Returning to the 82 Mountain Village: An Encounter with the Journey to the West Film Crew at the Beg

After listening to Lao Han's questions, the excitement of the several masters gradually faded, turning into concerns or disappointment.

Another experienced craftsman added:

"We need a large quantity of these props, so we have to consider the practicalities."

After careful consideration, Zhou Fangyuan realized that this was indeed the case.

I was only thinking about the texture and ignored the harsh environment and material compatibility of the actual shooting.

He looked at the wooden fruit blank that Xiao Zhang was carving in detail in his hand. The lines were smooth, and it was already beginning to resemble the plump appearance of a fairy fruit.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"The masters are right, we need to consider everything carefully."

He first acknowledged the master craftsman's concerns, then pointed to the wooden blank and continued:

"Look, Comrade Xiao Zhang's wood carving is actually the best. It's light, stable in shape, and easy to carve in detail."

Our challenge lies in the final appearance and texture. So, could we... use wood as the core, then pour on a layer of wax? And finally brush on some latex?

If you're worried about problems from direct contact between the wax and latex, let's test it on a scrap first!

After he finished speaking, the masters still frowned, and he looked around:

"We have methods we can try. Even if they don't work, it's better than just worrying and being helpless. We have to try, right?"

Old Han clearly felt that this method was still a bit risky and wanted to say something more.

At that moment, a hand draped over his shoulder and pulled him back.

"Old Han," Team Leader Xiao said calmly.

"Back in Lengshuijiang, it was raining heavily and the roads were difficult to travel, so we almost couldn't film. It was his idea that worked."

He's right, worrying won't help; we have to try different approaches.

Old Xiao then turned to Zhou Fangyuan, his tone carrying encouragement and a hint of entrustment.

"Xiao Zhou, can you really borrow Old Wang's special latex? Then go and give it a try. I'll send someone to buy suitable wax materials."

He thought for a moment and then added, "When you go to borrow it, just say... you're borrowing it for our film crew's art department and props department together. Maybe then Old Wang will have a better chance of getting it."

If we really can't borrow it... well, there's nothing we can do. We'll think of another way, okay?

He gently patted Zhou Fangyuan on the shoulder, as if to say: Young man, it's up to you now.

Zhou Fangyuan felt this trust and nodded solemnly: "Understood, Team Leader Xiao. I'll go give it a try right away."

He then left the noisy art studio and went straight to the makeup room of the TV station building.

When they arrived, they found that the people working there were no longer the film crew, but another production crew doing makeup tests.

I asked around and found out that Mr. Wang's work on this project had ended and he had returned to the Beijing Film Studio. His main creative base is still at the Beijing Film Studio.

"Beijing Film Studio..."

Zhou Fangyuan recalled that Wang Lao had mentioned in a casual conversation that Zhang Jinlai had gone to the Beijing Film Studio to find him to be the new face model for Sun Wukong.

Yes, find Jin!

After thanking him, Zhou Fangyuan quickly returned to the guesthouse and went straight to Zhang Jinlai's room.

The door was closed, so he raised his hand and knocked.

A strained reply came from inside: "...Who is it? Just a moment..."

Then came the sound of chairs moving and hurried footsteps.

The door opened, and Zhang Jinlai poked his head out, his face bearing the alert expression of Sun Wukong, clearly having been practicing.

"Fang Yuan? What's wrong?" Zhang Jinlai asked, his eyes quickly switching from "Monkey King Mode" back to his usual shyness.

"Jin Lai, I need your help, it's urgent."

Zhou Fangyuan stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and lowered his voice.

"We need to hurry to Beijing Film Studio to find Teacher Wang. Our crew is stuck making the ginseng fruit prop and we need to borrow his specially mixed latex to fix it."

He briefly explained the difficulties he had encountered and his experimental idea of ​​"wax shell plus latex skin".

Upon hearing that it was about the play, Zhang Jinlai's shyness vanished instantly, and his eyes became serious.

Without saying a word, he picked up his usual small bag:

"Come on! Old Wang has a dressing room at the Beijing Film Studio where he often stays. I know it well, I'll take you there! Uh... the shuttle bus just left..."

Zhou Fangyuan decisively replied, "Take the bus! Do you know which number to take?"

Zhang Jinlai slapped his forehead: "Right, right, take the bus! We'll have to transfer, but I know the route! Let's hurry to the station!"

The two jogged out of the guesthouse compound and arrived at the nearby bus stop.

There were already some people waiting for the train on the platform.

Zhang Jinlai craned his neck to look in the direction of the oncoming car, constantly reciting the route, afraid that he would forget it.

After waiting a few minutes, the bus clattered into the station.

The two squeezed onto the bus with the flow of people; the buses here are always very crowded, no matter when.

This time, Zhang Jinlai was completely different from usual! He tried his best to protect Zhou Fangyuan and squeeze in!

But he failed... Zhou Fangyuan still managed to pull him to a corner where he could barely stand.

As the car traveled through the streets of Beijing, the wind whistled past my ears, and the locust tree leaves along the roadside were washed a vibrant green by yesterday's rain.

It swayed and wobbled, stopping and starting intermittently.

With that authentic announcement, the two struggled to get off the bus, and waited for an old-fashioned bus to arrive, which brought another round of crowding and bumping.

"We're here...we're here!" Zhang Jinlai breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"This way, Old Master Wang's dressing room is in that red brick building at the back."

The factory area is more artistic than the CCTV compound, and you can see people carrying drawing boards, equipment, or wearing various costumes walking by everywhere.

Zhang Jinlai was indeed familiar with the place. He showed his ID to the gatekeeper, explained his purpose, and led Zhou Fangyuan straight to a red brick building that looked quite old.

The corridor inside the building was spacious but slightly dim, with some discarded set pieces and props piled up against the walls.

"This is it. If Old Wang doesn't go out, he usually stays in this room."

Zhang Jinlai stopped in front of a wooden door with peeling paint. A sign on the door read "Makeup Lab".

The door was ajar, and just as the two were about to knock, they heard a conversation coming from inside.

"Sent-down youth don't have so many rules," Wang Xichong said gently.

"Your face is pretty, but if it's too delicate, it won't suit the character."

Listen to me, just use that box of ochre oil paint, lightly sweep on a layer, like it's been weathered by wind and sun.

The woman's voice that answered was clear and crisp, with a slight Sichuan accent, and her tone had a serious edge.

"Teacher Wang, I'm worried that this color will make the character look old. After all, the character is only nineteen years old and is a student who has just come to the countryside."

Hearing that the conversation inside seemed to have come to an end, Zhang Jin looked at Zhou Fangyuan and, after receiving a reassuring look, raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in," came Old Wang's voice.

Zhang Jinlai pushed open the door, and that familiar mixed smell wafted towards him.

There stood Old Wang, holding a fine paintbrush in his hand.

Hearing the sound, Liu Xiaoqing, who was sitting in front of the mirror, turned her head slightly. Her makeup was almost finished, which made her bright eyes even more attractive.

A trace of the focused concentration he had just maintained while preparing for the role remained in his eyes.

"Teacher Wang," Zhang Jinlai called softly, standing somewhat awkwardly at the door, afraid of disturbing the makeup process.

Zhou Fangyuan followed behind him and also gave a respectful salute.

Old Wang was somewhat surprised to see the two of them, but his expression quickly relaxed and he broke into a smile.

"Jin Laifangyuan, what are you two doing here?"

Liu Xiaoqing also turned around completely, curiously examining the two young people who had suddenly barged in.