Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 111: Film and Performance Director

Shanghai, Taojiang Road, Shangying Group Office Building, 20th floor.

Ren Zhonglun's office faces south. The Huangpu River outside the floor-to-ceiling windows is sparkling, and the spring sunlight shines in obliquely, reflecting on a huge solid wood office desk.

The desk was extremely tidy. On the left were several thick film planning plans, and on the right was a Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain pen holder with several signature pens lying quietly inside.

The air is filled with the fragrance of tea, wafting from a cup of gaiwan tea.

Ren Zhonglun was leaning back in his boss chair, flipping through an analytical report on the market share of domestic films this quarter, his brows furrowed, and he tapped the table with his knuckles from time to time.

At this moment, there were three gentle knocks on the office door.

"Enter."

The secretary gently pushed the door open, took two steps, bent slightly, and said in a low voice, "Mr. Ren, there's news that Director Wu Chen is now at the Magic City Opera School."

Ren Zhonglun paused for a moment as he flipped through the briefing, his brows raised in surprise. "Magic City Opera School?"

His mind quickly turned, and he immediately guessed Wu Chen's motive - he was probably looking for actors for the new film or preparing for a performance.

Thinking of this, his eyes moved and he immediately picked up his phone and dialed Wu Chen's number.

At the gate of Shanghai Opera School, Wu Chen was just about to leave when his cell phone rang. When he saw who was calling, he was stunned for a moment and then answered.

"Director Wu, why didn't you let me know beforehand when you came to visit Shanghai? I'd like to show you how to be a good host."

Ren Zhonglun's tone was warm and teasing, "We agreed on this after the last seminar."

"I came too hastily." Wu Chen responded with a chuckle, his tone not showing any embarrassment at all.

"I will definitely go there next time." These kinds of words are just polite remarks, what else can you say during a polite greeting? But when someone comes over and the topic is brought up, it proves that the other party brought it up on purpose and wants to talk about something.

"Then let's have dinner together today? That way I can play the role of host." Ren Zhonglun asked with a smile.

Wu Chen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not refuse.

In the evening, at a local restaurant with an elegant environment on Taojiang Road.

The two of them sat in a private room by the window. Ren Zhonglun raised his glass to toast and calmly mentioned the situation of Shanghai Film Group in the past two years:

"To be honest, Director Wu, we have a really hard time on the film scene.
The core resources are all in the hands of China Film Group in Beijing, and that person is very domineering. As for us, the only ones we can invest in are those marginal films.”

Wu Chen listened with a smile and nodded without comment.

Of course, he knew that he only believed 30% of what he said, so he just listened to it.

Although China Film Group is powerful, Shanghai Film Group is not so stretched. The basic foundation of this large state-owned enterprise is beyond his imagination.

Wu Chen responded politely and without missing a beat: "Mr. Ren, cooperation opportunities are always two-way. As long as the script is good and the resources are suitable, I will naturally think of Shanghai Film Group first."

This is not a promise, but it is not a rejection either. It is just in the gray area.

Ren Zhonglun also understood this, but he still smiled - the fact that Wu Chen was willing to eat this meal and show this attitude meant that there was still room for negotiation.

He was already satisfied.

After the meal, the two walked out of the restaurant side by side, and were photographed by passing reporters one in front and one behind.

The next day, several small film industry media outlets published a news item:
Wu Chen met with Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group. Could the new film be produced by Shanghai Film Group?

The news was not sensational, but it spread quickly within the industry, especially to China Film Group.

China Film Building, 8:30 in the morning.

After receiving a report from his subordinates, Gao Chengsheng hurried into Han Sanping's office, handed him the news report, and whispered, "Boss Han, this news was just released this morning."

Han Sanping took it, glanced at it, and sneered: "That old fox Ren Zhonglun never misses any opportunity. I wonder what he said again?"

He pondered for a few seconds, then picked up the phone and dialed Wu Chen's number.

At this time, Wu Chen was about to go to the Acting Department when the phone rang. He looked at it and was stunned for a moment: "Mr. Han, good morning."

