Exciting 1979!

Chapter 410 The Children's Film Studio Sets Its Sights on Wei Ming

After making this discovery, Wei Ping'an was still laughing, saying, "What cousins? People would believe we're brothers!"

However, on his way home, Wei Ping'an felt increasingly uneasy. He remembered that when he was a child, some people in the village had said the same thing about him and his cousin Wei Jiefang.

"Hey, these two kids look like twins."

Wei Ping'an remembered a photo of his uncle in his thirties with his brothers before he went to North Korea, and immediately quickened his pace.

Back at their home in Weixiu Garden, Lü Xiaoyan and her two children had already finished eating. Lele was doing her homework, and Xizi was practicing handstands; he was going to have a competition with Wu Jing next weekend.

Upon seeing his father return, Xizi immediately exclaimed proudly, "Dad, I've been doing this for half an hour!"

"Doesn't your head feel dizzy?"

"Not dizzy at all! Five times five is twenty-five, five times six is ​​thirty, five times seven is forty-five." Xizi proudly recited a multiplication table.

He still claims he's not dizzy? Wei Ping'an hung his briefcase on his foot, strode into the bedroom, and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets.

Hearing the commotion, Lü Xiaoyan from the next room came in and asked, "What are you looking for, Director Wei? I can help you."

"No need, Director Lü, you go about your business."

Lü Xiaoyan hugged Wei Ping'an from behind, her hands starting to wander: "Are you tired today?"

Wei Ping'an understood immediately: "Today is alright, I've been sitting in the office all day, I should be able to work overtime."

"Okay, then I'll work an extra night shift after midnight."

The two exchanged a secret signal, and after Lü Xiaoyan left, Wei Ping'an found the small box containing old photos. He first found the half of his mother's photo, compared it with the one Wei Ming had given him, and confirmed that they were taken from the same negative.

Then I found that childhood photo again. I was nine years old then, and Jiefang was ten. We were about the same height and our facial features were quite similar. It's just that we didn't look so alike as we grew up because of different environments.

The man in the photo is embracing the two boys, his face full of fatherly kindness. Wei Ping'an's hands trembled slightly as he compared the two photos side by side.

Although the men in the photo are a teenager and a young adult, and although the photo is old, Wei Ping'an felt that it was really hard to believe that they were two different people.

How could this happen? Is there some hidden story behind this?

Wei Ping'an decided he had to go to Hong Kong again to ask his uncle the truth.

Of course, we can ask Xiaoming tomorrow first.

~
When Wei Ming returned to his home in the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Xiao Hong was staring at his computer, completely at a loss.

"Brother, you're back!"

"What, want to play?" Wei Ming said with a smile as he turned on the computer.

"I didn't expect you to buy such a big thing." Wei Hong watched his actions with curiosity.

She also told Wei Ming something: "The carbon-14 test results for your painting are in."

"Let me see your report!" Wei Ming said hurriedly.

Upon seeing the inspection report, Wei Ming exclaimed excitedly, "It's from the Ming Dynasty! It's from the Ming Dynasty!"

Of course, the Ming Dynasty version does not necessarily mean that it is Qiu Ying's. Apart from Zhang Zeduan's original version, the best and most valuable copy of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" is Qiu Ying's version from the Ming Dynasty.

To confirm, I'd need an institution like Rongbaozhai; I'll try to find some time tomorrow to go and ask.

The computer was finally turned on. Wei Ming explained to Xiao Hong what the computer could do. There wasn't much fun on the computer these days; it didn't even have Minesweeper.

However, Wei Hong was more curious about the computer's computing capabilities, feeling that if this product continued to develop, it would be of some help to mathematicians and would be a very good tool.

"Brother, where are the photos you took in America?" she asked again.

"It's not washed yet, let's do it tomorrow."

Wei Hong then asked, "So, where did you go in the United States?"

"I've been to many places, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. I've been to almost all the major cities, and I've also visited three universities."

