I really don't want to make bad movies!

When I returned to Beijing Film Academy, the school gate was already surrounded by media outlets of all sizes.

Although it has been almost a month since the release of Atlantic Rim 2, the film's popularity has not diminished at all.

A group of self-media outlets, represented by Sun and Moon Commentary, have been continuously releasing videos online, keeping the film's popularity burning like a sacred flame.

Celebrities Wang Yuan and Ju Jingyi were also relentlessly criticized for a month, with almost every blogger finding an angle to attack their performances.

This is the inevitable trend of traffic generation. Attacking these two people generates traffic, and self-media will produce videos in large quantities.

Online self-media outlets are happy to use the two celebrities as traffic drivers, while major film and television media outlets are more concerned about Xia Ming's actions.

Major media outlets such as "Jinghai Film and Television News", "Maoyan Film Review" and "DB Film Review" tend to focus their attention on the director.

Their content is not only for entertainment audiences, but also for industry news and analysis within the film and television industry.

As soon as Xia Ming got out of the car, he saw Lu Chuan standing at the school gate being interviewed by Jinghai Film and Television.

"The biggest difference between me and Xia Ming is that I strive to improve, while he willingly succumbs to depravity!"

Lu Chuan was still wearing small glasses, and although her tone wasn't exactly indignant, she was still quite assertive.

"849 Bureau" represents a transformation and compromise for me towards commercial films. Although it did not gain market recognition, I can honestly say that I have invested every penny I have earned over the years into the advancement of domestic commercial films.

"As for Xia Ming, whether he embezzled funds or not, I can't say for sure."

Several reporters thrust their microphones forward, pressing for answers: "What do you think of the recent online sensation 'Sun and Moon Commentary' on your film? He thinks you could have died right after filming 'Kekexili,' so you could still get a distinguished alumnus title at the Beijing Film Academy."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chuan's face trembled with anger, and her words stammered: "I've seen his videos! What kind of discernment can a blogger who specializes in making videos of bad movies have? If any viewers believe his opinions, that would be a tragedy for our domestic film and television industry!"

"It's precisely because of filmmakers like Xia Ming who produce terrible movies that low-quality content bloggers like Riyue Jieshuo have a space to survive!"

Birds of a feather flock together!

Halfway through his speech, he abruptly changed the subject, beginning to criticize his new film: "I hope everyone will pay more attention to my new film, 'Treading on Snow Without a Trace'..."

"Hey! It's Director Xia! Director Xia is here!"

Before he had even finished playing the game, the media spotted Xia Ming getting out of the car.

Xia Ming is currently enjoying immense popularity, so the media naturally flocks to him immediately, and no one pays attention to Lu Chuan's new movie.

"Director Xia! Is it true that you monopolized power within the production team and colluded with investors to suppress two up-and-coming actors?"

"Director Xia, the film was advertised with a budget of nearly 100 million yuan during its marketing campaign. Where did the funds actually go?"

"Director Xia, some people say you maliciously altered the script because Ju Jingyi didn't comply. Is this just a baseless rumor?"

Xia Ming was stunned for a moment, not expecting the rumors to become more and more outrageous.

He waved his hand and calmly replied, "In a couple of days, I will respond to all the recent questions on the 'Hello Director' program, which is jointly hosted by Tencent and iQiyi. Please stay tuned."

The sound of camera flashes rang out, and several reporters immediately jotted down the program's name and time in their notebooks, ready to ask the next question.

"Disperse! Disperse, everyone!"

At this moment, several teachers in suits walked out of the school gate, along with a group of security guards, and forcibly dispersed the group of reporters.

"Teacher Luo, what brings you out?"

The person in the lead was Luo Hong, and Xia Ming smiled and bowed to him.

"If I hadn't come out, how long would you have been surrounded by these reporters?" Luo Hong sighed, leading Xia Ming into the school while waving to Lu Chuan beside her.

When the three returned to the directing department's office, they found Professor Xie Fei already sitting inside.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Lu Chuan beamed with joy upon seeing Xie Fei, walked up to him, squatted down, and took Professor Xie's aged hand.

Xie Fei adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, nodded slightly to Lu Chuan, and gestured for Xia Ming to sit down next to him.

"You two are both students at Beijing Film Academy, but lately you've been causing the school a lot of trouble, it's really giving me a headache!"

Xie Fei gripped the teacup, his tone calm, but his features were contorted in a grimace.

"One of you made 'Bureau 849,' and the other made some 'Atlantic Rim 2.' Ugh, it's really ridiculous!"

