Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 153 I have a friend who wants to have unspoken control over someone else.

"Boss Yang, I have found a top director for you."

"Who?"

"Chen Cheng."

"Who is Chen Cheng?"

"Look, you're just an outsider, right? Chen Cheng is a well-known director in the industry. Not long ago, he served as the art director of Paramount Pictures in Hollywood."

"Oh, it's him. I've heard of him. This director is amazing. I heard he's only in his 20s."

"So, now you know how capable this director is. Let me tell you, normally he wouldn't take a film like ours. The lowest investment for a film he makes is 1 million. It was only because I shamelessly begged him that he agreed out of respect for me."

"Old Han, thank you for your hard work."

"It's okay, that's what I do. But, as promised, you owe me a favor."

"Okay, okay, I owe you a favor. I'll treat you to a meal some other day."

"Okay, I'll wait for your call."

"no problem."

Han Sanping hung up the phone proudly.

……

the other side.

Chen Cheng met with producer Sun Jianjun.

The producer of "Love Call Transfer" is Sun Jianjun, who is a music teacher.

At the same time, he is also very knowledgeable about photography, and many of his photographic works have won awards.

What is even more rare is that Sun Jianjun has a good business vision and founded the media company [Page] in 94.

Although this company is not very well-known in the industry, they have close cooperation with TV stations and have also achieved many achievements in local cultural tourism.

For example, Teacher Yang Liping’s “Impressions of Yunnan” was packaged and promoted by them.

This time, perhaps because I was more optimistic about movies, I entered the film industry.

But after all, they are not big names in the film industry and do not have much experience, so they have not invested much money for the time being.

"Director Chen, to be honest, I am a layman when it comes to movies. I still rely on you more."

Chen Cheng and Sun Jianjun met in a cafe.

Sun Jianjun was very polite.

Chen Cheng did not pretend to be famous in the industry and said, "Mr. Sun, you are too polite. In fact, the media and film and television have a lot in common. And for film and television, it is not necessarily that a movie has a better box office if it is well shot. The media also plays an important role in this area."

"Director Chen has a keen eye. I believe you know that our drama is a customized drama for China Mobile. By the way, I have also put a lot of advertisements in this drama. I wonder if there are any problems with your side."

"Advertisements are fine, but of course, they can't be too obvious or too abrupt in a movie."

"Of course, I'll listen to you, Director Chen."

The two chatted very enthusiastically.

Chen Cheng had no objection to the built-in advertisements in the movie, which also made Sun Jianjun very happy.

In fact, he had contacted some directors before, but when he said he had taken more than a dozen built-in advertisements, many directors frowned.

Chen Cheng was the first one to show that there was absolutely no problem.

This also made Sun Jianjun a little curious, and he said, "Director Chen, to be honest, I talked to a few directors I know in the industry. They are quite disgusted with the advertisements built into the movie. Of course, it doesn't mean that they don't want advertisements at all, but they are a little resistant. What do you think?"

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Each director has his own style. Of course, in general, most directors in the circle are more literary. They are not willing to insert too many advertisements in the movie. They may consider that the audience will have a lot of complaints, which will also affect the quality of the film."

"Yes, yes, that's what they said."

"But I think it's okay to insert some advertisements from time to time. Besides, this is a custom-made drama, and it's not based on the box office."

There is another reason that Chen Cheng did not mention.

That is.

There are not many practices of built-in advertising nowadays.

Even if Chen Cheng just embeds more advertisements, it will not affect the audience too much for the time being.

But this practice only works for now.

In a few years, more people will complain about it.

So, during the period around 07, Chen Cheng had no objection to built-in advertising.

"That's great, Director Chen. I like directors like you who can adapt."

"You have no idea, some other directors are so stubborn, it gives me a headache just talking about it."

The more Sun Jianjun talked with Chen Cheng, the more he felt that Chen Cheng was to his liking.

But today he met Chen Cheng.

It's not just for advertising.

After thinking for a while, Sun Jianjun said, "Well, Director Chen, I am an outsider and don't know much about movies. This is my first time making a movie. I may have said something wrong, so please don't be so polite."

"Mr. Sun, please speak."

"Well, I heard there are some unspoken rules in your circle. Is it true or false?"

“Some are true and some are false.”

Chen Cheng explained: "Some do exist. Some of them just deceive some girls, have sex with them and leave."

"So dark?"

"It's the same in every industry, not just our circle."

"That's true."

