Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 119: Filming Wraps Up and Starts New Shoot; Jing Tian Joins the Crew
Fan Bingbing is so fierce.

Cao Zhong did indeed sense the difference in this person. Even just hearing Yang Mi shout something made Fan Bingbing go all in on Thursday's KFC.

Therefore, Cao Zhong had no choice but to give her fifty V's.

Yang Mi was extremely excited when Cao Zhong told her that he would give her a chance to play a role in a Hollywood film, and immediately said that she would go to Li Yang to study English like crazy.

"Let's find someone else," Cao Zhong suggested. "How about we go find Yu Minhong?"

"also."

Yang Mi was very excited, "I know you're very tired on set, so you must take good care of yourself, especially be careful of Fan Bingbing, and don't get sick."

"I will definitely study foreign languages ​​hard. When I have learned them, I can teach you all the English I have learned when we meet."

Cao Zhong felt he had acted too hastily.

Mimi is more meticulous; she should have looked at the medical examination report first.

Fan Bingbing, her face covered in sweat, sneered, "Director Cao isn't a decent person either. Someone actually calls you 'husband'? And who is Mimi?"

"You want to know too much."

"If she goes to Hollywood, where will I go?" Fan Bingbing wiped away sweat, or perhaps tears.

Anyway, her eyes were charming and she shook Cao Zhong's arm.

“Her future lies in the mainland,” Cao Zhong said, “and she’ll only be a supporting actress there. But you’re different. I’m going to leverage your previous international reputation and make you the lead actress directly.”

Although "Apple" wasn't a great movie, it did give Fan Bingbing some international exposure.

It's definitely a good thing to have a Chinese actor promoted directly in Hollywood through Jiang Zhiqiang's connections.

If Fan Bingbing's roles also lean towards positive and morally upright characters, it has a slight advantage in subtly changing the perceptions of North American audiences, and even global audiences.

Moreover, Cao Zhong could use this opportunity to test the intensity of the reaction from North America.

Compared to the subtle portrayal of moral depravity in European art films and the understated disgust in commercial films, Hollywood generally discriminates openly and blatantly.

Americans have a kind of arrogant disdain for the world.

For example, films primarily produced in France are often funded by the US, UK, and France, and are mostly action movies, with Luc Besson serving as screenwriter.
The character played by Jet Li in "Danny the Dog" is a dog that is cruelly trained under the command of a triad boss. He then chooses to regain his dignity as a dog, which is both disgusting and presented as a positive narrative.

Liam Neeson's character in "Taken" is a secret agent who's incredibly thrilled and satisfied for his daughter, emphasizing a clean and exhilarating approach.

Aside from these subtle and implicit comparisons, Americans are much more direct.
For example, "Memoirs of a Geisha" required a Japanese actor to play a charming and successful businessman, while three Chinese actors played geishas. The story also involved the female lead falling in love with this businessman from childhood, and ultimately, after many twists and turns, making him the husband she didn't want to lose. Moreover, the story was set between 1929 and 1945.

Chow Yun-fat's appearance in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is, in short, hard to describe.

It's clear that when Americans want to slap someone, they're very direct.

Therefore, Cao Zhong planned to start by secretly inserting nails into the American narrative by using B-movies and cult films, which are the most looked down upon by American cinema.

Moreover, during this process, Cao Zhong could also use Jiang Zhiqiang to plant some of his own people who pretended to yearn for "civilization" in the other side, so that they could learn from him.

With this in mind, Cao Zhong called Wang Renjun to urge him to select this group of people as soon as possible and then assign them to Jiang Zhiqiang's team.

Fan Bingbing was very excited about Cao Zhong's statement.

Cao Zhong waved his hand in refusal: "Women will only slow down my boot-up speed."

Fan Bingbing became even more excited.

It would be best if she played all the female leads.

……

On October 15, two months after its release, "Nanjing Photo Studio" was still showing in theaters, and its box office had reached 4.29 million yuan.

