Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 4 Wang Hongwei was covered in sweat
At this moment, Cao Zhong had a sense of déjà vu, as if he were Benboerba.

Did this alarm the Central Propaganda Department?

This is so exciting!
Cui Xinqin looked at Cao Zhong in surprise for a moment, then explained, "Your film isn't a regular project. It's a 'key genre and key subject'."

She carefully considered her words.
"I can't explain exactly what's involved, but I can guess. At the very least, a joint review by the Central Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is inevitable."

Cao Zhong was stunned for a moment.
He really didn't expect this kind of movie to be so difficult.

As for?
"Teacher, is it because of this incident? Didn't we learn about it in the history textbook?"

Cao Zhong was puzzled.

Although he eventually made it into the entertainment industry in his previous life, he was still unclear about many details.

He doesn't study policy-related matters either.

"It's not about any specific event. How should I put it, there are some basic common sense principles that the acting department may not teach, but the directing department is very clear about. If you are really interested, you can audit their classes."

For example, scripts involving historical events, sects, diplomacy, and other areas have always been very sensitive.

Because it involves international relations, national trauma, and religious beliefs, unexpected situations can easily arise, so it must be avoided.

As she spoke, she typed a few words on the keyboard, found a webpage, and beckoned Cao Zhong over.

"Look, this is the 'Notice on Strengthening and Improving the Management of Historical Film and Television Creation,' which was just released on November 23."
Subsequently, the approval process for some sensitive film projects, script review, and final content review required management in three stages.

And your script is probably one of the most prominent examples of that.

Pointing to the webpage link on the computer, Cui Xinqin explained.

Then she thought again that she had put a lot of pressure on Cao Zhong, and felt she should be a little more tactful, so she smiled.
"However, I think the script is quite mature, and the narrative strategy is very clever. The entry point is very small, so the probability of it being approved should be higher than others."

I can show it to Professor Wang Hongwei, the head of our directing department, and have him pass it on to some of the top directors in our school. If any of them are interested in making it, it should be able to sell. I think 100,000 to 200,000 yuan shouldn't be a problem.

After all, this kid has put so much effort into writing a script, it wouldn't be good to dampen his enthusiasm.

Speaking of this, Cui Xinqin felt honored.

In the screenwriting industry, the money from selling scripts is indeed not much these days. For a novice screenwriter, selling 300,000 yuan is the absolute maximum.

So if one of her students could actually sell a script for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and if it were to be filmed by a famous director, she would still feel proud.

"Teacher, what if I want to film it myself?"

Cao Zhong, however, was not tempted by the 200,000 yuan. Instead, he looked at Cui Xinqin with sincerity and asked a question that Cui Xinqin had never expected.

"You...take the picture?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Xinqin felt as if she had misheard, and a series of question marks flashed through her mind.

Her gaze swept up and down, carrying a hint of admonition.

"The 'shooting' in 'making a movie' doesn't mean 'slapping your head on the spot.' When it comes to approving a project, a single sentence like 'the director's qualifications are insufficient' can shut it down."

And speaking of which, you can make movies?

She was curious.

"I can."

Cui Xinqin was speechless for a long time.

Cao Zhong said firmly that he could do it, but Cui Xinqin couldn't.

A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and a sense of absurdity arose within her.

Having taught the students for over a year, Cui Xinqin couldn't possibly be unaware of how much each student actually accomplished.

Cao Zhong worked very hard before and had many strengths, such as being a good photographer, handsome, and having good artistic skills. Now it seems he can also write scripts, and writes them quite well.

Of all the students in the class, aside from Yang Mi, Cao Zhong was indeed the one most likely to succeed.

But none of these things equate to being able to make movies or be a director.

At least Cao Zhong's answer just now seemed a bit pretentious to her.

Even someone with only a smattering of knowledge wouldn't dare claim to know it, let alone Cao Zhong, who was still a complete novice.

Cui Xinqin narrowed her eyes slightly. The affection and goodwill she had for Cao Zhong that she had developed earlier because of the script had now been somewhat balanced out.