Upon hearing that Wei Ming had sold another song to a foreigner, Wei Hong said, "The music atmosphere in universities in Yenching is also very strong now. A while ago, a university band even came to Peking University to pay their respects to you."

"A university band? To pay homage to me?"

"Hmm, what's with the name 'Locust Band'? What kind of name is that? And they play rock music, what's the point of playing it?"

"I guess it's a tribute to The Beatles," Wei Ming guessed.

He knew about this band mainly because its lead singer was Ding Wu, who later became the lead singer of the Black Panther and Tang Dynasty bands. In addition, there was another member in the band named Zang Tianshuo.

Wei Hong then asked, "What is the Beatles? Are they very famous?"

Wei Ming laughed: "You must know the Beatles, right?"

"Of course I know John Lennon's Beatles."

Wei Ming: "The Beatles are the same as the Beetles."

Wei Hong suddenly realized: "Oh, so the Beatles came from the Beetles."

After explaining the facts, Wei Ming asked, "They came to Peking University to find me because they wanted me to write a song, right?"

Wei Hong: "I don't know about that. It was Brother Liu Zhenyun who told me. He entertained these people. I don't think it's possible. What's the difference between this and asking you for a million? That's a bit unreasonable."

“I think so too,” Wei Ming glanced at the time. “It’s getting late, let’s get some rest. Uncle Ping’an invited us to his house for dinner tomorrow.”

"Okay, okay, I miss Xizi and Lele too!"

After watching Xiao Hong enter the house, Wei Ming sat down on the sofa in the living room, picked up the phone, and dialed the number for Tuanjiehu, but no one answered.

Haven't Sister Xue and Sister Lin returned yet?

He thought for a moment, then called Biaozi again.

"Ming-ge, you're finally back!"

Wei Ming heard the child's giggling: "Little Jiu'er isn't asleep yet?"

"No, I slept a bit too much during the day, so I'm super energetic now and I'm currently pestering Yanzi." Biaozi said angrily, "She's hogging my wife, and she's ruined so much of my business late at night!"
Wei Ming: "I just got back today. I'm planning to go to the Beijing Film Studio in a couple of days to check on the film's preparation. Will you be free then?"

"I'm free!" Biaozi is eager to film now, inspired by Xiao Li's overnight fame.

After mentioning this, Wei Ming asked, "Have you noticed my house next door lately?"

Biaozi immediately understood: "Oh, Sister Xue just came back a while ago. I guess she didn't come back to stay these past two days because no one was home."

Upon hearing that Sister Xue was back, Wei Ming was overjoyed: "Let's go to the Beijing Film Studio tomorrow!"

Biaozi: You just said two days ago~
After several days apart, Wei Ming missed his sisters terribly, and everything else had to take a backseat.

The next morning, Wei Ming rode his motorcycle to Beichizi and ran into Biaozi, who was there to feed the cats and dogs.

After spending some time getting to know the two little ones, Wei Ming and Biaozi went to the Beijing Film Studio together.

Wei Ming didn't need to specifically seek out Gong Xue. As long as he showed up at the Beijing Film Studio, even if he didn't run into Sister Xue, she would definitely know that he had returned to China. "Oh, Teacher Wei, you're back in China." Ge You, the son of Mr. Ge Cunzhuang, greeted Wei Ming. Because they were from the same hometown, Wei Ming had a good relationship with Mr. Ge and would chat with him every time they met. However, this was the first time he had met Youzi, and at that time he still had hair.

Fearing that Wei Ming might not recognize him, he added, "My father is Ge Cunzhuang."

"I know, I know, you're in the performing arts troupe, right?"

"Yes, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions Art Troupe," he introduced himself. "Now I do stage plays and odd jobs."

Both being children of celebrities, Yuko is quite different from Chen Xiaoer now. Chen Xiaoer's son has already starred in "Look at This Family," while Yuko hasn't acted in any movies or TV series yet.

