Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 233 Rejection
Cao Yang asked someone to call Huang Xiaoming, wanting to see if he could play the role of the director of the stage play in "Black Swan" with his current image.

It wasn’t an audition, it wasn’t that formal, it just happened in Cao Yang’s office at the Beijing Film Academy.

When they met, Huang Xiaoming pretended not to know what was going on and even recommended himself to Cao Yang for the role in "Black Swan".

He talked incessantly for more than twenty minutes about his own understanding of ballet.

Cao Yang wanted to laugh after hearing this.

Huang Xiaoming's so-called knowledge of ballet is the origin of ballet, the current situation of foreign ballet stage plays, the current situation of domestic ballet stage plays, etc.

Very general, yet comprehensive.

Regardless of whether these things are related to Cao Yang's script, they at least leave a good impression on people.

Someone with a heart.

Even if he could get some information in advance, it was not easy to collect relevant information and remember it after filming, as it took more than 20 minutes to talk.

"Xiao Ming, there is indeed a role in Black Swan that has not been decided yet. It has a lot of scenes, but you look a little too young..."

Young face?
Huang Xiaoming's heart skipped a beat after hearing this. Does that mean the movie needs an actor with a mature look?
His mind was working rapidly. I looked young, so it would be enough for me to just look mature.

How can I look mature?

He suddenly remembered that when he was filming the later scenes of The Return of the Condor Heroes, which was more than ten years later, in order to better fit the plot, he made his wig gray and even grew a beard.

"Director Cao, if I grow my beard and dye some of my gray hair, I will instantly look 20 years older. What do you think?"

Huang Xiaoming quickly explained: "I am currently filming The Return of the Condor Heroes, which also includes the plot of Yang Guo more than ten years later, and it is handled in this way."

Cao Yang looked at Huang Xiaoming again. This guy came here today dressed neatly and shaved his face cleanly, making him look younger.

"How about this, go find a makeup artist and have him put a beard under your temples. It doesn't need to be too long, just enough to show stubble. Then I'll take a look at what you think."

Cao Yang then thought about it and added: "How about this, you go find Ning Hao and ask him to take you to Qingying Studio to find a makeup artist."

"Okay, thank you Director Cao."

Cao Yang mainly remembered that Huang Xiaoming played a carefree officer in "The Sound of Wind". He also had a stubble, which made him look tough but not young. It was a good look.

The officer in that life was also a pervert, and that was one of the peak performances of Huang Xiaoming's acting.

In the next few days, some minor supporting roles were gradually confirmed, and the actors of "Black Swan" were all present.

Since many of the supporting roles here needed to perform ballet, Cao Yang simply went to the Beijing Dance Academy and talked with its leaders. He recruited a large number of students and used the academy's large training room for some of the filming scenes.

During the period before the filming began, Cao Yang began to gather actors, especially several actors who had dance requirements, and asked them to practice ballet for six hours and rehearse the play for two hours every day.

Ballet practice is actually not difficult for several actors. Whether it is Dong Xuan, Lu Yi, or other actors such as Chen Shu, they all studied dancing, and some are even professional ballet dancers.

The only problem was that when Cao Yang explained the play to them, they were a little slow in understanding.

But it's really not a big problem.

Now, as long as Cao Yang doesn't run into three or five "great gods" who are so immersed in the performance that they don't make any splash, he is not afraid of others.

Because I have the confidence!
Call out the system.

Host: Cao Yang

Current reputation: 4068865
Available reputation: 2368865
Play experience: +0
Filming: Black Swan

Actresses: Dong Xuan, Lv Yi

Actor: Huang Xiaoming

Supporting Actress: Pan Hong, Chen Shu

……

More than 2.3 million available reputation!
In other words, it means 23 times of immersion in the play.

It can’t be used up, it can’t be used up at all!
Among them, the biggest contribution is definitely "District 4.68", which won two Golden Globe Awards, three Oscars, and a global box office of million US dollars.

I guess breaking domestic box office records also added a lot of prestige.

"Nine-Tailed Demon Fox" also won two awards in Venice, and its box office and copyright income also contributed a lot of reputation.

