HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

When Xu Lang said, "Pah, what a scumbag, trying to have his cake and eat it too," a burst of laughter came from the conference room.

Xu Lang turned his head and saw Liu Yifei, Liu Tao, and An Yixuan all looking at him and smiling, their eyes seeming to say:

"Xu Lang, you're really ruthless; you don't hold back at all when it comes to criticizing yourself!"

Xu Lang, however, was not embarrassed at all, and secretly found it amusing:

"I've never denied being a scumbag. I am a scumbag, but I'm not demanding to be seen as virtuous!"

Xu Lang glared at the three women and continued:

"Based on the current narrative structure and style, this film is about:"

The fox spirit Xiaowei is an outsider; she uses disguises, seduction, and family destruction.

Wang Sheng was a victim, but Pei Rong was an even greater victim.

In the end, the demon was moved and became a saint, sacrificing herself to resurrect all those she had killed, and moral order was restored.

This isn't a fantasy film at all.

This is just a period family drama with some magical special effects added, and it doesn't even make sense.

Xu Lang became more and more excited as he spoke, and he talked on and on:

What we are going to talk about is the original meaning in "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio":

Demons are invaders, but they are also developers.

The more Xiaowei "does evil," the more vividly she reveals the "evil" that was originally hidden in the world.

Magic is not the background, but the essence. In this world, "maintaining human form" is a fragile state that requires a huge amount of mental energy.

Wang Sheng's line, "I love you, but I already have Pei Rong," will definitely be criticized in the future.

Why?

Because it completely revealed the plot, a fantasy film ultimately presents a man with the moral dilemma of choosing between two women. Don't you find that incredibly boring?

"Well..."

Xu Lang's long description left everyone bewildered once again.

Seeing the speechless crowd, Xu Lang realized that he had been too hasty. After all, it was hard for people from more than 20 years ago to accept the film and television aesthetics of 20 years later.

After a long while, Chen Jiashang shook his somewhat dazed head and asked:

"Coach Xu, could you be more specific? This vague and ambiguous talk is confusing!"

"Okay! Then I'll start with the specifics."

Xu Lang thought for a moment and said:

"For example, the beginning, the current beginning, is that Wang Sheng rescued a fox demon named Xiao Wei from the chaos of war. Everyone knows that this kind of beginning will lead the audience to wait and see the fox demon and Wang Sheng's fight with the main wife after they return home."

This direction of guidance is towards family dramas.

What I want to change is that at the very beginning, Pei Rong, the legal wife, looks like a ghost. She is hung up by people, cursed as a monster, and they want to burn her alive.

At a critical moment, she was saved by her ex-boyfriend, Pang Yong.

Then, using a detective-style approach, the mystery of who the demon is continues, leaving it to the audience to guess.

"ah?!"

As soon as Xu Lang said this, everyone in the conference room's eyes lit up.

Without a doubt, this opening is a hundred times better than the original one, immediately establishing a magical, eerie, and suspenseful atmosphere.

Moreover, it is precisely this suspense that keeps the audience's emotions engaged, making them constantly think:

Who exactly is the demon?!

"In the end, when we reveal the theme, we give the audience something to think about: which is the real demon—the demon in the physical body or the demon in the human heart?"

Xu Lang's words cleverly connect the suspense at the beginning about "who is the demon" with the core theme of the film at the end.

"Brilliant!"

Previously, it was said that grand concepts and ideas were meaningless, and Gordon Chan disagreed.

But after hearing Xu Lang's explanation, Chen Jiashang was immediately convinced.

"I have to say, this opening is really amazing, much better than the original."

Pang Hong nodded as well.

"Moreover, it echoes the theme that follows, making it very fitting and complete."

But then, Gordon Chan asked:

"Coach Xu, how do you plan to handle the character of Wang Sheng?"

"Wang Sheng?"

Xu Lang stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and gave an example:

For example, at the end, Xiaowei asked him:

"Do you love me?" In my mind, his answer would be:

"I have no idea!"

Then Xiaowei continued to ask:

"So, do you love Pei-Jung?"

Wang Sheng's answer was:

"I don't know either!""

After a pause, Xu Lang continued:

I want to change Wang Sheng to one:

He is a character who has been influenced and distorted by beauty, etiquette, worldly customs, and others. Beneath his "painted skin," his heart is empty, twisted, and perverted.

When a person looks in the mirror and discovers this, the only thing they need to do is try their best to preserve their "mask."

Finally, Xu Lang added:

"Everyone's human form is just a 'painted skin,' and as for the true nature within that 'painted skin,' whether it is human or demon, that remains unknown."

But this is precisely the core of our film: from "catching demons" to "recognizing demons"—recognizing other people's demons and recognizing your own!

After Xu Lang finished speaking, there was another moment of silence in the room.

Everyone was deeply moved by his words, especially his last words.

"Everyone's appearance is just a 'painted skin'!"

From catching demons to recognizing demons—knowing other people's demons, and knowing your own!

That's so well said!

Chen Jiashang jumped up from his chair excitedly, grabbed Xu Lang's hand tightly, and said excitedly:

"Your topic is fantastic! It's a hundred times more sophisticated than the usual romance themes! It's amazing!"

Pang Hong also stood up excitedly, smiling as she said to Xu Lang:

"Xu Lang, I agree with your idea."

However, let me make this clear beforehand: if you don't have enough money, you'll have to make up the difference!

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lang burst into hearty laughter, patting his chest and guaranteeing it.

"Mr. Pang, don't worry, I'll make up for whatever's missing."

"Good, I'm relieved to hear that. Go ahead and do whatever you want, Ningxia Film Studio will go all out with you!"

"Ha ha!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Xu Lang was also very satisfied.

What he wants is not just to make movies, but also to have control over the process of making movies.

Just like during the filming of the TV series "Struggle", although Ning Hao was nominally the director, he was actually just assisting Xu Lang.

I'm just mentioning it if there's a problem.

It was this model that allowed Xu Lang to quickly get the hang of camera work, directing, and the entire production process of the TV series.

Now, having entered the film industry, Xu Lang plans to do the following:

They took the initiative and control over the production, and had Gordon Chan assist them.

With this film, Xu Lang will be able to understand and master the film production process.

In the future, when Xu Lang makes TV series or movies, he won't need to look for others anymore; he can build his own team and act as the distributor himself.

This was Xu Lang's true purpose.

Of course, today's meeting is just the beginning, and Xu Lang will have to explore many paths on his own.

But Xu Lang wasn't worried at all.

"The unknown is where the fun lies!"