Volume 3: Taking Roots 2016 Chapter 699: Passing on the Torch
The next day, when Zhou Dongsheng mentioned Director Wen, the emerging director, he naturally sent his greetings. After all, as an investor, it was reasonable for him to care about the progress of the project, right?
Although Zhou Dongsheng, the hands-off boss, is idle and has basically not asked about the preparations for this project since he reached a consensus with Director Wen through threats and inducements.
But it was not just the scene that brought back memories. In the campus of the Central Academy of Drama with a strong artistic atmosphere, I suddenly remembered that I still had these two film investments.
Director Jing's production is approaching the final stage and is obviously not far from wrapping up. By then, Zhou Dongsheng may have to cooperate with the follow-up work.
As for the preparations on Director Wen's side, Zhou Dongsheng was naturally very curious, even though he positioned himself as a "coal boss" and would never do anything like an outsider guiding an insider.
But it is at least a milestone work that can go down in the history of Chinese cinema. Don't let it be blown away by the wings of a butterfly just because you are in a whim. That would be so embarrassing.
Of course, Zhou Dongsheng is definitely not worried about his investment going down the drain, he is just purely concerned about the future of Chinese films.
Well, it just so happens that Director Wen is in Beijing at this moment. Director Wen naturally attaches great importance to this film, which may very well become his first virgin work on the big screen.
In particular, Zhou Dongsheng's delegation of power and full trust in him not only made Director Wen grateful, but also fully stimulated his inner motivation.
After all, the era of coal bosses has passed, but I am still able to meet such a good investor, and I can't let such an investor down no matter what.
The most important thing is, if this movie is well made, wouldn’t it naturally become the basis for their future cooperation?
Whether for the sake of his career or money, Director Wen has no reason not to pay attention to this film project.
What's more, it is such a precious real-life case that you can adapt and play with it, which is like hitting the jackpot.
As a young director who graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, he had excellent grades while in school and won awards for college students and new directors more than once.
Relying on these remarkable achievements, Director Wen has undoubtedly accumulated certain resources and experience while in school.
Even so, the first work to be shown on the big screen is of great significance. To be cautious, Director Wen naturally has to make the best use of the limited resources at his disposal.
Among them, the "Beijing Film Academy" business card is undoubtedly his most impressive thing.
During this period, after his constant polishing, the script finally took shape in a satisfactory form.
In response to this, Director Wen returned to his alma mater with the script full of confidence, ready to take advantage of the Beijing Film Academy to add some weight to his film.
Film is a popular art form. In addition to the things within the film, there are many off-screen factors that can determine the quality of a film.
This is also the unique charm of the film industry itself, but there is still a certain threshold to bring out this charm.
Zhou Dongsheng also realized the truth that there is a threshold to creation after he saw a dream-chasing work that claimed to be able to subvert film history.
Thinking back on it now, it is still a lingering nightmare.
As the first of the three major art schools in China, the weight of its name itself is obvious, and the faction formed by the many outstanding film talents it has cultivated is enough to form a circle of its own.
If such a resource is not used properly, wouldn't it be a waste?
When Director Wen received the call from Zhou Dongsheng, the genuine financial sponsor, he naturally did not dare to be negligent and reported the current situation of the project truthfully.
In short, apart from the fact that the script has been roughly polished, there is still no clue about anything else. At this moment, Director Wen is still begging for help in his alma mater, struggling to find someone who can protect him .
Zhou Dongsheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. It was obvious that this was the first time that the fledgling director Wen had taken on such a big production, and he had no idea what to do. Even if he had him backing him up and letting him go wild...
However, Zhou Dongsheng's willingness to delegate power does not mean that Director Wen should waste investors' money at will. Such a good opportunity is rare, and wasting it is undoubtedly shameful and irresponsible.
"I met a senior during my time at school. He admired my work and invited me to join his company after graduation. When I got this script, I was planning to use it as a stepping stone..."
Director Wen said implicitly on the phone.
"So, I am a Cheng Yaojin who showed up late?" Zhou Dongsheng joked cheerfully.
