Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 202 begins filming, Li Shaohong and Li Qin
On the morning of November 16, the chill of winter lingered, but the Huairou Film and Television Base was already bustling with activity.

Rows of lighting trucks, costume trucks, and prop trucks were neatly lined up, and the crew members were already moving between the set and backstage early in the morning.

Equipment of all sizes was continuously transported, and the directing team, actors, script supervisors, art directors, and costume designers returned to their respective positions.

The air was filled with the earthy scent of early morning mixed with the tense yet excited atmosphere inside the venue.

"Hurry up, hurry up! Wu Chen's 'Black Peony' starts filming today, at 8:30 sharp. I heard that the media won't be allowed to visit the set later, and no information will be released. Today is the only day we can take some photos."

"You know, Wu Chen is too low-key. He's such a big director, couldn't he at least give us a heads-up before filming starts? And the location should be bigger. This whole rush is just too much."

"The Huairou base isn't big enough yet. Stop whining and run faster, or it'll be too late."

"."

A group of entertainment reporters hurriedly rushed from the parking area to the northeast corner of the base, carrying cameras, notebooks and recording equipment, adjusting them as they ran.

Wu Chen was standing in front of the mid-range control console.

Wang Changtian arrived early, and before the two could exchange a few pleasantries, Han Sanping and another person slowly approached.

Wu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled and extended his hand, saying:
"Director Li, hello!"

He naturally knew Li Shaohong. As a representative of female directors, she became a well-known director at home and abroad with her film "The Orange is Red", and her status in the Directors Guild was not low.

Its new version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," a collaboration with China Film Group, has caused quite a stir both inside and outside the industry.

The so-called casting call swept the country, attracting countless people from both inside and outside the industry to fight tooth and nail.

"Director Wu, I was just looking at the set design for 'Dream of the Red Chamber' when I heard from President Han that you were starting filming here, so I came over with you."

Li Shaohong smiled and pointed to the east, where the set for "Dream of the Red Chamber" was being built, and work was in full swing. Her gaze then involuntarily fell on the cast.

At this moment, Liu Yifei and Li Qin are talking.

"Director Wu, who is that?"

Wu Chen followed her gaze and was taken aback.

Li Shaohong definitely knows Liu Yifei, so she naturally asked about Li Qin.

If he remembers correctly, Li Qin was chosen by Li Shaohong to star in "Dream of the Red Chamber" and made her debut.

After a moment's thought, Wu Chen slowly replied, "Li Qin!"

Li Shaohong's eyes lit up because she remembered that Wu Chen's movie was related to Kunqu Opera, after all, the name was "Black Peony", which was most likely related to "The Peony Pavilion".

So Li Qin must also understand Kunqu Opera, since Wu Chen spent a year and a half preparing for this movie.

The original novel of "Dream of the Red Chamber" has the influence of Kunqu Opera. It should be noted that the twelve sections of "Dream of the Red Chamber" are complete Kunqu Opera tunes.

Li Shaohong's mind immediately started working.

A short while later, Ning Hao arrived with Xing Aina, and Gu Changwei arrived with Jiang Wenli.

The area in front of the set suddenly became lively, almost like a small gathering of industry professionals.

Just then, the production assistant shouted, "Get ready to start filming! All personnel, take your positions!"

As the crew members returned to their positions, the photographers adjusted their angles, the actors took their positions, and the stagehands pulled back the red cloth in front of the ceremony stage.

It's 8:30.

The opening ceremony officially began.

A red banner was unfurled, and bright red fireworks were set up. The main cast and crew gathered in the square in the center of the set.

The cameras and power-on boards were lined up in a row. Wu Chen stood in the center, flanked by Liu Yifei, Li Qin, Liu Tianchi, and others. Han Sanping and Wang Changtian stood on either side.

"Everyone, get ready!"

"Good luck with the boot!"

"Click!" With a click, the photographer pressed the shutter, capturing the first group photo of the cast and crew.

Fireworks burst into bloom, and camera shutters clicked incessantly.

Reporters swarmed around, raising their cameras and microphones, and bombarded the main creators with questions.

"Director Wu, the main cast only includes the female lead and the second female lead, is there no male lead?"

"Director Wu, I heard that 'Black Peony' has a special subject matter and has invited Zhang Jiqing, a master of Kunqu Opera, to serve as an advisor. May I ask how you handle the integration of traditional drama and modern images?"

From which era were the actual historical materials used as inspiration for the art direction and set design?

"Ms. Liu Yifei, this is your first time starring as the female lead in a film by a renowned director. Do you have anything to say?"

"Ms. Li Qin, as a complete newcomer actress, do you feel any pressure participating in the film?"

"."

The opening ceremony didn't last long; some questions couldn't be answered before it ended successfully in a warm atmosphere.

