Training the Heavens

Chapter 117 Shooting starts

On Monday, Gao Jialin continued to attend classes, study, and organize student union work honestly. He did not rush to find Chen Hong. He waited until the weekend and arrived at the Shanghai Film Studio on time, just like in the previous weeks.

I went in and looked for Shi Shujun first. "Director Shi, how's things going this week? Filming should be starting soon, right?"

"It's pretty good. They are making rapid progress, especially Chen Hong. Her understanding of the role is getting better and better. At this rate, we should be able to go to your school for on-site filming next week. When the filming starts, I'll have to trouble you to help coordinate." Shi Shujun's face was obviously more tired, but she was in good spirits.

The work during the film preparation period is very busy, and it is inevitable to be tired, but as long as she thinks that the filming will start soon, she does not feel it is hard and is full of anticipation for future filming.

"I heard it was the result of your help in explaining the script? You're the original author, and your understanding of the characters is deeper than anyone else on the crew. I have classes right now, so I can't help it. Once filming starts, the crew will be inside the school. If you have time, come over and help them explain the script."

Gao Jialin readily agreed, "Okay, the school leaders are very supportive of our crew. The classrooms and dormitories have been vacated. When we start filming, I will bring the student union to maintain order and ensure that you are not disturbed. We will use the auditorium and radio station on the second day, so I will arrange it in advance on the first day."

"Thanks to you, otherwise coordinating these trivial matters would be exhausting." Shi Shujun felt quite relieved. If she had gone to other schools to shoot, there would not be such convenient conditions.

After leaving Shi Shujun's office, Gao Jialin went to talk to the assistant director, props, costumes, makeup and other crew members, and finally went to where the actors were rehearsing.

When I got to the door, I saw Gailili, Gao Hongliang, and Xu Yajun were studying the script and rehearsing very seriously. They were much more dedicated than those young actors and actresses in later generations. How could they spend so much time on preparation? Wouldn't it be better to spend this time accompanying their sponsors and having parties?

"Teacher Gao."

"Teacher Gao, you are here."

Seeing him come in, the actors quickly stood up and greeted him.

"Don't worry about me, I'm just here to take a look. You guys continue rehearsing!" It's really pleasing to the eyes to have so many young and beautiful girls standing in front of him. Gao Jialin automatically ignored Xu Yajun and others.

Xu Yajun and the others resumed rehearsals. Chen Hong wanted to come over, but before she could even lift her foot, Gai Lili came over first. "Teacher Gao, the last time you explained the play to Chen Hong, she improved a lot. I'm also a little unsure about something now. Can you explain it to me?"

"What's the uncertainty?" Gao Jialin did not refuse, saying that acting is a serious matter and he also wants to make a better movie.

"Let's talk over there so as not to disturb others." Gailili pulled Gao Jialin to the corner.

When passing by, Gao Jialin saw Chen Hong frowning out of the corner of his eye, and he immediately laughed. It's good to have a sense of crisis. Only with a sense of crisis will you think of ways to take the initiative to fight for it.

"You said that Tian Xiaoxia has a boyish unrestrained nature. How should this unrestrained nature be reflected?" asked Gailili.

"Free and easy means that Tian Xiaoxia is straightforward and has her own opinions, so you should be straightforward and confident when you speak your lines." Gao Jialin took a look at Gailili's clothes and made another suggestion, "When shooting winter scenes, you can drape your coat over your shoulders and keep your hands out of the sleeves."

"Tian Xiaoxia grew up in a rural area in northwest China, where many men wore their coats like this. When she was a little older, she moved to the city with her parents, but she kept the habit. Her mother said she looked like a tomboy, but Tian Xiaoxia never changed." "If you do the same, this small detail can simply and directly portray Tian Xiaoxia's personality."

"Wait a moment, I'll try." Gailili rushed out, borrowed a coat, draped it over her shoulders, and looked in the mirror. She felt that her temperament had indeed changed a lot. "It's really good, Teacher Gao, you're amazing. Now I know how to act!"

"Actually, these details are all written in the book. Don't just read the script, read the original book more often. There will be answers to many of the things you don't understand."

"I read it every day, but I didn't notice this detail. I'll take a closer look when I get home." Gailili went back with her coat on.

Then Xu Yajun came over again and asked a question. In the script, Zhong Yuemin mentioned the book "On the Road" many times, but he had never read it.

Gao Jialin called Niu Xinliang and asked him to help send over a copy of "On the Road". This book was not easy to find. When Niu Xinliang came over, he was covered in dust, probably because he had just searched the library of the publishing house.

With their example, other actors also came to Gao Jialin to discuss the play, but Chen Hong remained silent. It was not until everyone was about to leave that she came over and said, "Teacher Gao, there are several things I don't quite understand."

Now they had a reason to stay. After Gailili and others left, the two of them rode their bicycles and went to eat shengjianbao as agreed last week. Chen Hong was very happy when she paid, feeling that she had finally given something back to Teacher Gao.

It was still early after dinner, so the two went to Tai'an Road again, drinking iced juice, listening to music on the gramophone, and Gao Jialin's interpretation. Chen Hong now likes this place more and more.

At half past six, Gao Jialin took Chen Hong out. Today's universities are not like they were later. If she comes back late, there will be gossip.

Don't worry, as long as we get closer, I can always find a way to bring her upstairs sooner or later.

On Tuesday, Shi Shujun brought the main members of the crew to Pujiang College. Accompanied by school leaders and Gao Jialin, they inspected the preparations. They were satisfied with most aspects and some minor problems were adjusted on the spot.

"Thank you Pujiang College for your support. When the filming is finished and we are doing post-production, I will definitely add a special subtitle thanking Pujiang College."

The leader was very happy. The school had taken great pains to help prepare, and this was exactly what they wanted. "Of course, of course. So when can we start filming?"

"It can be done tomorrow. We'll decorate the school gate early in the morning and film the scene where Sun Shaoping, Tian Xiaoxia, Qi Tongwei and the others report for school."

"Okay, what time do you guys come over? Jialin and I will be waiting with people in advance."

The next morning, students from Pujiang College all ran to the school gate to watch the excitement. Gao Jialin, along with the student union cadres, used ropes to tie a circle of cordon and reserved a position for filming.

After the props were set up, Shi Shujun picked up the loudspeaker and announced, "Young Friends Come Together" has officially started filming!

(End of this chapter)