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Chapter 82 Drawing a pie

"Oh, Huang Ze is here." After opening the door and seeing that it was Huang Ze, Director Xu Shangchu took a step back with a smile, "Come in and sit down. There are melon seeds, fruits and other things on the coffee table. It's the New Year, so we don't need these at home."

"By the way, would you like some tea?"

"It's okay, it's drinkable now." Huang Ze has no aversion to tea. Of course, he can't say he loves it. It's just that his acceptance level is within the average person's. In comparison, Huang Ze actually likes plain water.

"Then let me give you a taste of my Tieguanyin."

Pointing at the sofa, Director Xu went into the kitchen to make tea.

Huang Ze sat down, opened the file bag on the coffee table, and took out the script inside.

"Director Xu, this is the new script I wrote."

"Take a look. If you think it's feasible, we can finalize the investment and cooperation as soon as possible, and arrange for people to go to Hedong and Guanshan to scout the scenery."

"Oh? We have to go there?" Xu Shangchu put down the cup of tea and took the script while asking curiously, "Can't we find a suitable place to shoot near Shanghai?"

"Please read the script first to understand."

It took Huang Ze three days to write the script.

But it’s only 30,000 words, and after an hour, I’ve almost finished it.

Seeing that he had read the last page, Huang Ze explained, "For most of the film, I wanted to create a world of endless yellow earth. Even if there were trees, they looked lifeless and gray, so as to fit the protagonist's vision."

"Because he wanted to die, the whole world was the color of death."

“It is not until the end that it is revealed that this world actually has green plants, lush and full of life.”

"It's just that your heart is dead, so you don't notice these things at all. Only when you have the thought of living can you discover the beauty around you."

"It's really impossible to shoot near Shanghai."

"That's true." Xu Shangchu closed the script, nodded slightly and said, "In fact, even if we go to Guanshan and Hedong, we have to speed up. It's called the Loess Plateau, but in fact there are a lot of vegetation in the summer. It's easier to find the scenery you need while it's still winter."

“It would be best if we could finish the filming before May.”

"Plus post-production, if possible, let's try Venice."

The Shanghai Film Studio won awards at the Venice Film Festival for two consecutive times and earned millions of foreign exchange. This has become a habit for Xu Shangchu, and the first place he thinks of is naturally Venice.

Success is the result of the combined influence of many factors.

Before failure, no one wants to change anything so as not to affect the final result.

"It's just the time side. Do you think there will be any problems?"

"No problem." Huang Ze said, "This film doesn't have any big scenes, and even the performances don't need to be too deep. A month of location scouting and preparatory work, more than a month of shooting, and more than a month of post-production are enough."

"It's just that this photographer..."

"Haha, tell me, who do you want to use? I'll find one for you." Xu Shangchu had already gotten used to the fact that Huang Ze didn't like to use the photographers in the factory, so he simply didn't mention it.

"We often used Gu Changwei and Zhang Yimou." Huang Ze said, "I'll have to trouble Director Xu to bring these two photographers together."

Just let the other party worry about this kind of thing.

Domestic revenue and 40% of foreign copyrights are not earned in vain, right?
You have to contribute.

"Zhang Yimou, I have some impression of him. Is he your classmate?"

"Yes." Huang Ze nodded, "He should be in Guilin Film Studio. His strength is no less than..."

Before Huang Ze could finish, Xu Shangchu interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "No need to give reasons, I believe your vision will help you get this person. Besides him, who else do you need?"

"For the rest of the crew, just use the same crew I used when I filmed Good Will Hunting."

"Where are the actors?"

"Uh..." Huang Ze thought for a moment.

"The protagonist is actually a successful person, he is middle-aged, about fifty years old. Jiao Huo and I have worked together on two movies, and he is quite famous in Venice. I still want to work with him."

"There are no such high requirements for the remaining actors, as long as they fit the role."

"By the way, the actor who helps the protagonist to come out at the end should be around 65 years old and look kind."

"It would be even better if I could become more famous."

"How about giving you Sun Daolin?" Unexpectedly, Director Xu directly took out a trump card.

Huang Ze was stunned for a moment.

Sun Daolin is a veteran at the Shanghai Film Studio.

Born in 21, graduated from Yenching University, can act and direct.

He started starring in movies in 48 and became an actor. His most famous movie was "Crossing the River Reconnaissance".
The director just starred in and directed a movie called "Thunderstorm" two years ago.

"Can you let him play a supporting role in my movie?"

"Just tell me if you are famous or not."

"It's big enough."

"That's fine." Director Xu smiled. "Whether he can act is my business. You decide whether you want him to act or not."

"If he's willing to act, I definitely want him!"

"Then it's settled!"

"Okay, let's get moving on both sides!"

After leaving Director Xu's house, Huang Ze first went to Zhang Jianya's house, who was back for the New Year, and asked him not to go to Hong Kong Island, but to stay there to prepare to lead the team to scout locations as the assistant director of "The Taste of Cherry". Then he made a long-distance call and asked Liu Zhenwei to come over on behalf of the company to discuss cooperation with Shanghai Film Studio.

