Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 63: Better than yesterday, not lacking tomorrow

In the teacher's office of the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy, the morning light shines in through the window lattice, casting a warm glow on the teacup on the table.

Wang Jinsong and Cui Xinqin sat opposite each other, their eyes met, and there was unconcealable surprise in their eyes.

"Old Wang, have you thought of it?" Cui Xinqin joked with a smile, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes moved slightly.

"I'm afraid even a fortune teller wouldn't be right." Wang Jinsong picked up his teacup and sighed, "This is the first time we've seen this at Beijing Film Academy. The photography department is making a killing this time."

Who would have thought that the freshman in the photography department, who used to have to introduce actors himself, would not only win two awards, but would also go to Hollywood to film a movie.

He was considered half a witness, and thinking of this, he immediately felt happy.

Cui Xinqin glanced at him without saying anything. Instead, she asked, "Hey, who was the first person from mainland China to film in Hollywood?"

"The first one." Wang Jinsong thought for a moment and frowned. "It should be Brother Chen Kai. It seems that two years ago, he was invited by MGM to shoot a suspenseful love movie. Don't tell me, they are quite similar. They both made suspense films."

Just as the two were discussing Brother Chen Kai, in a courtyard deep in an alley in Beijing, Brother Chen Kai's eyes moved slightly, and then he hung up the phone.

"Who is it? Calling so early?"

Chen Hong was alert in her heart, but she had a gentle smile on her face. She walked forward and massaged Brother Chen Kai's shoulders.

The people who called early in the morning were either acquaintances or women. The woman had to be more careful, as she didn't want to let go of Brother Chen Kai's thigh.

"Old Tian!" Brother Chen Kai leaned back in his chair, looking very happy, and replied lazily.

"Director Tian!" Chen Hong breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she wasn't a vixen, it would be fine. She lightened her grip a bit and curiously asked,
"What's the big deal, Director Tian?"

"What big deal can happen to him? He won't even make a movie." Brother Chen Kai sneered, and was quite disdainful of the fact that Tian Zhuangzhuang couldn't let go of his grudge.

"Hasn't there been a student in the photography department recently who's now saying he's going to Hollywood to film a movie? Old Tian was also feeling sentimental, remembering that I went there two years ago, so he naggled a little more."

There was a flash of nostalgia and a hint of resentment in Brother Chen Kai's eyes.

Those Hollywood producers are so blind. It's just a failure of a movie. What's the big deal?

Isn’t it worth investing in more films just because he has won the Palme d’Or?
"So Wu Chen is going to Hollywood?" Chen Hong was stunned for a moment. She hadn't turned on the computer to read the news since she got up in the morning. Now, when she heard Brother Chen Kai mention it, her eyes trembled slightly.

"Well, I don't know what the connection is, but I guess it's not a big production." Brother Chen Kai said calmly, with a hint of contempt in his tone, "Once he finishes filming in Hollywood, he'll know that this road is not as smooth as he thought."

Even a great director like him can't gain a foothold there, so when will a young director be able to do so?
genius?

He came here with the reputation of a genius.

"That's natural." Chen Hong heard this and continued with Brother Chen Kai's words, "How can a young man compare to you? The rhythm, plot, and aesthetics are far behind."

Brother Chen Kai raised the corner of his mouth slightly, smiling brightly: "Wu Chen is still quite capable."

As the news spread, the domestic film industry became increasingly lively.

Early in the morning in Sitges, the sea breeze was getting cooler, and the airport bus was carrying Wu Chen and his party to Barcelona Airport.

Hu Jing yawned, rubbed her eyes, and took out her phone. Her eyes suddenly widened: "Tsk, what a rare visitor!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wu Chen and the others looked over curiously.

"Director, do you want to give it to me?" Hu Jing handed over the phone directly. On the screen of the phone was the text message page, and the contact name was "Zhang Ziyi".

There were two messages. The first one was to congratulate and reminisce about the past, and also to hope that Hu Jing would visit the set of "Memoirs of a Geisha" in Japan. The general summary was that it had been a long time since we last met and I missed her very much.

