1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Chapter 295: Self-written and directed, filming a domestic TV series (seeking full order)
When we arrived at Yanying Studio, we were pleasantly surprised by Xie Jin and his friends.

"How's it going, Xuemin, you just came back, let me show you the grand works of Lao Teng and Lao Ling!"

After greeting Cheng Xuemin, Xie Jin patted him on the shoulder and made a joke with a smile.

"Really? A big deal?!"

"Director Teng, is there any big move at our Yanying Film Studio recently?"

After hearing what Xie Jin said, Cheng Xuemin also became very curious. He thought that if Xie Jin could mention such a big thing, it must be a big move, right?
"Just listen to what Old Xie is doing!"

"It's nothing, actually!"

"It was Lao Ling who initiated the filming project of Shu Lao's "Camel Xiangzi", which was based on restoring the old Peking street scene half a century ago as much as possible!"

"Our factory specially requested a sum of money from the higher-ups to build a street and erect the Xisi Archway on the vacant land behind our studio!"

"It's just right that you're back, Xuemin. We'll take you there to have a look! If Xuemin can be inspired by this, you can write a story about old Peking half a century ago. We at Yanying Studio will definitely be responsible for filming it!"

Lao Teng, deputy director of Yanying Studio, nodded, took over what Xie Jin said, and mentioned what he called a big deal.

That is, behind the studio, an old Beijing street was built, which restored the Xisi Pailou almost one-to-one, for the filming of "Camel Xiangzi" crew.

"Really?! Then Director Xie is right. Our Yanying Studio is really generous with this move!"

"We can just move the Xisi Pailou Old Beiping Street to our Yanying Studio. It will be much more convenient to use local materials when we shoot movies about the Republic of China in the future!"

After listening to this, Cheng Xuemin nodded. He also had some relevant memories of what Lao Teng said.

The Mr. Shu mentioned by Lao Teng is Lao She, the original author of "Camel Xiangzi", whose real name is Shu.

Cheng Xuemin also has relevant memories of the filming of "Camel Xiangzi".

At that time, Yanying Studio was producing its first film from the Republic of China half a century ago, which was Lao She's "Camel Xiangzi". In order to better reproduce the historical environment of the time, director Ling Zifeng decided to build a street and erect the Xisi Archway in the open space behind the studio in the factory.

Yu Yiru, the art director of the "Camel Xiangzi" crew, resolutely took on the heavy responsibility of designing and supervising the construction.

After four months of intensive construction, this semi-permanent street with a total length of nearly 150 meters and made entirely of brick and tile structures was finally completed.

There is an 18-meter-wide road in front of the house. A tall archway stands above the road, and there is a tram track on the road surface.

The structure and style of the facades of more than a dozen shops embody the architectural features of old Yanjing.

A related memory flashed through Cheng Xuemin's mind, and under the guidance of Lao Teng, Lao Xie and others, he quickly went downstairs and turned around, and saw the street behind the studio.

Although there were flashes of memories, I actually stepped onto this ancient street.

Don’t say it yet!
If Mr. Xie and Mr. Teng had not told him in advance that this was built for filming, Cheng Xuemin would have really thought he was there and had traveled back to the early twentieth century.

"How about it, Xuemin, did the collision trigger any inspiration?"

Seeing this, Old Teng did not forget to ask Cheng Xuemin a question.

"Old Teng, are you asking Xuemin for a manuscript or script?"

"No, you have to queue up!"

"Xuemin had already promised the next script to our Shanghai studio when he was in the Northwest!"

Old Xie would not tolerate Old Teng's blatant stealing of the script. It was agreed that Cheng Xuemin would give the next script to their Yan Film Studio in Shanghai.

How come the filming of the movie "The Shepherd" was about to be completed by their Yanying Studio, but they turned around and tried to steal the script in front of us?
"Director Teng, the collision was indeed quite big! If you hadn't told me in advance, I would have really felt like I had returned to that era!" Cheng Xuemin told the truth and nodded with a smile.

It was precisely because this street had been completed that the filming of Camel Xiangzi had already begun.

So this street is not empty. Almost all the store fronts are open for business and there are also quite a few extras walking around on the street.

It really was like returning to that era all of a sudden.

"So, you have some inspiration!?"

