I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 382, ​​Filming Begins for "The Age of Awakening"

at this time.

Li Xuan slowly woke up, realizing he had fallen asleep on set, and a snowflake had landed on the tip of his nose.
It's a bit cold. Winter in Beijing is still bitterly cold, especially when it snows; the feeling is particularly intense then.
But there are also heartwarming things.
For example, the thighs you're resting your head on right now.

"So warm, so white, so sturdy."

"Actually, its sturdiness goes without saying."

"I like sturdy ones."

"uh-huh."

Liu Yifei blushed slightly.
At this moment, Li Xuan murmured.

"I had a very long dream, a very, very long dream."

Although I've gotten used to immersing myself in it.

But the era in which "The Age of Awakening" is immersed.

Later than "The Young Pioneers," more numerous, and even more—cruel.
However, having learned from the experience of the prequel "The Young Pioneers" and having read many related books, Li Xuan was already quite mentally prepared.
Imperial power and territory are even secondary—in this era, simply surviving as a 'human being' is a difficult thing in itself. When people don't even consider themselves human, how can they possibly defend their homeland and protect everything related to it?
Poverty, injustice, the rich feasting while the poor freeze to death on the streets—even the old landlords in the snowy region seem to possess some humanity. But the so-called humanity they exhibit is actually quite limited.

Even when all the preparations were complete and thorough, there were still some unexpected aspects.

I can sense what kind of pain and suffering a person who has been 'awakened' must experience in an era of ignorance and backwardness.

Most of the time, the so-called "saving the country" is nothing but wishful thinking, turning into kindling that burns fiercely.
At this moment, Liu Yifei stared into Li Xuan's eyes and said.

“I know you were talking about it around 3 a.m. last night. You kept talking.”

"Is that so?" Li Xuan was slightly taken aback and said, "What did I say last night?"

“You were talking until 3 a.m. last night, teaching me how to write the character 【钊】.”

"The character '钊' in '金刀劈黑牢' (Jin Dao Pi Hei Chang)."

Liu Yifei then used her finger to write the character "钊" on Li Xuan's palm.

Only then did Li Xuan realize what was happening.

Now, the feeling, the understanding, and the things that permeate the depths of my heart are all reflected in the script.

soul.

I've already filled in the gaps; the attention to detail is impressive.

I have everything I need now.

It all depends on whether the skills you've honed over the years can bring out the full potential of your work.

At this point, filming for "The Age of Awakening" officially began, and the entire cast was in place.
“I have a lot of confidence in Li Xuan. He is very good at using emotional output to interpret the script, and this film, ‘The Age of Awakening,’ has a better advantage in emotional output. But I have to say something honestly—he is actually not as good as Gao Xinxin in terms of control and skills, or rather, details. This has to be said rationally.”

"Li Xuan is an absolutely talented young director. He is the most talented young director I have ever seen. I have never seen a director or actor more talented than him. I believe that given time, he will definitely be able to reach the same heights as Zhang Yimou and others."

Liu Hewei was on set at the time, chatting with Wang Jinsong about the play, and Chen Duxiu and Cai Yuanpei also had many scenes to rehearse.

“It’s quite objective,” Wang Jinsong chuckled. “But this extraordinary talent for emotional output is already a talent that others can’t even look up to. When inspiration strikes, he might even be able to create a film that surpasses the box office and critical acclaim of his predecessors.”

This is also an objective phenomenon.

Wang Jinsong also knew that, just like Ma Kuzi and Zhang Yimou, their box office wasn't always number one, but their reputation still stood here.

The filming techniques include storyboarding, personal style, and a stable return on investment.
These are all factors that can influence one's status.

"Actually, Li Xuan's works are very distinctive. The core ideas in his works are very present. So, if you give him time to hone his directing skills, storyboarding, lighting, and other techniques, he really has the potential to reach the top. He also has a strong learning ability. In fact, you can feel the personal style of many directors when you look at his works."