An absolute cultural phenomenon!

Cao Zhong's reputation soared.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the crew of "We Live in Nanjing"
Whether they are in front of the camera or behind the scenes, all core personnel have signed very strict confidentiality agreements.

Subsequently, the production team held an eight-day script reading session.

After Wang Jinsong received the script and read it through, his expression changed drastically.
To better fit the character, this guy gained 20 pounds in just eight days, and even developed a beer belly.

Cao Zhongren was astonished.

"Director Cao, I already know the significance of this film for Chinese cinema, so I will definitely give it my all." Wang Jinsong privately communicated with Cao Zhong, "If I do anything wrong, Cao Zhong must strictly guide me on the scene."

Cao Zhong understood. Actors, in fact, are often able to distinguish whether a movie is bad or not.

Wang Zhiwen and Chen Daomin also value this film highly.

Don't tell me they aren't the male leads, they're just supporting characters.

After signing the confidentiality agreement and receiving the script,
After they truly understood the story, the sheer genre of the film made them tremble and unable to sleep.

Chen Daomin even came over to discuss the script with Cao Zhong after several days of study.

Chen Daomin couldn't help but praise: "Director Cao, only you can write a script like this. There are thousands of screenwriters and directors in China, but none of them have this ability. When I was communicating with you, I even thought of the things I said when I talked with Qian Zhongshu back then. In front of true cultural figures and scholars, I am really nothing."

People in the entertainment industry lack this kind of culture and depth.

Wang Zhiwen also agreed with Chen Daomin.

"Director Cao, I once heard a saying. A person should learn to hide two things: his secrets and his abilities. Secrets should be kept in one's heart, because once they are spoken, they become stories in other people's mouths. Abilities should also be kept hidden, because abilities are like sharp edges, a kind of thorn that can easily hurt others."

He looked at Cao Zhong and sighed, "But you're different, Director Cao. Even if you had held back a little, these people would still have been killed."

These big shots and big names in front of Fan Bingbing are all convinced!

Fan Bingbing's gaze towards Cao Zhong became increasingly languid.

Cao Zhong knew that's how the entertainment industry was; once he succeeded, many people would flatter him.
But he always tried to avoid being commented on by these people; his mind was completely focused on the film's content.

Fan Bingbing was so anxious that he wagged his tail.

Cao Zhong also refused to proceed.

Ten days later.

Filming for "We Live in Nanjing" - Group A - has quietly begun in Nanjing. Group B, on the other hand, is continuing set construction.

However, before filming began, Cao Zhong signed an advertising contract with the local Renheng Real Estate Group to advertise Renheng Real Estate Group's Meihua Villa and old-fashioned luxury residential projects.

Cao Zhong did not choose any other real estate projects, but instead chose Muxuyuan and Meihuashanzhuang.

Although the advertising fee was less, only 18 million, Cao Zhong also signed a tiered contract for box office and publicity fees.

If the box office exceeds a certain threshold, Yanlord Land Group will need to spend up to 5000 million yuan on advertising.

This made Cao Zhong slightly happy; he had made another profit.

Before filming this time, we specifically negotiated with the local authorities. It just so happened that our family members had already gone abroad to choose the location, so the house was rented to the film crew.

The props team had also set up the room well in advance, paying attention to every detail.

10 month 27 day.

With Cao Zhong's order, filming of "We Live in Nanjing" officially began.

Since Jing Tian was not part of the production team, the first shots were taken in the current timeline.

After setting off a massive fireworks display spanning twenty years for Banxia, ​​everyone in the current timeline now knows about the impending apocalypse.

The story begins here.

Wang Jinsong, playing the father, confidently assured Bai Yang.

"With professional intervention, the problem will definitely be solved. A country of 1.4 billion people, a world of 7 billion people, can we really let the sky fall? Even if an asteroid is about to hit the earth, we can push it back." Wang Jinsong said confidently with a serious expression, then turned to ask the child's mother to stock up on 20,000 yuan worth of canned food.

