Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 118 Another Form of Participation

He didn't just casually mention the collaboration.

Although Jackie Chan and Jet Li are getting older, they still have considerable influence, and their professional abilities are indeed top-notch.

If we can find a suitable project and collaborate, it will benefit everyone.

But there's no rush; we need to wait for a suitable script.

Liu Yifei stood to the side without saying a word. Only after Cheng Long and Li Lianjie left did she come over.

"Are you serious? You want to get them to make a movie?"

"Just chatting casually," Zhang Jun said. "It would be great if there were an opportunity, but there aren't any suitable projects right now."

Liu Yifei nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The two walked around the film set again, and Zhang Jun checked the time.

"That's enough, I have to go."

Liu Yifei was taken aback: "So fast?"

"There's a ton of work to be done on the publicity side."

Zhang Jun said, "You should focus on filming. We'll contact each other again when you get back to Beijing."

Liu Yifei nodded and saw Zhang Jun out.

As she reached the door, she suddenly said, "Zhang Jun, thank you for coming to see me."

Zhang Jun glanced back at her: "Don't be so polite. I'm leaving."

He waved and got into the car.

Liu Yifei stood there, watching the car disappear at the intersection, before slowly turning around and walking back.

The assistant approached: "Yifei, your mother is looking for you."

Liu Yifei nodded and walked towards Liu Xiaoli's room.

Pushing open the door, Liu Xiaoli was sitting on the sofa reading a script. Seeing her daughter enter, she looked up.

"Zhang Jun is gone?"

"Um."

Liu Xiaoli glanced at her daughter: "How is it?"

Liu Yifei was taken aback: "What? How?"

"Zhang Jun."

Liu Xiaoli put down the script: "How did your discussion go?"

Liu Yifei thought for a moment, then smiled: "That's good."

Looking at the smile on her daughter's face, Liu Xiaoli had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

She didn't ask any more questions, only saying, "Zhang Jun is a good person. Keep in touch."

Liu Yifei nodded, but in her heart she was thinking about the taste of the ice cream she had just eaten.

When Zhang Jun returned to Beijing, the promotion of "Bad Genius" was at its most intense stage.

With less than a month until the release, the publicity and distribution department staff are working overtime almost every day, and the office is piled with posters, materials and various plans.

When He Xuan saw Zhang Jun return, she immediately pulled him aside for a meeting.

"The publicity is going well."

He Xuan pointed to the data table: "Currently, pre-sales nationwide have exceeded eight million, with first-tier cities performing particularly well. Based on this trend, the box office in the first week should not be bad."

Zhang Jun nodded: "How's the online discussion going?"

"It's very lively."

He Xuan pulled up several web pages: "Look, there are more and more posts about 'Bad Genius' on Tieba and forums. Some people are guessing the plot, some are guessing the ending, and some have even analyzed every shot in the trailer."

Zhang Jun flipped through it and found it to be exactly as she had said.

One post was titled: "What exactly is Zhang Jun going to film this time? I'm even more confused after watching the trailer."

The original poster wrote in the post: "At first I thought it was going to be a gunfight movie, but it turned out to be a subject matter. After watching the trailer, I realized that this is not a simple cheating, but a large-scale organized and premeditated case."

Can anyone tell me what this is about?

The comments below have already gone through more than ten pages.

Some guessed it was "students rebelling against the education system," some guessed it was "a thrilling movie where the protagonist's intelligence is crushed," and others guessed it was "a suspenseful crime film."

There are all sorts of conflicting opinions.

In another post, someone analyzed the shots in the trailer frame by frame.

"Look closely at this shot; the female lead's hands are trembling, which shows she's very nervous. The next shot shows the male lead's expression, which is very calm."

These two people are in completely opposite states; there must be a story between them.

"And there's this scene: the female lead is in the bathroom, and there's a mirror on the wall. There seems to be a figure in the mirror, just flashing by."

Look closely, is there someone there?

