The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

Two hours later.

Outside the Beijing Film Academy, in a quiet teahouse private room.

Li Xu arrived ten minutes early and chose a window seat.

Bamboo shadows sway outside the window, while the aroma of tea wafts through the room.

Ten minutes later, the door was pushed open.

"Sizzle~"

Mu Deyuan, the head of the photography department at Beijing Film Academy, walked in first, followed by an elderly man with gray hair and a sprightly demeanor.

Li Xu was startled. He was just making a movie and assembling a small team. It was one thing for Mu Deyuan, the department head, to be here, but how come this pillar of the Beijing Film Academy was also here?

He quickly stood up to greet them: "Professor Mu, Professor Zheng."

"Sit down, don't be so formal."

Mu Deyuan smiled and gestured with his hand, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

"You kid, that shot of Yili is really beautiful. Not only is Yili satisfied, but the audience is also satisfied, and we old guys are also very pleased to see it. You truly deserve to be an outstanding student from our Beijing Film Academy's photography department."

"Your boyfriend has become incredibly popular lately, and I've received a lot of phone calls because of him."

"You've retreated into your little world, oblivious to winter, summer, spring, and autumn. You've certainly found peace and quiet, while they've transferred their ties to our Beijing Film Academy."

As he spoke, Mu Deyuan pointed to the old man beside him:

"I heard you're currently preparing to shoot a movie, starring Liu Yifei."

"Professor Zheng happened to be having tea at my place today, and we were talking about this. He said he'd come over to check it out. You've got some influence, kid."

Zheng Dongtian.

He was awarded the title of "National Outstanding Film Artist" two years ago. He is the pillar of the directing department of Beijing Film Academy, and his students and friends are all over the Chinese film industry.

Upon hearing Mu Deyuan's words, his expression remained unchanged. He looked at Li Xu as if examining an uncut piece of jade, assessing its quality, and slowly spoke:

"Li Xu, I watched your 'Summer First Love'. The camerawork is excellent, especially the way you evoke the actors' emotions. It doesn't look like something a sophomore would produce; it already has a very distinctive style."

"When I was your age, I was carrying equipment for the film crew. You're not bad."

Upon hearing this, Li Xu bowed slightly and said respectfully with a smile, "Professor Zheng, you flatter me. I still have a long way to go and will need to learn more from you and Teacher Mu in the future."

"No need to be modest."

"We seniors may have excellent theoretical and technical skills, but our understanding of the audience's aesthetics and preferences is outdated."

"As the saying goes, those who learn from me will live, and those who follow me will die. From now on, just go your own way. As for us seniors, you'll have to figure things out as you go. Don't take us too seriously."

"And I heard from Xiao Mu that you didn't even accept the olive branch that Fan Bingbing offered you? I quite like your personality."

Zheng Dongtian was never a conservative or old-fashioned person.

Upon hearing this, he plopped down and waved his hand dismissively.

Li Xu chuckled. This Professor Zheng was from the directing department. As a photography student, he had never really interacted with him before. He was surprised to find that Professor Zheng was quite interesting and not at all old-fashioned.

Mu Deyuan chimed in, "Old Zheng, this kid not only rejected Fan Bingbing's invitation, he even turned down the invitation to direct GG from the French luxury brand Céline. This kid is incredibly stubborn and incredibly audacious."

"He's only humble in front of you; actually, this kid is quite arrogant."

"Being a bit of a stickler for rules is good, being a bit arrogant is good too. Doesn't that remind you of yourself back in the day?"

Zheng Dongtian smiled.

"In our industry, there are many smart people, but few with perseverance. Now that this kid is going to make a movie, and the lead actress is Liu Yifei, who graduated from our Beijing Film Academy, why don't we both give him some resources and support?"

"Li Xu, what are you still lacking? See what kind of help your teacher Mu and I can give you. After all, you are also an outstanding student of Beijing Film Academy."

Upon hearing Zheng Dongtian's words, Li Xu quickly thanked him. At the same time, his mind was racing.

There's no reason not to accept resources that come knocking on your door.

He's an outstanding student, so it's perfectly reasonable for him to just use the school's resources without the school paying him.

His fame also brings glory to the Beijing Film Academy.

"We lack everything, Professor Zheng."

Li Xu spoke frankly, "Aside from the script and the female lead, I'm currently a one-man director. If possible, I hope the school can help me assemble a complete team—cinematographer, art director, sound engineer, and script supervisor. Except for the screenwriter, I'll have everyone else."

Mu Deyuan chuckled as he listened from the side: "You've got quite the nerve, kid. You're asking for the whole package right off the bat."

Zheng Dongtian smiled knowingly.

This student lacks everything; he clearly comes from a poor family, but fortunately, he is very talented.

He shook his head, looked at Mu Deyuan beside him, and smiled, "Little Mu, this kid is capable, he just lacks some resources. Since we can help, let's give him the full support."

"I think I can get the team he wants up and running. I actually have some suitable resources on hand, and they need the opportunity too."

Mu Deyuan listened from the side. Seeing Zheng Dongtian's willingness to help, he couldn't help but admire Li Xu's charm and Zheng Dongtian's magnanimity. He smiled and nodded, saying, "With your words, Elder Zheng, this matter is already half accomplished."

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Li Xu spoke with delight, immediately seizing the opportunity and saying decisively, "Thank you for your recognition and help, Elder Zheng."

Zheng Dongtian raised his hand and interrupted directly, "No need for polite words. Li Xu, do you carry your script with you? If so, let us see it."

Upon hearing this, Li Xu...

He immediately took out a stack of simplified scripts for "Love Announcement" from his small bag and handed them to Zheng Dongtian with both hands.

