Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 16 Jiang Ye's Art of Sheep-Hunting
Jiang Ye nodded and took the opportunity to hand over the proposal: "So I think if it were you, you would definitely understand what I want to express in 'Princess Promotion'."

Tian Zhuangzhuang opened the proposal, and Jiang Ye immediately pointed to the paragraph marked in red: "Here, the clash between modern business warfare thinking and ancient power struggles is actually a satire of the present through the past."

"The male-as-female character setting here is intended to explore the fluidity of gender perception..."

"Stop," Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly interrupted. "You think you can fool me by adding a few theoretical embellishments?"

He flipped directly to the storyboard sketch page, saying, "Explain this shot."

Jiang Ye remained calm: "This is the climax of the third episode, using an overhead shot to show the princess dancing a modern dance at a palace banquet. In terms of cinematic language, I wanted to use framing to represent her being bound by feudal ethics, while the tension of the dance movements hints at..."

“Use a wide-angle lens,” Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly said. “Shoot in the beams and pillars of the palace to create a sense of oppression.”

Jiang Ye's eyes lit up: "Let's add a tracking shot, changing from an overhead view to a level view, to symbolize the protagonist starting to rebel!"

Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, the old man and the young man began revising the storyboard.

It wasn't until the waiter came to refill the water for the third time that Tian Zhuangzhuang closed the proposal: "Does your uncle know you're going to film this?"

Jiang Ye smiled wryly: "He said if the filming goes wrong, he'll make me go to Yunnan and live with monkeys for six months."

"However, he will serve as the producer of this series!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang suddenly burst into laughter, picked up a pen and signed the application form: "Tell your uncle that I'm on your side this time."

When I left the teahouse, the rain had stopped.

Jiang Ye looked at the signature "Art Director: Tian Zhuangzhuang" on the application form and let out a soft breath.

The next morning, Jiang Ye, carrying the application form signed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, began his next step in the plan.

Our first stop was the equipment room for the directing department.

As the administrator, Lao Zhang, opened the door with a yawn, Jiang Ye was already standing at the door with a broad smile.

"Uncle Zhang, Professor Tian's project needs some equipment." He handed over the proposal and casually put down a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes. "He only needs two RED cameras, so it won't delay the juniors from filming their assignments."

Old Zhang squinted at the signature: "Oh, did Teacher Tian personally guide you?"

He leaned closer to Jiang Ye and lowered his voice, "You're something else, kid. You weren't this quick to lend me equipment last time Guan Hu came to borrow some."

Jiang Ye smiled shyly: "It's just a small assignment. Teacher Tian told me to practice."

Half an hour later, when he left pushing the cart full of equipment, there were three Arri lamps on the cart, which were "friendly donations" from Old Zhang.

Basic equipment issues resolved.

The second stop was the performance department's physical training classroom.

"Teacher Li, I would like to borrow a few sets of traditional costumes."

Jiang Ye unfolded the application form, which read, "Teacher Tian's guidance on historical subject teaching experiments."

Professor Li Mei, who was in charge of costumes, adjusted her glasses: "Ancient costumes? We don't have many ancient costumes here..."

"Teacher Tian said his project is very important..."

He emphasized the words "Teacher Tian said" very much.

Li Mei hesitated for a moment, then suddenly slapped her thigh: "Wait a minute!"

She led him directly to a wardrobe labeled "Ming Dynasty Clothing": "These are all basic styles, made last year when we were filming 'The Great Ming Dynasty'."

She deftly took out several sets of clothing: "The civil official's round-necked robe, the military official's lining robe, and the palace maid's ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), are all standard styles."

He then pointed to a large box, "Inside are matching crowns and belts."

Jiang Ye inspected the clothes. Although they were not luxurious, they were well-tailored and had exquisite patterns.

What pleased him most was the crimson brocade robe with gold dragon design: "Could this be used as the crown prince's ceremonial robe?"

"Good taste." Li Mei quickly packed all the clothes. "Remember to dry clean and return them when you're done."

