The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 48 A Beauty Like a Painting (Third Update!)
In the first scene, Shen Shandeng did not attempt any difficult scenes, nor did he intend to establish his authority or create unnecessary camera work.

We chose a simple play and had rehearsed it many times beforehand.

While Shen Shandeng was checking the preparations for the scene, he was also observing the condition of the crew members.

It can only be said that his speech and Han Sanping's statement far exceeded expectations.
The core creative team is in a state of high spirits.

Deeply inspired by the spirit of the "pioneers," Wu Jing was filled with enthusiasm and his admiration for Shen Shandeng reached its peak. He gathered the stunt team and main action actors to warm up and practice moves, eager to put on a great show.

The sound of clashing weapons and shouts suddenly filled the set.

The enthusiasm of all staff members, from volunteers to key technical personnel in the production team, was also mobilized.

Whether it was the predicament of being blocked, mortgaging their houses, the bold statement of "one hundred million," or Han Sanping's strong support, they felt that they were not participating in an ordinary project, but a "battle" that could potentially make history.

The rigorous process management of the production crew instilled in everyone the belief that the goal could be achieved.

Coupled with Shen Shandeng's personal charm, the crew's morale and spirit reached their peak.

Morale was high, and work efficiency and cohesion increased dramatically.

The launch ceremony was clearly a success!

The ceremony was completed, unifying thoughts and consolidating will.

While Shen Shandeng was overjoyed, he also felt immense pressure!

It was a huge success!

Fiery heat and scalding oil!

He could easily imagine that as the onlookers gradually dispersed, discussions would begin to arise.

The reporters' coverage will further amplify the influence of this star-studded, influential, controversial, and ambitious launch ceremony.

In particular, Han Sanping's binding was something Shen Shandeng had not expected.

I never expected Old Deng to play such a big game, trapping Little Deng in the process.

With strong endorsement, personal attendance, and strategic tone, the film "The Eunuch" was positioned as a key attempt in China Film Group's "film industry upgrading strategy," effectively binding Shen Shandeng to the cause.

If Shen Shandeng fails to produce results, Han Sanping will remain stagnant.

Oh, it seems like I was just standing still in my past life.

Well, Old Deng has nothing to lose; he's in an invincible position.

Is this what Shen Shandeng wanted?
To say no would be too hypocritical.

Deep down, he couldn't resist the temptation to influence and drive the development of an industry.

He believed what he was told so often!

But if he had a choice, Shen Shandeng would prefer to slowly level up by defeating monsters.

However, how far a person can go depends not only on their personal abilities, but also on the opportunities presented by the times.

Shen Shandeng created the opportunity himself; he can't expect others to remain unmoved like NPCs.

The only thing to blame is that he's too outstanding.

He's too outstanding in this industry full of scoundrels; it's no longer enough for him to just make a little money.

Being too outstanding comes with its own price.

It's lonely at the top!

The movie "The Eunuch" is gradually turning Shen Shandeng's boasts into reality.

It is no longer just a movie; it has become a symbolic battleground for Chinese cinema to attempt industrial transformation, challenge the existing pattern, and prove its local strength.

Standing in the center of the battlefield, directing the operation, was Shen Shandeng, a young director who was still a child.

The future of Chinese cinema rests on his shoulders.

A cost of 12 million, an all-star lineup, strong support from China Film Group, and countless eyes, both expectant and skeptical, weighed heavily on his shoulders!

The "Supervisor" project and he himself were pushed to the forefront of the wave of reform in the Chinese film industry, becoming the focus of attention and the key to the game between various parties.

All eyes will be on Shen Shandeng, and on the success or failure of "The Eunuch".

This is not just about the gains and losses of a single film, but also about its significance as a trendsetter for the industry.

The pressure and expectations have never been so great.

Why is it that the more outstanding a person is, the less they can hide it?
Why is it that the more I try not to be high-profile, the harder it is for me to be low-profile?
Shen Shandeng tried to make himself nervous, but he only felt a little excited, not too much pressure.

Because he knew very well that things had two sides.

Han Sanping's alliance is risky, but the benefits are obvious.

Even if "The Supervisor" fails, he has many chances to try again.

As long as Han Sanping is still around, before Chinese cinema escapes its life-or-death crisis and before the first film to reach the billion-yuan mark emerges, the power of China Film Group will only increase.

In other words, Shen Shandeng can give up now, if he's not afraid of being criticized by Lao Deng.

But can Shen Shandeng's temper really cause the "Supervisor" project to fail?

Moreover, as long as the target is "Paperclip", this movie is unlikely to fail at the box office.

In this era, as long as the box office is successful, whether it's a scam or a fraud, it's considered a success.

Thinking of this, Shen Shandeng felt that he had seen through Han Sanping.

This was no accident!

This was done on purpose by his mother.

Is it a good idea to ambush this young man in his early twenties?
Ultimately, it's because he's too outstanding.

The movie hasn't even been filmed yet, but it's already secured a minimum guarantee for "The Eunuch," because he knows the true quality of "Paperclip." And Lao Deng even saw this during their previous discussions.

