Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 193 203 [He can unlock the hidden reward because he is kind! ]

When Li Yishu thought about the fact that the Palme d'Or winner, in addition to receiving the trophy and honor, also received the standard prize Chen Hong, his face turned strange.

I don't know if Director Chen would be very angry if he knew about this. I stole his only masterpiece "Farewell My Concubine" and also took away his only Palme d'Or. Now even Chen Hong, who is a standard winner of the Palme d'Or, has begun to deviate from the timeline.

However... I think Director Chen would be willing to do so. After all, he himself didn't know that by filming "Farewell My Concubine", he would not only win the Palme d'Or, but also trigger subsequent hidden rewards. After winning the only Palme d'Or, he would also receive standard "prizes".

Looking at it from another angle, Li Yishu may have done a good thing.

Without the Palme d'Or, Brother Chen Kai will not be so arrogant. He is still the leader of the fifth generation of mainland directors. He will probably make fewer bad films in the future.

It also consolidated his relationship with Ni Ping, without any third party interfering.

Thinking of this, Li Yishu no longer felt the slightest bit of guilt for taking the Palme d'Or early, because he is kind!
Didn’t the ancients often say: It is better to demolish a temple than to break up a marriage.

Now that Li Yishu has taken away the Palme d'Or and the hidden reward Chen Hong, but has not separated Chen Kai and Ni Ping, isn't this a perfect example of being a good person and doing good deeds? !

Yongmei on the other end of the phone saw that her boss was slow to speak, so she couldn't help but ask, "Boss, how do you think I should respond to Qiong Yao about this matter?"

"Um…"

Li Yishu pondered for a moment and said, "Tell Qiong Yao that the main roles have been decided. If she doesn't mind, I will arrange a small role for the artist in her company."

"Okay, boss." Yongmei agreed.

After chatting for a few more words, Li Yishu hung up the phone and set off to meet Takeshi Kitano.

……

Li Yishu agreed to give a role to Qiong Yao, of course not entirely for Chen Hong, but mainly because of Qiong Yao.

Nowadays, the Qiong Yao dramas produced by Qiong Yao are quite popular in China.

Li Yishu naturally doesn't like these melodramatic romance dramas, but he doesn't want to miss out on any opportunity to make money.

He plans to find an opportunity to talk to Qiong Yao about the copyrights of her VCDs and DVDs of Qiong Yao dramas.

At the same time, it is preparing for the future "My Fair Princess" and "Deep Love in the Rain".

The economic value brought by these two TV series is enormous, and Li Yishu certainly does not want to give up.

At the beginning of "My Fair Princess", Qiong Yao did not attach much importance to this TV series, nor was it adapted from any of her novels.

It was when Qiong Yao went to Yanjing for sightseeing in 1997 and passed by "Princess Tomb", she was intrigued by the peculiar place name and thus created the script of "My Fair Princess".

And for the first time, an attempt was made to set the heroine as a nonsensical Xiaoyanzi, who was different from the heroines in Qiong Yao's previous sad dramas, so when filming started, people did not have high hopes.

Because in the 90s everyone was very serious about filming historical dramas and palace dramas, but no one expected that the TV series would quickly become a sensation across the country once it was broadcast.

Li Yishu has forgotten the exact ratings of "My Fair Princess 1-2", but she remembers that the national ratings seemed to have reached 60%.

What is this concept?
At that time, almost 60% of the television sets in the country were broadcasting "My Fair Princess".

Moreover, this drama has become a phenomenal TV series. In the next ten years, Mango TV has repeatedly rebroadcast "My Fair Princess" almost every summer. It is the childhood memory of countless people born in the 1980s and 1990s.

The economic value it brought far exceeded that of the later "The Legend of Zhen Huan". Of course, the bulk of the profits were taken by Mango TV. Because Qiong Yao did not care much about the drama at that time, the selling price was not high.

