Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 230, Section 228: United We Stand

In July 1999, the heat of summer truly arrived in Beijing. The asphalt roads were softened by the scorching heat, and the air was filled with the tireless chirping of cicadas.

The atmosphere on the high school film set where the crew of "Flying Colors" was located was even hotter than the weather.

Filming has entered its final sprint, and everyone's nerves are on edge.

Wang Sheng remained seated behind the monitor, his expression stern, like a guiding star on a precision instrument.

Despite the rapid pace of progress, he did not slacken his standards for quality in the slightest.

If a glance is not quite right, or if the emotion in a line is slightly off, he will immediately stop the scene and demand that it be done again.

Under his high-pressure drive, the entire crew operated efficiently and precisely, like a surging river rushing toward its predetermined destination.

Fan Xiaopang is persevering almost at the cost of his own life.

The continuous high-intensity filming made her lose weight, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, but her eyes became brighter and brighter.

She has completely merged with the character of Wang Xiaojia. The rebellious and carefree attitude in the early stage, the pain and confusion during the struggle in the middle stage, and the hope and determination that gradually ignite in her eyes in the later stage are all portrayed by her with distinct layers and great persuasiveness.

The final few scenes depict the release of college entrance exam results and university registration, requiring the presentation of a sense of freshness and confidence after "emerging from the cocoon like a butterfly."

She worked hard to adjust her state, and under Wang Sheng's strict supervision, she finally captured the feeling of clear and firm eyes after going through hardships.

Meanwhile, preparations for another key "market-saving" project for the company—"A Little Thing Called First Love"—are also progressing rapidly under the management of Zhang Yang and others.

The script was finalized faster than "Flying Colors," since the core idea and framework came from Wang Sheng. The writing team mainly filled in the details and made minor adjustments for localization, setting the background in a high school campus in the late 1990s, focusing on the resonance of freshness, beauty, unrequited love and growth.

Casting was quickly put on the agenda.

When it came to choosing the female lead, Wang Sheng didn't hesitate at all and immediately picked Gao Yuanyuan.

When the news reached Fan Xiaopang, who was at school preparing for her final exams, she had just finished a night shoot and was so tired that she was slumped on a rest chair drinking Huoxiang Zhengqi Water to refresh herself.

"What? 'A Little Thing Called First Love'? Gao Yuanyuan is cast as the female lead?" Fan Xiaopang almost choked on the medicine, his eyes widened, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

"Flying Colors" hasn't even finished filming yet, and Mr. Wang's new movie project has already been approved? That's fast... And why is it Gao Yuanyuan again?

She complained sourly to Li Tingting, who had come to visit the set: "Sister Tingting, does President Wang have a special preference for Gao Yuanyuan? I haven't even dried my sweat from filming 'Flying Colors' yet, and she's already taken over... I also want this kind of pure campus film!"

Li Tingting poked her forehead, both amused and exasperated: "You, don't be so ungrateful! 'Flying Colors' is a real leading role for you, with a lot of screen time and a big challenge. If you do a good job, it will be your masterpiece!"

"First Love" is a refreshing and innocent drama, which suits Gao Yuanyuan's current temperament. President Wang has his reasons for choosing actors. Your performance as Wang Xiaojia is more important than anything else!"

Fan Xiaopang may complain, but he knows exactly what's going on in his mind.

Wang Sheng's decisions are never questionable, and Li Tingting is right; she must now concentrate all her efforts on defeating Wang Xiaojia.

Seeing that Gao Yuanyuan, who was the same age and joined the company at the same time, was also having such a "smooth sailing" experience, she couldn't help but feel a little competitive and secretly vowed to strive for more and better resources in the future.

The production team for "A Little Thing Called First Love" was quickly assembled and filming was scheduled to begin on July 20.

Just as "Flying Colors" was making its final push and "First Love" was in full swing of preparation, the film market was also quietly changing.

The "free screening" of "Red Flag" by multiple partner cinemas across the country, strongly promoted by China Film Group, has yielded unexpectedly good results.

Every morning, many cinemas are packed with audiences.

There were cadres and employees organized by their work units, student groups who came spontaneously to receive patriotic education, and many middle-aged and elderly viewers who came because of word-of-mouth.