Zhang Jun couldn't help but laugh as he looked at these analyses.

Sometimes, the audience's imagination is even richer than that of the screenwriter.

He Xuan said from the side, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. China Film Group contacted me, saying that several media outlets want to interview you and asked if you could arrange a time."

Zhang Jun thought for a moment and said, "Let's decline. We won't accept any interviews before the release. Saying anything now would just be spoilers. It's better to let the audience see it for themselves."

He Xuan nodded: "Okay, I'll go and refuse."

She paused, then added, "There's one more thing. Director Zhang sent me a message."

Zhang Jun looked up: "What do you mean?"

"The organizing committee thinks you're too young and not suitable to be the assistant director directly."

He Xuan said, "However, they agreed to let you participate in the preparatory meetings for the opening and closing ceremonies, so you can provide your opinions."

It's equivalent to an advisor, but without a formal title.

Zhang Jun's expression didn't change much after hearing this.

He had actually anticipated this outcome.

The Olympic Games opening ceremony is a national-level event, and everyone involved must undergo rigorous selection.

For a young director in his early twenties like him, even with Zhang Yi's recommendation, it's really unrealistic to expect him to directly become an assistant director.

Being qualified to attend the meeting is already quite an achievement.

"When is the meeting?" Zhang Jun asked.

"There's one next Friday."

He Xuan said, "It was just a routine meeting, mainly to discuss several alternative plans."

Zhang Jun nodded: "Okay, I'll go then."

At the preparatory meeting at the end of May, Zhang Jun arrived on time.

There were more than twenty people in the conference room, including the director, the stage designer, and several representatives from relevant departments.

Zhang Yi was sitting in the main seat. When he saw Zhang Jun come in, he nodded to him.

After the meeting began, Zhang Yi first introduced the current progress, and then asked everyone to discuss the theme and direction of the opening ceremony.

Some have suggested that the focus should be on showcasing traditional Chinese culture, using elements such as terracotta warriors, chime bells, and calligraphy to demonstrate five thousand years of accumulated civilization to the world.

This proposal received considerable support.

Some have suggested incorporating modern elements to showcase the achievements since the reform and opening up.

After discussing for a while, Zhang Yi looked at Zhang Jun and asked, "Zhang Jun, what do you think?"

Zhang Jun thought for a moment and said, "Traditional culture must be showcased, as it is our root. But I feel that we cannot only showcase the past."

Zhang Yi gestured for him to continue.

Zhang Jun said, "The Olympics is a grand event for the future. Billions of people around the world are watching us. We not only want them to know that China has a history of five thousand years, but also to see China's vision for the future."

"What do you imagine for the future?" someone asked.

"right."

Zhang Jun said, "For example, technological elements, the yearning for a better life, and the courage for humanity to face the future together. These are things that the whole world can understand and resonate with."

He paused, then said, "My idea is that the opening ceremony could have a main theme, moving from tradition to modernity, and finally looking to the future."

This approach combines the weight of history with the vigor of the times, while also leaving room for the imagination.

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Some people nodded, while others jotted something down in their notebooks.

After listening, Zhang Yimou seemed to be deep in thought.

That makes sense.

He said, "We should not only showcase the past, but also express our beautiful vision for the future. This idea can be further developed."

He looked at the recorder: "Make a note of this, so we can elaborate on it next time we discuss it."

The recorder nodded and wrote in his notebook: "Traditional culture + future imagination".

The meeting lasted another hour, during which some specific issues were discussed. After the meeting adjourned, Zhang Yi called Zhang Jun over.

"You spoke well today."

Zhang Yi said, "Although we couldn't get you into the crew this time, there will be many more opportunities in the future. You're young, and you have a long road ahead of you."

Zhang Jun nodded: "Thank you, Director Zhang."

Zhang Yi patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, go do your thing. 'Bad Genius' is coming out soon, right? I wish you great box office success."

""

Zhang Jun smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words."

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