Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 435 Compromise is also an art
Before meeting Zhang Heping, Cao Yang always thought that "The Founding of a Republic" was a tribute film initiated by President Han and a project of China Film Group.

But not.

This film was conceived by Zhang Heping when he was still the vice chairman of the Beijing Consultative Conference. At that time, the idea for this tribute film received support from higher levels.

As a result, Zhao Shi, deputy director of the optoelectronics bureau, joined the project, as did Wang Xingdong, a screenwriter who was skilled in this subject matter.

After discussion, they finally decided to turn this tribute film into a feature film.

report.

However, this time, due to Cao Yang's appearance, things took a turn for the worse.

The above naturally expresses support.

However, the higher-ups gave a small suggestion: We artists should also keep up with the times. The format of films like "Assembly" is very good, and mainstream films can also be made in a new way... Director Cao Yang is an expert in film, so you can ask him to participate.

And so, we have this gathering today.

"Director Zhang, this is a good thing, I definitely support it. I wonder what I can do?"

After listening to Zhang Heping's explanation of the film's purpose and ideas, Cao Yang asked with a smile.

This can be considered a test.

I want to know the extent to which I'm involved with each person—whether it's just offering suggestions or having decision-making power.

Zhang Heping and Zhao Shi exchanged a glance.

"Director Cao, would you like to direct this movie?" Zhang Heping asked.

Cao Yang considered it for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. "Director Zhang, it's not that I'm unwilling to direct, it's just that I have no experience directing this type of film. If I don't do it well, I'll be in big trouble."

Zhao Shi smiled and said, "This film is a tribute film, and its importance is self-evident. Everyone in China knows that Director Cao is the most famous director in the world, but only those of us in the industry know that Cao Yang is also a top producer."

Since Director Cao is unwilling to direct, Director Zhang and I both feel that Director Cao is most suitable to serve as executive producer and producer.

They actually came up with two plans: if Cao Yang was willing to direct, they would find him several genre film directors as assistants.

If Cao Yang is unwilling to direct, then let him serve as executive producer and producer to oversee the overall direction of the film. This way, when the film is released, Cao Yang's name can still be used.

The main reason is to avoid a poor box office performance in the future, which would not be what the higher-ups want to see.

Cao Yang considered it for a moment; the supervisor and producer were also among the decision-makers.

However, he still wanted to clarify what roles the people present would play in the film, lest they limit themselves by adding titles like executive producer or general producer, which would lack sincerity.

In terms of rank, Cao Yang is on the same level as Zhang Heping and Zhao Shi.

Zhang Heping has reached the age where he will almost never be promoted to a full ministerial level position.

Zhao Shi still has a chance.

Cao Yang vaguely remembered that she was later transferred from the deputy director of the Optoelectronics Bureau to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles as vice chairman, and when she retired, the age was marked in parentheses to indicate that she was a full minister.

"Director Zhao, this tribute film is so important, aren't you going to personally take on the role of executive producer?"

Zhao Shi laughed.

"Director Cao is joking. My job is to serve everyone, not to work on a film set. Besides, I'm fine with handling logistics or liaising with relevant departments, but I wouldn't be suitable to be a producer."

It would indeed be inappropriate for a deputy director of the optoelectronics department to be involved in a film.

After a pause, Zhao Shi continued, "Dean Zhang will participate as the chief planner, mainly to ensure that the film does not deviate from the theme."

Cao Yang nodded, indicating that he understood.

As Zhang Heping just mentioned, the main storyline of the film script for "The Founding of a Republic" revolves around the magnificent struggle between the two parties on the eve of the first Consultative Conference.

This is different from the main storyline of the movie that Cao Yang knew.

However, Cao Yang could understand why this was the main storyline.

Zhang Heping served as the vice chairman of the Beijing Consultative Conference for five years, so he would definitely have considered making this tribute film around that theme first.

Seeing that Cao Yang didn't say anything more, the others knew that Cao Yang had agreed.

Then the food arrived, and the group stopped talking about the movie and started chatting about the Olympics.

After dinner, everyone went to Zhang Heping's office to continue their discussion.

"Director Cao, do you have a director in mind?"

Zhao Shi asked.

"How's Mr. Han? I remember he directed 'Stories of Great Men,' so he has some relevant experience," Cao Yang said.

If this movie were to be made the same way as before, with over a hundred stars from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in the cast, most directors wouldn't be able to handle it.

It's not just the intricate interpersonal relationships involved, but also other aspects.

