the answer given by the outstanding students of the Central Academy of Drama with their excellent comprehension ability?”

"If I had given a few hundred dollars to the old lady selling popsicles at the street corner and taken so many photos, it wouldn't have turned out like this!"

"Next time you go back to the Central Academy of Drama, remember to avoid Teacher Chang. If you can avoid going back, it's best not to go back! You know it's embarrassing, right? You know it's slandering, right?"

Looking at Deng Chao, whose face had turned red, Zhen Jiecheng did not stop outputting.
"Do you want to refute me? Or just punch me? But I tell you, only the incompetent will be furious. Tell me, do you have the 'ability'?"

"If you have one, pick up your script! Redevelop your brain capacity, which has shrunk to a pitiful level, and give me a passing performance."

"Do you understand!!!"

The violent storm did not stop with Deng Chao's departure.
The next moment, the sarcastic tone rose again.
"You don't think that I scolded the actors of the Central Academy of Drama first because our Beijing Film Academy did better, right?"

"No way, no way? Who gave you the confidence to have such an illusion?"

"I'm from the Central Academy of Drama. I'll need to spend a few hundred dollars to hire an old lady to replace me."

"You don't need that. I'll buy some chickens and ducks, sprinkle some rice on the ground, and they'll be able to do the most basic positioning perfectly!"

"What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)