After chatting with him for a bit, Wei Ming saw Liu Xiaoqing coming over with a big smile. Wei Ming also smiled and said, "Sister Xiaoqing, guess who I met on my trip to America?"

"Who?"

"Your old friend Chen Chong."

"Wow, America is so small, how come we run into each other here? Is she doing well in America?"

"He seems to be integrating well, and speaks fluent English."

"She studied that kind of thing, so she's bound to be good. It's just a pity. She's such a promising actress. If she had stayed in China, Zhang Yu wouldn't have stood a chance." She only dared to talk about Zhang Yu, but she wouldn't dare to criticize Gong Xue and Zhu Lin.

Wei Ming really wanted to ask Sister Xiaoqing if she knew Jackie Chan. Chen Chong had been given a one-stop service, and she would definitely be making a comeback to the film industry in the future.

As they were talking, Wei Ming, Liu Xiaoqing, and Biaozi arrived at the factory director's office. Director Wang Yang first congratulated Wei Ming on winning glory for the country.

Currently, China's international honors in arts and sports are largely attributed to Wei Ming for men and the women's volleyball team for women; arts rely on Wei Ming and sports rely on the women's volleyball team.

Then everyone talked about the preparation progress of "The Empress Dowager". At this time, the set of the Old Summer Palace had begun to be built in the suburbs of Yanjing. In addition, the Ming and Qing street left over from the filming of "Rickshaw Boy" could also be used by them.

As for the scenery of the Forbidden City and the Mountain Resort, we'll have to wait until the director arrives to decide.

Wei Ming said, "He will come over with the male lead after he finishes some work in Hong Kong this month."

Upon hearing that the male lead was coming, Liu Xiaoqing asked curiously, "Who is the male lead? Could it be Huo Yuanjia?"

She meant Huang Yuanshen, saying that the most popular movie in mainland China right now is "Shaolin Temple" and the most popular TV series is "Huo Yuanjia".

Wei Ming shook his head: "He's not any of the Hong Kong actors you know; he's a newcomer."

"A newcomer?" Upon hearing this, Director Wang Yang was somewhat worried. With such a huge investment in a movie, wouldn't it be a bit frivolous to cast a newcomer as the male lead?

While Liu Xiaoqing was worried, she also breathed a sigh of relief. Finding a newcomer to play the male lead meant that the male lead had few scenes, and her position as the soul of the female lead was unshakeable.

During this period, the selected actors, including Liu Xiaoqing and Zhou Jie, were preparing for the film in advance, learning court etiquette. Liu Xiaoqing studied particularly hard, hoping that this film would help her catch up with Gong Xue and Zhu Lin in popularity.

When leaving, Wei Ming hesitated at the door, still hoping to see Sister Xue's small face right now, but after dawdling for a few minutes, he still didn't see her appear.

Just as Wei Ming was about to leave with Biaozi, he saw an acquaintance.

"Old Liang!"

"Congratulations, Teacher Wei!" Liang Xiaosheng congratulated him first, then said, "I was just about to talk to you about something."

"What's the matter?"

Liang Xiaosheng: "I changed jobs, I'm no longer with Beijing Film Studio?"

"what?"

He pointed to the two rows of small bungalows in the courtyard of the Beijing Film Studio: "I'm a member of the Children's Film Studio now."

The China Children's Film Studio was established just last year, dedicated to making films for children. Grandma Deng inscribed the name, and Yu Lan serves as the studio director. So far, only "Four Little Friends" has been released.

"Why did you leave the Beijing Film Studio and go to the Children's Film Studio?" Wei Ming asked.

The Children's Film Studio doesn't have its own office space yet, so it's temporarily residing in the Beijing Film Studio. Anyway, they're all one family. The first director of the Beijing Film Studio and the first director of the Children's Film Studio were a married couple.

