Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 145 You're not looking at beach beauties in California, are you?

Ning Hao has been having happy troubles these days.

"Crazy Stone" is now making great strides in the early Lunar New Year period when there are no blockbusters. In the first four days of the week, it has earned 2200 million yuan at the box office.

Although it is not a blockbuster that will break the 100 million mark, any discerning person can see that this movie is going to make a lot of money.

For a time, the industry was very envious of China Film and Star Film.

Who wouldn't want to make such an investment when you can get big returns with small costs? Ning Hao naturally became a hot commodity. People who had contacted him before called him one after another these days.

The meaning is very clear, they are willing to invest in the next movie as long as Ning Hao asks.

Ning Hao couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions for a moment. It was really a very different world and it was very realistic.

At first, he took the script of "Stone" and begged for help from everyone, but in the end, he either lost control of the crew or was not optimistic about it and was sent away at will.

"Haozi, hurry up, we have to go to the Wanda Cinema for an event today." Huang Bo urged from a distance, looking excited, "I'm also wearing a brand today, Baleno."

Ning Hao was amused when he heard this, "Aren't you afraid that the brand will sue you if you do this?"

"No way, I only have one line, how can it go bankrupt?" Huang Bo felt a little guilty when he heard it.

These days, not only the crew of "Crazy Stone" is enjoying great success, but Han Sanping is also being met by the media wherever he goes.

At the Yijin Garden in Beijing, the Chinese Film Oscar Forum was held.

Before the forum even started, Han Sanping was already chatting with reporters, his face full of smiles, but his words were particularly modest:
"I can't say I've had a keen eye for the film 'Crazy Stone.' Last year, when Wu Chen brought Ning Hao to my place, I gave it some thought. It was mainly because Wu Chen was so confident at the time that he said he was very optimistic about the film."

"Yes, I also thought that our domestic film industry can't always rely on Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang and other old directors. We need some newcomers. So Wu Chen and I each took half of the share."

"Fifty million? I don't think fifty million can stop me;

"The Promise"? The number of copies of "The Promise" has reached 470, setting a record in Chinese film history. We will definitely fully support "The Promise" in its Oscar bid. Isn't this forum for discussing "The Promise"'s Oscar prospects?"

Han Sanping accepted all the questions and wanted to express all the excitement in his heart.

Since he was promoted to general manager, the entire China Film Group has been thriving, and this year has been smooth sailing. This must be made public.

The "China Film Oscar Forum" was organized by Beijing Youth Weekly. In addition to Han Sanping, Zhang Piming, deputy director of the Film Bureau, also attended.

As for the so-called Oscar-contesting forum, apart from "The Promise", not even the crew members of the films competing for the Oscars in Taiwan and Hong Kong were invited.

The purpose is very clear, which is to cheer for "The Promise".

On stage, Chen Kai even talked extensively about the experience he gained from the failure of "Farewell My Concubine" in the Oscar competition, and he was determined to regroup and win it this time.
However, compared to Chen Kaige, Han Sanping was more intense:
"Chinese films desperately need to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This is not only a summary of the past few years, but also a milestone for the next few years. It also marks a stage for the future development of Chinese films. We need to have a place on the Oscar stage.

Of course, this is a realistic goal that I personally pursue.

In fact, I have a much stronger desire for this than the director. But whether it is to satisfy my personal vanity or the needs of the film group, I am very eager and have a strong desire for it to win the Best Foreign Language Film Award.

"To be honest, I don't understand why President Han is so obsessed with the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film."

Ning Hao shared the good news that "Crazy Stone" had broken the 30 million box office on the phone, and also mentioned the speeches of Zhang Piming, Han Sanping and Chen Kaige at the Oscar Forum yesterday.

"Maybe it's because President Han has directed more than 200 films for China Film Group and won every award except Best Foreign Language Film." Wu Chen smiled.

He could more or less understand Han Sanping's desire. It didn't make sense that I had won all the awards but was missing one.

"By the way, when will your new movie be finished? President Han is waiting for you to come back for a celebration party?" "Soon, you should be back in late December." Wu Chen looked at the shooting schedule. It would be finished on the 20th. He would rest for a day or two and then go back home.

Compared to the grand production of "Now You See Me", the crew of the thriller "Get Out" seemed much quieter, which also slowed down his pace of life a little.

The next morning, after filming a hypnosis scene, Wu Chen leaned back in the director's chair to rest and casually took out a Motorola flip phone from his pocket. The screen flashed a faint green light.

After hesitating for a moment, he made a domestic long-distance call.

"Hello? Junior brother." A clear but slightly lazy voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Just finished practicing?" Wu Chen raised his eyebrows.

"How do you know?" The other person paused for a moment, as if being prodded. Then, realizing what was happening, he changed his tone, speaking with a hint of suspicion, "Did someone tell you about it?"

At this time, Liu Yifei was sitting by the window in the training room. The slightly messy hair on her forehead was wet with sweat and stuck to her fair forehead.

The little face without makeup was reflected by the light, looking crystal clear, her almond eyes were round and a little watery, her nose was slightly red, and her lips were slightly pouting.

She was wearing a tight-fitting light gray training suit, her curves were exquisite yet youthful and light, like a newly peeled spring bamboo shoot, fresh and fragrant.

"What report do you have to write?" Wu Chen couldn't help laughing, and then asked, "How's the training going?"

"My back hurts," she dragged out her complaint, standing up and pacing, "I'm telling you, Teacher Liu Tianchi is really amazing. Once he makes a move, the whole atmosphere changes.

In the afternoon, Teacher Liu showed me how to do different crying scenes. It was completely different. I have made great progress since then."

There was a mixture of complaints and joy in his voice, and the surprise that touched upon the emotional tension could not be concealed and flowed out from his tone.

Now the training for "Black Peony" has entered the second stage, and the time for performance training has begun to lengthen.

"Oh, that's progress, how about you cry for a while to prove it?" Wu Chen teased her deliberately, his voice lazy and teasing.

"what!"

"Wu Chen!"

Liu Yifei was stunned, and then shouted angrily.

"Okay, I'm just kidding." Wu Chen picked up the water beside him and took a sip, ready to continue filming the next part of the scene.

The sound of gulping water could be heard on the phone.

Liu Yifei listened to the voice in confusion, then suddenly gave a playful smile: "What are you doing? You're not drinking coconut water and looking at beautiful women on the beach in California, are you?"

Wu Chen almost spit out a mouthful of water, but he didn't refute it. Instead, he asked, "How do you know?"

"Hmph! I dreamt about it." Liu Yifei snorted, her tone half true and half false.

"I wish I could, but unfortunately there's a photo studio just up the street. I have to go to the town to shoot in a few days. I haven't seen the beach in a few days."

At this moment, the set was adjusted and the assistant director came over and called out, "Wu, it's time to check the camera."

Wu Chen stood up, rubbed his neck, and replied in a relaxed tone, "Coming." Then he said into the phone, "The shooting is about to start. Hang up!"

"Ok!"

Elsewhere, the early winter night in Beijing was slightly chilly. The glass windows of the training room reflected Liu Yifei's slightly wrinkled nose and the upturned corners of her mouth. She bit her lip lightly, and a blush spread across her cheeks, as if a watercolor palette had been spilled.
(End of this chapter)