Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 193, Section 191: Why Not Make Money If You Can?
September 20, 1998, Beijing.

A night of rain brought a touch of autumn, and the morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the Beijing Film Studio's conference room, illuminating the slightly worn dark red carpet.

The conference room was filled with people sitting around the oval table.

Wang Sheng sat in the main seat, with art director Huo Jianqi, executive director, and the core post-production team of "The Pursuit of Happyness"—including the editor, sound engineer, and composer—on his left; and the production manager, financial representative, and the person in charge of publicity from Shengying Media on his right.

The meeting has been going on for over an hour.

"In summary, all the footage from 'The Pursuit of Happyness' has been inventoried, organized, and the initial coordination with the script supervisors has been completed yesterday."

From a technical standpoint, there were no major flaws in exposure, focus, or sound accuracy, and there was ample usable footage. The editor adjusted his glasses, concluding his preliminary report.

All eyes turned to Wang Sheng.

A thick stack of editing notes lay open in front of him.

“I’ve seen most of the raw footage,” Wang Sheng said calmly. “The foundation is very good. Lao Ge and Batu’s performances, especially the emotional progression, are very precise. The cinematographer’s grasp of camera language also completely achieved the effect I wanted, a thunderclap in the ordinary.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on the editor and Huo Jianqi: "Now, we face the most crucial step—determining the soul of the editing. What I want is not a simple melodrama, nor a whitewashed hymn to reality."

His tone became more forceful, each word striking a chord in everyone's hearts: "What we want is 'inspiration,' something that can 'inspire people'! We want the audience to see that Chen Jianguo, this laid-off worker from Northeast China, struggles in adversity, falls and gets back up every time he does so not because he is born strong, but because he is an ordinary person, a husband, and a father, and he has that 'tenacity' that refuses to bow to fate!"

"This kind of resilience is not built up by sentimental background music and slow motion."

Wang Sheng's fingers traced across the editing notes: "It's all about the details! It's the shot of him pedaling a tricycle, his vest soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his spine; it's the moment he hides in the securities company's restroom, eating a dry steamed bun with cold water, yet practicing smiling in front of the mirror; it's the moment he receives his first meager commission, and instead of buying himself a new outfit, he buys his son a cream popsicle, and as he watches his son lick it, his Adam's apple bobs, but a satisfied smile appears in his eyes!"

He spoke slowly, but the scenes he described were incredibly moving, making everyone present feel as if they were witnessing those vivid moments.

"Rhythm!" Wang Sheng emphasized: "The first half, with its focus on the confusion and distress after being laid off, can have a slow pace, but it can't be 'dull'. The audience needs to feel the omnipresent pressure of life, making it hard to breathe."

The middle section details the hardships of his internship in Shanghai, a fast-paced, wound-up experience that showcased the brutal competition and the double drain on his physical and mental strength. Finally, when he walked into the trading floor, wearing an ill-fitting but clean suit and carrying his son, that moment…

Wang Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, as if envisioning the scene: "The rhythm needs to be 'raised'! Not by forcing it with music, but by releasing all the suppressed emotions accumulated beforehand!"
The audience should feel that his success is not accidental, but deserved! He is a microcosm of the millions of ordinary people struggling to survive in the tides of time! After watching the film, the audience should leave the theater feeling warm, hopeful, and inspired to persevere like Chen Jianguo!

He paused for a moment, then concluded: "In short, in terms of editing, I demanded that the lines be sharper and the emotional transitions more decisive."

The editor nodded earnestly and said, "I understand, Mr. Wang. The 'soul' of this film lies in struggle and hope."

"it is good!"

Wang Sheng said to the editor, "Old Zhang, go in this direction. First, produce a 15-minute condensed cut, focusing on the three key emotional points: 'the chaos of being laid off in the early stages,' 'the struggle during the internship,' and 'the relief of finally being hired.' We'll see the rough cut in a week."

"No problem, Mr. Wang," editor Lao Zhang replied confidently.

Next, the meeting discussed post-production dubbing, music style, and preliminary publicity and distribution ideas.

Wang Sheng clearly pointed out that this film should not only make money, but also earn a good reputation, and become a golden brand for Shengying Media and even Beijing Film Studio in the field of realistic themes.

The meeting lasted until nearly noon.

Everyone packed up their documents and left the conference room one after another, their faces showing the enthusiasm of someone with a clear goal. Wang Sheng and Huo Jianqi were the last to leave, exchanging their thoughts on the handling of several specific shots in hushed tones as they walked towards the door.

As soon as I pushed open the meeting room door, I saw Shi Dongming, the director of the Arts Office, waiting in the corridor. His face was beaming with uncontrollable joy, and he was rubbing his hands together, looking quite excited.

"Director Shi?" Wang Sheng was somewhat surprised. "Is something the matter?"

"President Wang! Director Huo!" Shi Dongming strode forward, his voice slightly raised with excitement: "Great news! Huge, fantastic news!"

He glanced around, and although there were hardly any people left in the corridor, he still subconsciously lowered his voice, as if he were about to share a huge secret: "Just received a fax! An official invitation from the Tokyo International Film Festival organizing committee! Director Huo's 'Postmen in the Mountains'... has been selected! Selected for the main competition of the 11th Tokyo International Film Festival!"

"what?!"

Huo Jianqi stopped abruptly, his face first showing disbelief and astonishment, then a surge of immense joy welled up inside him, making his breathing rapid: "Director Shi, you...you're not kidding?"

"Absolutely true! It's in black and white, stamped with the organizing committee's seal!"

Shi Dongming carefully took a faxed document from his briefcase and handed it over: "Look! The film festival officially opens on the 31st of next month! We invite the main creators of the film crew to attend!"

Huo Jianqi took the fax, his fingers trembling slightly, and carefully looked at the English and Japanese text on it, as well as the clear red stamp below.

Wang Sheng also went over to take a look.

This was his idea.

The phenomenal success of "Postmen in the Mountains" in Japan speaks for itself. It's a pity that such a great film only made a small amount of money from the little guy.

If it can get another boost at the Tokyo International Film Festival, this film will likely fetch an astronomical price.

There is a relatively high probability of winning an award.

Besides the film's excellent quality, it's also related to an unspeakable event in November, with a similar principle to the large ship.

"Good! Great!"

Wang Sheng patted Huo Jianqi's shoulder forcefully: "Old Huo, congratulations! You deserve it!"

Huo Jianqi was so excited that he couldn't speak for a moment. He just kept looking at the fax, his eyes getting a little wet.

Aside from the allure of international awards for directors of this era, he spent months immersed in the mountains and rivers of western Hunan, pouring countless efforts into this film.

Wang Sheng reminded Shi Dongming, "Director Shi, this matter should be immediately placed on the factory's top priority agenda. You are responsible for coordinating Director Huo's visas and travel arrangements for the main actors. The publicity department should start immediately, and I will have someone assist you in developing a detailed overseas publicity plan."

"Yes, Mr. Wang! I'll take care of it right away!" Shi Dongming straightened his back and answered loudly, his face beaming with pride.

……

(End of this chapter)