In addition, Cao Yang discovered that the system actually identified Huang Xiaoming as the male lead, probably because he had the most roles among all the male actors in the entire movie.

In fact, this is not wrong. This movie is a typical female movie, with the main role focused on the heroine. The stage play director in the movie can indeed be considered the male lead.

Although Cao Yang only spends two hours a day explaining the scenes to the actors during this period, he is actually quite busy.

The selection of filming locations for "Inception", the construction of scenes, and how many CGs should be finalized all required his approval.

"Black Swan" is a little easier.

This type of art film, by comparison, has fewer scenes, the filming locations are not demanding, and it does not require many staff members.

There is one place where CG modeling is needed, which is the part where the heroine grows black swan wings.

But this is much simpler and doesn’t take much time.

Cao Yang has specially marked the footage that needs to be shot and put it at the front. After shooting, it will be sent for CG to avoid delaying his participation in the Venice Film Festival.

In mid-April, Cao Yang was called over by Hou Keming.

"How is the preparation of your Black Swan going?"

Hou Keming was unusually enthusiastic this time. Unlike in the past, he "pressed" Cao Yang onto the sofa, brewed a pot of good tea himself, and brought the tea to Cao Yang personally.

Looking at Lao Hou who was trying to please him for no reason, Cao Yang's first thought was, has he finished the wine that he gave him?

That shouldn't be the case. With Lao Hou's current status, he should be able to get some special bars from the manufacturer.

"The preparations for Black Swan are going very smoothly. I plan to explain the play to the actors for a few more days, and then let them concentrate on practicing ballet. We will start filming at the end of the month."

After saying that, he looked up and down at Old Hou for a while, then smiled and said jokingly: "Mr. Hou, is that wine okay?"

"what……"

Lao Hou laughed, then perhaps felt that this was a bit inconsistent with his status, so he restrained himself and said seriously: "It tastes really good."

"You asked me to come here, didn't you? It's not because of that bar?"

Cao Yang asked with a smile.

"Oh, what are you talking about? Am I such a person who can't distinguish between public and private matters?"

Old Hou glared, then smiled again, his eyes narrowed into slits.

“This is a good thing.”

He walked over, sat next to Cao Yang, and said mysteriously, "The 08 Beijing Olympics is still a little over three years away. The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee has made a decision to start looking for directors for the opening and closing ceremonies."

After saying that, he just looked at Cao Yang, as if to see Cao Yang's reaction.

"Just look for a director, why are you looking at me?"

Cao Yang took a sip of tea and appeared calm on the surface.

It's just on the surface.

In fact, he was still eager to make a move. Why is Lao Mouzi called the national teacher?

It’s because he was the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 08 Olympic Games.

Hou Keming didn't believe that Cao Yang was not tempted. He curled his lips in his heart and thought, "You are still pretending. Why are you pretending to be mature at such a young age?"

"Do you want to be the chief director?"

After Hou Keming finished speaking, he then added in a low voice: "This is not what I want to ask, it is some leaders of the organizing committee who asked it.

They wanted to call you over to talk to you in person, but they may have some concerns, so they called me over to convey the message. "

No need to run for election?

Cao Yang remembers that the chief director of the Olympic Games was selected after several rounds of competition.

"What do you mean?"

Cao Yang was a little confused and couldn't help but ask.

"If you want to be the chief director, come up with a plan and submit it during this period. They will review it."

After Hou Keming finished speaking, he shook his head.

"I don't know the details, I just know someone mentioned your name and asked if you're willing to be the chief director. If you're not willing, they might hold another bidding."

Chief director!

It would be a lie to say that I'm not tempted.

Cao Yang started thinking.

The advantages are obvious. Apart from anything else, if I direct it and it succeeds, I will definitely be called the "national master".

However, the title of "National Master" does not add much to me. With my current status and influence, it doesn't matter whether I have this title or not.

The most important difference is probably at the upper level.

But think about it carefully, even at the upper level, does the title of Olympic Games director really have a big impact?
I am not even 30 years old yet, but I have won so many awards, including the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, and I am often in the news. How could I be afraid that I have no influence among the upper class?

As long as you don't seek death, no one at the domestic official level will target you.

On the other hand, if you were to direct the Olympics, you can imagine the pressure that would come your way.

