Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 373 A Straightforward Response in the Third Trial

June 29, 2008, 9:43 AM, Beijing.

Inside the Bird's Nest Stadium, the venue was closed off, but outside the sunlight was blazing. Sunlight streamed through the huge steel structure, casting dappled patterns on the gray-white plastic floor, creating a warm, golden glow.

The upper seats were completely emptied, leaving only rows of simple temporary seats. In the front row sat several review representatives from the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Culture, and the General Political Department's Cultural Work Department, their expressions solemn.

Behind him were the directing team and the chief technical officer, who were intently watching the action on set.

"The third review of 'Modular Type Printing' has begun. Preparations are underway."

On the ground, the rehearsal array of "movable type printing" is square and neat.

Thousands of actor soldiers were distributed in a huge grid, performing each movement in perfect unison.

The frame devices they wear, which were once rejected due to their bulkiness and difficulty in control, are now almost an integral part of their bodies, with smooth transitions between movements and virtually no unnecessary swaying.

The white screen projects neat characters, like a slowly unfolding "living type epic" of Eastern culture.

A group of leaders and the directing team sat on a makeshift judging panel.

The atmosphere was solemn and quiet.

The program is nearing its end.

As the last piece of "printed text" slowly fell, another character "和" appeared instantly, and the entire screen seemed to be frozen in time—both stunning and breathtaking.

After two seconds of silence, applause suddenly erupted from the judges' panel.

"This show is great!"

"Hmm, good, not bad!"

“Zhang Yi and his team did a good job. I remember this program was almost canceled. The first time I watched that version, it was almost unwatchable. The second one was much better. This time—it’s changed again.”

"It has grandeur, aesthetic appeal, and historical significance."

Several leaders from the Ministry of Culture and the Organizing Committee couldn't help but whisper among themselves, their tone revealing undisguised surprise and approval.

The directors below stood up, and Zhang Yimou, Zhang Jigang, and several others walked to the front of the stage side by side.

"can."

"No major revisions are needed. With just over a month left, at this rate, it should be able to reach an even higher level."

One of the veteran leaders from the cultural system, dressed in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, nodded. His tone was deep, but his words were firm.

"You've changed your approach, haven't you?" a middle-aged leader couldn't help but ask. "The first time the performance was quite loose, the second time it was all on time, and this time it's all perfectly synchronized."

To be honest, when he first saw it, the whole cube was crooked and disorganized, and everyone had to be placed in a closed space. He never expected that it could achieve this effect.

“We used the standard rhythm of military boxing, and then combined it with the ‘one, two, three, four’ commands of military training, breaking down all the movements into fixed modules for the soldiers to memorize.”

Actually, this suggestion was first conceived by director Wu Chen. Director Zhang Yimou had repeatedly approached the cultural and artistic advisory group in those days, all to solve this problem.

Zhang Jigang, who was in charge of inviting these soldiers and was also the person in charge of implementing this idea, immediately responded.

"Wu Chen's ideas have indeed solved many of the production team's problems."

Zhang Yi added with a smile that as the chief director, he had to be responsible for the entire program, and this program was just a relief for him.

"Haha, then we made the right choice in selecting this consultant."

"At times like these, we need young people who are creative and unconventional."

"."

Everyone smiled upon hearing this, and the atmosphere relaxed slightly. The show then ended, and the set crew quickly took their place.

Before the judges on stage had even finished speaking, another performance team was already waiting on the side, ready to take the stage.

Wu Chen also received a message from Zhang Yi in the afternoon that the program "Movable Type Printing" had successfully passed the third review and entered the first rehearsal in July, which would last for four days.

"What kind of project is 'Modular Type Printing'? It seems Director Zhang is taking it very seriously; he even told you about it." Liu Yifei had her hands on Wu Chen's shoulders, her face turned to the side, and her eyes were filled with curiosity.

"You'll find out at the opening ceremony."

"Wouldn't we have to suspend filming at that time?"

Liu Yifei suddenly thought of this matter. After all, filming starts tomorrow, so there definitely won't be enough time to finish filming the opening ceremony on August 8th.

"It's alright, Ning Hao and I have already discussed it. The crew will take a few days off, it won't be a problem. Let's go, it's so hot, and we're in Hong Kong, let's go down and get some dessert."

"Really? I'll go call Shu Chang and Sister Na. Hehe, I want a bowl of Lingzhi jelly, a mango salad, watermelon juice, and a serving of curry fish balls."

Liu Yifei walked and counted, a smile playing on her lips, completely unaware that she was talking more and more than she was saying. Only when she turned back and saw Wu Chen's strange expression did her face flush red, and she stamped her foot in a coquettish tone:

"Don't laugh at me."

In Hong Kong, the better places are those without paparazzi. Ordinary people generally won't crowd around you. After all, Hong Kong is a small city, and many celebrities frequently appear in various corners of the city, so it's commonplace.

The following morning, at Sha Tin College, sunlight filtered through the gaps between the trees and the teaching buildings, illuminating the playground and school buildings.

The campus is not large, but the buildings are modern and the layout is well-organized.