Sun Jianjun nodded, and then continued: "But if... I mean if, a producer wants to insert an actor who has been sexually exploited by him, what will you directors do?"

"What can I do? Just let it sit."

"What does 'cold salad' mean?"

"It depends on the situation. It also depends on the actors. If the actors that the producer puts in are in line with the requirements of the work, then why not?"

"What's worse?"

"It depends on how much the difference is. If it's just a little bit off, it should be fine if it's adjusted. If it's a lot off and can't be adjusted, for the sake of the film, we'll still discuss it with the producer. Of course, there's another problem. The actor may not have acting skills and can't be adjusted. But his role is not particularly important and won't affect the overall development, so anyone can play it... that's fine too."

Speaking of it.

Chen Cheng suddenly seemed to think of something: "Director Sun, which actor do you want to recommend?"

“No, no, no…it’s not me, it’s a friend of mine who is a producer.”

"Oh."

Chen Cheng nodded but did not expose it.

no way.

Sometimes people outside the circle don’t quite understand what’s inside the circle.

In fact, it's nothing at all.

Whether it is unspoken rules or resources... Chen Cheng has made so many films, and most of them are said directly.

Just like in "October Besieged City".

Chen Cheng directly brought Zhu Xiaohua into the team.

At the same time, when he was pulled into the group, Chen Cheng did not hide it and told Chen Desen directly.

Chen Desen had no objection.

We are all insiders, so there is no problem as long as the quality is not affected.

"It's okay, Mr. Sun. This kind of thing is quite common. If your producer friend has any good actors to recommend, you can tell me about it."

Chen Cheng said, trying not to laugh.

Sun Jianjun was overjoyed: "Great, I'll tell my producer friend about it later."

"Ok."

Chen Cheng nodded.

The two chatted for two hours and then parted ways.

……

The rest is relatively simple.

Although Chen Cheng is the chief director, he doesn't actually need to do everything for the crew.

There are many things that the producer will do.

of course.

It is not the producer who does it, but the person in charge of the production route under the producer.

Like the production director, he has to pull out the crew and get the production team and logistics team ready before filming starts.

In addition, there are external producers, and some outdoor scenes and shooting locations are also the responsibility of people on the production side.

Including finance, coordination...etc.

Generally, the production team also has a producer.

But not necessarily.

Sometimes there is no producer in a movie.

Sometimes, even if there is a producer, he is just symbolic.

After all, it is a director-centered system.

The producer doesn't dare to influence the director's performance.

But it depends on the situation.

For some big productions, he would send a very capable producer.

In this way, the producer is about the same as the director, and sometimes even stronger than the director, so that the producer can have a certain effect. Otherwise, if you send a weak producer, you won’t be able to produce at all.

But nevertheless.

As an independent director, Chen Cheng still has a lot to do.

As for funding, since there is already investment, Chen Cheng does not need to attract investment.

But Chen Cheng must build up the director team.

The director team includes the chief director, deputy director, assistant director, and script supervisor.

The chief director is Chen Cheng, so there’s no need to look for him.

The jobs of assistant director and script supervisor are relatively simple, you can just hire a few when the time comes.

The assistant director must be confirmed first.

But it's not over yet.

The chief director not only has to first determine the members of the director team, but is also responsible for the behind-the-scenes team.

Things like art, photography, action, makeup, costumes, set design...all of these require the proper manpower arrangements.

"Love Call Transfer" is a modern urban magical comedy, and the action part does not require any hands.

But photography, art, and costumes are needed.

of course.

The costumes are a bit weak in this drama, so we don’t even need to hire a costume director and just let the art director pick some costumes.

There is not much need for set design. A large modern urban scene can be handled by external producers.

At most, all that is needed for set design is to decorate the shooting location.

For example, if you want to shoot an indoor scene, then the set needs to be slightly decorated indoors to suit the plot.

Some of them don’t even need decoration, just put some props used in modern cities on them.

If you are a couple, you should take a couple photo, add some daily necessities... and so on.

If you are single, you should keep it simple.

In fact, art can also be responsible for these things.

Makeup is needed in any crew, so Chen Cheng directly pulled Xiao Wu in.

……

Let’s first determine the assistant director.

I thought about it.

Chen Cheng called Wu Jingyuan, with whom he had previously worked at Tangren.

Wu Jingyuan received the call and said excitedly, "Director Chen, do you still remember me, Old Wu?"

