Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 1: Brother is Suffering

The directing department must have bad feng shui, each and every one of them is a real worry.

Old Situ is exhausted both physically and mentally. He is about to retire, but he still worries every day.

Looking at the evil disciple with a calm face in front of him, Old Situ was furious. Why are you pretending to be mature at such a young age? Who are you trying to show off your calmness to?
Why don't you go to heaven.

"Tell me, Zhuangzhuang came to me to complain, saying that you are stubborn and stubborn, and you won't listen to different opinions at all. You are very difficult to get along with. You are already in your forties, but you drank less than two taels of wine and you burst into tears with snot and tears."

Cao Yang filled the old Situ's cup with water and said softly, "Teacher, don't blame Brother Zhuangzhuang. He is suffering. He was in his prime and it was the time for him to show his talents, but he was suddenly banned from teaching for ten years. He can only drink to relieve his sorrow. Only in front of you can he open his heart and pour out his sorrows."

Old Situ was stunned. Why was it different from what he thought?
Shouldn't you explain?
Why are you still speaking for him?
That evil disciple has also learned to drown his sorrows in alcohol?
Suppressing the doubts in his mind, Old Situ asked, "He said that you guys said in private that you are the nominal director and everything is up to him."

Cao Yang thought about the situation at that time and felt that this was not wrong.

In a private room at Yuehai Hotel, a coal boss in his forties wearing a big gold chain sat next to a very innocent-looking girl, who was said to be a recent graduate from an art academy, majoring in acting.

Tian Zhuangzhuang put his arm around the coal boss and said, "Boss Feng, you know, a movie I made in 92 was banned. I was banned from directing for ten years, and there is still more than a year before the ban expires. This is my junior brother, Cao Yang, who graduated from the directing department in 98 and will be a junior soon. We are both students of Teacher Situ."

The coal boss said, "You're a good young man. Learn well from Director Tian. When you become a big director in the future, you will definitely be surrounded by a group of female stars...haha..."

Tian Zhuangzhuang also laughed, and said to the coal boss, "Boss Feng, to be honest, my junior brother Cao Yang is the nominal director of this movie, but I actually have the final say... Our movie is going to Europe to win awards, and it is made for foreigners to watch. If you invest in me, I will give you 60% of the domestic box office share..."

Tian Zhuangzhuang is a big director, and his tiger skin is still very useful.

The coal boss didn't understand movies at all. How could he know that if a movie was well made, it would not only have box office success in China, but also make a lot of money abroad.

Upon hearing that he would get 60% of the domestic box office, the coal boss immediately drank a glass with Tian Zhuangzhuang, and praised Tian for his generosity and magnanimity. He also had no awareness of copyright and did not mention the issue of copyright until the contract was signed.

The female college student who had just graduated nearby took Lao Tian's words seriously and thought the movie was going to Europe to win awards. She was so excited that she was incoherent and her hands were shaking when she toasted.

I don't know what tricks he used on the coal boss after he returned, but the coal boss signed an agreement with Cao Yang the next day and transferred the money to the account designated by Cao Yang.

One cannot help but sigh that coal bosses are still the best. They are so generous and magnanimous.

The money is deposited into the account all at once. There is no such thing as bullshit supervision, sending finance staff to join the team, or fighting for copyrights. None of that!

He only had one request, to give his girlfriend, who had just graduated, an important role.

As for the heroine, no one even mentioned her.

Maybe in the eyes of the coal boss, investing that little bit of money not only allows him to arrange an important role for his girlfriend, but also allows him to get 60% of the domestic box office share, which is simply a huge profit.

"Yes, I am the nominal director of this play. Apart from the film, I will listen to Brother Zhuang Zhuang on everything else."

Cao Yang said.

Old Situ nodded. That was all right. As a director, what he hated most was other people interfering with his movie during the filming.

Being called a nominal director can be seen as a humble statement made by the director himself.

It can also be seen as just in name only and has nothing to do with the matter. It depends on how you understand it.

"He said that you deceived him into signing the actor contract that day, so it doesn't count."

Cao Yang thought about it. The two of them were discussing the script and revising it, and it was already very late, so Lao Tian suggested having a drink.

After three rounds of drinks, he took out an actor's contract and said to Lao Tian, ​​"This is an actor's contract. You are the director. Do you want to sign it?"

Hmm? Could it be that this caused Old Tian to misunderstand?
But this is an actor's contract, and Lao Tian plays a director, a director who cheated on the heroine after marriage.

"Teacher, when Senior Brother Zhuang Zhuang signed the contract, I explained everything to him very clearly. I told him at the time that this was an actor's contract and you were the director, and he signed it without hesitation."

Old Situ felt that this statement might be a bit ambiguous, but it could not be considered a lie. He was such an old man, who could he blame for not asking clearly?

probably?

Old Situ always felt something was strange, as if something was wrong, but he couldn't refute it.

"Teacher, I think Brother Zhuangzhuang has been suppressed for too long. In addition to alcoholism, he also... Well, you must find a chance to enlighten him. Don't dwell on it. The ban on tutoring is only a little over a year away. When the ban is lifted, he will be able to show his talents."

Cao Yang is very considerate of Lao Tian. He is not only an important character in the movie, but also serves as a photographer. He can suppress other crew members with force and appease the coal boss with words.

Lao Tian is so important.

Old Situ grasped the point very keenly, "Besides drinking, what else did he do?"

"Teacher, Senior Brother Zhuangzhuang is feeling miserable..."

"Don't cover up for that evildoer. Speak!"

"Brother, I am suffering..."