Then they began manual work, installing and processing bows, arrows, daggers, helmets, stun guns, and other equipment, preparing for their post-apocalyptic survival plan.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.

Although Bai Yang went to school as usual every day, as soon as he returned home, he could feel the strong atmosphere of the apocalypse in his own living room.

Cao Zhong personally took charge, allowing Lu Yang to film his scenes with the help of Dante Lam.

On the monitor, Cao Zhong slowly returned home in the hallway. He opened the door and saw many people in the house, and was instantly stunned.

Cao Zhong used the method of experience; after all, he has a background in acting, so he has the skills.

Moreover, he was playing a high school student, and Cao Zhong had a very solid grasp of how to portray the shock in the character.

He returned home in a daze, his steps unsteady as he went upstairs. With a click, the living room light shone through the crack in the door, illuminating Bai Yang's face.

For a moment, Bai Yang thought he had entered the wrong house, because the living room was full of people.

Chen Daomin, who plays Zhao Bowen, looks at Bai Yang with a wry smile and says, "Yangyang, I'm sorry, we have to come back."

"Uncle Zhao, what happened?"

Bai Yang quickly changed his shoes at the door, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked over to Zhao Bowen.
Lu Yang then looked for a close-up of Cao Zhong's face. Cao Zhong was surprised to see the 2500-kilometer radio on the table, neatly placed on the bookshelf.

"Why was the radio returned? Have you finished investigating and solved the problem?"

"During this period, we have only achieved one result and figured out one thing. Other than that, we know nothing." Chen Daomin's acting skills are very subtle. Even with just this one line, he performed it with great intonation and rhythm.

"what's up?"

Chen Daomin stood up, leaned against the bookshelf on the table, and gently patted the radio station.

"Yangyang, have you asked Banxia from BG4MSR where she lives?"

"Plum Blossom Villa".

"Which building and which number?" Chen Daomin lowered his head slightly, meeting Cao Zhong's gaze.

But Cao Zhong hesitated, scratching his head: "I didn't ask. After all, it's not polite to ask a girl's specific address. Besides, she lives alone in the post-apocalyptic world. Asking her which building and number she lives in doesn't make any sense."

"It's indeed meaningless, but you've missed out on a very important piece of intelligence because of it."

"intelligence?"

“Yes,” Chen Daomin nodded, “Do you know which radio Banxia uses?”

“How would I know?” Cao Zhong feigned surprise. “There are so many scoundrels in the world, and almost every radio user has one. How could I possibly guess?”

"After multiple tests, although we are not 100% certain, I estimate it to be very close to 80-90%. Banxia lives at No. 66 Muxuyuan Street, Qinhuai District, NJ City, Meihuashanzhuang Zhongqinyuan, Building 11, Unit 2, Room 804."

“This is my home address!” Cao Zhong’s expression changed.

“But it’s also her home address,” Chen Daomin pointed to the floor, “and maybe she even shares a bedroom with you, lies in the same bed, and you’ve been sleeping in the same bed for two months without realizing it, and she’s using your old radio.”

Cao Zhong was stunned.

"Cut!" Lu Yang shouted, clenching his fist before opening his hand and clapping.

"Perfect! One take!"

Dante Lam came over and spoke with the group, saying, "Director Cao, I didn't expect your acting skills to be so good. You held your own against Chen Daomin."

Chen Daomin nodded, his eyes full of agreement as he looked at Cao Zhong.

Over the next week, the production team made rapid progress, thanks to Cao Zhong's prior preparation of all the storyboards.

The other actors, on the other hand, captured the characters' traits exceptionally well; they are truly excellent actors.

Therefore, this film not only delivers a lot of tension in its scenes without special effects, but also moves very quickly.

……

11 month 4 day.

News has come from the Olympic bid side.

Filming for "My Disqualified Daughter" has officially wrapped.
Jing Tian went to Nanjing to officially join the team.

(End of this chapter)