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Boss Wu, no matter what you said, I can't forget you even if I don't remember anyone else. How are you Tangren doing recently?"

"We can just hold on, but last time President Cai went to Hong Kong, he got the renewal rights for Mr. Jin, so Tangren can still hold on for the time being."

"Are you still in Tangren?"

"I wanted to leave originally, but Mr. Cai is so loyal and righteous, so I felt embarrassed to leave."

"That's manly. How's it going? Any drama lately?"

"I want to have a role, too. I'm so poor."

"How about coming to my place?"

"October Siege?"

Wu Jingyuan said: "I can't get into your top crew."

"It's not October Siege. The show has finished filming."

"So fast?"

"It was so fast. I stopped for two months in the middle. It took me almost five months to finish the filming. I was exhausted."

"Which one now?"

"I just took on a new play called "Love Call Transfer", but it's just a small production, with an investment of just over 1000 million yuan, don't look down on it."

"Chen Cheng, do you look down on me? How could I look down on you? No problem, I'll come right away if you call me. Not to mention, you even brought me to make a movie. So, you're the director?"

“This time.”

"Awesome, so awesome, I'm happy for you. Where are you? I'll come to you right away."

"Don't worry, the project has just been approved, the crew hasn't been formed yet, and we still have to choose the cast. If we really want to start filming, it will take at least a month. But you can come earlier, and help me when we choose the cast."

"Forget about the casting. I want to help, but if it comes to casting, I'm afraid I'm not qualified."

"How can you not be qualified? If I say you are qualified, then you are qualified. Movies may look grand, but they are just that. There is not much difference between them and TV dramas."

"Okay, I'll take care of it here, and then I'll go to your place."

"Well, I'll wait for you."

hang up the phone.

Wu Jingyuan wiped his eyes. The wind was a bit strong just now and sand got into his eyes.

……

After Wu Jingyuan was confirmed, Chen Cheng did not dare to recruit any other assistant directors.

On the one hand, Chen Cheng had some concerns.

After all, the investment amount this time is only more than 1000 million, so how can there be so many assistant directors?

Each assistant director is a considerable amount of money.

One chief director and one assistant director can do it.

At most, one more actor assistant director could be added, but Chen Cheng felt that it would be enough to let the assistant director do it.

on the other hand.

Chen Cheng was a little hesitant to call some other assistant directors.

Just like Ye Weimin.

You have the nerve to say this, Director Ye. I have a film and you can be my assistant director.

When people ask, how much is the investment?

You said 1000 million.

Who do you look down on?

Although Ye Weimin was working as an assistant director before, he is fully capable of being a director.

Not only does he serve as a director, he also takes on many big productions.

of course.

It's not just Ye Weimin either.

Many of the other assistant directors work in big productions.

Chen Cheng is currently making a film with an investment of only 1000 million yuan, so how can he afford to invite those with more experience?

Think about it this way.

Chen Cheng was also quite conflicted about art and photography.

Chen Cheng knows a lot about art.

Such as the top art director Huo Tingxiao, who is also the chief art director of the Golden Armor crew.

Chen Cheng also knew photographers, such as Zhao Xiaoding and Zhang Yimou's personal photographer.

Such a top master.

Chen Cheng had the nerve to call them, but they were too embarrassed to come.

Of course on the Hong Kong side, there are people like Xi Zhongwen, who is very good at art and costume design, and Huang Yetai, the cinematographer of Painted Skin...

Even though they are low-key, they are still top-notch in this category in the circle.

So we don’t dare to invite these people.

Just thinking about it.

At this time, Chen Cheng's phone rang.

When I saw the caller, it turned out to be Lao Liu.

Lao Liu was the deputy art director who had previously worked with Chen Cheng on Curse of the Golden Flower.

"Chen Cheng, I heard you took on a movie?"

"Uh, how did you know?"

"Don't worry about how I know this. Are you in need of an art director?"

"lack."

"Do you have any candidates?"

"Not yet, I'm still considering it."

"Will you consider me?"

"you?"

Chen Cheng said with a smile: "Old Liu, stop joking. You think we are good at this little production?"

"Sister, Chen Cheng, you are a well-fed man and you don't know the hunger of a hungry man. Do you think everyone is like you, shooting movies every day and being in top crews? It's so hard for me to make it alone, please protect me."

"Brother, I was wrong. If you like our crew, come quickly."

"O."

Old Liu said excitedly.

(End of this chapter)