Otherwise, Qiong Yao could earn at least several billion just from this drama~
It's not just the copyright of the TV station's broadcast, but also the trademark, character image, novel publishing, adaptation, and authorization of various businesses...

As for why he didn't intercept the opportunity in advance, it was because Li Yishu really couldn't write the script for "My Fair Princess". He was afraid that when he wrote it, he would have the same feeling as Erkang, "My sky is about to split apart".

Therefore, it is better to wait until Qiong Yao comes up with the idea and is ready to start filming, and then Li Yishu can find a way to get involved, kick out Lao Yanzi and Lao Ziwei depending on the situation, and take over the majority of the copyright.

After all, the entertainment industry is most taboo about eating alone. Li Yishu has seen the fate of many people who eat alone. Either they are maliciously slandered, or they can't move forward.

The most typical example is Zhou Xingchi. Before filming "Kung Fu", his "God of Cookery", "King of Comedy" and "Shaolin Soccer" were basically produced solely by his film company.

The result was that "The God of Cookery" and "The King of Comedy" performed poorly at the box office, and "Shaolin Soccer" could not even be released in mainland China.

Many people say that "Shaolin Soccer" cannot be released because of problems with the censorship mechanism, but that is not the case at all. Many more explicit movies of the same period were able to be released, so how could a comedy like Shaolin Soccer fail to pass the censorship?

The fundamental reason was that Zhou Xingchi was too self-centered and did not cooperate with domestic film companies, so the film could not pass the review. It was not until the later "Kung Fu" that it cooperated with Huayi Brothers and Beijing Film Studio and was successfully released in mainland China.

Since Li Yishu knows all this, there is naturally no need for her to eat all the food alone. After all, there is no end to making money, and there is still plenty of money outside the entertainment industry, just like the saying goes, "Make more friends and fewer enemies."

Qiong Yao dramas will have a strong market in the next 20 years, so there is nothing wrong with the collaboration.

…………

Ginza, Tokyo.

In a private room of a Japanese restaurant.

Li Yishu came over with Izumi Sakai.

The moment the door opened, Kitano Takeshi and Tanaka Ichiro immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Director Li!"

Seeing the two, Li Yishu smiled and shook hands with them one by one, then he looked at Tanaka Ichiro and said, "Mr. Tanaka, it's been a while since we last met."

Ichiro Tanaka seemed very excited and said, "Yes, Director Li, it's been almost a year since we last met."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "I'll have to trouble you to arrange the crew of "Fireworks" next."

"No problem, Director Li!"

Ichiro Tanaka patted his chest and assured: "All of us at Toho Co., Ltd. are looking forward to Director Lee's film "Fireworks". Our president asked me to cooperate with Director Lee in all the filming plans in Japan."

"Have a heart."

Li Yishu then looked at Takeshi Kitano and said, "Mr. Kitano, I heard that you are planning to bring Sonata to the Venice Film Festival?"

This year, Takeshi Kitano also attended the Cannes Film Festival with his directorial work "Sonata". The two talked a lot at the time, but it was a pity that Takeshi Kitano did not win any awards.

Kitano Takeshi said bitterly: "Yes, Director Li, I still want to give it a try."

"Then I wish you a successful start."

Li Yishu is not very optimistic that Takeshi Kitano's "Sonata" can win an award at the Venice Film Festival. After all, if a film participates in one of the three major film festivals and fails to win an award, it is basically impossible for it to win an award if it participates in the other two film festivals.

Because it would make their film festival seem not prestigious enough, so even if the jury of the Venice Film Festival likes this movie very much, it is impossible for Takeshi Kitano to win the Golden Lion Award, and they won't even give him a small prize.

Once it is given, it means that the Venice International Film Festival is not professional enough, or the Cannes International Film Festival is not professional enough. The three major film festivals themselves complement each other. Although there is a lot of competition among them, it is also healthy competition. It is unlikely that they will do something that can easily arouse public opinion.

Kitano Takeshi quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Director Li." "Okay, everyone, sit down and get ready to talk about the filming of "Fireworks" next year."