Less than half an hour later, Jiang Ye left the warehouse carrying two full boxes of costumes.

The costumes for the lead actors are basically done. The third stop is the Academic Affairs Office.

During his lunch break, Jiang Ye "happened" to help the teacher on duty organize the filing cabinet.

“Teacher Wang, this preferential plan needs to be stamped…” he mentioned casually, “Teacher Tian has already signed it.”

Teacher Wang glanced at the form: "Just put it here, next week..."

“Teacher Tian said it would be best to get it done today,” Jiang Ye said with a troubled expression, “He’s going to Cannes tomorrow to be a jury member…”

When the official seal was put down, Jiang Ye resisted the urge to whistle.

Last stop: Huairou Film and Television Base

Jiang Ye pushed the application form, stamped with the official seal of Beijing Film Academy, to the reception desk, making sure that the words "Yanjing Film Academy Preferred Program" were facing upwards in gold lettering.

"Wow, the Premium Program?" Duty supervisor Lao Zhou pushed up his glasses, his attitude immediately becoming more enthusiastic. "This is a key collaborative project between us and Beijing Film Academy."

Are you looking to rent a venue?

“Yes, a teaching experiment.” Jiang Ye pointed to the application form, “The side halls and imperial gardens of the Ming and Qing Palaces, 60 days over two months.”

Old Zhou flipped through the price list: "The standard fee is 8000 a day, so two months would be 48..."

He pulled out the premium program document, "However, your school's premium program offers a 7% discount, plus free equipment entry."

Jiang Ye quickly calculated: "That's 336,000?"

“Don’t rush,” Old Zhou said with a shrewd smile. “If you’re willing to cooperate with our promotion and add ‘Special support from Huairou Film and Television Base’ at the end of the film, we can offer you an additional discount of 1 yuan.”

"326,000 yuan for two months?" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up.

“That’s right.” Old Zhou lowered his voice. “Since it’s Director Tian’s project, I have a suggestion for you!”

“Palace No. 3 in Area B is currently empty. It has a complete palace complex and lotus pond. Last year, the movie ‘Brotherhood of Blades’ was filmed there for three months.”

Jiang Ye immediately made the decision: "Segment B it is! But the extras..."

Old Zhou understood: "20 palace maids and eunuchs, calculated at the long-term cooperation price, 50 yuan per person per day, 6 yuan for two months, package price of 5 yuan including costumes and props."

Jiang Ye extended his hand: "Deal! I'll go back and report, and come over the day after tomorrow to sign the contract!"

"Sure! But it has to be as soon as possible, if other production crews need it..."

"understand!"

Now we have the venue and costumes, all we lack are people and money!
……

The coffee corner at the Beijing Film Academy library.

The early autumn sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a young woman with exquisite makeup was nestled in a single sofa in the coffee corner, engrossed in reading the comic book "Fox Spirit Matchmaker".

She wore a beige turtleneck sweater paired with a light brown corduroy long skirt. Her short black hair was casually draped over her shoulders, with a few wisps of hair falling down by her ears, making her profile look exceptionally soft.

"Ziyi!" Wang Yifei, a classmate from the acting department, rushed over with two lattes and plopped down on the sofa opposite her. "Have you heard? Something big has happened in the directing department!"

Meng Ziyi didn't even look up, her finger lightly turning a page of the book: "Which professor's new film is casting this time?"

"That's way more exciting than that!" Wang Yifei leaned closer and lowered his voice, "I heard that a freshman in the directing department has only been enrolled for a month and has already assembled a crew to shoot a web series!"

The coffee cup hovered in mid-air. Meng Ziyi finally looked up: "Freshmen? Joining a film crew?"

"That's right!" Wang Yifei slammed his hand on the table excitedly. "I heard from the photography department that this guy somehow managed to get even Professor Tian Zhuangzhuang to be his art director..."

"And I got inside information that the female lead hasn't been cast yet; they're going to find someone from our school!"

"The female lead?"

Meng Ziyi closed the book in her hand without realizing it.

(End of this chapter)