Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 186 A unique premiere

Just as Ning Hao said, the coordinator began to adjust the shooting plan after being instructed by Cao Yang.

It sounds simple, the daily shooting has doubled, but behind this, many things need to be readjusted and rearranged.

However, many of the crew members are old employees. They have become accustomed to Director Cao's sudden acceleration of the pace and are doing things in an orderly manner.

However, several professionals hired by Colombia were somewhat confused by this.

But no one raised any objections.

Although the systems in Hollywood seem to be perfect, if you work for a big director, these so-called systems do not exist and the role of privilege in Hollywood is more obvious.

You can refer to the truck driver James Cameron. A movie took more than ten years to shoot. Which staff member would raise objections in person?

The workload has increased, and among several Hollywood actors, only Ian McKellen mentioned it to Depp privately.

"The daily shooting schedule has doubled. I'm worried that we may not be able to complete it. I don't mind working overtime, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to complete it."

He ignored the speed of today's shooting. After all, in the past few days, he had been completing the work with difficulty every day, which was the norm.

Depp curled his lips, stupid British guy, he never knew how to open his eyes and see the world.

How can a conservative like you understand Director Cao’s movies?
"Ian, put your heart at ease. This is a movie directed by Cao Yang. Don't look at him with old eyes. Since he adjusted the shooting schedule, he must have his reasons."

On the way back, Ian McKellen cursed Depp in his heart.

"Damn Americans, what they said is useless, just like their leader, who can only fart. I am so stupid that I shouldn't have asked the hypocritical Americans."

The following filming surprised Ian McKellen.

He was a little confused. Why was it that even though he had doubled the shooting schedule, it was easier to complete it every day and the progress was faster than before?

What overtime? Bullshit overtime, he has never encountered it before.

The world is becoming increasingly incomprehensible.

If you say Director Cao Yang didn't take the filming seriously, he would shake his head afterwards.

Director Cao Yang thought some performances, which he thought were great, had some flaws and had to shoot them three times before they were finished!
Three times, that’s three times!
Hey, wait, why do I feel that shooting a shot three times is a little unacceptable?

Three times, for other directors, this is already very efficient, right?

Ian McKellen thought he must be crazy. He was in his sixties and had seen all kinds of directors.

But I have never seen a director like Cao Yang who can guarantee very high quality for every single film he shoots!

Even the Wu who plays the alien, he can actually see the ever-changing emotions in his eyes, the kind that even the makeup and headgear can't hide!
The changes in body language, eye contact and tone of voice make him look like an oppressed alien who misses his homeland!

He himself also had a special feeling that when filming this movie, as long as he stood in front of the camera, it was as if he had rehearsed it thousands of times. Many expressions and movements were made subconsciously.

Looking back on it afterwards, using those expressions and actions was really the best choice in that scenario!

Then, Ian McKellen suddenly realized that he finally understood why director Cao Yang wanted to speed up the process.

It's an actor!
Several actors with important roles acted effortlessly and naturally. In simple terms, their acting was just like the real thing. Then he remembered that Director Cao Yang had explained the play to them before filming, explaining the background, the core of the story, the metaphors to be expressed, and the story on the surface...

After the filming started, he still patiently explained the scenes in the first few days. Even though there were constant NGs, Director Cao Yang did not show any impatience.

"So, Director Cao Yang is really an amazing person. No wonder he can produce so many best actresses, help that damn American win the Oscar for best actor, and win so many international awards. This is his unparalleled ability!"

"District 9" was filmed in Beijing, and almost all of the shots are indoors, and there are also some shots that do not require the background of the slum kiln.

After adjusting the shooting plan, it took less than a month and all the shooting was completed on July 7th.

Now all that’s left is to go to South Africa to shoot the scenes involving the slum background, as well as the special effects production which will take quite a bit of time.

Cao Yang did not go to South Africa immediately. He asked Cheng Jianye and several assistant directors to go there first to contact the locals.

He received a call from Zhang Yimou himself, inviting him to attend the premiere celebration of "House of Flying Daggers", which will be held at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing on July 7.

Actually, this movie will not be released on a large scale until July 7, but Zhang Weiping was very creative and organized a grand celebration event many days in advance to promote this movie with an investment of 16 million yuan.

According to rumors in the small circle of Beijing Film Academy, Zhang Weiping spent nearly 20 million yuan on this unique premiere celebration in order to promote the movie.

This money is not just nonsense.

They rented the Workers' Stadium, invited CCTV to broadcast the event live, rebuilt the Mudanfang in the movie at 1.5 times the scale as a performance stage, and hired hundreds of security personnel.

In addition, many popular singers were invited to perform in "Mudanfang".

Big-name singers include: Jonathan Lee, Ange Tong, Jeff Chang, Han Hong, Kelly Chen, Pu Shu, A-du, Dao Lang, SHE, 12 Girls Band, etc.

They also spent a large sum of money to invite Katherine Battle, who won five Grammy Awards, to sing the theme song for "Peony House".

The entire premiere celebration was turned into a large-scale compilation concert, which lasted more than three hours.

Not only that, in order to make a profit, Zhang Weiping sold tickets for the premiere celebration at a price of 1800 yuan, and even thought about renting out advertisements!

Yes, you heard it right. At the movie premiere, other advertisements were rented out, and the prices were clearly marked. Different locations had different prices...

At that time, Cao Yang thought, should he put an advertisement for "Nine-Tailed Demon Fox" on the plaque in the center of "Mudanfang"?
It is said that only four million is enough for that place...

Of course, it's just a thought. Zhang Weiping is not an idiot. It's quite exciting to think that he is advertising another movie at the premiere celebration of the movie.

In order to make money, Zhang Weiping set up six branch venues in cinemas in several major cities.

Of course, the cinema also needs to pay for the branch venue.

At the beginning, Zhang Weiping wanted to charge 100 million for each branch venue. In the end, people would rather Zhang Weiping not provide film resources than pay the money.

After much bargaining, each cinema paid 50 yuan to set up a branch venue.

In fact, the so-called branch venue is to broadcast the programs of the main venue on the big screen. Zhang Weiping used "Lao Mouzi" to control the theaters and used all means.

A movie premiere was turned into something extraordinary in the hands of businessman Zhang Weiping.

(End of this chapter)