I really don't want to make bad movies!

It was nearly ten o'clock when Xia Ming left the campus theater.

He had a late-night snack with Jiang Xixi, and then returned to his dormitory alone.

While walking, he wanted to check his phone to reply to messages, but when he took it out, he realized it was out of battery.

Perfect timing, let's take this opportunity to make some plans for the future.

The value of "The Big Hornet" has been almost fully exploited, so we need to find other ways to make money.

He currently has 700,000 yuan in his bank account. In a few days, the number of views for the "Big Hornet" video will reach its daily limit, and he should be able to earn another 500,000 yuan.

"One million two hundred thousand, it's not a lot, but it's not a small amount either."

Xia Ming recalled the movies that were about to be released, but it seemed there weren't many he could piggyback on.

Looking further ahead, the most anticipated film is probably "Pacific Rim 2: Uprising" at the end of the year.

Although Pacific Rim 1 had only moderate box office performance, its reputation continued to grow after its release, making it a pinnacle of the mecha and monster genre.

Countless movie fans are eagerly awaiting the second installment.

This traffic is huge, I have to take advantage of it!

Moreover, we need to find a way to release the film in theaters, and not just limit it to online movies.

Only movie theaters can make big money!

They need to make money to film "Interstellar"!

It's just that the time isn't right yet.

Filming a pirated version of "Atlantic Rim 2," including special effects, could be completed in a month at most.

There's still a six-month gap; how can I make money?

After thinking it over, Xia Ming quickly thought of his senior, Huang Xuke.

Now that we've already connected with iQiyi, why not make an online movie to earn some extra money?

But he soon began to question this idea.

The online film market is simply too small.

Even if the film is very successful, it will be limited by the market and won't make much money.

Xia Ming paused, his gaze fixed on the two girls in front of him.

They sat under the tree, chatting and laughing as they watched the show together.

Xia Ming immediately had an idea.

How about... making a web series?

Unlike online movies, web series have the feature of being updated continuously, which can maximize the sales of video websites' memberships.

Such as exclusive episodes for members, early access for members, and exemption from in-show gags for members.

Xia Ming immediately recalled several web dramas that were popular in his previous life but had not yet been created on Earth.

The web series "Detective Chinatown".

Day and Night.

"The Swindler"

Upon closer examination, the first two films have large budgets, so they are not being considered.

The last film, "The Swindler," was shot on a low budget by college students, with costumes, props, and even sets provided by the students themselves.

Ultimately, it gained popularity due to its compelling storyline.

It's a pity that if it could have secured investment in the first season and upgraded the costumes, props, and filming equipment, the show would definitely have been even more popular.

Xia Ming has some funds at hand and also possesses master-level camera skills. With a little polishing, he can definitely make this web series shine.

With his future plans settled in mind, Xia Ming quickened his pace.

I'll start preparing the script when I get home tonight!

I bought two small bottles of sweetened water at the supermarket on my way to the dormitory. As soon as I got to the dormitory building, I saw a familiar figure standing at the door, chatting with the dormitory supervisor.

"Huh? Senior?"

Upon closer inspection, it was Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun saw Xia Ming return at that moment and slapped his thigh.

"Finally, you're here! Your roommate said you went to see a movie with your girlfriend. I was really worried you wouldn't even come back to the dorm tonight!"

"Your phone is off, it's so hard to find you!"

"What's the rush?" Xia Ming asked, puzzled. "My phone died, sorry, senior."

Zhang Jun waved his hand: "It's nothing. Actually, my master thinks you have a lot of potential and wants to give you a job opportunity."

"Your master?"

Just then, the sound of a stool scraping against the floor came from the guardhouse, and a middle-aged man with graying temples walked out, wearing a pair of glasses that weren't too thick.

He walked up to Xia Ming, smiling and extending his hand: "Nice to meet you, my name is Zhou Yi."

Xia Ming bent down and extended his hand, recognizing the other person as a teacher, and added a respectful greeting: "Hello, Teacher Zhou."

