Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 195, Section 193: Bicycle Test Screening

In late September 1998, Beijing was bathed in clear autumn air.

Over the past few days, "The Four Great Constables" has been airing two episodes a day on Hunan TV, continuously generating a ratings frenzy.

The entanglements and chivalrous tales between Ji Yaohua, played by Cecilia Cheung, and the Four Great Constables, spread throughout the country via radio waves. Her bright and lively image and the character's tumultuous fate captivated audiences, generating a constant stream of discussion and becoming one of the most popular cultural phenomena of the moment.

Meanwhile, post-production of "The Pursuit of Happyness" was also in full swing in the editing room of Beijing Film Studio.

Editor Lao Zhang and his team worked day and night, meticulously refining the film, adhering to Wang Sheng's established tone of "finding thunder in the ordinary" and "showing resilience and hope."

Wang Sheng would occasionally visit the editing workshop to oversee the handling of key segments, exchange opinions with Lao Zhang and Huo Jianqi, and strive to ensure that every emotional transition was precise and on point.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang's film "Beijing Bicycle" has also successfully completed its edited version.

This film, which focuses on the growing pains and budding emotions of teenagers in Beijing in the late 1990s, carries a unique youthful spirit and documentary style and is ready to face the first test of the market.

On the morning of September 30th, sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Beijing Film Studio auditorium, casting dappled shadows in the beams of light that were slightly dusty.

Inside the auditorium, the seats were wiped clean.

Below the screen hanging in front, Han Sanping, director of Beijing Film Studio, Zhang Heping and Lu Yao, heads of Forbidden City Film Industry, and several representatives from the "Nine Markets" had already taken their seats and were talking in hushed tones, the atmosphere relaxed yet with a commercial scrutiny.

Wang Sheng, dressed in dark casual wear, stood in the aisle, chatting and laughing with Han Sanping, Zhang Heping, and others.

He was tall and handsome, spoke with composure and confidence, and exuded an aura of control over everything.

The people around him, whether they were middle-level managers at the Beijing Film Studio or external partners, mostly focused their attention on him, listening or agreeing, forming an invisible small circle centered around him.

Two figures quietly slipped in from a corner at the back of the auditorium and found a quiet spot to sit down.

It was Gao Yuanyuan and Fan Xiaopang.

Both were dressed in simple jeans and knitwear, with bare faces, exuding the naivety of freshmen entering university.

After receiving the news that "Beijing Bicycle" was having a preview screening today, they took a day off to come and join in the fun.

Gao Yuanyuan's gaze was fixed on the figure surrounded by a crowd in the distance almost as soon as she entered the room.

Watching Wang Sheng chat and laugh freely with those leaders whom they considered "important figures," her heart involuntarily quickened.

Sunlight streamed through the window, and a ray fell on his profile, outlining his clear features. His confident and composed smile captivated her, making her momentarily lose herself in admiration. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and a feeling of mixed admiration and vague affection quietly spread through her heart.

Fan Xiaopang also looked at Wang Sheng, but his gaze was more direct and ardent, filled with undisguised envy and longing.

She envied Wang Sheng's resources and immense power, and longed for the position of being able to decide the fate of others and stand in the center of the spotlight.

She clenched her fist tightly, her nails digging into her palm, and silently vowed: One day, I will be like him, someone surrounded and admired, not just a "newcomer" who needs to wait for an opportunity. Soon, everyone arrived, and the lights in the auditorium went out one by one, leaving only the glow of the screen.

The edited version of "Beijing Bicycle" has begun screening.

The film tells the story of two high school boys from very different families in Beijing in the late 1990s, whose youthful entanglements arise because of a bicycle.

Gao Yuanyuan plays the object of Xiao Jian's secret crush, a vocational high school student in the city, symbolizing the beauty and hazy emotions of adolescence; Fan Xiaopang plays another lively and outgoing female classmate from a wealthy family, with a distinct personality and a touch of spoiled cuteness.

On the screen, the swaying sound of bicycle chains, the dappled sunlight in the alley, the rustling of chalk in the classroom, the sweaty backs of teenagers and the unspoken glances of girls... Zhang Yang used his unique documentary-style lens to capture the restlessness, confusion and innocence unique to adolescence in this era.

There are no dramatic plot twists; instead, there are more everyday details and the natural flow of emotions.

Gao Yuanyuan looked at herself on the screen, the girl secretly gazing at the sunset, and felt complicated emotions.

There was excitement at seeing myself on the big screen for the first time, shyness about my awkward performance, and a deep resonance with the character's emotions.

Fan Xiaopang, on the other hand, paid more attention to his own performance on camera. When he saw those few clips of himself being willful and capricious, the corners of his mouth would unconsciously turn up, clearly quite satisfied with his performance.

The film ends in an atmosphere that blends a touch of sadness with hope.

As the end credits rolled, the auditorium lights slowly came back on.

After a brief silence, polite applause rang out in the room.

Wang Sheng was the first to stand up and turn to the representatives behind him. Zhang Yang, Gao Yuanyuan, Fan Xiaopang, and other key members of the production team also looked over, appearing slightly nervous.

"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Lu, and all the other executives, how are you feeling?" Wang Sheng asked with a smile, his tone relaxed.

The representatives looked at each other and exchanged glances.

A projectionist from Tianjin adjusted his glasses and spoke first, carefully choosing his words: "Mr. Wang, Director Zhang, the film is... very delicate and flavorful. This kind of youth film is quite different from the commercial comedies we usually show."

Another representative from Hangzhou chimed in, "Yes, they have a very unique temperament. The two young girls acted quite well, especially Gao Yuanyuan, who captured the feeling of unrequited love very accurately. Fan Xiaopang's character was also very eye-catching."

Lu Yao from Forbidden City Film Industry hesitated for a moment, then looked at Wang Sheng and Zhang Yang: "The film's quality is fine; Director Zhang Yang's skills are still there. This kind of art-house youth film is indeed an experiment in the domestic market. However..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Considering the audience base that you and 'Jiudi' have already established, and the fact that the film's costs have been well controlled, I think... it should have a market. At least among young audiences, especially college students, it should be able to generate some discussion."

“Yes, the pressure to break even isn’t too great. If it’s managed well, we might even make a small profit,” another representative chimed in, offering a relatively positive signal.

Their reviews weren't exactly enthusiastic, but the words "not bad" and "marketable" are already quite positive for a stylistically distinctive youth film like this. This means it at least qualifies for theatrical release and market testing.

Wang Sheng nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the result. He patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work, Director Zhang. We'll discuss the publicity and distribution in more detail later."

(End of this chapter)