"No, if it weren't for Mr. Zhou's appearance and trust, I might not have been able to direct such a good script. I might not even be an assistant director. I can only be a nominal screenwriter to gain experience..."
"So I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Mr. Zhou for his appreciation and willingness to give me such an opportunity..."
Director Wen suddenly opened up his heart in earnest, which made Zhou Dongsheng feel uncomfortable for no reason.
What? Do all intellectuals express their emotions so directly? Zhou Dongsheng asked himself.
"What's your senior's name? How about we meet for dinner? I'll lobby for you..." Zhou Dongsheng mentioned it casually. Anyway, since the topic has come to this point, he just happened to have nothing to do...
"That's great! If Mr. Zhou shows up, I think my senior will definitely not miss the opportunity to have dinner with him... By the way, my senior's name is Ning Hao!"
Director Wen said this with a happy expression on his face, and added the name at the end.
The original director was still worrying about how to impress his senior, but he didn't expect Zhou Dongsheng to come to him.
With the support of investor Zhou Dongsheng, Director Wen can use Zhou Dongsheng's influence to build a foundation for equal cooperation with Ning Hao.
After all, the entire project now has a script, funding, and a director. It is ready to go. It just lacks an experienced team to escort it.
Isn't this just what each of us needs? Thinking of this, Director Wen felt relieved. Isn't this a sure thing?
"Okay, I'm not familiar with the capital, so you decide on a time and place." Zhou Dongsheng was quick to follow suit and agreed to it without hesitation.
"Okay, no problem!"
Unexpectedly, Mr. Zhou, who is always busy with affairs, would be so straightforward. Director Wen was overjoyed and decisively started to arrange the matter.
Director Wen did not mince words about the fact that he had some contact with Ning Hao during school, and he even left his contact information.
It's just that the gap between the two sides is too big. Even though the other party has extended an olive branch, Director Wen did not choose to cling to the higher branch immediately.
If there hadn't been such a coincidental time difference, how would Zhou Dongsheng have had the opportunity to take advantage of it?
After the call was connected, Director Wen stated his purpose truthfully.
"Hello, Senior Ning, I'm Wen Muye. We met while we were in school. Do you still remember me?"
Ning Hao on the other end of the phone heard this, thought for a while and quickly remembered such an outstanding junior.
"Oh, it's you. Of course I remember that you filmed Requiem. Two years have passed. You must have graduated a long time ago. Where are you working now?"
After thinking about such an outstanding young man, Ning Hao's attitude became a little warmer and he greeted him.
"I was fortunate enough to take on a film project right after graduation, which helped me gain some experience..."
Director Wen spoke briefly and to the point, then changed the subject.
"Is senior in Beijing now? I have a very interesting script on hand and I want to discuss it with you. I have already secured investment. You should have heard of the investor. His name is Zhou Dongsheng..."
"We would like to invite you to dinner together. Do you think it is convenient..."
In front of Ning Hao, one of the best directors of the sixth generation of Chinese directors, Director Wen was very humble and acted as if asking for advice.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to be so lucky. Not only did you get a role to play after graduation, but you even have your own investment and film projects. I really wasn't wrong..."
"Zhou Dongsheng... He is a capable man. It would be nice to meet him if I have the chance. I happen to be in Beijing too. Any time is convenient for me..."
Ning Hao couldn't help but sigh when he heard this. He didn't expect that his junior fellow student was so lucky.
After all, in Ning Hao's opinion, in the film industry, the most scarce thing is often not talented directors, but noble people who can give you the opportunity to display your talents.
Ning Hao undoubtedly felt the same way. If it were not for Andy Lau's recognition, he would not have had the opportunity to shoot the blockbuster "Crazy Stone".
Ning Hao did not necessarily have the opportunity to join the sixth generation of directors, and was fortunate enough to become the fourth new director to join the 100 million yuan club, and since then his directorial career has flourished.
It was precisely this gratitude for this recognition that changed the trajectory of his life. Ning Hao, who felt the same way, had an urgent idea in his heart that he wanted to realize.
That is to follow the example of Andy Lau and use his influence and resources to create a film project to discover new directors, giving a chance to those newcomers who have talent but nowhere to display it.
