Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 176: Turning the Page of Youth, Can the Script Still Be Saved?

By the end of June, the weather in Beijing had already become somewhat muggy.

The campus of Beijing Film Academy was more lively than usual.

Along the red brick path, balloons tied with ribbons swayed gently in the breeze, and a banner read in large, eye-catching characters: "Beijing Film Academy 2006 Graduation Ceremony".

In front of the teaching building, the lawn is covered with all sorts of photo opportunities, exuding an atmosphere of youth and farewell.

Graduates in their academic gowns gathered in small groups; some held their degree certificates for photos, some leaned on their classmates' shoulders and laughed heartily, some pretended to be serious in front of the camera, and some couldn't help but tear up.

At this time of year, the most eye-catching department at Beijing Film Academy is naturally the Department of Performing Arts.

A group of outstanding young men and women, with their striking looks and elegant demeanor, formed a flowing scenic view under the sunlight.

Liu Yifei was dressed in a neat black graduation gown, her hair cascading over her shoulders, the slightly curled ends shimmering softly in the sunlight.

In a crowd of people taking photos, she easily became the focus of attention without even trying.

Speech by school leaders, commendation of outstanding graduates, and graduation certificate issuance ceremony.
The formal procedures have come to an end, and the atmosphere on campus has become more relaxed.

Graduates, holding bouquets and degree certificates, flocked to various spots to take photos.

Wu Chen stepped forward and said with a smile, "Senior sister, congratulations on your graduation."

Liu Yifei smiled and spread her hands, asking coquettishly, "What about the flowers?"

Wu Chen waved the bouquet of flowers he had prepared earlier: "It's for you, what's the rush?"

Zhou Yang and Wang Jia couldn't help but tease, "Junior brother, what about ours?"

"Senior sister, don't worry, we're here with you."

Park Song-il and Xiang Zhuo quickly handed over the flowers, complaining about the unscrupulous flower vendors at the school gate, "They're too good at making money. These people usually sell for a hundred at most, but today they're selling for three or five hundred."

Everyone burst into laughter, their laughter mingling with the summer breeze, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

"Junior brother, let's take a picture!" Liu Yifei called out excitedly, holding the bouquet of flowers, her voice as clear as a bell.

Wu Chen smiled at the greeting and slowly walked over.

"Yangyang, Jiajia, you need to make sure the photos look good," Liu Yifei said, turning to her.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yang and Wang Jia shook their heads, "With such a big photographer standing there, is it appropriate for us two newbies to take pictures?"

He then handed the camera to Park Song-il, saying, "Junior, it's up to you. We'll direct, you film."

“Filming those two isn’t difficult at all,” Park Song-il muttered, and everyone chuckled at his words.

"Wu Chen, put your hand on Qianqian's shoulder—yes, Qianqian lean your head a little closer and look at Wu Chen—okay, just like that!" Zhou Yang was giving instructions enthusiastically from the side.

In front of the camera, Liu Yifei's smile revealed a slight shyness, but her eyes and brows could not hide her bright and beautiful appearance.

With a click of the shutter, this moment of youth was captured.

Soon, everyone started urging Wu Chen and Liu Yifei to take a group photo, and several students from the performing arts department also joined in the commotion.

The crowd was filled with laughter and playful chatter.

"Hurry, hurry, everyone, move closer together—"

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei were half-pushed and half-pulled to the middle.

With a click, the camera captured this moment of youth and passion.

But amidst the laughter, for a fleeting moment, even Liu Yifei herself seemed slightly taken aback.

Perhaps the air was too stuffy, or perhaps the light was too dazzling—

Liu Yifei glanced around and suddenly realized:
This group of people, with their smiling faces, may never gather together again after today.

After turning around, we were separated by vast distances.

Some went to film sets, some went south or north, some stayed in the city, and some disappeared from each other's lives forever.

Liu Yifei lowered her eyelashes, her nose tingling slightly.

In fact, not only Liu Yifei, but also Zhou Yang and others gradually became sad.

Park Song-il and the others felt the same way, remarking with emotion, "Brother Chen, we'll graduate next year too."

"It's alright, we can't be sad." Wu Chen shook his head.

Park Song-il looked puzzled and asked, "Why?"

“Because I’m in the graduate program in photography, I can see your round face whenever I turn my head,” Wu Chen said seriously, and Liu Yifei and the others burst into laughter through their tears.

"You've ruined the perfect farewell atmosphere," Liu Yifei said with a light laugh, patting Wu Chen's shoulder.

As the sun dipped low in the sky, the entire Beijing Film Academy seemed to be bathed in a gentle halo of golden light.

And youth is slowly turning a new page.

The following day, Tuesday, at noon.

The sun was blazing, and the air in Beijing was thick with a stifling heat.

Wu Chen appeared in Han Sanping's office in the China Film Building.

"How did you feel after reading the script?" Han Sanping asked first, his tone filled with anticipation.

Early in the morning, Wu Chen had already finished reading the first draft of the script, which was personally brought by Michael Burns, in the conference room of China Film Group.

He hadn't originally planned to get involved, but Han Sanping kept inviting him, saying, "Even if you don't vote, please give me some advice." So Wu Chen casually flipped through the pages.

