Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 116 Filming Wrapped Up, Beauty Awaits

"I hereby announce that filming has wrapped."

Chen Shouzhe's voice echoed through the mountains and forests. After filming the last scene, Chen Shouzhe finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After being frozen here for almost three months, they are finally able to leave Northeast China.

"Now I understand why people disappear so quickly here. Who can stand this weather? How are we supposed to go to work? Everyone says the South is cold, but winter in the Northeast is unbearable," Jiang Wen said as she walked.

“There are people in Siberia, and there will always be people in Northeast China who love this land and are protecting it. We should go now, so we can go back and have a good New Year,” Chen Shouzhe said.

“I should go back and prepare too,” Jiang Wen nodded.

Chen Shou handed him a cigarette, and the two squatted on the ground to smoke. The others began packing up their things, preparing to leave.

In the past, many news media outlets would inquire about the possibility of visiting the set, but since the filming location was in Northeast China, which is too cold, no media outlets came here at all.

Grandpa Zhao has come twice, and I must say, he dares to hold up a finger even when he's drinking baijiu.

As expected of a seasoned veteran, neither Chen Shouzhe nor Jiang Wen were his match. After drinking it once, they never dared to drink it a second time.

Thanks to Grandpa Zhao's help, filming in Northeast China went incredibly smoothly, and he received support from all sides, not to mention that this was a patriotic film produced by the August First Film Studio.

Even before the wrap party started, group photos of the wrap party were already being posted online and quickly edited and reposted by the media.

[It is reported that the patriotic film "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy," directed by Chen Shouzhe, wrapped up filming today. The crew and actors have already released a group photo to mark the end of filming.]

[Tao Le, head of Shouzhe Film Industry, told our reporter that although "The Taking of Tiger Mountain" is a patriotic film, director Chen Shouzhe used commercial film techniques, making it more than just a typical patriotic film. It's a patriotic commercial film with all the elements of a blockbuster, and audiences can look forward to it!]

Many media outlets were publishing the same news, and netizens quickly gathered to leave comments and discuss it.

"Director Chen has been very busy this year, making several films in a row."

"I've basically never seen him rest. The animated film 'A Chinese Ghost Story' at the beginning of the year, and now 'The Taking of Tiger Mountain' will also wrap up filming before the end of the year. He's been working non-stop."

"I've heard that the year-end bonuses and dividends from film studios are incredibly high."

“I heard from a senior of mine who works at Little Dream that because of the success of the Mars rescue, everyone at Little Dream will receive a big red envelope.”

"How big exactly?"

"Let's put it this way: the company has 200 people, and each person will receive a minimum of 100,000."

"Twenty million? That's not much."

"Hehe, if you were the boss, would you be willing to spend 100,000? It's true that the average monthly income on the internet is one million."

"I'm already preparing for the interview next year."

What are "mainstream commercial films"?

"I'm more looking forward to animated films."

Netizens are discussing it extensively, and people in the film and television industry are also curious about what exactly a so-called "mainstream commercial film" is, and whether a mainstream film is made into a commercial film.

They've never seen it before, so they must all be very curious about how Chen Shouzhe films it and whether he can make money from it.

In the Northeast, Chen Shouzhe had already packed his things, and everyone was heading to the largest hotel in the area to hold a wrap party.

At the wrap party, Jiang Wen kept pouring drinks for Chen Shouzhe. Chen Shouzhe knew what she meant—it was an apology.

After a month, his anger subsided. Anyway, he paid the price; that part had to be reshot, and he had to pay the price by filming it himself.

Chen Shouzhe ignored all the expenses incurred; he had to pay for his mistakes.

They returned to the hotel drunk. The next day, the crew split into two groups. The actors who had other commitments had already left by plane, while the rest of the crew had to take the equipment. In Northeast China, only trucks are used, and especially in winter, the only option was to use a train to transport the equipment back.

Chen Shouzhe took a plane back to the capital first, and a large group of people got off the plane, including Jiang Wen.

Unexpectedly, I was surrounded by several people as soon as I got off the plane.

"Director Chen, Director Jiang, have you finished filming and returned?" a reporter asked.

"I was wondering why you didn't go over there. It's very lively over there." Chen Shou looked towards the other side of the airport, where there were many people, and some were even holding banners and shouting slogans, such as "xxx, I love you."

"Hehe, you can't get in if you're late." The reporter chuckled.

"Who's that over there? Such a grand entrance!" Jiang Wen looked up and pulled down her sunglasses to ask.

"She's a member of an idol group who returned from South Korea," the reporter said.

"Honestly, have all men become like that nowadays? They all smear their lips like women, and the women too, their sexual orientation has changed, they've started to like women too," Jiang Wen said.

"Say less, or you'll get yourself into trouble," Chen Shou said.

"What's the trouble? Do you think they'd dare do anything to me?" Jiang Wen said.

"Alright, you go your way, I'll go mine. I need to go to the company," Chen Shou said.

“Okay, let’s have dinner together sometime.” Jiang Wen nodded.