"Wu Chen, how's the progress on the script for the big production?

Cheng Sheng said you've been secluded for the past half month, staying at home. I think you should have a rough outline of the story, right? Would you like to find time to meet me?"

"Don't be impatient, Mr. Han. Good things are worth waiting for."

Wu Chen responded with a smile.

In fact, he has been busy polishing the script of "Black Peony" during this period, and has not started writing "Now You See Me".

But the script for the latter is much easier, as it is a purely commercial genre film that meets Hollywood's industrial standards.

Just write a rough outline, then register the core and framework of the story, and then hand it over to Hollywood screenwriters to improve it, which can save a lot of time.

"Okay, I'll wait for your news." Han Sanping hung up the phone, his lips curled up slightly, and he murmured softly: "I guess he hasn't been influenced by that old fox Ren Zhonglun. No one has been able to take food from me, Han Sanping."

Department of Performance, Beijing Film Academy.

As soon as Wu Chen appeared, the teacher's office immediately became lively.

Wang Jinsong quickly stood up and tried to move a stool for him, but Wu Chen stopped him with a smile: "Teacher Wang, there's no need. I'm here to see Teacher Zu Feng."

"Oh, he just went to get some water, just a minute or two."

He blew on the tea leaves in the thermos and asked with a smile, "How are you doing lately? I haven't heard anything."

"He can still direct plays every day." Cui Xinqin joked, "He should at least give it a break."

Everyone laughed and the atmosphere became relaxed and harmonious. Wu Chen also chatted a few more words.

Not long after, Zu Feng came back with a thermos cup and was stunned when he saw Wu Chen.

"Wu Chen is looking for you." Wang Jinsong gestured.

The two of them found an empty classroom to talk about business.

The office did not become quiet because of Wu Chen's departure. Instead, people were still discussing and expressing their feelings.

They were half witnesses to Wu Chen, especially Wang Jinsong.

"From the winter of 2003 to now, it's been less than a year and a half, and the changes are really huge." Wang Jinsong sighed.

"I hope our students can show some fighting spirit, or our school will produce another big director while all the roles are taken away by the neighboring school." Cui Xinqin frowned and said in an unhappy tone.

"Well, it all depends on one's own ability." Wang Jinsong sighed, "How can it be possible that all the performances are performed by our own family members?"

"So, Lao Wang, your attitude is too soft. No wonder all the resources are flowing out." Cui Xinqin curled her lips, very dissatisfied with Wang Jinsong's attitude of being willing to fight or not.

Wang Jinsong shook his head and smiled bitterly. Can these problems be solved by taking a tough attitude?

On the other side, in the classroom, Wu Chenzheng proposed to ask Liu Tianchi to be the performance director of "Black Peony".

Although Liu Tianchi is very low-key in the industry, if you look at her resume, you will find that she is the true first-generation "Mou Girl".

Later, as a teacher and acting coach, she became the instructor for Zhang Yi's difficult scenes in a certain crew. Later films such as "The Wandering Earth" also asked her to act.

If it weren't for Zhang Yi's words, "With your appearance and figure, you can't reach Gong Li's level," Liu Tianchi would probably still be acting.

Because the latter wanted to be an actor like Gong Li, but although her acting skills were good enough, her appearance and figure limited her.

However, in the field of acting guidance, the other party almost represents the top level in the industry.

Moreover, the other party is a teacher at the Central Academy of Drama. It would be a great thing if Chang Li and others could be invited to teach him occasionally.

Zu Feng nodded after hearing this: "It shouldn't be a problem. I'll give you an answer later."

"Thank you, Brother Feng." Wu Chen replied with a smile.

With Zu Feng's help, this matter will most likely not be a problem. Although Zu Feng and Liu Tianchi have not yet married, the way they get along is almost like a married couple, it's just that they will get the marriage certificate later.

Zu Feng smiled and said: "If you invite her, she will probably be very happy. She likes to do this."

(End of this chapter)