When that glorious era is recreated on the screen, showcasing the hardships ordinary people endured to ensure the smooth raising of the Republic's flag, the theater is often filled with faint sobs and spontaneous applause after the film ends.

The enthusiasm for watching movies ignited by "Red Flag" seems to have created a wonderful "traffic-driving" effect. Many viewers, after watching "Red Flag" in the morning, were still eager for more, or were attracted by the cinema's environment, so they simply stayed in the cinema and bought tickets for the afternoon showing.

The afternoon screenings featured upgraded versions of ten 16mm film television movies that Han Sanping had previously "requisitioned" from Wang Sheng, such as "Warm Sunshine in the Hutong," "The Vanished Piano Sound," and "Flying Against the Light."

These films are diverse in genre and of above-average quality. Although their production costs are not high, their stories are solid and their emotions are genuine, which fills the content gap left by the lack of imported films.

Some cinema managers initially had low expectations for the afternoon screenings, but surprisingly, driven by "Red Flag," ticket sales for the afternoon screenings were quite good, and the attendance rate steadily increased. Although it cannot be compared with the heyday of Hollywood blockbusters, it is a rare positive trend in the current market environment.

"President Han, data shows that in the past week, the average attendance rate for afternoon screenings of 'Red Flag' at participating cinemas offering free screenings has increased by 15 percent compared to last week!" In the office of China Film Group, a subordinate was reporting the latest market trends to Han Sanping.

Looking at the report, Han Sanping said, "It seems that Wang Sheng guessed right again."

Using mainstream themes to attract viewers and diverse domestic content to support them, this combination of strategies actually worked in a unique market environment.

This gave him more confidence in the market performance of subsequent projects under the "major market rescue plan".

Wang Sheng: I didn't think that much about it, it was just a coincidence...

……

The day finally came to July 10th.

The cast and crew of "Flying Colors" are filming their final scene—Wang Xiaojia stands at the university gate, looking back at the road she came from, while a voice-over plays.

The scene was filmed on location outside a university gate shaded by green trees.

Fan Xiaopang was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with a backpack on her back. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on her body.

She stood there, slowly turning her head, her gaze seemingly traveling through time and space, seeing that lost girl who once slept in the classroom, cried in the cram school, and ran in the rainy night.

Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions:感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings), 放然 (fàngrán, relieved), and 望望 (wàngwàng, boundless hope) for the future.

Without many expressions, the tranquility and strength emanating from within after the transformation were enough to touch people's hearts.

"Crack!"

Wang Sheng's voice came through the loudspeaker, still calm, but those familiar with him could detect a subtle hint of relaxation in it.

He stared at the monitor, watching the final shot of her turning back again. After confirming it was correct, he picked up the walkie-talkie and said in a deep voice:
"I hereby announce that filming for all scenes in 'Flying Colors' is complete! Filming wrapped!"

"oh--!"

After a brief silence, the set erupted in huge cheers and applause!
All the staff, whether they were stagehands, lighting technicians, photographers who had been working tirelessly for many days, or the equally exhausted actors, couldn't help but hug and high-five each other, releasing the pressure and fatigue that had been building up for so long.

Fan Xiaopang stood there, seemingly still caught up in the drama and the sudden joy, until the executive director, teacher Wang Zhiwen, teacher Song Dandan and others came over to congratulate her. Only then did she suddenly cover her mouth, and tears rolled down her cheeks without warning.

These aren't Wang Xiaojia's tears from the play; these are Fan Xiaopang's tears, a mixture of extreme exhaustion, the feeling of being drained after releasing immense pressure, and the ultimate joy of achieving a dream.

She endured over a month of hellish intensity! She completed the task assigned to her by Boss Wang, and she did not let this opportunity down!
Wang Sheng also came over, and seeing Fan Xiaopang crying his eyes out, a rare gentle expression appeared on his face.

"Why are you crying? You acted well." He patted Fan Xiaopang on the shoulder, his tone unusually affirmative. "Go back and get some rest, then prepare for your final exams. There's still promotional work to do."

This simple affirmation made Fan Xiaopang's tears flow even more fiercely, but his heart felt as sweet as if he had drunk honey.

All the hard work and dedication were worth it at this moment.

"Thank you, Director Wang!"

Fan Xiaopang hugged Wang Sheng tightly.

(End of this chapter)