Huayu02 started by making films.

Du Zhe looked up and grinned, "I stayed up late online last night, sorry Yi-ge."

Han Yi waved his hand: "Stop playing your stupid Legend game all day and get up. I'm going to shoot a short film, and you'll be the one to carry the camera for me."

Upon hearing "carry a camera," Du Zhe immediately perked up, flipping over and leaping down from the upper bunk, repeatedly asking:

"Really? Yi-ge, that's amazing! What kind of subject matter are you filming? Do you have a script?"

Not everyone at film school gets the chance to make films or act.

Many people think that getting into the school is just the beginning, but they don't realize that the four years at school are the closest they get to this circle.

Han Yi briefly explained the whole story, then patted him heavily on the shoulder: "Old Du, let's discuss this carefully. I'll provide the funding and the script, and we'll borrow the camera from the school."

You figure out what camera model and film to use; I'll handle the props and set management. We may be small, but we'll have everything we need."

Du Zhe clenched his fist, flexing his biceps to show off: "Don't worry, Yi-ge, these arms of mine aren't for nothing. I guarantee they won't let you down!"

Han Yi smiled and took out the script from his schoolbag. He had been working on it during his winter break, writing a short film and a feature film, both of which were aimed at winning awards.

He pulled out the thinner book and handed it to Du Zhe.

Du Zhe took it and looked at the cover: "I'm glad you're dead now."

This is a film that won the Palme d'Or in the 2025 Cannes Short Film category.

The film is about fifteen minutes long, with only three characters and extremely simple settings: one indoor and one by the sea, totaling two scenes.

Du Zhe made himself a packet of instant noodles, slurping them down while flipping through his notebook: "The title, 'I'm Glad You're Dead Now,' is kind of interesting. But Yi-ge, are there any inappropriate scenes in it?"

Han Yi shook his head: "How could that be? You know our censorship standards..."

"The first indoor scene is easy; we can shoot it in a nearby house. The problem is the second scene,"

Du Zhe finished his noodles in a few bites, wiped his mouth, pointed at the script, and said, "We need to shoot on location, and we need to find a pier by the sea. Beijing only has Beihai Park, and Shichahai is just a ditch. How are we going to do that?"

"I've already thought it through," Han Yi shrugged.

"Rent a Chang'an car, take everyone and equipment to Tianjin Port. One day is enough to finish filming."

"That's good!" Du Zhe immediately perked up. "We'll use the ARRI 535 from the department for the camera, and the film will be directly from Kodak."

Han Yi mentally calculated: "One roll is 400 feet long, enough for four or five minutes of filming. Considering washing, wear and tear, and spares... six rolls should be enough."

He asked Du Zhe, "By the way, what's the internal price for film rolls that the school gives to students?"

"The market price is four thousand, but students can buy it from the school for three thousand five."

"Six volumes would cost 21,000, and that doesn't even include other expenses."

Han Yi sighed softly, "Indeed, art is something only the wealthy can afford."

Du Zhe sighed, "There's nothing we can do. We study camera operation in class every day, but we haven't even touched a whole roll of film yet."

He flipped back to the script, then suddenly remembered something: "Where are the actors? In this play, the father 'dies unexpectedly,' and the male lead puts the body in a coffin. The second male lead is his younger brother. Both brothers were abused by their father since childhood, and the younger brother is even somewhat mentally unstable from the abuse. These two roles are very important. Are our acting students up to the task?"

"I already have someone in my heart." Han Yi patted him on the shoulder.

"Go to the department and recruit two able-bodied men to compile a prop list according to the script. Then ask around about the cost of renting a house for a day and gather all the props you can. I'm going to find Teacher Dai now."

"I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Du Zhe suddenly stood up and even gave a proper salute.

Han Yi was amused by him. What a bright and passionate college student! So easy to fool; he hadn't even asked him for the money yet.

"Alright, come with me to the bank to withdraw the money first."

Han Yi stood up. "Renting a place, renting a car, buying props—which of these doesn't cost money?"

As they talked, the two walked toward a bank near the school.

The bank opened at 1 p.m., and when Han Yi arrived, the security guard had just opened the door.

He went in and took out a full 30,000 yuan, carefully dividing it into three parts: 21,000 yuan was neatly put into his schoolbag, ready to go back to school to buy film from the teacher; 5,000 yuan was given to Du Zhe to be responsible for purchasing props, renting a house and a car; and he kept the remaining 4,000 yuan on him as reserve funds and payment.

After parting ways with Du Zhe at the bank entrance, Han Yi walked quickly back to the school and went straight to the teachers' office building.

The aroma of tea filled Professor Dai's office as he sat chatting with Professor Yuan Jiaping from the Photography Department.

Han Yi knocked lightly on the door and then pushed it open to enter.

"Teacher Dai, I have prepared the budget and script." Han Yi handed over the materials in his hand, his voice clear and bright.

Teacher Dai put down his teacup and took the documents: "You finished so quickly? It seems you really intend to make the film." He said as he looked down and flipped through the documents.

Teacher Yuan Jiaping, who was standing next to him, also looked up and sized up Han Yi, and asked with great interest:

"Is this the student you told me was going to emulate Section Chief Jia?"

"Hello, Teacher Yuan."

Han Yi greeted him. This professor and master's supervisor in the photography department was a big name in the industry; he was the chief cinematographer for the 08 Olympic Games documentary.

"Hello, Han Yi," Yuan Jiaping replied with a smile.

By this time, Teacher Dai had finished reading the script and handed it to Yuan Jiaping, while he picked up the budget sheet himself.

A short while later, Yuan Jiaping finished reading the script, and Teacher Dai handed him the budget sheet.

A moment later, he looked up and asked bluntly, "Han Yi, you want to use that ARRI computer in our department, right?"

Han Yi nodded shyly, "Professor Yuan, I not only want to use the equipment, but I also want to find a photographer from our department. You know Du Zhe, right? I've already spoken to him."

Yuan Jiaping laughed loudly: "You little rascal! Even if you don't need students from our department, do you think I'll refuse to lend you my equipment?"

His laughter was hearty, and his tone revealed a hint of satisfaction.

Teacher Dai put down his teacup and continued, "I've read the script, and there aren't any major problems. The budget is also very detailed. But what are your plans regarding the actors?"

Although I'm from the Beijing Film Academy, I don't take sides. The two main characters in your script—the people in our acting department really aren't good enough.

"I would like to invite Jiang Wen and Jiang Wu."

Han Yi calmly uttered the two names. The office fell silent instantly; both teachers were taken aback, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

After a long while, Yuan Jiaping slowly spoke: "Are you sure you're not joking? You want to hire these two for such a low-budget short film? Putting aside the salary, can you even keep them in check on set?"

Jiang Wu is alright; he's steady and a cultured man. But Jiang Wen is a notorious troublemaker. Aren't you afraid of ending up like Lu Taro from the directing department, being sidelined on set?

Teacher Dai added from the side, "Yes, Han Yi, you heard about what happened to the 'Looking for a Gun' crew before the New Year, right? Lu Taro originally planned to finish filming before the Spring Festival, but Jiang Wen kept making changes to the script on set, and in the end, Lu Taro went home crying alone."

Han Yi certainly knew about this. The film "Looking for a Gun," which is set to be released this May Day, is nominally Lu Taro's directorial debut, but everyone in the industry knows the truth: the real director of that film is Jiang Wen.

Rumors circulated that Lu Taro was "taken over" by Jiang Wen on set and was so aggrieved that he called Huayi Brothers, the investor, to complain. The other party only replied, "Whether it's born of a biological mother or raised by a stepmother, your name will be on the credits in the end."