Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 291: As long as you join my crew, everything must be done according to my rules.

"Cold war?"

Chen Cheng naturally knew about the cold war.

but.

Relative to now.

Han Zhan was still unknown at this time.

Han Sanping explained: "I read this book, it's quite good."

Chen Cheng also opened it and took a look.

It was basically the same as the Cold War script from the previous life.

Yes.

In the past, Hong Kong films began to go downhill after Infernal Affairs in 2003.

It never warmed up.

It was not until the emergence of Cold War that the Hong Kong market was slightly stabilized.

have to say.

This film is not only a classic, but also an indispensable work for Hong Kong.

"Director Han, did you invest in this film?"

"Well, it's still the same model as before, with two places working together."

"Director Han, the mainland market is growing so fast, and China Film Group is still so concerned about co-productions."

"It is precisely because of the rise of the mainland market that the two places should maintain cooperation. Is the mainland still xenophobic? Hong Kong also belongs to us, China."

"Director Han, I am too narrow-minded."

Chen Cheng smiled.

Standing in Han Sanping's position, he naturally has to consider more.

Chen Cheng is actually not particularly interested in Hong Kong films.

but.

Cold War is indeed a good movie.

Then he said, "Director Han, what do you mean?"

"I look at you."

Han Sanping said: "You are an expert in film production and box office. However, Hong Kong films did not do well in the domestic box office before, and we also want to revitalize Hong Kong films. If Hong Kong films completely decline all of a sudden, it will also affect the influence of our Chinese-language films."

"That's true."

Chen Cheng nodded.

Although Hong Kong films have declined a lot, their influence is still much stronger than that of the mainland.

Especially in the Asian market.

There are also many countries and regions in Asia and Southeast Asia who like Hong Kong movies.

The higher-ups want to develop mainland films, but they also don't want Hong Kong films to decline.

"So, I can only look for you."

Looking at Chen Cheng, Han Sanping said, "Of course, it's not that I want to find you. There are many big guys in Hong Kong who want to find you and ask me for help. I hope you can come forward and see if you can help Hong Kong movies."

"Director Han, now that you've said that, the burden has become heavier."

"It is indeed heavy, but you are the only one who can lift it. I don't have much confidence in the other directors."

Chen Cheng understood the meaning of this.

Even Zhang Yi and Han Sanping were not found.

"Okay, then I'll invest one-third of the money in this film, and I'll be the producer of this film."

"Great, I was waiting for you to say that."

Seeing that Chen Cheng agreed, Han Sanping clapped his hands excitedly.

"Come, Chen Cheng, have some tea."

Chen Cheng also raised his glass.

Then, Han Sanping said, "I feel relieved that you are the producer. I will take you to meet a friend in a few days."

……

A few days later.

Chen Cheng came to Hong Kong.

Looking at the person sitting opposite him, Chen Cheng finally realized who the big boss Han Sanping brought him to meet was.

Isn’t this the Long Wu from God of Gamblers?

joke.

Long Wu is just a character in God of Gamblers.

His real identity is even more awesome than what he depicts in the movie.

"You are indeed young, Director Chen Cheng. I have wanted to meet you for a long time. Let's get to know each other."

Long Wu stretched out his right hand.

Chen Cheng also said: "Hello, Mr. Xiang."

"You're welcome. I like people to call me Brother Long."

"Haha, the character of Long Wu is indeed very classic."

"Classics are useless. Even if we make a sequel to God of Gamblers, the box office won't reach 1 million. Hong Kong movies are really in decline."

Long Wu was very emotional: "Thinking about the Hong Kong movies back then, looking back now, I want to quit making movies. But if I really quit, I can't bear it. So, this time, I'll trouble Director Han to ask Director Chen Cheng to come out."

"Cold War is indeed a good script."

"OK, I'll leave this book to you."

……

After taking over the cold war.

Chen Cheng has been studying the script these days.

In general.

This script is not much different from the previous life.

To say the difference.

That is, this script only has Part 1, not Part 2 or Part 3.

I thought about it.

Chen Cheng made an appointment with Liang Leming and Lu Jianqing

The two are the screenwriters of "Cold War".