If you are not careful, you might be scolded for countless years.

When directing a movie, he has the "golden finger" to use, but he doesn't have it when directing the Olympics.

Besides, can I really do a better job than Zhang Yimou’s directing?

Cao Yang had doubts about this.

Especially after the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics, Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Tokyo Olympics and Paris Olympics, the opening and closing ceremonies directed by Zhang Yimou have become more valuable.

In fact, to be honest, Cao Yang no longer needs to be the director of the Olympics to increase his influence.

Cao Yang took a deep breath and said to Hou Keming, "Director Hou, you know I have two projects on hand right now, especially Inception, which has an investment budget of 15 billion. I really can't be distracted."

"you……"

Old Hou frowned and advised in a low voice: "Cao Yang, you are still young and don't understand. Being the chief director of the Olympic Games may go down in history and increase your own influence."

"Mr. Hou, how much influence do you think being the Olympic Games director can increase for me?"

Hou Keming thought about it and felt that Cao Yang’s current influence was unique in the country and he really didn’t need the Olympic director to add to his influence.

“But being an Olympic director can make you famous.”

Even with my current achievements, I can’t avoid them when future generations review the “century of film history”, right?

"If I can win the Berlin Golden Bear again, my name will go down in history."

Hou Keming looked at Cao Yang with a complicated expression. Cao Yang now only lacks the Berlin Golden Bear to complete the Grand Slam. If he can win it, he will really go down in history.

But if Cao Yang could become the chief director of the Olympic Games, he would have a huge political achievement!
Forget it. Actually, at my age, it’s hard to take the next step. I’d better hold on to Cao Yang’s “thigh” and take it slow.

I hope he can win the Berlin Golden Bear before he retires.

Hou Keming also knew the character of those European people.

Even though Beijing Film Academy has extensive connections at the Berlin Film Festival and Cao Yang himself has many connections, they really don't want to see a Chinese win the Grand Slam.

Unless Cao Yang becomes a German citizen, maybe he will be able to win the Grand Slam next year...

Hou Keming thought about it for a while before he said, "Have you decided?"

"Mr. Hou, to be honest, I'm too young and I'm not sure I can do it well. This is a national event. If I mess it up, it will be a disgrace to the country and the nation."

"Okay, since you have made up your mind, I support your decision."

After Hou Keming finished speaking, he was thinking in his mind how he should explain it to his superiors in a more "smooth" way so that they could understand Cao Yang's "good intentions".

Cao Yang is the signature of Beijing Film Academy, and everything about him must be protected.

The two chatted about the movie for a while. When Cao Yang stood up and wanted to leave, Hou Keming shouted, "Wait a moment." Then he walked to Cao Yang's side and asked in a low voice, "The wine last time..."

"It's really gone. You know that stuff is not in circulation. I got a few bottles by chance. I thought it tasted... good, so I gave it to you to try."

Cao Yang said seriously.

"Really gone?"

Hou Keming didn't believe it.

"It's really gone."

Finally, Cao Yang had no choice but to agree to give Lao Hou another bottle, and Lao Hou stopped "making trouble".

In fact, Cao Yang also understood that Lao Hou wanted to dispel his concerns through this kind of pulling, fearing that he would think that he would have a gap with him because of what happened today.

Before filming of Black Swan started, Cao Yang wanted to finalize the female role in Inception.

As for the women in China who have close relationships with him, the three international film queens do not need to be promoted for the time being. They all have their own careers and a solid position in the circle.

The one who has developed the best is Gao Yuanyuan, who came from behind. Firstly, she is a rare Cannes Film Queen, and secondly, she is very popular with advertisers. Her endorsement fees are unique in China.

Dong Xuan has already started to support it.

There was another one that made Cao Yang feel complicated.

That one really listened to his words and stopped attending any social events organized by Huayi, but because of this, he was treated coldly by Huayi.

Cao Yang understood that she was just gambling.

This person is also interesting. He can hardly get any resources and doesn’t even call me.

It is definitely impossible to say how deep her feelings for me are.

She was gambling with her future.

"Since you have done what I asked, I will give you a chance to become famous."

(End of this chapter)