Liang Xiaosheng shook his head helplessly: "I'm getting married soon, but there are too many people waiting in line for housing at the Beijing Film Studio, so it's impossible for me to get a place. But there are fewer people at the Children's Film Studio. If I go there now, I won't be considered a founding member, but I'll at least be a senior member, so I should be able to get a house sooner."

Liang Xiaosheng still lives in an eight-person dormitory. In order to have a place to stay after marriage, he has no choice but to give up the Beijing Film Studio, the big brother of the film industry.

However, the path taken by the Children's Film Studio was completely wrong for him. Fortunately, he later wrote powerful works of educated youth literature such as "Tonight There Is a Snowstorm" and "The Years," which firmly established him in the literary world.

"Would you like to come over for a visit? You're the King of Fairy Tales, how about you give me some guidance on my work?" Liang Xiaosheng invited.

So Wei Ming let Biaozi go first and went into the children's film studio.

Their editorial department is currently planning a script called "Red Elephant," which is also adapted from a children's literature work. It is planned to be co-directed by three young directors from the 78 directing class of the Beijing Film Academy: Tian Zhuangzhuang, Zhang Jianya, and Xie Xiaojing.

The script is now completely finished, and I heard that we're going to film in Yunnan soon. This time it's a theatrical film, much more formal than "The Courtyard".

Liang Xiaosheng asked Wei Ming to take a look. Wei Ming had some impression of the movie, probably having seen it on the movie channel. He thought it was just average.

So when Liang Xiaosheng suggested that Xizi play the male lead, Wei Ming politely declined on his behalf.

"That kid has recently become obsessed with martial arts and wants to become a little Li Lianjie. He has to go to school during the week, and he spends his weekends and summer vacations learning martial arts at Shichahai."

"Oh dear, that's such a pity. Also, Uncle Jiefang went to Hong Kong. Otherwise, it would be nice to have him help train the elephants."

Wei Ming sensed that Liang Xiaosheng was deliberately stalling for time, and he quickly realized that the old man was indeed doing so.

When Yu Lan, the director of the Children's Film Studio, entered, Liang Xiaosheng quickly gave up his seat so that the director could face Wei Ming directly.

Facing the highly respected senior, Wei Ming quickly stood up to greet him.

Director Yu smiled and said, "Teacher Wei, you're too kind. Please have a seat. Our Children's Film Studio needs a great children's literature writer like you to come and give us guidance."

Liang Xiaosheng hurriedly said, "Teacher Wei just finished instructing 'Red Elephant'."

Director Yu said, "Red Elephant is adapted from Wang Duanyang's Secret of Red Elephant. It is a children's adventure film. I think this kind of film is still relatively rare in China, so I decided to make it."

"This subject matter is definitely worth making a film about, and the script is also well-written."

Director Yu laughed and said, "This novel was discovered by our screenwriter in 'King of Fairy Tales'. Actually, if we had enough funds, I would really like to make 'Jumanji'. In terms of fun, this novel is more interesting and has better viewing value. It's just that the filming is too difficult, involving so many animals, and we would have to demolish their homes and even the city."

"really."

Wei Ming remembers that the movie "Original Timeline" was filmed in the 90s. After "Jurassic Park", a lot of computer CG special effects were used, which is why it had that thrilling and exciting visual effect.

He even considered having the Shanghai Animation Film Studio present the novel in animated form, but unfortunately, the studio wasn't under his control. The studio was very careful in approving each animated feature film project, and it also had to be based on artistic considerations.

Clearly, contemporary themes like "Jumanji" didn't seem appealing to the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

Wei Ming thought the topic of today's conversation was "Jumanji," but unexpectedly, Director Yu changed the subject: "Jumanji is difficult to film, but you have another work that is actually very suitable for the Children's Film Studio."

"The Calabash Brothers?"

Factory Director Yu laughed heartily: "Where am I supposed to find septuplets? I mean, The Shepherd's Spring."

……

(Yesterday's guaranteed minimum)
(End of this chapter)