On the other side of the studio, the crew had already begun filming the first shot of the first scene.

Once the cordon was set up, the reporters obtained no further information beyond the photos they had just taken.

"Wu Chen's movie is even more secretive than Zhang Yimou's 'Curse of the Golden Flower'!" "At least it has revealed a little bit, hurry up and send it back."

"."

Han Sanping didn't stay on set for long. After watching for a while, he prepared to leave, accompanied by Li Shaohong.

"Mr. Han, that young lady from Director Wu's film crew seems quite suitable for 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

"Which one?" Han Sanping frowned.

"Li Qin, I just took a look, and her Kunqu Opera skills are quite good. There are some Kunqu Opera segments in the script of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. Could you talk to Director Wu about it?"

Li Shaohong was truly moved.

Such a promising talent! Not only is she skilled in Kunqu Opera, but she has also trained for so long under the guidance of Liu Tianchi. She is truly a gift from heaven.

We must try our best, no matter what.

“The casting for ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ won’t be completed anytime soon. Let’s talk about this after filming is finished!” Han Sanping said slowly. He knew that Wu Chen had put a lot of effort into this film.

If Li Shaohong were to extend an invitation at this time, it might displease Wu Chen.

Li Shaohong was taken aback upon hearing this, but finally nodded gently.

By noon that day, news of the start of filming for "Black Peony" had already spread within the industry.

Several entertainment media outlets that acted quickly released photos from the scene immediately and published eye-catching headlines:
[Wu Chen's final chapter in his horror trilogy, "Black Peony," begins filming! Cast revealed, Liu Yifei returns for her first art-house thriller!]

[“The pinnacle of domestic psychological thrillers?” Wu Chen invests 50 million yuan to create the final chapter: “Black Peony”!]

[The mystery surrounding "Black Peony" remains intact; police tape has been put up at the scene in Huairou, suggesting a set design from the 1980s.]

[After a year and a half, Liu Yifei returns to star as the female lead in "Black Peony," expressing confidence in her new project!]

【.】

Although the reporter's question was abruptly cut off, the brief answer was enough to ignite the discussion.

As Wu Chen's new work, it has attracted a great deal of attention in the industry.

Another point is that Liu Yifei, who was once very popular, has returned after a year and a half.

Suddenly, actors of the same age in the industry felt a silent pressure.

The gap hadn't even widened before it came back to square one.

"We finally managed to dim Liu Yifei's spotlight a bit, and now it's back."

"Everyone was relieved at first, but then..."

"."

"Since Senior Sister Liu Yifei came back, her popularity has suddenly soared."

On the Beijing Film Academy campus, many people are discussing Wu Chen's new movie, while the actors are naturally more concerned about the lead actor.

"Fortunately, neither the female lead nor the supporting actress is from the Shanghai Theatre Academy this time."

"."

Yang Mi and her friends overheard the discussions among the crowd as they passed through the school, and they were filled with emotion all the way.

The most complicated person is Yang Mi herself.

She once co-starred with Liu Yifei in "The Return of the Condor Heroes". Although her performance as Guo Xiang in the drama was praised by the audience, she has not changed much in the past year.

Although he has played roles in TV dramas such as "Why Did We Meet Before?" and "The Door", he is not a main character and no one notices him.

"Mimi, isn't your company going to film 'Dream of the Red Chamber'? Didn't they reserve a spot for you?"

Yuan Shanshan couldn't help but ask.

These days, the casting for "Dream of the Red Chamber" has been a hot topic in the industry.

"It's still unclear." Yang Mi was also troubled upon hearing this. Logically speaking, with such good resources from the company, why hadn't they arranged an important role for her yet?

Just as the topic of "Black Peony" continued to heat up, Lu Xun, who had been quiet for a long time, finally "emerged from seclusion" and his remarks in an interview once again caused a stir in the industry:

“I grew up in Beijing and went to military school in Nanjing. ‘Nanjing! Nanjing!’ was my dream during my military school days, and now it is finally beginning to come true.”

"I spent two years collecting historical materials. The film is basically adapted from true events. It's not for sensationalism, but only for clarification and explanation."

"Although the total investment is 200 million, that's far from enough. A good movie production must be big. I think 200 million is still too little. The scenes in my mind can't be perfectly filmed with 200 million!"

This statement caused an uproar in the industry.

"Two hundred million? Is he crazy? How dare he brag like that? Does he even know what two hundred million means? Would Star Media and China Film Group really give him that much?"

"I don't believe he can make a movie worth 200 million with his level of skill."

"I always felt he was subtly criticizing Wu Chen? Good film productions must be big-budget, is he saying Wu Chen only made 'Black Peony' with 50 million? There's a hidden meaning in his words."

(End of this chapter)