The script was almost identical to the movie released in his previous life, with the main plot nearly the same. However, since it was only a first draft, there were still many rough details. "How should I put it?" Wu Chen asked with a complicated expression, then looked at Han Sanping. "Mr. Han, it's just the two of us. Please speak freely. What do you think?"

"I asked you a question, why are you asking me this?" Han Sanping was taken aback, then laughed, leaned back in his chair, and after a moment's thought, spoke:
"I think if we cast Jackie Chan and Jet Li, this movie has potential."

Although the script was a bit rough, the Journey to the West theme has some recognition abroad;

Domestically, it goes without saying. Add to that a well-done special effect, and even with a mediocre script, it could be a decent commercial film.

Wu Chen listened, inwardly complaining:
—So you picked out all the benefits, but didn't mention a single problem.

He straightened his expression and said calmly, "Mr. Han, let me be blunt, this script is garbage."

"."

The air momentarily froze.

The two exchanged a glance, and Han Sanping fell silent for a moment, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

That's certainly direct enough. Wasn't his analysis completely wrong?

"Mr. Han, you're right. Jackie Chan and Jet Li teaming up makes for a promising movie, but they should be the main characters, right?"

But if you look at the script, are the two main characters?
The whole story is about an American boy who travels to ancient China to save Sun Wukong, which is a typical white savior narrative of "Westerners saving the East".

Not to mention Chinese audiences, even Americans are tired of it.

A story with an Eastern background that needs to be saved by Westerners—doesn't that feel awkward?

Seeing that Han Sanping remained silent, Wu Chen continued:
What do viewers really want to see?
It's a showdown between two kung fu superstars, not a backdrop to highlight an American teenager.

Moreover, the boy's growth arc is poorly written and completely unsupported.

After saying that, Wu Chen picked up his water glass, took a sip, and lazily leaned back in his chair.

Now that he has said this, whether or not Han Sanping is willing to listen is up to him.

Han Sanping sat on the sofa, still thinking about what Wu Chen had just said.

Does that make sense?

That makes perfect sense.

However, the collaboration between Jackie Chan and Jet Li, along with Lionsgate, made the project incredibly tempting.

Han Sanping hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something but then stopping.

"Mr. Han, just say what you want to say. It's just the two of us," Wu Chen said casually.

After a long silence, Han Sanping finally spoke: "Then tell me, is there any hope for this script?"

Wu Chen raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Actually, he had thought about how to revise "The Forbidden Kingdom".

He paused for a moment, then slowly said:
"There is hope for saving it, but focusing on the Journey to the West theme and forcing a fantasy blockbuster would be a waste of Jackie Chan and Jet Li's talents."

Actually, this should have been made into a story about a martial arts school. On the one hand, it would clearly explain Eastern martial arts, and on the other hand, it would showcase the skills of the two characters.

"How so?" Han Sanping's eyes lit up.

"Set in the real world, in an old martial arts school that is about to be demolished."

The legacy of the old world is coming to an end. In this final clash between two completely different martial arts philosophies, the outcome will be decided, and life and death will be determined.

Cheng Long plays a conservative, old-school martial artist who is gentle and restrained, and advocates "using martial arts to stop martial arts" and "martial arts as a means of protection," living in seclusion in an ancient martial arts school.

Li Lianjie plays a rising new-style strongman who believes in "fist conquers the world, and the winner is king" and has a large number of followers in the modern city;

An American teenager, an outsider, stumbled into the conflict, witnessed the clash between tradition and change, and ultimately understood the meaning of 'martial arts'.

"This has potential!" Han Sanping slammed his hand on the table, his eyes burning with excitement.

This story setting is much better than that messy script setting from before!
“You can definitely communicate with Lionsgate and follow your own ideas!” Han Sanping suggested excitedly.

"President Han, if this is the plan, I have to take the lead, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve anything. But will Lionsgate give me the lead?" Wu Chen shook his head with a smile.

With so much hype surrounding them, he doesn't believe Lionsgate is willing to relinquish control.

How can a duck that's already in your mouth fly away?
After Wu Chen said that, Han Sanping calmed down.

If he were in the Lions' goalkeeper position, he wouldn't let the control slip away.

"How about this, I'll try to subtly probe Michael and see what he thinks," Han Sanping said, though his tone lacked confidence.

"He's probably already contacting other people. This project is now widely known in China, and there are definitely many producers willing to take it over at a high price."

night.

Huayi Media had already prepared a grand banquet to warmly welcome Michael Burns, who had come from afar, and also invited Fan Binbin, Li Binbin and others to toast him together.

At the dinner table, amidst the clinking of glasses, Wang Zhongjun personally accompanied the guests, his face beaming with smiles.
“Mr. Michael, Huayi is absolutely sincere. We will not interfere with casting or production; we will leave everything to Lionsgate’s arrangements!”

They spoke eloquently, and toasted him one glass after another.

Just as the atmosphere was at its most lively, Michael Burns' cell phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at it, gave a slight apologetic bow, answered the phone, got up and walked out of the private room, just as the door was closing.

"Han"

A light greeting reached the ears of everyone in the private room.

Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a glance, their expressions changing slightly.
(End of this chapter)