For example, some actors who are part of the system and only focus on making films made within the system can ignore directors outside the system, even big directors. If someone says they won't give you face, they really mean it.

Besides that, there are some other messy things that are generally difficult for directors to sort out.

Currently, among all the directors in China qualified to oversee a film crew, there are only Cao Yang and Han Zong, perhaps with the added benefit of Zhang Yimou directing the Olympics.

"China Film Group is so busy right now, with a lot of administrative and business work to handle. Can he spare a few months to direct?"

Zhao Shi asked.

Cao Yang thought for a moment. It seemed that President Han had mentioned adding parentheses? He just didn't know if the process had been completed after so long.

China Film Group is a state-owned enterprise directly under the China Optoelectronics Technology Group Corporation. In terms of affiliation, General Manager Han is Zhao Shi's subordinate.

However, if President Han adds parentheses, then it becomes somewhat...

"Here's what I'm thinking: since it's a tribute film and also for the 60th anniversary celebration, it needs to be grand. What do you guys think of an all-star cast?"

"All-Star?"

"Yes, all-star, a real all-star. Most of the roles in the movie, including those that appear briefly without any lines, are played by celebrities."

Cao Yang looked at the people present and said.

Zhao Shi was shocked, her eyes widening.

Zhang Heping, the chief planner, was also shocked. He had considered an all-star lineup, but he was only thinking of finding a few big stars to play the main roles.

He had never imagined, nor dared to imagine, such a large-scale production as Cao Yang, where almost all roles were played by celebrities.

Wang Xingdong, who rarely speaks, was also stunned by Cao Yang's grand gesture. He quietly gave Cao Yang a thumbs up, thinking, "No wonder he's Teacher Situ's last disciple. His boldness is unmatched."

"With so many celebrities, how are their salaries calculated? How much investment is needed?"

Zhao Shi couldn't help but ask.

Cao Yang smiled and said, "Since it's a tribute film celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, I think they definitely won't charge the market rate for the actors' fees. At most, they'll charge a symbolic fee, or even nothing at all."

"Snapped!"

Zhang Heping clapped his hands and said happily, "That's great! Yes, this is a tribute film to celebrate the birthday of our motherland. All-star, all-star, great..." This was the first film he proposed and planned. The higher-ups knew this. The more successful the film was and the greater its influence, the happier he would be.

After his initial excitement, he immediately stated, "A tribute film like this is so important, and it needs an all-star cast, so we definitely need to find a trustworthy director who can keep things under control. I think Lao Han is a good fit."

After considering it for a moment, Zhao Shi thought that if it really was an all-star lineup, the only people in the current Chinese film industry who could hold their own against so many stars were either Cao Yang or Lao Han.

"Director Cao, Lao Han is too busy. These past two years have been a period of rapid development for the domestic market, and he has a lot of responsibilities... Why don't you consider directing it yourself?"

Cao Yang said with a smile, "I really can't get away. Since President Han is so busy, then find someone to help him. Also, find a director to co-direct. As long as President Han is there on set, there won't be any problems."

"I think this is a good idea."

Zhang Heping agreed.

Zhao Shi laughed, "Alright, this is fine too."

She is someone who can take things in stride and let them go easily.

Then, looking at Zhang Heping, he asked, "Who would be the right person to give such a large project to?"

Zhang Heping said without hesitation, "Beijing Forbidden City Film Studio. They have experience in making this kind of film and have the most well-known team in the industry."

Beijing Forbidden City Film Industry was jointly established in 97 by Beijing Television, Beijing Television Art Center, Beijing Film Company, and Beijing Culture and Art Audio-Visual Publishing House.

There were many talented people in that field at the time, and they were quite famous.

To put it simply, the so-called "Beijing circle" is a large group of people in the film and television industry centered around this group.

Most importantly, when the company was first established, Zhang Heping was the deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and concurrently served as the general manager of Forbidden City Film Industry.

So, do you understand Zhang Heping's status now?

Those so-called core members of the "Beijing circle" are, in Dean Zhang's hands...

Upon hearing Zhang Heping recommend Forbidden City Film Studio to produce "The Founding of a Republic," Cao Yang smiled but remained silent.

On the surface, it seems that Qingying Studio definitely couldn't produce it, so Cao Yang didn't need to compete.

Cao Yang also knew that even if he didn't say anything, some people would still object to having Forbidden City Film Studio produce it.