Li Yishu waved her hand, sat down with Izumi Sakai, and began to chat with Ichiro Tanaka and Takeshi Kitano about the preparations for the "Fireworks" crew.

According to his plan, "Fireworks" will probably start filming after the beginning of next year and will be completed in about a month. After that, he will collaborate with Jackie Chan on "Rumble in the Bronx".

…………

Time passes quickly.

Early August.

After Li Yishu and Izumi Sakai agreed to come to China at the end of the month, he also flew back home from Japan.

He did not return to Yanjing, but went to Shenzhen first, and then took a plane to the studio built by CCTV in Wuxi, which is the future famous 5A scenic spot Three Kingdoms City.

Unlike the Three Kingdoms City where Li Yishu later came to film, the construction style of the Three Kingdoms Film and Television Base is still relatively old. At the same time, in order to restore the style of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the surface of the city wall is coated with a layer of mud yellow, giving people a sense of déjà vu of piled up earth walls.

If Lee Yi-su were to shoot a blockbuster film on the theme of "Three Kingdoms", she would definitely not use this kind of mud wall. No matter how beautiful and grand it is, the better. After all, this is not a historical drama, and the armor and equipment have to be carefully made.

"Director Li, welcome!"

Director Wang Fulin, along with chief producer Ren Dahui, executive producer Wang Feng, CCTV film and television project manager Dai Ling, and several assistant directors of the crew, welcomed Li Yishu at the gate of the city wall.

Looking at the row of people dressed like leaders, Li Yishu guessed that they were probably the producers and supervisors of the Three Kingdoms crew. They were most likely the future leaders of CCTV. He smiled and said, "Director Wang, you are too polite. There is no need to mobilize so many people to come and pick me up."

Wang Fulin laughed: "Director Li, I said I would open the couch to welcome you, so I definitely would open the couch to welcome you, but unfortunately I'm not Cao Cao, otherwise I would be welcoming you with my shoes turned upside down."

"Haha, Director Wang is joking."

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Wang Fulin took the initiative to introduce the people around Li Yishu. He said, "Director Li, let me introduce you. This is our Three Kingdoms crew's chief producer Ren Dahui and general producer Wang Feng..."

Li Yishu shook hands and greeted everyone one by one.

Then, under the leadership of Wang Fulin, Li Yishu followed everyone to the shooting site.

Today we filmed the scene where Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi compete with each other in wits at Qishan.

Sima Yi was in the military tent in the open space on the left, and Zhuge Liang was in the house on the right, filming without interfering with each other.

"Director Li, today we're shooting the Fifth Expedition to Qishan, and next week we'll be shooting the Sixth Expedition to Qishan..."

Wang Fulin introduced the current progress of the crew to Li Yishu. According to the current shooting plan and process, this epic masterpiece can be completed before the end of the year.

"Six Expeditions to Qishan..."

When she heard that Six Expeditions to Qishan would be filmed next week, Li Yishu couldn't help but picture that scene in her mind.

The setting sun was as red as blood. Prime Minister Zhuge sat on a four-wheeled carriage, looking at the soldiers and the big flag with Chinese characters, and closed his eyes with deep regret.

"Youyou Cang Tian, ​​how can you treat me less favorably?"

Li Yishu said with emotion, "I didn't expect to film Prime Minister Zhuge's Sixth Expedition to Qishan and the Battle of Wuzhangyuan in the Autumn Wind so soon."

Wang Fulin, who was standing next to him, was slightly startled and muttered to himself, "How can the heavens be so unkind to me... Good, very good! Director Li, these eight words you said are really great."

what?
Li Yishu looked at him in surprise. Wasn’t this sentence in the original script?
Wang Fulin immediately shouted to his assistant, "Quick, tell the screenwriter to add Director Li's line 'How could the heavens be so unkind to me' to the scene where Zhuge Liang died at Wuzhang Plains."

