Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 55 [Director Situ’s earnest teachings] Please read
Yanjing.

Beijing Film Academy campus, in the office of the director of the directing department.

Li Yishu, who had just returned from vacation, had originally been thinking about asking for leave in a few days, but since she was already here, she might as well say it now.

"Teacher Situ, I...I still want to ask for leave."

"Asking for leave again?"

Situ Zhaodun frowned and said, "Why are you asking for leave this time?"

"It's like this, teacher. The Hong Kong Directors Association originally planned to shoot a public welfare film, gathering a large number of Hong Kong artists to star in it for free. All box office revenue will be donated to the East China Flood Foundation in the mainland. They also intend to invite me to play a cameo role."

Li Yishu paused and continued, "But after Ms. Xu and I learned about it, we proposed a cross-strait co-production... I will join the filming of this film as an assistant director and play a cameo role. Their crew will start filming on the first of next month, and I have to go there."

"This is a good thing. People in the entertainment industry across the Taiwan Straits and Hong Kong and Macau have come together for a common goal. I think this is something worth commemorating."

Situ Zhaodun nodded in agreement: "I have no objection to you being an assistant director and guest actor. I'll approve the leave. Is half a month enough?"

"I'm afraid half a month won't be enough."

"Not enough? You're just an assistant director."

Li Yishu said awkwardly, "The production of the Hong Kong film doesn't take too long, but I'm working with Japan on another film recently, and it will start shooting next month."

"what?"

Situ Zhaodun was surprised and said, "It will start filming next month? The crew prepared so quickly? What is it about?"

He is also an old director. Although he mainly focuses on documentaries and is known as the father of Chinese documentaries, Situ Zhaodun has also made several movies. It usually takes two or three months from the project establishment to the preparation.

Even if they had been prepared for it, it would still take at least a month. How could it be like Li Yishu, where it took less than a month from the time the cooperation was confirmed to the start of filming?
Which script or actor doesn't require time to polish and screen?
Lee Ye-su replied, "Toho Films is one of the best film companies in Japan. We don't have to worry about the logistics of the crew. They can immediately pull together a professional team. This should be considered a love movie."

"Even if it's a romantic movie, you can't be so reckless."

Situ Zhaodun said angrily: "Yishu, you are still young, you can't lose your way just because of a little money."

"I don't know how much money the Japanese film company gave you, but you have to know that you are no longer a fledgling new director. You have to be careful when choosing films, otherwise it will do more harm than good to your future career as a director."

Teacher Situ's words were very harsh, and he was almost scolding him by pointing at his nose, saying that he was blinded by greed and would not care about anything for money.

But Li Yishu was not angry, instead he felt deep concern because he knew how serious the consequences would be if a big director made a mistake in selecting a film.

I won't talk about poet Chen, it's purely an ideological problem. His early works were of good quality, but his later works just had too many personal opinions.

However, Zhang Yimou, who was hailed as the leader of the fifth generation of directors and later directed the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, almost lost all his fame accumulated over the years due to a mistake in film selection.

"Three Guns Surprise" is such a piece of shit.

Even the two later big-budget bad movies, "The Flowers of War" and "The Great Wall", at least had color and big scenes.

Regardless of whether the plot is bad or not, at least the picture quality is worthy of the director's status. However, "Three Guns" really made Lee Yi-su feel sick when she watched the film.

At one point, I suspected that someone had used Zhang Yimou's name to shoot this film.

Li Yishu explained: "Teacher, I understand what you mean, but I'm really not messing around. This new film is adapted from a love novel I wrote. I have a good grasp of the plot and I've conceived it before, so it's not difficult to shoot."

Situ Zhaodun was very surprised, "You have also written a romance novel?"

"Hey, I wrote a book and published it in the Sprout Magazine. If it's published in China, I'll take it to my teacher to help me see how it works."

"Since you wrote the novel yourself and have thought about filming it, I think there shouldn't be any big problems."

Seeing that Li Yishu had said this, Situ Zhaodun did not say anything more, but said earnestly: "But Yishu, you still have to remember that you must not rush for quick success when making a movie. A good movie is not made by polishing, nor can it be made in a hurry."

"Look at you now. You are working with a Hong Kong film company to shoot Farewell My Concubine, and you are also working with Japan to shoot a new movie. I know there is enough time for two movies, but your mind has completely changed. You should adjust your mentality." "I'm sorry, teacher. I disappoint you." Li Yishu quickly stood up and apologized.

"What the teacher said today was a bit harsh, but it was for your own good. You have talent, but I have seen many talented directors over the years. But there are very few who can keep their original aspirations after becoming famous. I don't want you to become the next Zhongyong I have seen."

After saying that, Situ Zhaodun waved his hand and said, "Okay, go back now. I'll approve your application!"

"Teacher, I will go back first."

"Go."

Li Yishu stood up and bowed again, then walked out of the office, feeling the breeze outside and thinking about what Teacher Situ had just said. He could also understand the deep care and concern in the other's teachings.

But there are some things that he really finds hard to say.

In terms of experience in directing films, Li Yishu's decades of accumulation in his previous life may be richer than Zhang Yimou's.

After all, how many movies has Zhang Yimou made so far?

Before Li Yishu's rebirth, he made three or four online movies a year. Regardless of the quality, at least he had directing experience.

Experience is important, but the most important thing is that Li Yishu has the original movie as a reference.

Even if he was shooting according to the original plot, he could still make it 70% to 80% similar.

As for the injury to Zhongyong, how similar is he to my brother Kai?

But Mr. Situ said something very well, 'When making a movie you must not be impatient for quick success'!
"Red Ling" and "Love Letter" were not originally in his filming plan, but due to chance, they came together, and now Lee Yi-su is reluctant to give up.

"Hey!"

"what?"

Seeing Yu Feihong suddenly appear in front of her, Li Yishu was startled: "Why did you suddenly jump out and scare me?"

Yu Feihong glared at him angrily: "Who deliberately scared you? I called you from behind for so long but you didn't respond. You just kept walking with your head down. What were you thinking about?"

"No, I didn't think about anything..."

Seeing Yu Feihong's disbelief, Li Yishu had no choice but to say, "I was just thinking about something you really wanted to do, but suddenly you didn't want to do it that way anymore..."

"Tsk, I thought it was something else. If you don't want to do it anymore, then don't do it."

After Yu Feihong finished speaking, he looked Li Yishu up and down and said, "Why are you such a grown man like me?"

"As I get older, my indecisive nature becomes more apparent."

"How old are you? You're old?"

Li Yishu smiled and did not answer, but looked forward.

Forget it, let someone else take the photo of Chi Ling.

Love Letter is still directed by myself.

It’s because Toho Film Company offered too much.

Make money, not shabby.

　Please read it, collect it, and vote for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)