Sha Tin College, one of the most distinctive international schools in Hong Kong with a British education system, was quiet during the summer holidays, but has now become lively due to the start of filming for a movie.

The official start ceremony for "Bad Genius" was held. Tony Leung Ka-fai specially took leave from Wong Jing's "Money Empire" crew to come here, and his own scenes were moved to August to avoid scheduling conflicts between the two.

"Hello, Director Wu!"

"Hello, Director Ning!"

"."

Leung Ka-fai greeted them one by one.

"Thank you for your help, you even took time off from the film set to come here," Ning Hao replied with a smile.

“No trouble at all,” Tony Leung waved his hand and laughed heartily. “Our place is small. The ‘Money Empire’ crew is filming in Mong Kok right now. I can come from there by subway in less than 25 minutes. It’s a little exercise.”

He spoke casually, with a nostalgic look on his face: "Back in Hong Kong, we could go to seven or eight locations a day, one or two scenes at each location, and the actors, cinematographers, and lighting crew wouldn't give you an extra hour! Now you guys are all about quality, but back then we just rushed through everything in one go."

These words left Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, Huang Xuan, and the others with expressions of disbelief.

Moving between seven or eight venues in a single day would be exhausting enough for anyone to collapse on the way back home.

"It's almost time. Invited media can come in with their credentials!" Li Xiaoping instructed from the stage manager's booth.

Li Xiaoping, Wang Changtian's trusted aide, remains the producer for Enlight Media, while Ning Hao has brought in Xing Aina, who is currently wearing a headset and organizing the process.

Choosing to film at Sha Tin College has a natural advantage—the school is closed off, providing a natural barrier that facilitates scheduling and prevents unauthorized media filming.

The media swarmed in, including reporters who had flown in from the mainland and long-established entertainment media from Hong Kong.

However, the absence of the usual incense-burning and worship-like atmosphere of Hong Kong film crews caught several Hong Kong media outlets off guard. But they reacted quickly, carrying their equipment and microphones and rushing towards the main cast and crew.

"Director Ning, according to the filing information, is 'Bad Genius' a crime film?"

"I don't think it's necessary to define it as a crime film; that's too limiting and might cause viewers to miss out on its truly interesting aspects."

Ning Hao paused, looked at the camera, and did not define the film.

The reporter was taken aback; before he could finish writing his notes, someone else asked:

"Director Wu, this is your first time acting in a movie, and you're playing the second male lead. Did you choose to take on this role because of Ms. Liu Yifei?"

"Yes."

As soon as Wu Chen finished speaking, the crew burst into laughter. Liu Yifei's cheeks instantly turned red. Even though she was wearing light makeup, she couldn't hide her shyness, but a happy smile appeared on her lips.

The media, however, were momentarily taken aback by such a direct response.

"Director Wu," another reporter continued, "there were rumors that this script was actually tailor-made for Ms. Liu Yifei by a scriptwriting team. Is that true?"

"some."

Wu Chen's answer remained frank and direct, which excited the media.

They didn't want to ask any more questions to anyone else; they wanted to ask Wu Chen to answer them.

"That's enough, why are you trying to pin this on me? I'm not happy about it." Wu Chen waved his hand with a smile, and the media burst into laughter before turning to others.

"I'm very nervous about acting in a commercial film for the first time, but I will try my best to do well and live up to the director's trust."

"Both Director Wu and Director Ning are directors I've wanted to work with in mainland China, and now that I've managed to get both of them together, it's a perfect match."

Huang Xuan and Tony Leung Ka-fai's responses were conventional, but when it came to Shu Chang, the Hong Kong media stirred things up again.

"Ms. Shu Chang, there are rumors in the industry that you were able to play the second female lead because of Ms. Liu Yifei. Is this true?"

Before Shu Chang could answer, Liu Yifei interrupted, "I chose it."

Three words, simple, clear, and resolute.

Shu Chang couldn't help but lower her head and chuckle softly, which immediately triggered another round of snickers and a flurry of camera flashes from the media.

"."

"Attention all departments, filming for 'Bad Genius' has begun." Ning Hao's voice came through the headset to every staff member.

At noon, news of the official start of filming for "Bad Genius" at Sha Tin College in Hong Kong was simultaneously released through news agencies, mainland reporters, and Hong Kong entertainment newspapers. That afternoon, numerous print and electronic media outlets followed up with headlines reporting on the event.
[Filming Begins in Hong Kong for "Bad Genius"! Wu Chen and Liu Yifei Share Sweet Moments on Set, Admitting the Script Was Tailor-Made for Liu Yifei by the Team!]

[“I chose her!” Liu Yifei strongly supports Shu Chang for the second female lead role!]

[Filming closed at Sha Tin College; "Bad Genius" airport appearance low-key yet still generating buzz!]

This report has made many actresses in mainland China extremely jealous.

"This is truly a team tailor-made for us; this treatment is excessive."

"Anyone could accept this."

"So they're all on our side."

"."

At this time, shortly after filming began, Yang Mi and Liu Shisi, upon hearing the news, exchanged a glance and both saw the lingering envy in each other's eyes.

(End of this chapter)