"Teacher Xie, I'm not like him!" Lu Chuan hurriedly clarified, "I have a body of work to show for myself! But everyone makes mistakes, and I'll definitely polish my next film carefully."

Xia Ming glanced at him and chuckled, "Did you say the same thing in your last book, 'Chronicles of the Demon Tower'?"

"you!"

Not wanting to lose face in front of Xie Fei, Lu Chuan argued, "Overall, my film 'Bureau 849' is a decent commercial film. It has a complete three-part structure, and the characters' emotions have ups and downs. It was just that it was misled by those unscrupulous media outlets online!"

"Alright, alright." Xie Fei was too lazy to listen to this and directly raised his hand to interrupt him: "I believe you are all capable directors, but don't forget the original intention of making movies."

He opened the drawer at his workstation, took out two posters, and handed them to the two men respectively.

"There's a desert film festival in the middle of the year, and I've signed you both up. I hope you'll work on a good film for the competition."

"Xia Ming, you've been causing quite a stir lately. I've applied for a six-month leave of absence for you. Make good use of this time to seriously film a movie and try to win an award at the film festival."

Xie Fei looked at Xia Ming earnestly: "You are missing all your credits, but as long as you can win an award at a major film festival, you can graduate smoothly."

Xia Ming took the poster, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Xie Fei valued Xia Ming's talent and knew that Xia Ming was indeed very capable, which is why he recommended him to try out at the film festival.

If he wins the award, he can say some good things about Xia Ming, which will not only improve Xia Ming's reputation but also help him graduate smoothly.

Having a degree is always better than not having one.

"Thank you, Teacher Xie!" Xia Ming bowed and walked out of the office with the poster in his hand.

"Junior, we'll see at the film festival then."

Lu Chuan followed him out, waving the poster in her hand, her face beaming with an undisguised smile.

In his view, this was not only an opportunity given by Xie Fei, but also a contest between fellow disciples.

Unlike Xia Ming, Lu Chuan has won numerous honors, including the Golden Lion, Golden Horse, and the Tokyo International Film Festival Jury Prize, so he certainly has the right to look down on Xia Ming.

Xia Ming only directed two movies, both of which were universally panned flops.

"Junior, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Seeing that Xia Ming was completely ignoring her, Lu Chuan hurriedly stepped forward and called out to him.

"What's wrong?" Xia Ming frowned slightly; he had to rush to attend the interview rehearsal.

"We're fellow disciples, shouldn't we place a bet on each other when we participate in the sect competition?" Lu Chuan's eyes flickered as he glanced around from time to time.

"A prize?"

Seeing Xia Ming stop, Lu Chuan quickened her pace and continued, "I heard from Director Jiang that you're very good at writing scripts? If I win, how about you give me a script?"

"Let's compare the awards at the Desert Film Festival, the gold, silver, and bronze jury awards; whoever ranks higher wins."

Xia Ming asked doubtfully, "If you want the script, you can buy it from me. Director Lu doesn't seem like someone who's short of money."

Lu Chuan flicked her wrist and lowered her voice, saying, "This is what I mean: put my name on the script you gave me."

Xia Ming raised an eyebrow, understanding his meaning: "You want me to be a ghostwriter?"

Lu Chuan wrote and directed both "Ten-Story Demon Tower" and "Bureau 849," clearly indicating that he needed a good script to wash away the humiliation.

"Hey! Don't talk nonsense! What gunman?" Lu Chuan winked at Xia Ming. "I, Lu, am a kind-hearted person. If you win, junior, I'll grant you any request!"

It was obvious that Lu Chuan didn't think Xia Ming could win at all.

Xia Ming directed two films that were both terrible, and the only web series with some reputation was produced by Jiang Wen.

Lu Chuan was well aware of Jiang Wen's strength, so he didn't take Xia Ming seriously.

"Any request?" Xia Ming became interested.

"I will never break my promise!" Lu Chuan patted his chest and guaranteed.

"Okay, see you at the film festival."

After agreeing to the bet with Lu Chuan, Xia Ming took a taxi to Jinghai Science and Technology Park.

Tencent and iQiyi set up a huge studio here for a live interview two days later.

With a massive audience for "Atlantic Rim 2," millions of netizens are waiting for Xia Ming's public response. The two video platform giants are also open to a short-term collaboration, where everyone can make money together.

Huang Xuke was in charge of the live stream, while He Junyan was responsible for promotion and publicity.

Xia Ming and the host went over the script, rehearsed repeatedly, and confirmed that there were no problems with the equipment on site.

Thanks to Tencent's strong promotion, the highly anticipated director interview was finally broadcast online two days later in a live stream.