Just like himself back then, in Ning Hao's view, this is equivalent to a legacy, allowing the torch of Chinese films to be passed on from generation to generation.
In addition, there is also a mentality of wanting to become the person that one once looked up to.
Therefore, when Ning Hao heard Wen Muye's invitation, the idea that was about to come out in his heart became stronger and stronger, especially when he heard about the existence of Zhou Dongsheng.
Ning Hao couldn't help but feel eager to make a move. After all, to complete such a plan, the more resources needed, the better.
Therefore, it would be great if more like-minded people could join in. Zhou Dongsheng is now well-known, and one of his titles is related to "Bo Le".
Ning Hao happened to have heard of him a little bit. Although different trades are like different mountains, judging from Zhou Dongsheng's investment in his junior, maybe Zhou Dongsheng is really on the same path as him...
No matter what, it's always good to meet for a while, just think of it as making more friends, not to mention the temptation of my junior's script...
Thinking of this, Ning Hao naturally agreed very readily.
"That's great, senior. How about we have dinner today? I'll arrange the location... " Director Wen said somewhat impatiently.
After all, the principle of speed is of the essence in war, and delay will lead to changes is applicable to any industry. If we can't get this project approved and finalize the contract in black and white...
Then there will still be variables, and the director naturally wants to nip these variables in the bud. It would be best to make things a done deal and get rid of them once and for all so that he can feel at ease.
"Okay, I don't cook at home tonight, so it's a deal!" Ning Hao is also a straightforward person and agreed immediately.
Since the two main people have been so frank, why should Director Wen hesitate? After all, he studied at the Beijing Film Academy for a few years and is very familiar with this part of Beijing.
Even if you have never eaten pork, you have definitely seen pigs run. It is not difficult to find a upscale place. After you have arranged it, just send the address and all that's left is to wait for good news.
Fortunately, neither Ning Hao nor Zhou Dongsheng likes to stand up others. These grown men are men of their word and they always keep their promises.
The two arrived as scheduled and happened to meet at the door. They were both well-known people, so they recognized each other when they met.
"Director Ning! I'm your fan. I've watched several of your movies more than once..."
Before Ning Hao could react, Zhou Dongsheng had already taken the initiative. His enthusiastic attitude caught Ning Hao off guard. He even doubted for a moment: Could he really be his fan?
"It is such an honor to be liked by Mr. Zhou. Let's not stand here and make that kid Muye wait anxiously. Let's talk inside."
To have made it to this level, Ning Hao is naturally a smart person with a passionate attitude.
For a moment, the scene seemed like the reunion of two old friends who had not seen each other for ten years, and they were just short of hugging each other and calling each other brothers.
"Great! If I could drink, I would really like to have a drink with Director Ning..."
"The same goes for tea. It doesn't have to be wine to express feelings, right? Let's meet friends over tea today..."
The two chatted happily until they walked into the reserved box. Wen Muye had been waiting for a long time, but looking at the familiar appearance of the two, Wen Muye was slightly stunned.
It seems that their friendship is even better than mine!
After saying hello, the three of them happily took their seats, signaled to the waiter to serve the food, and started chatting while waiting.
The first thing that came to mind was naturally the topic of the script. Wen Muye threw out some ideas and revealed the script that he had been polishing for a long time.
Zhou Dongsheng and Ning Hao also acted as qualified listeners, asking a few questions from time to time.
The story, which is currently at the script stage, is naturally slightly different from the final product that Zhou Dongsheng has seen, such as in the setting of the protagonist.
After Wen Muye's drastic adaptation, the character of "Cheng Yong" is set to be a big man from Northeast China, rather than the Jiangnan water town where the prototype was born.
After all, art originates from life but is higher than life. To condense the prototype into a movie of just one or two hours, it is inevitable to adapt and add dramatic conflicts.
As Wen Muye spoke with great excitement, Ning Hao's expression gradually became serious, and he began to realize the weight behind this script.
Without a doubt, this is a great story!
but……
"It's a good story, but this... is not easy to shoot." Ning Hao said earnestly.