"Teacher Liang, Teacher Lu, Han Zhan hasn't finished writing yet?"

Liang Leming and Lu Jianqing both nodded: "Yes, there should be a second part."

"Not only that."

Chen Cheng flipped through the script and said, "According to the script, there should be three parts."

"The first part is about the struggle within the police station, the second part is about finding out the traitor and then rising to politics, and the third part is about the high-level political struggle. Of course, it's possible to shoot two parts, but it's too rushed and it may not be good enough."

"Director Chen, you are amazing."

Liang Leming and Lu Jianqing looked at each other, both a little surprised.

To know.

The two only wrote the first part of Cold War.

As for the second part, I am still writing it and it is almost finished.

The third part is still in the planning stage.

Unexpectedly.

Chen Cheng only read the script of the first part, and he had already thought of the routes for the second and third parts.

And it wasn't much different from what they imagined.

Even the predictions for the third part were more forward-looking than they thought.

"Teachers, don't say that. I was also a screenwriter. But being a screenwriter was too tiring. I had to write scripts every day and revise them every day. It was a headache. Later, I became a director and producer."

After thinking for a while, Chen Cheng continued, "It seems that you two teachers have directed some films?"

"I have directed some, but not many. Before that, both of us did some behind-the-scenes work."

"Behind the scenes, oh... I used to work behind the scenes, and I also did art."

“I also did art.”

"Hahaha, it looks like we have something in common."

Although Chen Cheng no longer does any work behind the scenes.

But Chen Cheng always kept in mind the series of work done behind the scenes.

Seeing Chen Cheng so down-to-earth, the two excitedly said, "Director Chen, your legendary experience behind the scenes has spread all over Hong Kong. We know that you have not only worked in art, but also as a martial arts director, makeup artist, screenwriter, martial artist, etc. Many behind-the-scenes producers in Hong Kong admire you very much."

"What are you admiring? I've been a supporting actor before, why don't you try it too?"

"Hahaha……"

After hearing this, everyone, who were a little unfamiliar at first, immediately started talking.

"Director Chen, I never thought you would take over this film."

"Yes, Director Chen, when we finished writing this film, we were still struggling, not knowing whether this film could be made. Later, we heard that someone took over, and we were worried again, what if the box office failed?" "What should we do? Now that Director Chen is here, do you think the box office will fail?"

The two asked and answered each other, which made Chen Cheng laugh continuously.

Then he said, "Teachers, you think too highly of me. I am not a god. As everyone knows, the Hong Kong film market is not very good at present, especially in the mainland. If the box office in the mainland market is not good, we will not be able to recover our costs."

“That’s what we were worried about before.”

"However, you two teachers don't need to consider this. I am the producer. I bear the greatest responsibility for the box office. I asked you two teachers to come here today, one is to discuss the plot, and the other is another matter. Let's talk about the plot first. I wonder if you two teachers have finished writing the scripts for the second and third parts?"

"Director Chen, the second part is almost finished. As for the third part, I just have a rough idea of ​​the direction, but it hasn't been written yet."

“When will the third part be finished?”

"Maybe another month."

"That's no problem. How about you two teachers working hard this month to write the third part?"

"can."

The two nodded.

but.

The two had some more questions.

They didn't know why Chen Cheng wanted three scripts at once.

Chen Cheng understood what the two meant and said, "Teachers, you know. I am usually quite busy in the mainland, and I also have a lot of business in North America. I am worried that after filming the first one, I don't know when I can shoot the second one. I am not even sure if I will have time to shoot it by then. I am also worried that after filming the first one, there may be problems with the second and third ones due to other reasons. Even if I have time by then, some other actors may have problems due to schedules, etc."

"Director Chen, you don't want to just shoot three movies at once, do you?"

"Yes, that's what I mean."

"Oh my god... isn't this too risky? After all, we don't even know how much the first movie will make at the box office. What if we lose money?"

Chen Cheng smiled slightly and said nothing.

The two were stunned for a moment before they realized: "Director Chen, I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you."

"The two teachers have reason to be concerned. Of course, I think we won't lose money on this film."

"Director Chen, since you are here, there is no way we will lose money."

"We are still short of a director. Teachers, how about you two direct Han Zhan together?"