She understands that students have high aspirations, but she doesn't approve of it.
I also really dislike students who lack self-awareness.

Having taught undergraduate acting classes for so many years, she knows that some students just can't settle down and focus.
For example, some of her students, even in their junior year of college, were already preparing to take on leading roles, always thinking they were Chen Kun, Huang Xiaoming, Liu Yifei, or Yang Mi…

She's seen a lot.

Little did they know that without connections or resources, they would usually suffer a terrible setback in the end.

It's better to hone your skills at school.

But then again, those students, at least, still have lofty ambitions within their professional fields.

This Cao Zhong is even more amazing; he's actually thinking of switching careers and becoming a director?!

How can this be evaluated?

Cui Xinqin's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, creating an eerie silence in the office, broken only by the tapping sound.

"You need to know..."

Cui Xinqin decided to try to persuade him again.
As a teacher, I can't just watch my students embark on a path that's unlikely to lead to success.

"Being a director isn't easy. You have to control the script. I admit you're capable now, and your writing is indeed excellent."

However, team preparation, shooting plans, guidance of actors' performances, presentation of visuals, control of shooting rhythm, as well as post-production editing, background music, and overall style.

Even the final product you film faces numerous difficulties in passing the review process.

I don't mean anything by it, and I'm not forcing you to sell the script... It's just, do you want to reconsider?

If you really like it, you can pick a role, like the male lead. You could consider it. As the screenwriter, you still have a little bit of say. If they don't give you the role, they simply won't sell it to you.

Cui Xinqin spoke with great earnestness and concern.

As someone who has been through similar experiences, she genuinely wanted what was best for Cao Zhong.

She entered the acting department of Beijing Film Academy in 1978 and stayed on to teach, participating in many productions.

I've also considered becoming a director.

She did direct two TV series, "There Was Such a Factory Director" and "Relatives." She actually thought the scripts were quite good, but they received little response, were completely wasted effort, and even lost money.

Later, he directed a play that aired on CCTV. This play was Cao Zhong's one-act play, "Beijingers," which was selected by Yang Mi.

But after that, she never touched the directing industry again, for almost eight years.

Directing also requires talent, and Cui Xinqin has experienced it, so she understands this.

The same script, but someone else filmed it, and that became Battle Through the Heavens.

Someone filmed it, and it turned out to be a horse formed from fighting spirit.

A director's sense of camerawork, visual appeal, and spatial aesthetics are all innate talents. In fact, aesthetics is sometimes very much like a math problem.

People can do anything when they're desperate, except for math problems and aesthetics, which can't really be cultivated.

Cinematic language, composition, and color are like functions, probabilities, and algebra.

"Teacher, I understand what you mean. But... I want to be a director."

Cao Zhong's words left Cui Xinqin speechless once again.

"Moreover, teacher, as you know, I have a background in art. When I was writing this script, many scenes were very clear in my mind, and I could draw them into storyboards at any time."

I believe that no one can do a better job than me in filming this script.

I hope the teacher can help me.

The other party's tone was quite firm, and Cui Xinqin looked at Cao Zhong and found that his gaze was also very resolute.

Having taught students for so many years, Cui Xinqin suddenly felt a sense of realization.

She had seen that look before when she was mentoring Chen Kun.

Chen Kun came from a poor family, and Cui Xinqin found him many opportunities at the time.

At one point during their conversation, Chen Kun looked directly into her eyes and told her that he would definitely become one of the best actors.

And he did indeed achieve that, receiving a Golden Horse nomination, winning several Best Actor awards, and even starring in "The Knot," which is about to be released.

She helped review the final cut of the film internally, and Chen Kun will likely be able to win a few more awards for this movie.

"Ok."

Cui Xinqin nodded. "Since you're so determined, I'll give you all my support. Tell me, what do you want to do?"