Old Teng was not too surprised to hear this, and he also said to Xie Jin, "Xuemin did agree to give your Shanghai Film Studio the next script, but it may not be about the Republic of China?"

"Besides, even if it's about the Republic of China, and we give you the script, won't your Shanghai studio come to our Yanjing to shoot it?"

"So why not just stop making so much trouble? Old Xie, you can just stay at our Yanying Studio and choose the scripts you want in the future!"

"And I can make the decision. From now on, as long as it's Xuemin's script, you, Xie Jin, will shoot it. We have decided that you two will be a pair!"

Row!
There's no point in talking about the code of conduct with an old man like Lao Teng. He's more sharp and ruthless.

Not only does he want to pry the next script away, he even wants to pry the great director Xie Jin away.

"You can pull it down!"

"It sounds like Xuemin is just a member of your Yan Film Studio. I have to go to your Yan Film Studio to film Xuemin's script, right?"

At first, when Xie Jin heard Lao Teng's condition, he was indeed very tempted.

After hearing what Old Teng said, Cheng Xuemin will be Xie Jin's exclusive screenwriter from now on?

He lets Cheng Xuemin write whatever he wants to shoot?
But I soon realized it was all bullshit.

Cheng Xuemin is not an employed screenwriter at Yanying Studio. He is just a name attached to the studio but is not affiliated with it.

So, who is going to eat all the pie he has drawn?

"No, no, Director Teng, Director Xie, it's not that bad, please stop praising me so much!"

"I am just a junior, I really can't handle the flattery from you two!"

Cheng Xuemin was overwhelmed by what he heard. Their singing of the same tune directly praised Cheng Xuemin to the sky.

But Cheng Xuemin is also a little fox, how could he not understand what was said?

Don't respond or express your opinion!
"Xuemin, you are too modest. What do you mean by flattery? This is the fact, okay?" Old Teng saw that Xie Jin was unable to speak, and was also seen through by Cheng Xuemin, so he smiled sullenly.

Old Teng's original intention was to take advantage of this enthusiasm and pry the two old guys, Cheng Xuemin and Xie Jin, in.

But Xie Jin didn't take the bait at first, and Cheng Xuemin followed suit very tactfully, so all the preparations for this period of time were in vain.

"It's true!" "Xuemin, after spending some time with you, I've discovered that you have a lot of talent in literature and art!"

Xie Jin also nodded and said, "The manuscript is well written, the script is also very good, and the performance is so good!"

"And I've also discovered that if I let you take part in a few more movies, you might even take away my job!"

"So, this is talent. I have to admire Old Xie!"

After Xie Jin finished speaking, he clasped his hands together and repeatedly expressed his admiration.

"Thank you, Director Xie, it's not okay for you to flatter me and make fun of me like this. Why would I want to steal your job?"

"You are an old artist in our literary and artistic circles. No matter whose job you take, you can never take it away from me, Director Xie!"

Cheng Xuemin was flattered. After hearing Lao Xie's summary, he also felt that he was really capable.

After being modest for a few words, he said shamelessly: "Director Xie, Director Teng, actually I am planning to write, act and direct a play about the Republic of China!"

"Oh, really?! Xuemin, did you really get inspiration so quickly?" Old Teng was very surprised and even wanted to take advantage of Xie Jin's words to get off the ground.

Xie Jin was also surprised when he heard this. He just said that and thought that it would be a few years after several movies if this guy really took his job away from him.

But I didn't expect that this kid now has this idea, he wants to write the script himself, act in the role himself, and direct it himself?
So he alone has to take on all three leading roles in a play?
He immediately pointed at Cheng Xuemin and said with a smile: "I told you! You are an all-rounder in literature and art, and you are extremely talented!"

Then he asked again: "How? Did you suddenly have this idea, or have you had this idea for a long time?"

Hear this!

Old Teng also looked straight at Cheng Xuemin. He didn't expect that he had such ambition to make a movie about the Republic of China himself.

I was very curious about what this young man was thinking.

Is he planning to adapt a famous work by an older generation of writers, or is he planning to do it himself, writing, directing and acting in the film?
Oh, right!
He seemed to have said just now that he was writing the script and directing the film himself, so that wouldn't be a filming of a classic work of an older generation?
"Director Teng, Director Xie, actually this idea...was only born when I came from my hometown and passed through our area. I was invited by the local literary leaders to come over."