Old Deng was very vulnerable back then, and he was probably already plotting this day.

hiss!
Shen Shandeng felt that he had some plans for the future that he had to keep secret.

Things come true in secret.

His insights are incredibly valuable!

Take back your thoughts.

Shen Shandeng checked the scene preparations and equipment.

The main camera and the auxiliary camera (camera B) are both working well.

Unlike the mainstream domestic lenses which are spherical lenses with a shutter, he used a special lens, specifically an anamorphic widescreen lens.
The film used was from the Kodak Vision2 series, with a large stockpile, and was prepared at a scale of 1:20.

Mobile devices, heavy railcars, Dolly cars, and rocker arms are all fine.

The lighting, filters, and live voiceover were all working perfectly.

Shen Shandeng knew he was very capable, but he remained very composed.

Let's cool down the excited atmosphere.

"It must be said that we are doing a great undertaking, which is destined to be written into the history of Chinese cinema and will add a brilliant chapter to the careers of each of us."

"But we must clearly recognize that to achieve proud results, we must inevitably go through a series of hardships and obstacles. These results will not fall; on the contrary, they will be very difficult to achieve."

"In terms of promotion, I distanced myself from traditional period dramas. Why? Because films like 'Hero,' 'House of Flying Daggers,' 'The Promise,' and 'The Banquet' had terrible storylines. Audiences were very disappointed with period dramas."

"We are bound to be affected by this disappointment as well."

However, Shen Shandeng did not dampen their enthusiasm excessively. Instead, he changed the subject and affirmed the crew's work: "But we did a very solid job."

"The first scene features exquisite costumes, props, and sets. They are both meticulous and leave room for interpretation, avoiding excessive embellishment and highlighting Chen Hao himself."

"The lighting is also very well used, creating a soft and dreamy atmosphere, and the precise lighting highlights the three-dimensionality of the face and the catchlight in the eyes."

Before filming began.

Shen Shandeng gave Chen Hao another acting instruction.

"I don't want any complicated staging or tedious dialogue that might ruin the aesthetics. When audiences go to the cinema, what they need first and foremost is the ultimate visual experience, the impact that will last a lifetime."

"This appearance must make everyone remember Su Xiaoxiao's unparalleled beauty and the devastating power of your face on the big screen, enhanced by top-notch costumes, props, and lighting."

"Beauty is persuasive power. How could Zhao Wenhua resist such a stunning beauty, carefully cultivated and sent to the mansion? What great ambitions must Sun Shichang have for spending so much? The background and motives of the characters are self-evident in this amazing appearance."

"You don't need to create a sense of alienation and calculation in your eyes. This can be conveyed through the lines spoken by Zhao Wenhua and Sun Shichang, or through the background music."

Shen Shandeng's approach to directing is very specific. He has a clear goal: to make the character as beautiful as possible while maintaining the character's persona.

Chen Hao listened attentively.

We had discussed this before, but this was a formal shoot.

She was still confident, and Shen Shandeng's requirements were very specific.

The film naturally conveys the characters' backgrounds, carefully cultivated gifts, and underlying motivations through visual impact, adhering to the principles of efficient storytelling in commercial films.

Chen Hao went through the scene once.

Wang, the deputy manager of China Film Group, and Zhang, an expert, stood in the corner, carrying out Han Sanping's mission to observe whether Shen Shandeng could withstand the pressure.

The result was...
Deputy Manager Wang exclaimed, "This is too stable!"

Zhang Nengshou wasn't surprised. Director Shen's image as a cunning and shrewd old man—no, as steady and reliable—had long been established in his mind.

"The first scene."

The stagehand sets up the clapperboard.

Shen Shandeng sat in front of the monitor, nodding in satisfaction. The pacing was excellent; he abandoned complex staging and redundant dialogue, using pure visual impact to grab the audience's attention.

The camera work is also excellent, capturing the dynamic beauty of the skirt swaying, the graceful flow of the hair in the wind, the close-up shots that perfectly capture the eyes and facial features, and the background blur that highlights the subject.

"Cut!"

Shen Shandeng's voice rang out, carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

Chen Hao detached himself from the character and habitually looked at the director first.

"Let's take a look together."

Shen Shandeng called the photographer and actors over, and for the first scene, everyone got into character together.

When Shen Shandeng gestured for her to watch the playback together, Chen Hao was somewhat surprised, but still went over with curiosity and anticipation.

The monitor was replaying the footage from just now.

The production team of "The Eunuch" used Sony's BVM series CRT cathode ray tube monitors.

It has relatively high color accuracy, no viewing angle issues, and no motion blur or response time problems.

The downside is the low resolution, only 720p high definition, which cannot fully display all the details after the film is scanned, and the cinematographer, director and other core creative personnel have to rely on their own experience to judge.

However, the display effect is sufficient.

"You need to look at the trend, composition, focal point, and movement," Shen Shandeng explained to Chen Hao.

Chen Hao didn't say anything.

She was captivated by her own camera lens.

As beautiful as a picture!
No actress could resist such a shot!

(End of this chapter)