He knew perfectly well that Zheng Dongtian wasn't asking for the script to nitpick; he wanted to assign him the most suitable team based on the script's tone.

Taking his glasses case out of his coat pocket, Jung Dong-thum put on his reading glasses and carefully began to read through the brief script of "Love Announcement".

Mu Deyuan stood aside and watched quietly as well.

Inside the private room, only the rustling sound of papers turning could be heard.

Time passed second by second.

Zheng Dongtian and Mu Deyuan looked at it very slowly and carefully, their brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing.

In the meantime, the two would occasionally argue because of their differing opinions.

A few moments later, after Zheng Dongtian closed the last page of the script, he rubbed his temples, let out a long breath, and looked at Li Xu with eyes full of admiration:

"Your script outline is very insightful."

"On the surface, it's a clichéd story of a celebrity falling in love with a female student, but at its core, it's about mutual redemption between two people, the anxiety under the spotlight of stardom, the price of fame, and major mental health issues in modern society."

"After watching it, the audience will not only enjoy it, but also retain something, which is better than those purely saccharine films."

However, Zheng Dongtian then changed the subject.

He looked up at Li Xu, his gaze sharp: "While the core of this story is good, there are plenty of stories like this about a celebrity falling in love with a female student. What makes you think you can stand out?"

"Aren't you afraid that your directorial debut will be criticized by ticket buyers as a scenic film that's all looks and no story or substance?"

Meeting Zheng Dongtian's gaze, Li Xu said calmly, "Professor Zheng, many of the movies on the market, while depicting the dramatic conflicts arising from the 'identity contrast' between celebrities and ordinary people, have clichéd plots and lack any logic."

"I think my strength is that I can shoot beautiful visuals while also ensuring that the script is logically sound."

"Most importantly, I added a soul to this story: how two lonely souls trapped in labels recognize each other and redeem one another."

"Du Minghao's anxiety disorder and Song Qing's social anxiety are the core of their love; their celebrity status is just an outer shell."

Zheng Dongtian tapped his fingers lightly on the table without saying a word.

Mu Deyuan also suppressed his smile. This angle was indeed good, and it sounded very sharp, but it was too difficult to film.

Let alone Li Xu, a sophomore at Beijing Film Academy.

Even established romance film directors might not be able to create films with this kind of depth.

Mu Deyuan frowned and said, "Li Xu, have you thought this through? This is your first directorial debut film. Starting with such a high level of difficulty is not a safe bet."

"Moreover, if we really follow your idea, even if Mr. Zheng and I provide you with a suitable filming team, the cost of your film will definitely not be low, and the production cycle will be prolonged."

"I think you should make a simple romance film first to practice, and then challenge yourself with something more profound when you have more experience. You are still young, there is no need to rush to become famous at a young age."

Zheng Dongtian's eyes, while still showing appreciation, also held a hint of solemnity as he said:

"Li Xu, you have quite the ambition."

"But such a core concept demands an extremely high level of acting skill. Liu Yifei... are you sure her acting ability can handle it?"

"She doesn't need to pretend. I'll make her Song Qing directly; that's an essential skill for any excellent director!"

"Of course, I can't accomplish this by myself alone, so I need a suitable team, and I need the help of your connections, Professor Zheng and Teacher Mu. 'People' are very important!"

With a confident smile, Li Xu addressed Zheng Dongtian's concerns with unwavering conviction.

Zheng Dongtian nodded, "Okay, I've seen your abilities before. You're not only good at shooting beautiful scenes, but you're also good at guiding the actors' emotions."

"Since you are so confident, then we seniors should naturally learn to trust the younger generation as well."

A bright light appeared in Li Xu's eyes.

As expected of a veteran artist, Mr. Zheng was able to see through my directing skills at a glance with just one GG film, "Summer First Love," proving that he is indeed a bit more skilled than Teacher Mu.

"Teacher Zheng is wise," he immediately replied.

Mu Deyuan was stunned.

He glanced at Zheng Dongtian, then at Li Xu, and suddenly laughed: "Well, it seems I'm an amateur."

Zheng Dongtian chuckled upon hearing this and said, "Xiao Mu, we should trust the younger generation at Beijing Film Academy. After all, each generation produces its own talented individuals."

As he spoke, he glanced at Li Xu and said, "How about this, I've looked at the style your film needs."

"I'll give you some suitable people next, and you can choose for yourself. I have resources for assistant directors, art directors, and sound engineers; I'll make the connections."

"As for photography and the external liaison team, your teacher Mu is a photography major, so he knows more and better people in this field than I do. I'll leave this to him."

Upon hearing this, Mu Deyuan nodded slightly.

Li Xu was overjoyed.

For my first film, the cinematography and directing departments of Beijing Film Academy provided invaluable assistance. With such treatment, I truly am a member of the most loyal and trusted faction of Beijing Film Academy!

He quickly stood up and said gratefully, "Thank you, Professor Zheng! Thank you, Professor Mu! I will definitely not let you down!"

Zheng Dongtian nodded, "Kid, I can find the man for you."

"But the people I've brought in are all top talents, outstanding students from our Beijing Film Academy. They're quite capable, and they're not exactly known for their tempers either."

"My influence and that of your teacher Mu can only help you open the door. Once the door is open, whether it's a gold mine or a tiger's den is up to you to explore. If you can't control them or subdue them, don't blame us."

Li Xu stood up, bowed deeply, and said confidently:

"I couldn't have gotten it."

"I'm quite picky about the members of my filming team. I need elites, and I need to train elites. Ordinary people can't capture what I want."

Zheng Dongtian paused for a moment, then burst out laughing, "Good lad, you've got guts, just like me back in the day!"