Cao Zhong bowed to Cui Xinqin and said:
"I want to get the script reviewed by the directing department first."
Then, I asked the teachers in the directing department to see if I could add the producer's name to the project and try to get some investment.

The issue of project approval also requires the teacher's help.

Furthermore, I would like to ask the teacher to recommend a few actors. For example, for the role of Lao Jin, I would like someone from Nanjing to play the part, as it might involve using local dialect.

"They have quite a few requirements."

Cui Xinqin frowned, then suddenly thought of something.
"By the way, can your family situation support you making this kind of movie? This investment is quite substantial; have you calculated the costs?"

"If we can get help from all sides, I estimate it will cost at least five million. My family probably can't help much."

"I will definitely do my best to support you, but the funding..."

Cui Xinqin thought for a moment,

"Speaking of which, your senior brother Chen Kun's movie 'The Knot' had an investment cost of 30 million, and it is said that China Film Group contributed more than half of it."

He called me these past two days and mentioned that General Manager Han of China Film Group has reached an agreement with Hong Kong director Stephen Chow to support young directors, signing a contract to invest in ten young directors for Star Overseas next year.

If President Han is interested in your script, he should be able to publish a portion of it.

In fact, Cui Xinqin didn't have many resources in this area, so she didn't make any grand promises.

She only told Cao Zhong the information she knew.

"Alright, I'll give the script to Mr. Wang Hongwei to take a look. Why don't you go back and wait for news?"

"Thank you, teacher."

Seeing that the other party had given him the order to leave, Cao Zhong thanked them and departed.

"By the way, if you really want to make a movie, it's best to register a company. There are school-enterprise cooperation programs on campus that can provide start-up funds, but the amount won't be much."

Cui Xinqin called Cao Zhong back, gave him a few words of advice, and waved goodbye.

in the office,

Cui Xinqin sat in her seat for a short while, then took a deep breath.

We went up to the fourth floor.

The performing arts department and the directing department are in the same building, located on the north side of the school. The library is to the west, and the catering service center is to the east.

"Teacher Wang, I need your help with something."

On the fourth floor, Cui Xinqin saw Wang Hongwei.

Wang Hongwei has been a head teacher in the directing department and an instructor for the continuing education program for many years.

He was also Ning Hao's mentor.

He was the producer of films such as "Green Grassland" and "Crazy Stone".

Because Liu Dehua's initial investment was exhausted early on, it was precisely because he later managed to secure a follow-up investment of 700,000 yuan from China Film Warner.

This marked the first time a low-budget film had achieved high box office returns.

This even prompted a strategic shift by General Manager Han of China Film Group.

If it weren't for this movie, he wouldn't have given Star Overseas the opportunity to invest in ten movies.

Wang Hongwei is now naturally a hot commodity at China Film Group.

"Sister Cui, do you have anything planned? Leave it to me." Wang Hongwei said with a grin. "If it weren't for Teacher Cui recommending Huang Bo as a typical character, our previous filming wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

This is true. For many actors at the Beijing Film Academy, Cui Xinqin is also known as "Mother Cui".

She probably knows the most secrets about this group of people.

Cui Xinqin didn't stand on ceremony and handed the script to Wang Hongwei.

"My student has written a screenplay. He's looking for a directing professor to act as producer and help him secure some investment. Could you take a look?"

"A performing arts student, making movies?"

Wang Hongwei shuddered, utterly astonished.

"Correct."

"I'll have to take a look. But don't worry, Sister Cui, I have pretty good connections at China Film Group lately, so investment is no problem. By the way, how much is the estimated budget for this movie?"

Wang Hongwei is currently riding high on his success.
In fact, he's been drifting around ever since the release of "Crazy Stone" in the summer, for the past six months.

He asks everyone, "Have you seen 'Crazy Stone'? My student made it!"

"More than five million," Cui Xinqin said.

"How many?!"

Wang Hongwei casually copied the script, but upon hearing the number Cui Xinqin mentioned, he almost threw it away.

In the blink of an eye, his bald head was covered in sweat.

(End of this chapter)