"Say!"

"Senior Brother Zhuangzhuang wants Lü Liping to join the team..."

"What? He's already married, but he's still thinking about..., it makes me so angry... I fucking said that the directing department has bad feng shui. When it comes to matters between men and women, there's nothing I can worry about. The school should have been moved a long time ago!"

"Teacher, calm down. Senior Brother is a nostalgic person. He didn't mean anything else. He probably thought the role was suitable. But I felt it was not quite suitable, so I refused with a righteous attitude. I even argued with Senior Brother Zhuangzhuang for a long time about it."

"Yes, you did the right thing. I see. I finally understand why he suddenly came to drink with me. It turns out he was here."

As he spoke, Old Situ began to call Tian Zhuangzhuang. "Tian Zhuangzhuang, where are you? Come here right now!"

Do you really think I don’t know your little thoughts?
You're already an adult, but you still want to snatch the directing rights from your junior brother, and you also want to insert your ex-lover into the crew. The key point is that he's already married, and you still want to do this!
You're such a coward that you report someone else's crime after being rejected!

I asked you to help your junior brother, not to do anything naughty.

Cao Yang is really sensible. Even after being treated like this, he still defended that evil disciple.

"Teacher, if there is nothing else, I will go and get busy first."

Cao Yang is kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see his brother being scolded, so he could only silently wish Lao Tian the best.

Old Situ came back to his senses and asked with concern, "Have you finalized the actors for your production?"

Cao Yang thought for a moment and said, "We have decided on a few supporting roles, but the leading actor has not yet been decided."

"Then speed up the process. If you encounter any problems, let Zhuang Zhuang solve them. If they can't be solved, come to me."

Cao Yang looked at the old Situ and said sincerely, "Okay, teacher, I understand. Senior Brother Zhuangzhuang has been running around lately and is very tired. Teacher, please don't blame him."

Speaking of this, Old Situ became furious for no reason.

"Don't I know him? Shao Hong is right, he just wants to fall in love with people in the movie and break up after the movie is over. What a stinky habit! They all have stinky habits!"

"Teacher, that's not normal. Maybe they fell in love during the play." Cao Yang tried hard to defend his senior brother.

"Falling in love because of the drama is bullshit. It's falling in love because of the drama when the male lead falls in love with the female lead. How can a director like him get involved with the female lead?"

"Teacher, you can't blame Senior Brother Zhuangzhuang. Maybe the director needs empathy. Look at Director Yimou, Senior Brother Kai, Director Zhang Ke, the full-case director, the maintenance director..."

"Okay, okay, stop counting."

Old Situ waved his hand impatiently, "The director's department is in such a mess, there's no hope. Cao Yang, you should take this as a warning and not learn these messed-up things."

Cao Yang nodded and assured: "Teacher, I am not that kind of person."

"That's good. Take this as a warning. Take this as a warning!"

……

Cao Yang was very grateful to Old Situ and also very grateful to Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Some time ago, he took the written script to see Lao Situ and said that he planned to shoot it himself, but he didn't actually have much hope.

After reading the script, Lao Situ asked how the film was going to be shot, how long it would take to shoot, what the budget was, and whether there was any expected return.

No matter how well you write your script, it only proves that you are a good screenwriter, but you are three blocks away from being a director.

Only by discussing it in depth and in detail can we see the clues.

The conversation lasted the entire afternoon. We had dinner in the cafeteria and continued chatting after dinner until after eight o'clock in the evening.

When Teacher Situ felt that he had a good understanding of the matter and that Cao Yang could respond to all questions with ease, and was indeed well prepared and capable of executing the task and would not give up halfway, he introduced him to Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Old Situ is obviously promoting his juniors - if there is a student who looks capable, he will introduce you to someone through his connections and give you an opportunity.

Tian Zhuangzhuang introduced connections and opportunities to Cao Yang.

Of course, it won't be that simple.

After meeting Tian Zhuangzhuang, this great director who was still in the ban period was obviously only polite on the surface at first - since it was introduced by Teacher Situ, the job must be done, but how to do it specifically and to what extent he could help were discussed.

On the surface, we are all students of Teacher Situ. Although Teacher Situ has not taught many classes, he has many students. I am from the class of 78 and you are from the class of 98, which is a difference of 20 years. Why should I help you with all my strength?
You have to give me a convincing reason.

After a few days of contact, the topic is definitely inseparable from the film and television industry, ranging from the past, future, domestic and foreign aspects of movies to the shooting techniques, skills, core of a certain movie, etc. It seems like a meal, chat and bragging, but in fact it is an opportunity to get to know and assess Cao Yang.

Then, Tian Zhuangzhuang contacted the coal boss and got the investment.

"Old Tian has an idea."

He must have been taking advantage of the alcohol to complain, play the emotional card, and test Teacher Situ's reaction.

These great directors all have a Jiang Wen heart and like to be minotaur in person.

If Teacher Situ acquiesces, Tian Zhuangzhuang will most likely seize power and leave Cao Yang with only a figurehead like Lu Chuan.

Fortunately, Teacher Situ is sensible and does not believe in or favor anyone - I said I'd give you a chance, and this is your chance, and no one should have any bad ideas.

The opportunity has been given to you. Whether you succeed or not depends on your personal ability.

Of course, Cao Yang is not Lu Chuan. What kind of man is he if he can only cry in front of the media? At worst, they can just break up.

Pooh!
You said so, rubbish system.

　This is a new book by a new author. I would like to ask all the gentlemen passing by to add it to my collection, recommend it, and invest in it. Thank you.

(End of this chapter)