"Forbidden City Film Studio is no good. In terms of relevant experience, how can Forbidden City Film Studio compare with China Film Group, which was built on the production foundation of Beijing Film Studio? China Film Group has technology, talent, capital, and contributions... China Film Group is the most suitable."

Zhao Shi refuted Zhang Heping without hesitation and recommended China Film Group.

Regardless of what Lao Han is like, China Film Group is directly under the Optoelectronics Department, and Zhao Shi, as the deputy director of the Optoelectronics Department, should naturally fight for this opportunity for China Film Group.

Zhang Heping, however, refused to back down.

The two argued for a while, but neither could convince the other.

So, the two of them naturally looked at Cao Yang.

Cao Yang thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Han is the chairman of China Film Group. From any perspective, it would be more convenient for China Film Group to be in charge of the production if he were the director."

After saying this, he looked at Zhang Heping and continued, "Director Zhang, you are the chief planner of this film, and it's such an important tribute film. You wouldn't want any problems with coordination during filming, would you?"

Zhang Heping was somewhat unwilling, but he also knew that Cao Yang was right. If China Film Group produced the film, Director Han would be able to direct it however he wanted, which would be very convenient for the filming.

Zhang Heping was silent for a moment, then said, "Didn't you say Lao Han is busy? Since you need to find someone to help him, I recommend Huang Jianxin. He comes from an art-house film director background and can bring a lot of soft elements, so the film won't become so hard or stiff."

He and Lao Han were classmates in the Beijing Film Academy's cadre training program, so they would have a good working relationship.

Although Huang Jianxin came from Xi'an Film Studio, he is also considered a member of the "Beijing circle" and has been collaborating with them for the past ten years or so.

"Yes, I think Director Zhang is right. Director Huang is very suitable. Art-house directors can indeed bring a lot of softness to films."

Since this film is so important, why don't we add another director? I think Tian Zhuangzhuang would be very suitable; he's a Golden Lion winner and can bring even more attention to the film.

"Okay, it's settled."

"alright."

The group reached an agreement.

"I think it's good too."

Wang Xingdong couldn't get a word in edgewise, but after Cao Yang and the other two reached a consensus, he still added a comment to express his agreement.

Not long after Cao Yang returned, he received a call from President Han.

"Junior brother, I've heard about what happened today. I won't stand on ceremony with you. Anyway, thank you."

"That's what President Han said on the phone."

"Hey, you say you're not going to stand on ceremony with me, senior brother. There's no need for this between us."

Cao Yang said with a smile.

President Han laughed heartily, his laughter sounding particularly hearty.

"Alright, junior brother, I was too nosy. We can talk in detail when you're free."

After hanging up with President Han, Cao Yang picked up the first draft given to him by Wang Xingdong and continued reading.

Overall, this first draft contains very few war scenes. The main plot and a large portion of the text revolve around the period before and after the first negotiation conference, with negotiations and negotiations taking place continuously.

The establishment of China was not achieved through talks or unity, but through fighting.

Therefore, the main storyline needs to be changed.

Give the suggestion to President Han, and let him handle it.

Although we don't know how President Han persuaded Director Zhang in history, the result is what we saw: the film was shot with those wars as the main storyline.

Cao Yang stayed in Beijing for more than ten days. Warner Bros. kept urging him to go back and produce "Joker", prepare for "The Hangover", and write the script for "The Hangover".

Disney CEO Robert Iger kept calling, asking when they would start preparing a sequel to "Pirates of the Caribbean"...

Having no other choice, Cao Yang went to the United States in late August.

However, before leaving, he specifically sought out Lao Tian and reminded him as early as possible that when preparing for "The Founding of a Republic," he was just an ordinary director, and he should do whatever President Han asked him to do.

This film is unusual; it's a tribute film, so it can't be made to conform to one's own ideas.

Old Tian glared and protested, "Director Cao, my dear Director Cao, I understand, I understand everything. Do you think I'm a willful person? I'm long past my rebellious phase. Now I just want to honestly teach my students."

I know you're trying to get me a director's job so I can gain experience and eventually succeed Xie Xiaojing or Lao Hou. I understand, I understand completely. Don't worry, I'll do whatever Lao Han says.

After Cao Yang left.

Old Tian smiled and shook his head.

"You little brat's all grown up. Do you think I don't know the importance of a patriotic film? Do you think I don't know who my father is? Do you think I don't understand this?"

Besides, if I acted on my temper, do you believe I wouldn't dare slap myself in public?

(End of this chapter)