After Cheng Xuemin finished touring this photography street, he followed Director Teng Xie and others to the studio, saying as he did so.

Lao Teng and Xie Jin were speechless after listening to this. They nodded repeatedly and continued to listen. They also wanted to know what the inspiration was that inspired Cheng Xuemin to make his own movie.

"When the Yulin Literature Festival was held in our area, the local leaders asked me to write a manuscript, hoping that I could use my influence to help the local area gain some influence in literary publicity!"

"So we analyzed it and found that it is very difficult to increase the influence of local magazines across the country!"

Hearing this, Lao Teng and Xie Jin also nodded in agreement. They all knew that regional literature had very strong geographical restrictions and its influence was often limited by administrative regions.

It is difficult for ordinary prefectural magazines to gain popularity in their provincial capitals, let alone to be published nationwide.

So, from what Cheng Xuemin said, he has taken on the heavy responsibility of their region?

Not only do we have to write and contribute to their regional literature, but we also have to write and direct a movie to enhance the influence of their regional literature?

Thinking of this, Old Teng nodded and said, "Xuemin, your idea is indeed good. Using movies to transform texts to promote and enhance the influence of your region's literature is the right direction!"

“It’s really good!”

"So, Xuemin, this movie that you directed and wrote yourself is going to be approved as a project for your Xi'an Film Studio, right?"

Xie Jin also nodded in praise, and even asked Cheng Xuemin directly whether this movie was approved by the Xi'an Film Studio?

After all, the current situation in various regions is that they basically report to the provincial government for project approval, and then allocate funds to start setting up teams.

However, in Cheng Xuemin's area, there is a big company like Xi'an Film Studio. Obviously, other studios outside cannot snatch it away even if they want to.

"Yes, I do want to boost the influence of local literature through TV series!"

Cheng Xuemin still felt that their understanding was a bit biased and that they were putting the cart before the horse. The film that Cheng Xuemin was going to direct and write was the opening chapter of the "The Great Wall Never Falls" series, "Heroes of the Storm".

But according to Cheng Xuemin, he should first publish the novel and achieve some success, then see which production studio will want it, and then start the project and filming.

The premise, of course, is that Cheng Xuemin personally serves as the screenwriter and director, and takes time out of his busy schedule to try his hand in the arts.

It’s not just what Lao Teng said, let’s shoot the movie first to boost the influence of regional literature.

"TV drama?"

"Xuemin, you're not going to make a movie, but a TV series?"

After hearing what Cheng Xuemin said, Old Teng and Xie Jin looked at each other in bewilderment, somewhat confused by this new term, and asked, "Is it the same as the 'One Bite of Vegetable Pancake' that Old Hu filmed 20 years ago, with a 20-minute short play?"

Xie Jin, on the other hand, had a better idea. He thought that Old Teng was wrong, so he asked, "Xuemin, do you want to learn about the TV series in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Xuemin, do you want to shoot this kind of TV series? I heard that the higher-ups are planning to bring in a few of these TV series and broadcast them on TV first to test the waters!"

Old Teng also realized it belatedly. After all, most of the films they shot in that era were movies, and he had only heard of TV series in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore.

There are also rumors that the higher-ups are already making efforts to contact outside parties and are preparing to bring in a few films for broadcast so as to serve as an example for their production studios.

I also heard that in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore, with TV series being so popular, movies are actually losing ground.

So, they are just feeling their way forward now, but Cheng Xuemin is just going to get started right away?

"Yes, a TV series!"

"I just have this idea now, and I just want to submit an article to the magazine over there to see how it responds."

"Of course, we hope to get your strong support, Director Teng. After all, this may be the first TV series project in our country. Whether it can be launched or not depends on the full support of Yanying Studio!"

Cheng Xuemin clasped his fists and said to Lao Teng.

The establishment and launch of a TV series is no joke!
Cheng Xuemin certainly cannot afford the expenses of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars by himself. Although Yanying Studio, Xi'an Film Studio and Shanghai Film Studio can afford it, it is not something that can be afforded just like that.

All projects must be approved by the higher authorities and can only be launched after the funds are received.

Cheng Xuemin is a pure newcomer. It would be very difficult for him to host such a big project without the support of veteran artists such as Lao Teng and Xie Jin.

……

Asking for a monthly ticket!
(End of this chapter)