This is the most difficult thing to learn, even impossible, but Li Xuan has managed to learn it. Even Wang Jingsong, who is quite knowledgeable, couldn't help but be amazed by Li Xuan's abilities.
Once Li Xuan's style, technique, and skills are honed to perfection, and he finds a suitable script, then he will be incredibly powerful.
As a director, I should be able to leave my mark on the history of entertainment.

These things, this kind of power.

What he lacks is probably the experience and qualifications that come with age, and the skills that come with those things.
Overall, however, Wang Jinsong seemed relatively relaxed.
At least after "The Young Pioneers," Wang Jinsong no longer believes that Li Xuan could fail with this subject matter; it's just that his 'technique' might not be as refined as those of the veterans.
But that's only relative to the big shots.
It's just that it's not as mature as the big shots.
Judging from the rearview mirror, Li Xuan's skills were also quite formidable.

At this moment, Wang Jinsong sighed slightly.

"I wonder how far he'll go in the future. I hope I can witness his true peak in my lifetime."

I received the script for "The Age of Awakening" and went to read the scenes and lines.
I hope to make a comeback in the entertainment industry this time.

Don't let Ah Xuan down, take this old geezer with you.

At this moment, Han Ping, who was far away at Peking University, spoke with Zhou Fengqi, who was then the president of Peking University.

"Han Ping, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Go ahead and tell me."

"I can lend you the Peking University campus, and you can also lend your students to film movies as extras, so they can experience the humanities and culture."

Zhou Fengqi paused for a moment and then said, "But there's something I also need to make clear. From screenwriting to directing, it's not really appropriate for an arts school student to direct a production like this."

Han Ping could clearly read what information was in the eyes of Zhou Fengqi, the president of Peking University.

It was a very subtle, yet very direct, sense of dislike.

Art school student, in "The Age of Awakening".
At this moment, Han Ping still spoke.

"Li Xuan has a good reputation. Back when he was making 'The Young Pioneers,' he had already produced similar works. Perhaps his techniques were still a bit raw and immature, but the stories he told already had the flair of a master, and he was well-regarded at the time."

Zhou Fengqi paused, his gaze falling on Han Ping's face. "The Awakening Era, this period of history is too heavy. Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Cai Yuanpei... these names are a belief at Peking University."

Han Ping nodded in agreement: "Principal Zhou, you are right. We came here with the heart of a pilgrim."

Even Han Ping, the president of Peking University, had to give him enough respect.

Moreover, this time, in addition to borrowing Peking University's campus, they also need to borrow their students.

"A pilgrimage?" Zhou Fengqi shook his head slightly. "I heard that the director you've chosen is from the Beijing Film Academy? A young man... who didn't enter an arts school through the nine-year compulsory education college entrance examination."

Han Ping secretly harbored resentment
But he patiently continued, “Principal Zhou, Director Li Xuan… he is very talented. You may have heard of ‘Hidden in the Dust,’ which had a great impact on society. And you also know that he previously directed ‘The Young Pioneers,’ which was also highly acclaimed.”

“Talent and depth are two different things.” Zhou Fengqi’s voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness. “Art schools teach techniques, how to shoot, but if you want to shoot ‘new youth,’ you need to answer why you’re shooting, to capture the ‘soul’ of the intellectuals of that era.”

He looked at Han Ping: "A young man in his twenties, how many original issues of 'New Youth' have he read? Can he understand the weight behind 'shouldering the responsibility of justice'? You asked him to film Cai Yuanpei, to film the grand scene of the 'Eight Schools Joint Examination'... I have to worry, isn't this a kind of... frivolity?"

You could tell from his voice that the principal was dissatisfied.

Han Ping even knew why he was dissatisfied, but it was a request made by Li Xuan.
Zhou Fengqi stopped using cryptic language.

"Even if you insist on having us cooperate with your art world filming, that's not impossible. However, if you want our Peking University students to act as extras, frankly, do you think they're qualified to give a lecture to students at the Beijing Film Academy? Even if it's acting, I advise you to give up on that idea. I can send you notices, but whether they ultimately cooperate with your 'filming' is beyond my control, Mr. Han."