Before the cooperation was finalized, Huang Ze lived a life of going back and forth between home and work.

Or go meet Gong Xing.

Or stay in the room and draw storyboards.

This way, while I go to Hong Kong Island to complete the post-production of "In the Mood for Love", others can smoothly choose the filming locations they want to use.

……

Seven days later, the contract was signed and the 500,000 RMB from Xinghai Film and Television arrived.

The main crew members and leading actors have all come to the Shanghai Film Studio.

Huang Ze, the director, then left home and went to meet them.

They were basically all old acquaintances, so Huang Ze just greeted them casually.

Except Zhang Yimou.

I haven't seen this Terracotta Warrior face for several years since graduation.

Huang Ze also seemed quite enthusiastic, and went up to pat his arm, "Long time no see."

"You haven't seen me, but I see you often!"

Zhang Yimou returned a punch, hitting Huang Ze's shoulder without much force, and said with a smile, "Who would have thought that you, a young man, are so amazing? Every year when I watch the Spring Festival Gala, I can't help but see your face."

"Haha, then why don't you try not to watch the Spring Festival Gala next year?"

"That won't do." Zhang Yimou smiled, his face returning to normal, "I bought a ticket to see the movie you directed, it's pretty good, you have so much talent."

"It's okay, just two."

After chatting with Zhang Yimou for a few minutes, Huang Ze took out the storyboard script and began to arrange the next matters.

"Jian Ya, a plan, always guard."

"You've read the script, so let's talk about the framing."

"Find two cities on the loess plateau, with some industry, buildings and so on. In the suburbs, find a relatively barren area with large areas of loess, and a slightly prettier small county town. Remember, slightly."

"Find another long dirt road in the mountains, the kind that's just wide enough for a car, with a bare mountain on one side."

"We need a large expanse of loess..."

Considering Zhang Yimou's talent in this area, Huang Ze was mainly referring to the storyboards and Zhang Jianya and Zhang Yimou.

It's not just about framing, it's also about the purpose you want to achieve and what you want to say through the lens.

We discussed it together until the evening and finally finished what we wanted to say.

Huang Ze stood up, only to find that Gu Changwei was smiling at him.

"why are you laughing?"

"Nothing, I just think the scope of your film is really wide." Gu Changwei held his chin and started counting.

"The first one was shot in Shanghai, a modern drama."

"The second one was filmed in Hong Kong Island. It has a strong Shanghai atmosphere. That's not bad. After all, you are from Shanghai."

"This time they are going to our place to shoot the loess. The key point is to explore the big proposition of life and death. The span is quite big!"

"Hey, I'll just shoot whatever story I can think of." Huang Ze waved his hand, "Don't be too surprised if I make a comedy someday." "But since you actually said that to me, I have to ask you to be the photographer when I make a comedy!"

"Okay, the rest is up to you guys." After joking, Huang Ze said seriously, "I have to go to Hong Kong Island to see how the post-production of the previous film is going. After it's done, I'll send it to Cannes for a try."

"I wish you success!" Zhang Yimou cupped his hands, "Try to win a big award in Cannes."

"Whenever we are lucky enough to make a movie, it will be much easier to go to the three major European countries to make a movie. Just tell us your name. How convenient is that?"

"That's an exaggeration!" Huang Ze waved his hands. "If you don't win the highest award, you'll be considered a little famous at best, but not many people will know you."

"Then try to win the highest award."

"In fact, I think the film that has a better chance of winning a big award is the one we are preparing and planning to send to Venice, Taste of Cherry." Huang Ze painted a big picture for Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei, "If you really win a Golden Lion in Venice, you will definitely have the opportunity to become a director as the cinematographer of this film when you return to the studio."

"What about Old Zhang?" Gu Changwei pointed at Zhang Jianya.

"You don't have to worry about him. Regardless of whether he wins the highest award or not, I will pay for him to be a director by the end of this year at the latest." This is not a pie in the sky for Zhang Jianya, but a carrot dangling in front of Gu Changwei and Zhang Yimou.

Come, follow me, there is huge investment, and anyone can be a director.

"Oh my god!" Gu Changwei was delighted. "This capitalist is so good. I want to go to Hong Kong Island to join you."

"Really coming?"

"Haha, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted." Gu Changwei shook his head, "But my family is all in Chang'an, I really can't bear to leave, let's wait and see in a few years, eh, do you have any ideas?"

"Um, I think it's good now." Zhang Yimou was stunned for a moment, then refused with a smile.

"I won't force you. Goodbye then. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back in a month."

Huang Ze pointed to the west and joked, "If I don't do well and make preparations, and it affects my chances of winning the Golden Lion, I'll be responsible for it from now on, and you'll have to provide me with food and lodging."

"cut……"

(End of this chapter)