Zhou Yi chuckled and looked Xia Ming up and down. Suddenly, he sighed, "Truly, new talents emerge in every generation. At your age, you've already mastered the art of storytelling with such skill. You're destined to be a grandmaster."

"How about you consider transferring to our photography department?"

Xia Ming was somewhat taken aback.

Why are you extending an olive branch right from the start?

"Teacher Zhou, I still want to be a director."

"It's okay. Who says a cinematography major can't become a director? In fact, the true path to directing lies with cinematography majors!"

"Teacher Zhou, did you come here specifically to talk about this?"

Zhou Yi's expression stiffened, and he couldn't continue poaching people. He cleared his throat and continued, "Not exactly. I came to see you today specifically to see the original footage of your film 'The Big Hornet,' and then I have a job to introduce to you."

"Work?"

Xia Ming asked in confusion, "What kind of work is so urgent that you, Teacher Zhou, have to make this trip in person?"

Zhou Yi: "How about this, let me see the footage of 'The Big Hornet' first, and then we can sit down and talk about it slowly."

Xia Ming checked the time; it was already 10:30 p.m.

The fact that a teacher could wait so late downstairs at the dormitory suggests it must be an important job.

Without further ado, he went upstairs to get his camera and power bank, then returned downstairs.

The dormitory supervisor went outside to cool off, leaving the guardhouse empty for a few people to chat in.

With Xia Ming's help, Zhou Yi found the original footage of that one-shot scene.

There was no Yang Kai's over-the-top greeting, nor any interference from poor-quality sound effects.

He finally got to see the entire sequence in one take for the first time.

After reading it, Zhou Yi's lips unconsciously curled into a smile, and he nodded repeatedly in admiration:

"Subjective perspective! Such a solid subjective perspective! If you had a reliable script, excellent editing skills, and high-quality props, this shot could be absolutely legendary!"

Xia Ming's eyes darted around, unsure whether he should say it or not, that he had incorporated all the terrible effects himself.

Otherwise, how could they have made such an epic disaster with a score of 3.1?

"Truly, the student surpasses the master."

Zhou Yi reluctantly put down the camera, placed his hands on his knees, and carefully chose his words before speaking:

"Regarding work, a film crew is currently in the planning stages, and the producer has contacted Professor Zhao Fei from our school, looking for a few cinematographers."

"Professor Zhao Fei and my mentor Xie Fei are good friends. After several discussions, they decided to give my student a chance."

At this point, Zhou Yi glanced at Zhang Jun and sighed, "Unfortunately, my student's photography skills are limited."

"I didn't want my mentor to think that I hadn't mentored any new talent in the past few years, so I thought of you."

Xia Ming understood.

Zhou Yi seems to be a traditionalist, and he's trying to impress people by bringing him along.

No wonder they extended an olive branch to me earlier.

"What kind of job? Cameraman?"

"No, no, no." Zhou Yi waved his hand. "Although your filming skills are excellent, that's a big production crew. How could you possibly be the cameraman? You'd just be a camera assistant. Maybe in the mechanical department, or maybe in focus or measurement."

Upon hearing that he wasn't filming, Xia Ming's interest immediately waned considerably.

He already has Hitchcock's master-level lenses; it would be difficult for him to improve his skills even if he became a photography assistant.

The meager salary of a photography assistant is better spent shooting a web series during the summer vacation.

"Their film crew is in a rush, that's why I came to find you overnight."

Zhou Yi tapped his knees lightly, thinking about how to persuade Xia Ming: "Although it's not a directing-related job, it's still a rare learning opportunity, isn't it? Many people want to join Jiang Wen's crew but don't have the chance yet."

"That's Jiang Wen! Countless children of high-ranking officials would kill to get a promotion from him, but he doesn't even consider them!"

Upon hearing a familiar name, Xia Ming couldn't help but ask, "Whose film crew is this?"

"Jiang Wen."

"What are you filming?"

After a moment's recollection, recalling the details her mentor had given her, Zhou Yi replied, "They wanted to find several photographers who focused on storytelling to remake Mr. Ma's novel, 'Ten Records of Night Pools.'"

"The title seems to be tentative, something like 'Let the Bullets Fly'?"