"Could you two ask a few questions?" several reporters asked humbly, but Chen Shouzhe and Jiang Wen completely ignored them.

Although journalists are known as the uncrowned kings, it's important to consider who they're referring to.

"What's the problem?" Chen Shou asked.

"So, regarding Zhang Mo's matter, is the movie going to be reshot?" a reporter asked hurriedly. Jiang Wen glanced at the reporter, and Chen Shou smiled and said, "Didn't you see the announcement my company released? It's confirmed, it will be reshot."

"As far as I know, Director Chen's senior colleagues have a very good relationship with Teacher Zhang. I would like to ask if Teacher Zhang has contacted you?"

"This is a private matter, so I won't answer it."

Seeing that Chen Shouzhe did not respond, the reporter had already come up with a plan and continued to ask questions, but Chen Shouzhe and his group had already walked outside, waved, and gotten into the company car that had come to pick them up.

He went back to the company to handle some matters, some of which required his signature. At the beginning of the year, Wu Jing's film received his investment and is currently in post-production; it's uncertain whether it will be released next year.

The animated film is estimated to be completed by the end of next year or the beginning of the year after.

With both Painted Skin and A Chinese Ghost Story in post-production, Chen Shou can finally take a good rest for the year.

The Matrix has been filmed, but its release is estimated to be in the middle to late part of next year.

Colombia has sent another invitation, inquiring about a collaboration with Chen Shouzhe. The previous three collaborations have all been very profitable for them, and this tsunami miracle has also brought them a fortune. Now they are eyeing Chen Shouzhe's other scripts.

There's a scheduled filming date in the second half of the year for Gravity with Warner Bros. This is an agreement Chen Shouzhe signed with Warner Bros. He will also be the director of Gravity after his successful Martian rescue.

In other words, he doesn't have any available time in the first half of the year and can be free.

Many companies plan their projects as early as the end or beginning of each year, especially film projects, whose production cycles are measured in months and years, with the longest possibly taking several years to complete.

It's not as simple as just holding a camera and filming; there's a lot to do in the subsequent editing, music composition, and even special effects.

Suddenly, a text message arrived on his phone. After seeing the notification, Chen Shou opened his phone screen, thought for a moment, and replied with a text message.

Having mostly dealt with company matters, he drove himself to a residential complex and took the elevator directly from the garage to the entrance.

"I've arrived." Chen Shouzhe made a phone call, and a moment later the door opened, revealing a fair-skinned face.

"Come in." The person inside smiled, their eyes crinkling into crescent shapes.

Chen went in, and she closed the door behind her, laughing, "I thought you wouldn't dare to come."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Chen Shou said.

"Didn't you just get off the plane?"

"My flight was in the morning, so I went to the company to take care of some things first."

"You're quite busy."

"I own my own company and I direct my own films, so I'm always busy."

Chen Shou looked at the other person, and Yan Danchen came over to take off his shirt. There was heating in the room, so he could take off his down coat.

"I've prepared some food for you, have something to eat first." The table was already full of various delicacies, clearly ordered from a restaurant outside. They probably saw her reply to the text message and hurriedly ordered the restaurant to deliver it.

"Don't you have any announcements lately?" Chen Shou asked.

"It's alright, I've always had work to do. I have to thank you for Journey to the West, it saved me, otherwise I don't know what I could act in now," Yan Danchen said, taking a bowl and chopsticks and sitting down opposite Chen Shouzhe.

Seeing her domestic demeanor, Chen Shouzhe suddenly felt that this was quite nice, but since they were all in the same industry, he rationally rejected the idea.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yan Danchen asked with a smile.

"You look great."

"Tch, a man's mouth is a lying devil."

"You weren't fooled by me."

"How could I not have been deceived by you?"

"You delivered yourself to my door."

"Yes, yes, director, I offered myself up, but it wasn't you who took the initiative."

"That's true. Sometimes, a joking probing can yield unexpected results."

"Scumbag."

The two chatted and laughed over their meal, then leaned against each other and talked about movies and gossip in the industry.

Just as she was changing channels, she switched to Blueberry Channel, which was playing a very popular variety show this year. Yan Danchen had a playful expression on her face.

"Everyone in the industry knows that this girl is yours, is that true?"

"Yes, it's true." Chen Shou nodded.

"I don't even know what to say. Can't you lie to people?" Yan Danchen said with a sullen laugh.

“I might lie, but I have no reason to lie to you. Besides, it’s not like it’s something that can’t be said. You’ve already said that everyone in the industry knows, so what’s the point of hiding it? It’s better to say it openly. Hiding it will only make you uncomfortable,” Chen Shou said.

“Indeed, I feel much better when you say that. This kind of thing is very common in the industry. I don’t necessarily want to be with you for life. I know you’re not that kind of person. You’re just a heartless man, a scumbag,” Yan Danchen said through gritted teeth.

"So what exactly are you after?" Chen Shou asked.

"I'm willing." She then lunged forward...

(End of this chapter)