"Ah, us?"

"Correct."

“We direct?”

"Yes."

“But we are screenwriters.”

“The screenwriter is the one who understands the story best.”

“But we haven’t directed many films before.”

"Everything has a first time. Besides, I just heard from the two teachers that you have been working behind the scenes for such a long time. You are also very knowledgeable about art and have a good level of art. I think you have a talent for directing. Not to mention, you are good at both art and writing scripts, I think there is no problem."

"Director Chen, there are many top directors in Hong Kong, why don't you consider them?"

"It's not that I haven't considered them. Mainly, they're so expensive."

"Pfft..."

The two were stunned.

Chen Cheng continued, "Just kidding. Expensive is only one aspect. It's not because of the price. The main reason is that I think the top directors in Hong Kong have their own ideas. This Cold War may not be suitable for them."

This is of course just a polite remark.

To tell the truth.

so far.

There are only a few directors in Hong Kong who can still survive.

Some other directors.

Many times, the films we make either lose money or are on the verge of losing money.

Under such circumstances, how could Chen Cheng dare to ask them to shoot.

There are quite a few directors in the mainland.

But this is a Hong Kong film after all.

The story also takes place in Hong Kong.

The style of the whole story is still quite Hong Kong-themed, so it would not be suitable for a mainland director to direct it.

After comprehensive consideration, Chen Cheng decided to use two screenwriters to direct the film.

In fact.

In his previous life, Chen Cheng didn’t know why, but the director of this film was the two screenwriters of this film.

This may be because there was no better choice at the time, so they had to use two people.

Unexpectedly.

The two of them performed very well and created another peak in Hong Kong films.

……

"This, this..."

The two were tempted by the sincere invitation.

But the two of them still haven't made up their minds.

Look at the two of them.

Chen Cheng asked again: "Teachers, please tell me what you are worried about."

"This one……"

The two looked at each other.

they know.

Such an opportunity does not always come along.

But they knew better.

The opportunity has indeed come.

But you can't force it.

Liang Leming said, "Director Chen, let me be frank. Jianqing and I have a problem. We worked behind the scenes before and are not very good at directing. Although directing is also a behind-the-scenes job, we have never done it ourselves. I am really worried that we can't do it."

Chen Cheng said again: "I think you lack confidence. The basic skills should be fine. Of course, there may be some problems when you first start. However, I will be with the crew for a while before the filming starts. If you two teachers have any questions, I will personally answer them for you."

"Director Chen, will you personally guide us?"

“Let’s communicate with each other.”

After Liang Leming.

Lu Jianqing also said: "Director Chen, I have another question."

"You said."

"As you know, our script is quite large and the requirements for the actors are relatively high. Therefore, there won't be many actors to choose from."

"You mean, the actors we can choose for this drama are all top stars?"

"Yes."

"That's what I mean, Mr. Lu, what do you mean?"

"I mean, we're worried that some of these stars may not be covered up."

This said.

Chen Cheng understood what he meant.

Director and actor.

Generally speaking, the director is the highest-ranking official and the actors do not have a high status.

But it also depends on who the actor is.

If you come across a series of top actors, that's a no-brainer.

For some top actors, only top directors can protect them.

Don't think this is a problem.

This is actually a big problem.

Many times, small directors and big stars cannot make very good films when working together.

In this case, it is not a problem with the script, nor is it that the actors have bad acting skills.
This is where the director cannot protect the actors.

For a while, many problems will arise in the cooperation between the two sides.

Just like Lu Jianqing.

If Lu Jianqing is really allowed to direct, what if he can't convince these actors?
However, Chen Cheng just smiled at this.

This problem is a big problem for others, but for Chen Cheng, it is not a problem at all.

When Chen Cheng was not yet a director, he was able to go against these Hong Kong producers.

Not to mention now.

Although Chen Cheng has rarely made Hong Kong films in recent times.

But the reputation he has made among directors, actors and producers in Hong Kong is not an exaggeration.

After thinking for a while, Chen Cheng said, "Teachers, with me here, even if it's the top star in Hong Kong, as long as he joins our crew, he has to act according to our ideas. So, teachers, when you audition later, I will go with you."

(End of this chapter)