The second one was asking for the contact information of Hu Jing and Wu Chen, and also hinted at the movie roles.

Wu Chen finished sweeping and smiled calmly, "Spielberg paid her $500 million for Memoirs of a Geisha. For my small temple, forget it. I can't afford it."

Since Zhang Ziyi herself advertised it as 500 million, then just accept it as it is.

Although Wu Chen knew that Zhang Ziyi actually reduced his salary to only $50 before accepting this film.

"By the way, how is your relationship?"

Wu Chen asked casually, and Dong Xuan and Zu Feng couldn't help but prick up their ears.

"It's okay, not too bad, but she's an international film and television superstar. I've only acted in a few TV series before, so the gap is too big. If we're too close, I'm afraid people will say I'm trying to piggyback on her fame. Anyway, she doesn't have much contact with us."

Hu Jing took the phone and spoke, her fingers pressing on the keyboard, as if she was thinking hard about how to express it tactfully.

"Just say it directly. The salary is too high and the small crew can't afford it. There's no need to be euphemistic." Wu Chen said bluntly when he saw this.

"okay!"

Wu Chen also picked up his phone, opened it and scanned it, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Junior brother, how about the scenery in Sitges? Isn't it super beautiful? You must feel great to have won the award, hehe."

"You're going to Hollywood? Another suspense film! How come you're so smart? You can even come up with a sequel to such a brain-burning film?"

"."

Looking at the message sent early in the morning, Wu Chen narrowed her eyes slightly, and the girl's fun and romance danced on these simple words.

Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the red torii gate is looming in the rain.

Zhang Ziyi, Watanabe Ken, Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li were resting in their respective places and were not disturbed.

Zhang Ziyi looked at the text message sent back by Hu Jing, and a look of annoyance flashed in his eyes.

In order to save face, he advertised that he would take the role for $500 million, but now it has become a restriction.

"Wu Chen." Zhang Ziyi muttered to himself, and the image of the young and handsome young man mentioned by Liu Dehua at the premiere of "House of Flying Daggers" emerged in his mind.

She is at a critical stage in her breakthrough into Hollywood, and it would be a good thing if she could show her face more often in Hollywood.

"Never mind. I'm not a big-name director anyway. After I finish this film, I won't have to worry about getting roles."

Zhang Ziyi's annoyance only flashed by for a moment. He glanced at Gong Li opposite him and became complacent.

Gong Li is no longer worth mentioning after losing Zhang Yimou, and she will completely become a new generation of international superstar.

On the plane, Wu Chen and others closed their eyes to rest.

Last night, I was so excited I couldn't sleep. The journey was long, and I fell into a deep sleep as soon as my eyelids closed. At the same time, at an official meeting of several major art colleges and the industry, the speech Zhang Huijun had been waiting for finally came. He adjusted the microphone and said loudly:

“As for practical teaching, I don’t think it’s very difficult.”

Zhang Huijun also took special care to look at Xu Xiang, the principal of the Central Academy of Drama across the street.

The latter inadvertently turned his face away, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching.

"For art schools like ours, the worst thing we can do is treat students like greenhouse orchids. We need them to venture out and explore again. Last year, the photography department did a small project, very small, with only 40 yuan."

The ginkgo leaves by the window were fluttering in the autumn wind, and in the meeting room there was the soft sound of a few pen caps tapping on the table.

Xu Xiang heard the voices and took a look. Yes, they were the principals of Beijing Dance Academy, Communication University of China, Beijing Opera School, and Central Academy of Chinese Opera.

"If you guys don't like it, just say so if you're not satisfied. There's no point in just slamming the pen cap on the table."

Xu Xiang thought that a few people were going to say something, but half a minute passed and nothing happened. He couldn't help cursing in his heart.

After cursing in his heart, he looked at Zhang Huijun in frustration as he continued to pretend to be cool, and remained silent.

"This small investment has a huge return. In fact, the key secret is to take risks. The consistent purpose of Beijing Film Academy is to send students out and let them adapt to the ever-changing market.

Well, there’s a young director who’s still in school causing some trouble in Spain.”

The leaders of other universities listened to Zhang Huijun's bragging for half an hour, but actually said nothing. They were only concerned with incorporating Wu Chen's deeds into the discussion.

