Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 1 001 [Emei Film Studio, buy the studio logo and make independent films]

XNUM X Year X NUM X Month.

The grass grows and the orioles fly in the February sky.

Emei Film Studio.

In the production director's office, Director Chen is carefully reading the script in his hand - "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog"

Sitting in front of Director Chen were an old man and a young man.

The old one is named Li Jian, a veteran director of Emei Film Studio. He has been working at the studio since the 1960s, has made many films, and has extensive connections in the circle.

Sitting next to him was his son Lee Yi-su.

"The script is pretty good, and I even drew a storyboard."

Director Chen read the simple script quickly, looked up at Li Yishu, then turned to look at Li Jian, and said with a smile: "Old Li, you really didn't help with this script?"

"Director Chen, it really wasn't me."

Li Jian shook his head. "To be honest, when I first saw the script, I also suspected that this brat had someone write the script and storyboard."

"It was only later that I talked to him in detail for a long time. Not only did he finish the script shot by shot, he also told me all his shooting plans and ideas. Only then did I believe that he had come up with the script himself."

"Okay, Yishu, this script and this storyboard are pretty good, but I think this script is an adaptation, right?"

Director Chen did not think that Li Jian was lying, because everyone in Emei Factory knew that Li Jian was a serious person with typical old-fashioned ideas. He would not ruin his own reputation for most of his life for the sake of his son's future.

Moreover, Li Yishu grew up in the Emei Film Studio and played many child roles in the studio when she was young. It is reasonable for her to learn script writing and storyboard drawing under the influence of her father, the director.

Li Yishu nodded, "Yes, Director Chen, I adapted this script from Peng Jianming's short story "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" published in 83."

After hearing this, Director Chen also understood. No wonder he felt that the name of the script sounded so familiar. It was indeed an adaptation.

But this is not surprising. Ever since Zhang Yimou's adaptation of "Red Sorghum" won overseas awards a few years ago, there has been a craze for adapting novels in the domestic film industry.

"How did you come up with the idea of ​​adapting this novel?"

"I really like the emotional value this novel brings to people. When I was in junior high school, most of my classmates liked to read novels about scars and reflections. It's no exaggeration to say that there were no other types of novels in school at that time..."

"When I was young, my father would often take the crew out to film movies, and he would often not be able to go home for ten days or half a month. Every evening, I would envy my classmates' parents to pick them up..."

Lee Ye-su began to talk about why she wanted to adapt the novel into a screenplay.

Li Jian, who was standing next to him, looked ashamed after hearing what his son said.

The 1980s happened to be a period of reform and opening up in domestic literary and artistic work. There might still be taboos about doing business, but there were almost no major restrictions on writing and making movies, and the people in power also encouraged the creation of literary and artistic works.

This also led to Li Jian being away filming in the 1980s and neglecting the growth of his son Li Yishu.

Li Yishu's mother is also an actress, but because of those ten years, she did not have many opportunities to perform. After the reform and opening up, although she is older, she has also gained many opportunities to play roles.

"Yes, in these years of reform, many people have indeed ignored the growth of children."

Director Chen sighed. He had been busy with work these years and was deeply touched by Li Yishu's words. "Director Chen, in addition to this reason, there is actually another very important factor. I feel that the social atmosphere has gradually changed. People no longer admire those who are loyal to their posts. Instead, they think they are stubborn..."

Seeing that Director Chen positioned this script as about educating children, Li Yishu quickly changed a core element.

"Yes, the social atmosphere now is a little different from the past."

How could Director Chen not see Li Yishu's little thoughts? After agreeing with a few words, he looked at Li Jian with embarrassment.

"Yishu, go out first. I want to talk to your Uncle Chen about something."

"Okay dad."

Li Yishu knew that they were going to talk about investment, so after saying goodbye to Director Chen, she turned around and left.

After seeing Li Yishu leave, Director Chen started to complain, "Old Li, I have watched Yishu grow up since he was a child. The script is well written, and the production cost should not be high. But as an old employee of our Emei Film Studio, you should know that the performance of our Emei Film Studio has been getting worse and worse in recent years, and the money allocated from above has been getting less and less..."

As Zhang Yimou won awards overseas, the Xi'an Film Studio also gained popularity. Not only did they receive a large amount of funding from above, but policies also began to favor them.

Li Jian interrupted Director Chen before he could finish. "I understand, Director Chen. I came here not to ask for funding from the studio, but to buy a logo and borrow some people and equipment."

The presenter heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that there was no need for funding from the factory. Although the production cost of this script was not high, it was impossible for the current Emei Film Studio to allocate funding.

After all, there are so many senior colleagues in the factory waiting for funding to make films, so it will never be Li Yishu's turn. His father Li Jian is almost the same.

Moreover, if it is approved to Li Yishu, then wouldn’t the old employees in the factory have to make plans for their own children in the future?
"It's no problem to buy the factory logo. I'll tell the people below when the time comes. It's just a token of my appreciation. But... have you found someone to invest in this film?"

“We invest and produce independently”

"Yourselves?"

“Yes, my husband and I invested in our son.”

Li Jian smiled and said, "Director Chen, we have known each other for many years. I only have this one son. Who else should I help if not him? Since he is determined to take this path, and I have tested him privately for many days, his basic skills are quite solid, so I thought of giving him a chance."

"Pity the hearts of parents in the world."

Director Chen sighed. He knew that Li Jian and his wife were both regular employees in the cultural sector, with relatively high salaries. He thought that in order to invest in this film, they must have used up all their family savings and might even have borrowed money from outside.

"Okay, since you as a father are so supportive, it would be unreasonable for me as an uncle not to support you a little bit."

Director Chen thought for a while and said, "How about this? We still have to pay for the factory logo, but it's just a token of appreciation. As for the equipment rental fee, we'll pay the lowest price."

"As for film, you can buy some first as a sample, and then get it directly from the factory later. Bring the editing to the factory as well, the more you can save, the better."

Li Jian breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Director Chen."

Li Yishu, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, immediately clenched his fists and waved them excitedly. After more than a month of rebirth, he finally got it done!

　The character design has been slightly modified, there are age issues, please help find bugs

　　
　
(End of this chapter)