"Okay, okay, Director Wang." The assistant was startled and quickly ran to find the screenwriter.

The shooting period of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was very long, and it took about two to three years from the start to the end. The script must be modified appropriately at any time according to the actual shooting situation, or the director and actors' flash of inspiration during the shooting process.

After all, screenwriters can write scripts based on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", but they have no way to fully understand the mentality of the "heroes of the late Han Dynasty" when they faced opportunities and difficulties.

The actors and directors followed the entire process and performed immersively for several years, so their ideas and thinking will naturally be as retro as possible. Their suggestions on the lines and character images are naturally of great reference value.

Just like the actor who played Guan Yu, Lu Shuming, when he played Guan Yu in the later period, he really grasped the pulse of this image.

As a result, the images of Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms in various Japanese cartoons and games were basically based on Lu Shuming. In addition, many places built Guan Gong temples, and many statues were 50% similar to Lu Shuming.

"Director Li, what you said is very good."

Wang Fulin's face was ruddy, and he was obviously very excited. "We have recently been discussing how to shoot the scene of Zhuge Liang at Wuzhangyuan. We have been thinking about whether Zhuge Liang should remain silent with a sad face or say something. Now with Director Li's words, we know how to shoot it."

Hearing this, Li Yishu smiled and said, "I just expressed my feelings, and this is not what I said. There are similar words in the Book of Songs, 'The vast sky! What is there?"

"Haha, I think Director Li's line is better."

Wang Fulin said with emotion: "Zhuge Liang spent his whole life working to revive the Han Dynasty. He worked hard until his death. However, the heavens supported Cao but not Han. He missed the last chance of the Han Dynasty in the battle of Shangfang Valley, the burning of Sima Yi, and the heavy rain. The vast heavens are so unkind to me. This is the most perfect interpretation of Zhuge Liang..."

Halfway through his words, Wang Fulin saw that the producers, directors and Li Yishu were all looking at him. He finally realized, "Look at my brain. I've been obsessed with filming the Three Kingdoms for the past two years. I talk about the Three Kingdoms to everyone I meet. I'm so embarrassed. I made Director Li laugh at me."

"Haha, it's okay, Director Wang. You're a good director this way. I've often followed your crew before, and I heard that the actors are very dedicated. I believe that after this TV series is broadcast, it will cause a huge response."

Li Yishu smiled brightly. He didn't think Wang Fulin was obsessed with filming. It was mainly because the topic of "Three Kingdoms" was truly suitable for all ages in China, including the Confucian cultural circle in East Asia.

Whenever someone starts talking about the characters of the Three Kingdoms in a park or teahouse, a group of people will immediately come over to chat. You talk about Cao Cao and I talk about Liu Bei, and it is normal to argue until your faces turn red.

Wang Fulin suddenly asked, "Director Li, do you think we should call Tang Guoqiang and Wei Zongwan over?"

"No, I won't disturb them from filming. It's still early anyway. It won't be too late to chat with them after they finish filming."

Seeing that the crew was still filming, Li Yishu smiled and declined Wang Fulin's request to call the two actors over.

After all, we can't delay other people's normal shooting plans.

Of course, Li Yishu also wanted to meet the two actors Tang Guoqiang and Wei Zongwan.

The roles of Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi played by both of them are absolutely classics among classics.

Ni Dahong's performance in the later part was okay, but Uncle Hu Zi's Sima Yi in "The Advisors" was a bit too eagle-eyed and wolf-like.

If the real Sima Yi was like him, then Cao Cao, who killed people in his dreams, would have killed him long ago. Why would he let him live?

Even if they wanted to use him, they would definitely order him to be killed before he died.

Only Sima Yi, played by Wei Zongwan, would make Cao Cao feel that even if he became a powerful official in the future, he would at most be at the level of Huo Guang.

Of course, it is not ruled out that Cao Cao believed in the ability of his son Cao Pi and felt that he could control Sima Yi well, but unfortunately Cao Pi died too early.

(End of this chapter)