The leader at the main seat was amused after hearing this: "I think his name is Wu Chen, right?"

"Correct!"

"Yes, the Beijing Film Academy model does have its merits. It has been put into practice correctly, which is quite rare. This also tells us that we must be bold in innovation in art teaching."

Dusk had arrived, and the sunset glow permeated the sky. After a comfortable afternoon, Zhang Huijun stepped out of the conference room and was about to find Xu Xiang from the Central Academy of Drama to continue "chatting" when he received a phone call.

Zhang Huijun looked at the caller, his eyes moving slightly. As he answered the call, he said with a hearty smile, "Mr. Han."

"Oh, you mean Wu Chen, he's still on his way back.

Release? The release hasn’t been decided yet. Okay, let’s have dinner together. I’ll confirm the time with you later.”

At this time, in the general manager's office of the China Film Building, Han Sanping put down the phone.

"Mr. Han, we can contact Wu Chen directly, how about that?" Secretary Gao Chengsheng couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Han Sanping heard this and shook his head:
"That's true, but Wu Chen is still a student, and Beijing Film Academy is keeping a close eye on him. It's hard to say whether he understands publishing at his age. Informing Beijing Film Academy will only do good and no harm."

He was not very secretive about his confidants, but of course there were some reasons he did not reveal.

Zhang Huijun's administrative level is equivalent to his. Although their respective fields are different, Beijing Film Academy has a share in the film industry. It is not proper to bypass Beijing Film Academy and find Wu Chen directly.

I may not go, but I cannot be ignorant of it. This is the rule of conduct.

Besides, Wu Chen currently has a Hollywood film contract. If he were to ask Wu Chen out directly, Zhang Huijun and others would inevitably think too much. It would be better for him to just call Zhang Huijun directly and be done with it.

On the evening of October 16, the waiting hall of Beijing Capital International Airport was noisy.

Wu Chen walked out dragging his luggage. The reporters had been waiting for him and pounced on him like wolves as soon as they saw him appear.

"Director Wu, is going to Hollywood true?"

"Who to cooperate with?"

"when are we leaving?"

The reporters bombarded him with questions.

"Sure enough, there's no way to hide!"

"That's normal. Our director is not the same as before!"

Hu Jing and the others smiled, but they had only laughed a few times when some reporters, seeing that there were too many people surrounding Wu Chen, turned around and asked Hu Jing and Dong Xuan.

Wu Chen pulled his suitcase and replied as he walked, "It's true. The cooperation has been confirmed. The time has not been determined yet, but it should be soon."

"So are you still filming in China?"

"China is my root. Hollywood is just the branches. No matter how well the leaves grow, they cannot do without the nutrients from the roots."

The reporters' eyes lit up; this metaphor was perfect.

Wu Chen's reaction was not at all like that of a student, but rather like that of a veteran who had been tested by the media for a long time.

When dealing with problems, say what you should say and respond with a smile if you shouldn’t say anything.

"Director Wu, you became famous at a young age, and foreign media even praised you as a talented director. What are your expectations for your future self?" The reporter from Guangguang Media's "Entertainment Live" immediately asked.

Wu Chen smiled and said, "The future is too far away to tell!"

"Director Wu, what about now?"

"It's too close now to explain!"

"."

The reporter's forehead was cramped. No, buddy, what are you kidding? This is unclear, that is unclear. Why don't you say something normal?

Seeing this, Wu Chen stopped joking and said slowly:
“If I were to say what I expect, it would be:

Better than yesterday, not less than tomorrow!"

In fact, after you said that my work was short and weak, I had already made adjustments and was secretly proving myself. Careful readers should have noticed that the number of pages has increased a lot recently.

Today's two chapters are not much less than the three chapters of others, but they are just stuck here and I am too lazy to divide them into chapters. The word count is 5600+, and I only need 400 words to make it three chapters.

But these are all small things. Sanjiang PK failed. It will be on the shelves in a few days. I will insist on updating it every day after it is on the shelves. Don’t worry, everyone. Thank you for your support.

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(End of this chapter)