"What do you art worlds say again? Yes, that's right, it's 'aura.' When real Peking University students appear, how can you, this fake Li Dazhao, possibly subdue them? If you don't subdue them, how can this grapefruit achieve its effect? ​​You should understand this principle."

Peking University student.

They don't need to act; just feel it in their natural state, and their domineering and astonishing sharpness shines through.

Could this Li Dazhao handle the aura of a true Peking University?

Will they be on set?

Can he follow Li Xuan's orders?

Principal Zhou can guarantee all of these things 100%.

Bao doesn't listen to anyone, not even professors from Peking University, let alone a director or someone in the arts and culture circle.

After thinking for a moment, Han Ping spoke.

"We have to give it a try. If it really doesn't work, then we can always find extras. For now, let's let Li Xuan give it a shot."

"Alright, I'll go along with you."

After leaving the Peking University president's office.

Han Ping was also shaking his head at this moment.

"The president of Peking University, how impressive! That intellectual arrogance is practically ingrained in his bones."

Jiang Wen, who was standing next to him, chuckled and said.

"The top universities in China, Tsinghua and Peking University, are all places where people who are associated with the top are arrogant."

"Then why do I think Li Xuan is so humble?"

Han Ping pondered this.

Li Xuan is indeed the number one among his peers.

Being of the same generation and being of the same age are two different things.

Lu Chuan is almost a sixth generation.
There is even debate in some places about whether he should be considered the sixth or seventh generation.

Too blurry.

But as a director of the same age, Li Xuan is undoubtedly number one.

The rising stars of the younger generation, whether as directors or actors.

He's always doing things that are almost beyond his level.

“Li Xuan. He’s different.”

Jiang Wen then said leisurely, "He really is different."

"Honestly, what are your thoughts on the Age of Awakening?"

"A good work is definitely a contender for awards. As long as he can film it and follow the core of the script, he'll definitely be qualified to compete, and with his directing skills, he can also achieve decent viewership ratings." Han Ping then expressed his expectations for the "Awakening Era" project: "Li Xuan has the advantage of this subject matter. At the major television awards two years from now, Li Xuan definitely has an advantage; I'm very optimistic about him."

"Judging from your words, it seems you have little hope for the ratings."

Jiang Wen understood this from Han Ping's words.

Under Li Xuan's influence, one can become 'not bad'.

"These days, which college student skips a Marxist-Leninist course without actually getting credits?"

"But nowadays, there are countless college students who watch American TV series. They know all about shows like The Big Bang Theory, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, Dexter, and House. Times have changed, and the TV series market is declining with the development of the Internet."

"It's not that martial arts dramas have declined, but rather that the development of the internet has led to a decline in the entire television drama market. I personally believe that 'The Long Season' and 'Lurking' are the pinnacles of television dramas."

Han Ping sighed. In fact, he had anticipated this matter and had been guiding the domestic market to intervene.
This is all different from things like the director's and actors' techniques, acting skills, skills, and core ideas.
Regardless of whether Li Xuan could express it or not,

It's simply a market issue.

Just like the film market, it was eroded without its knowledge while it was burying its head in the sand.

“You’re in the business world, so you know exactly what the market is like,” Han Ping said to Jiang Wen. “It’s tough to make a living. So winning awards, getting decent ratings, and maintaining some viewership is the best I could hope for Li Xuan. I believe he has the ability.”

"I think it's a little different from what you think."

After a long while, Jiang Wen looked at the snow outside the window, seemingly somewhat optimistic.

“Li Xuan is different. No matter what his core ideas, skills, or external pressures are, they cannot change his original intention.”

Han Ping stroked his chin.

"What was your original intention?"

Jiang Wen said.

"He's someone who wants to make 'good' stories. Let me see how he turns this perfectly dull script into a film."

“It looks good, doesn’t it?”

(End of this chapter)